Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 667 in total

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  1. Peri-implant soft tissue integration of immediately loaded implants in the posterior macaque mandible: a histomorphometric study
    Siar CH, Toh CG, Romanos G, Swaminathan D, Ong AH, Yaacob H, et al.
    J. Periodontol., 2003 May;74(5):571-8.
    PMID: 12816287
    Today, one critical goal in implant placement is the achievement of optimal soft tissue integration. Reports thus far have demonstrated successful soft tissue preservation in delayed loaded implants placed in anterior jaws. The aim of this study was to histomorphometrically examine the soft tissues around immediately loaded implants placed in the macaque posterior mandible.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  2. Short-term survival in breast cancer: the experience of the University of Malaya Medical Centre
    Ong TA, Yip CH
    Asian J Surg, 2003 Jul;26(3):169-75.
    PMID: 12925293
    OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of various clinicopathological factors on short-term survival in a cohort of breast cancer patients treated at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).
    METHODS: All cases of breast cancer treated at UMMC from January 1999 to June 2001, except for stage IV disease, were included in the study. Survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier for univariate analysis and Cox regression for multivariate analysis. The log-rank test was used to test the significance of differences between the different survival curves.
    RESULTS: A total of 385 patients were included. The mean patient age at presentation was 50.3 years (SD, 11.4); 198 (51.4%) patients had lymph node-positive disease, and 187 (48.6%) had node-negative disease. The mean follow-up period was 18.7 months (SD, 8.8). The Malay ethnic group, tumours of larger size, node-positive disease, more than five positive lymph nodes, oestrogen receptor (ER) negativity and the presence of lymphovascular invasion were significant prognostic factors for shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, ER negativity was the only independent adverse prognostic factor for RFS. For overall survival (OS), tumours of larger size, node-positive disease, more than five positive lymph nodes, ER negativity and high grade tumours were associated with significantly shorter OS. However, more than five positive lymph nodes was the only independent prognostic factor for shorter OS in the multivariate analysis. Further multivariate analysis of the patients with node-positive disease showed that the Malay ethnic group, ER negativity and more than five positive lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for shorter RFS. On the other hand, ER negativity and more than five positive lymph nodes were independent negative prognostic factors for OS in this subgroup of patients.
    CONCLUSION: The evaluation of various prognostic factors would provide useful information on disease progression in local patients, especially for the planning of adjuvant therapies and follow-up protocols. Differences in the pattern of breast cancer among the different ethnic groups in Malaysia warrant further studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  3. The effect of milk supplementation on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Chinese women in Malaysia
    Chee WS, Suriah AR, Chan SP, Zaitun Y, Chan YM
    Osteoporos Int, 2003 Oct;14(10):828-34.
    PMID: 12915959
    Dietary studies often report low calcium intake amongst post-menopausal Malaysian women and calcium deficiency has been implicated as part of the etiology of age-related bone loss leading to osteoporosis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of high calcium skimmed milk (Anlene Gold, New Zealand Milk, Wellington, New Zealand) to reduce bone loss in Chinese postmenopausal women. Two hundred subjects aged 55-65 years and who were more than 5 years postmenopausal were randomized to a milk group and control group. The milk group consumed 50 g of high calcium skimmed milk powder daily, which contained 1200 mg calcium (taken as two glasses of milk a day). The control group continued with their usual diet. Using repeated measures ANCOVA, the milk supplement was found to significantly reduce the percentage of bone loss at the total body compared to the control group at 24 months (control -1.04%, milk -0.13%; P<0.001). At the lumbar spine, the percentage of bone loss in the control group was significantly higher (-0.90%) when compared to the milk (-0.13%) supplemented group at 24 months (P<0.05). Similarly, milk supplementation reduced the percentage of bone loss at the femoral neck (control -1.21%, milk 0.51%) (P<0.01) and total hip (control -2.17%, milk -0.50%) (P<0.01). The supplemented group did not experience any significant weight gain over the 24 months. The serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level improved significantly (P<0.01) from 69.1 +/- 16.1 nmol/l at baseline to 86.4 +/- 22.0 nmol/l at 24 months in the milk group. In conclusion, ingestion of high calcium skimmed milk was effective in reducing the rate of bone loss at clinically important lumbar spine and hip sites in postmenopausal Chinese women in Malaysia. Supplementing with milk had additional benefits of improving the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D status of the subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  4. The anti-adherence effect of Piper betle and Psidium guajava extracts on the adhesion of early settlers in dental plaque to saliva-coated glass surfaces
    Razak FA, Rahim ZH
    J Oral Sci, 2003 Dec;45(4):201-6.
    PMID: 14763515
    The aqueous extracts of Piper betle and Psidium guajava were prepared and tested for their anti-adherence effect on the adhesion of early plaque settlers (Strep. mitis, Strep. sanguinis and Actinomyces sp.). The saliva-coated glass surfaces were used to simulate the pellicle-coated enamel surface in the oral cavity. Our results showed that the anti-adherence activities of Piper betle and Psidium guajava extracts towards the bacteria were different between the bacterial species. Psidium guajava was shown to have a slightly greater anti-adherence effect on Strep. sanguinis by 5.5% and Actinomyces sp. by 10% and a significantly higher effect on Strep. mitis (70%) compared to Piper betle. The three bacterial species are known to be highly hydrophobic, and that hydrophobic bonding seemed to be an important factor in their adherence activities. It is therefore suggested that the plant extracts, in expressing their anti-adherence activities, could have altered the hydrophobic nature of the bonding between the bacteria and the saliva-coated glass surfaces.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  5. Is talking to an automated teller machine natural and fun?
    Chan FY, Khalid HM
    Ergonomics, 2003 Oct-Nov;46(13-14):1386-407.
    PMID: 14612327
    Usability and affective issues of using automatic speech recognition technology to interact with an automated teller machine (ATM) are investigated in two experiments. The first uncovered dialogue patterns of ATM users for the purpose of designing the user interface for a simulated speech ATM system. Applying the Wizard-of-Oz methodology, multiple mapping and word spotting techniques, the speech driven ATM accommodates bilingual users of Bahasa Melayu and English. The second experiment evaluates the usability of a hybrid speech ATM, comparing it with a simulated manual ATM. The aim is to investigate how natural and fun can talking to a speech ATM be for these first-time users. Subjects performed the withdrawal and balance enquiry tasks. The ANOVA was performed on the usability and affective data. The results showed significant differences between systems in the ability to complete the tasks as well as in transaction errors. Performance was measured on the time taken by subjects to complete the task and the number of speech recognition errors that occurred. On the basis of user emotions, it can be said that the hybrid speech system enabled pleasurable interaction. Despite the limitations of speech recognition technology, users are set to talk to the ATM when it becomes available for public use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  6. L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide production of a murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cell line stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide
    Sosroseno W, Herminajeng E, Bird PS, Seymour GJ
    Oral Microbiol. Immunol., 2004 Apr;19(2):65-70.
    PMID: 14871343
    The aim of this study was to determine nitric oxide (NO) production of a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7 cells) when stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides (Pg-LPS). RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with i) various concentrations of Pg-LPS or Salmonella typhosa LPS (St-LPS), ii) Pg-LPS with or without L-arginine and/or