MyMedR

Fulltext Heavy metals in Danggui (Angelica sinensis) consumed by postpartum mothers and its health risk

Normina Ahmad Bustami, Yu Bin Ho, Chung Keat Tan, Ahmad Zaharin Aris, Eugenie Sin Sing Tan

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(3):113-117.

MyJurnal

Introduction: Consumption of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHMs) have escalated globally. They are preferred treat- ment for minor diseases or disorders. In Malaysia, CHMs are common home remedies during pregnancy and postpar- tum. Angelica sinensis (Danggui) is a staple CHMs during postpartum for purpose of nourishing blood and resolving stasis. Concerns are raised over possible heavy metals toxicity. Objective: This study aims to (i) determine Danggui consumption among postpartum mothers, (ii) quantify its heavy metals level, namely Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Ar- senic (As) and Chromium (Cr) and (iii) determine health risks of Danggui consumption among mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 112 postpartum mothers was carried out in Kuala Lumpur. Danggui samples were collected from nine districts in Kuala Lumpur (Segambut, Seputeh, Cheras, Kepong, Bandar Tun Razak, Titiwangsa, Setiawangsa, Batu and Lembah Pantai). Heavy metals were extracted using microwave digester and analysed using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Hazard Quotient (HQ) was used to determine non-carcino- genic health risks for herbal medicine consumption. Results: Danggui was consumed by 19.6% of mothers (n=22). Among them, incidence of jaundice was 63.6% and need for phototherapy was 40.9%. Heavy metals contamina- tions were found in the decreasing order of Cr > As > Pb > Cd with median (interquartile) of 3996.3 (2805.6) μg/ kg, 128.3 (56.7), 98.6 (99.1) and 37.0 (35.0) respectively. No non-carcinogenic health risks were found for all four metals. Conclusion: Alarming concentrations of heavy metals were quantified in Danggui warranting for further in- vestigation to safeguard health of postpartum mothers.

Fulltext Status of water quality subject to sand mining in the kelantan river, kelantan

Peck Yen T, Rohasliney H

Trop Life Sci Res, 2013 Aug;24(1):19-34.

PMID: 24575239 MyJurnal

This paper aimed to describe the effects of sand mining on the Kelantan River with respect to physical and chemical parameter analyses. Three replicates of water samples were collected from five stations along the Kelantan River (November 2010 until February 2011). The physical parameters included water temperature, water conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity, whereas the chemical parameters included the concentration of nitrogen nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. The Kelantan River case study revealed that TSS, turbidity and nitrate contents exceed the Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS) range and are significantly different between Station 1 (KK) and Station 3 (TM). Station 1 has the largest variation of TDS, TSS, turbidity and nitrogen nutrients because of sand mining and upstream logging activities. The extremely high content of TSS and the turbidity have caused poor and stressful conditions for the aquatic life in the Kelantan River.

Fulltext Optimization for extraction on total phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity of Henna (Lawsonia inermis) stems using response surface methodology

Tan, M. C., Tan, C. P., Khoo, H. E., Ho, C. W.

International Food Research Journal, 2014;21(2):789-794.

MyJurnal

This study aimed to optimise potential extraction conditions using response surface methodology (RSM) for yielding maximum levels of total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging capacity of henna (Lawsonia inermis) stems. The ranges for selected independent variables, namely acetone concentration (20−90%, v/v), extraction time (10−90 min), and extraction temperature (25−45°C) were identified by screening tests. Optimum conditions obtained for extraction of TPC were 47.0% acetone, extraction time of 47.6 min and extraction temperature of 37.3oC. The result also showed that 75.8% acetone, extraction time of 26.2 min and extraction temperature of 41oC yielded the highest DPPH• scavenging capacity. The optimized extraction conditions have resulted in TPC and DPPH• scavenging capacity of 5232.4 mg GAE/100 g DW and 6085.7 mg TE/100 g DW, respectively which similar to the predicted values. Therefore, RSM has successfully optimized the extraction conditions for TPC and radical scavenging capacity of henna stems.

Fulltext What has been done to tackle overweight and obesity in Malaysia?: A literature review (2005 – 2015)

Siew Tin, Tan, Mohd-Sidik, Sherina, Lekhraj, Rampal, Normala, Ibrahim, Kit-Aun, Tan, Zuriati, Ibrahim

The Pertanika Journal of Scholarly Research Reviews, 2017;3(2):56-72.

MyJurnal

As reported by the World Health Organisation (2014), Malaysia is the fattest country among the Southeast Asia. Among others, obesity is a leading contributor of non-communicable diseases (e.g., type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer). This article aims to review the exiting weight management programmes targeting overweight and obesity in Malaysia from 2005 to 2015. The findings from this review could be useful for future intervention efforts in an attempt to address such issues in Malaysia.

Fulltext Extraction of phenolic antioxidants from four selected seaweeds obtained from Sabah

Fu, C.W.F., Tan, T.B., Tan, C.P., Abas, F., Ho, C.W., Yong, W.T.L.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(6):2363-2369.

MyJurnal

Algal have attracted attention from biomedical scientists as they are a valuable natural
source of secondary metabolites that exhibit antioxidant activities. In this study, singlefactor
experiments were conducted to investigate the best extraction conditions (ethanol
concentration, solid-to-solvent ratio, extraction temperature and extraction time) in extracting
antioxidant compounds and capacities from four species of seaweeds (Sargassum polycystum,
Eucheuma denticulatum , Kappaphycus alvarezzi variance Buaya and Kappaphycus alvarezzi
variance Giant) from Sabah. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC)
assays were used to determine the phenolic and flavonoid concentrations, respectively, while
2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picylhydrazyl
(DPPH) radical scavenging capacity assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of
all seaweed extracts. Results showed that extraction parameters had significant effect (p < 0.05)
on the antioxidant compounds and antioxidant capacities of seaweed. Sargassum polycystum
portrayed the most antioxidant compounds (37.41 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g DW and 4.54 ± 0.02 mg
CE/g DW) and capacities (2.00 ± 0.01 μmol TEAC/g DW and 0.84 ± 0.01 μmol TEAC/g DW)
amongst four species of seaweed.

Fulltext The effect of cellulose on crystal formation in the kidneys of guinea pigs fed diet rich in calcium and sodium

Syedhussain S, Tan K, Abu Bakar M

Malays J Nutr, 1996 Mar;2(1):79-86.

PMID: 22692100

Our earlier report showed that diet rich in calcium and sodium fed to guinea pigs can be urolithogenic. In this study, we investigated the effect of adding 3% or 15% cellulose as a source of fiber into similar diet to asses the formation of kidney calculus. From the result, animals fed diet with 3% cellulose showed a relatively high concentration of urinary oxalate, urate and large number of crystals in the kidneys. When the cellulose level was raised to 15%, the concentrations of urinary calcium, urate and the number of crystals formed in the kidneys were lowered. We therefore, conclude that high fiber diet may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of kidney stones of calcium origin.

Chemistry and biochemistry of palm oil

Sambanthamurthi R, Sundram K, Tan Y

Prog Lipid Res, 2000 Nov;39(6):507-58.

PMID: 11106812

Fulltext Neurological melioidosis in East Malaysia: case series and review of the literature

Tan, Ai Huey, Low, Soon Chai, Tan, Chong Tin, Fong, Si Lei, Wong, Jin Shyan

Neurology Asia, 2017;22(1):25-32.

MyJurnal

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by an aerobic, non-spore forming gram negative bacillus,
Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is known to be of high incidence in parts of rural South East Asia,
and in Northern Australia. Pneumonia is the commonest manifestation. We report here three cases of
neurological melioidosis from the registry of 169 cases of melioidosis in Bintulu Hospital, Sarawak,
East Malaysia, with a review of neurological melioidosis in the literature. The annual incidence of
melioidosis is estimated to be 8 per 100,000 populations in the Bintulu district. Neurological melioidosis
accounts for 1.8% of our melioidosis cases. A review of 76 cases of neurological melioidosis reported
in the literature inclusive of our 3 cases shows that localized brain or spinal inflammation or abscess
is the most common manifestation occurring in 80% of patients. Close to half (53%) have intra axial
abscess (brain or spinal cord), a quarter (27%) have extra axial lesions only (epidural or subdural
collection, osteomyelitis or scalp abscess), and another quarter (27%) have both intra and extra axial
lesions. Thus, B. pseudomallei appears to be unique among the bacterial central nervous system
infection to be able to affect the brain and its contiguous tissues, crossing the tissue plane particularly
resulting in osteomyelitis, scalp abscess and vice versa. Two thirds of the neurologicalmelioidosis
patients have only neurological disease with no evidence of disease elsewhere.

Intraocular pressure measurements in paediatric glaucoma: A narrative review on accuracy, tolerability, and ease of use

Yulia DE, Tan S

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(2):206-211.

PMID: 38553928

INTRODUCTION: Numerous tonometers are available to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in children with glaucoma. This review aims to discuss IOP measurement techniques and principles and compare the accuracy, tolerability and ease of use of available tonometers in measuring IOP in paediatric glaucoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of observational studies was conducted to discuss the accuracy, tolerability and ease of use of tonometers in measuring IOP in children with glaucoma.

RESULTS: Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and its portable handheld versions remain the gold standard in measuring IOP. Tono-Pen (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, New York, USA) and rebound tonometer (RBT) both correlate well with GAT. Although both tonometers tend to overestimate IOP, Tono-Pen overestimates more than RBT. Overestimation is more remarkable in higher IOP and corneal pathologies (such as but not limited to scarred cornea and denser corneal opacity). RBT was better tolerated than other tonometers in children and was easier to use in children of all ages.

CONCLUSIONS: RBT is the preferred tonometer for measuring IOP in children with glaucoma, as it is less traumatic, time efficient and does not require fluorescein dye or anaesthesia. However, examiners should use a second tonometer to confirm elevated IOP readings from the RBT.

Fulltext Terminalia spp.: A Potential Material and Its Limitations in Medicine

Quoc LPT

Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Dec;30(6):172-174.

PMID: 38239258 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.6.17

Fulltext Restrictions of the Extraction Process and Bioactivities of Trachyspermum ammi Seed Extract

Quoc LPT

Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):173-175.

PMID: 36818900 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.18

Fulltext Drawbacks for Studies on the Essential Oil of Dracocephalum kotschyi

Quoc LPT

Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Feb;30(1):213-214.

PMID: 36875190 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.1.18

Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Cedecea neteri Strain SSMD04, a Bacterium Isolated from Pickled Mackerel Sashimi

Chan KG, Tan KH, Yin WF, Tan JY

Genome Announc, 2014;2(6).

PMID: 25523782 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01339-14

We report here the complete genome sequence of C. neteri SSMD04, a strain isolated from pickled mackerel sashimi, sequenced by third-generation sequencing technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation that reports the complete genome of Cedecea neteri.

Trans fatty acid content in Malaysian supermarket foods: a field-to-laboratory approach in assessing food risk

Karupaiah T, Tan HK, Ong WW, Tan CH, Sundram K

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess, 2014;31(8):1375-84.

PMID: 24872121 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2014.929183

The extent of industrial trans fatty acids (TFA) in the food supply is unknown in Malaysia, whilst TFA disclosure on food labels is not mandatory by Malaysian food standards. Supermarket foods such as dairy products, fats and oils, meat products, snack foods, soups, and confectionery are commonly cited to be major contributors of TFA in the diet. A consumer survey (n = 622) was used to develop a food listing of these 'high risk' foods. TFA content of high-risk foods were analysed by gas chromatography. Food samples (n = 158) were analysed and their total TFA content were compared with Malaysian Food Standards. A wide variation in TFA content within food categories was indicated. Of the foods containing TFA, many food labels did not cite TFA content or the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO) as an ingredient. Hypothesised estimates of TFA intake from these supermarket foods in a sample day's menu providing 2000 kcal projected a minimum intake of 0.5 g and a maximum intake of 5.2 g TFA. This study found there was no voluntary disclosure of TFA content on food labels or identifying PHVO as an ingredient. It appears that health education targeting consumers to minimise TFA consumption is required supported by mandatory PHVO disclosure on the food label.

Proteomic characterization of venom of the medically important Southeast Asian Naja sumatrana (Equatorial spitting cobra)

Yap MK, Fung SY, Tan KY, Tan NH

Acta Trop, 2014 May;133:15-25.

PMID: 24508616 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.01.014

The proteome of Naja sumatrana (Equatorial spitting cobra) venom was investigated by shotgun analysis and a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. Shotgun analysis revealed the presence of 39 proteins in the venom while the chromatographic approach identified 37 venom proteins. The results indicated that, like other Asiatic cobra venoms, N. sumatrana contains large number of three finger toxins and phospholipases A2, which together constitute 92.1% by weight of venom protein. However, only eight of the toxins can be considered as major venom toxins. These include two phospholipases A2, three neurotoxins (two long neurotoxins and a short neurotoxin) and three cardiotoxins. The eight major toxins have relative abundance of 1.6-27.2% venom proteins and together account for 89.8% (by weight) of total venom protein. Other venom proteins identified include Zn-metalloproteinase-disintegrin, Thaicobrin, CRISP, natriuretic peptide, complement depleting factors, cobra venom factors, venom nerve growth factor and cobra serum albumin. The proteome of N. sumatrana venom is similar to proteome of other Asiatic cobra venoms but differs from that of African spitting cobra venom. Our results confirm that the main toxic action of N. sumatrana venom is neurotoxic but the large amount of cardiotoxins and phospholipases A2 are likely to contribute significantly to the overall pathophysiological action of the venom. The differences in toxin distribution between N. sumatrana venom and African spitting cobra venoms suggest possible differences in the pathophysiological actions of N. sumatrana venom and the African spitting cobra venoms, and explain why antivenom raised against Asiatic cobra venom is not effective against African spitting cobra venoms.

Genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis from Peninsular Malaysia

Tan TC, Tan PC, Sharma R, Sugnaseelan S, Suresh KG

Parasitol Res, 2013 Jan;112(1):85-9.

PMID: 22961236 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3107-3

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite found in humans and animals. The possibility of zoonotic transmission to humans from livestock especially goats led us to investigate the genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis sp. obtained from five different farms in Peninsular Malaysia. Moreover, there is a lack of information on the prevalence as well as genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in goat worldwide. Results showed that 73/236 (30.9 %) of the goats were found to be positive for Blastocystis infection. The most predominant Blastocystis sp. subtype was ST1 (60.3 %) followed by ST7 (41.1 %), ST6 (41.1 %), and ST3 (11.0 %) when amplified by PCR using sequenced-tagged site (STS) primers. Four farms had goats infected only with ST1 whereas the fifth showed mixed infections with multiple STs. The proximity of the fifth farm to human dwellings, nearby domesticated animals and grass land as opposed to a sterile captive environment in the first four farms may account for the multiple STs seen in the fifth farm. Since ST1, ST3, ST6 and ST 7 were previously reported in human infection worldwide in particular Malaysia, the potential of the zoonotic transmission of blastocystosis should not be disregarded. The implications of different farm management systems on the distribution of Blastocystis sp. STs are discussed.

Fulltext Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy: the Sarawak experience

Rohaizam J, Subramaniam SK, Vikneswaran T, Tan VE, Tan TY

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Sep;64(3):213-5.

PMID: 20527270 MyJurnal

Shifting the paradigm of treatment of a locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from the non-surgical management to a surgical modality has always been a challenge. However, many studies on endoscopic nasopharyngectomy have proven it to be a reliable form of treatment with an excellent outcome. Since 2007, in Sarawak General Hospital, six cases of endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for locally recurrent NPC have been performed with encouraging results.

Immunogenic properties of recombinant ectodomain of Newcastle disease virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein expressed in Escherichia coli

Wong SK, Tan WS, Omar AR, Tan CS, Yusoff K

Acta Virol., 2009;53(1):35-41.

PMID: 19301949

Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) plays a vital role in the viral infectivity, host immunity, and disease diagnosis. A portion of the HN gene encoding the ectodomain (nt 142-1739) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli yielding an insoluble HN protein and a soluble NusA-HN protein containing N-utilization substance A (NusA) fusion component. Both recombinant proteins were purified and used for immunization of chickens. The recombinant HN protein induced higher antibody titers as compared to the recombinant NusA-HN protein. These antibodies were able to react in immunoblot analysis with the corresponding recombinant proteins as well as with the HN protein of NDV.

Arterial thrombosis and critical limb ischaemia in a case of nephrotic syndrome

Koh KH, Tan C, Tan S, Ngu L

Nephrology (Carlton), 2009 Sep;14(6):622.

PMID: 19712262 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2008.01001.x

Fulltext Wandering humeral head mimicking a breast mass

Tan GJS, Tan AGS, Peh WCG

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jun;63(2):164-5.

PMID: 18942311

A 74-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a left breast mass. The mass could not be adequately compressed to be visualized on mammography. Ultrasonography showed a heavily-calcified rounded mass in the left axillary tail of the left breast. Chest radiograph confirmed that the mass was a migrated humeral head. Remotely-displaced fracture-dislocations of the humeral head are very rare and to our knowledge, displacement into the breast, clinically mimicking a breast mass, has not been previously described.

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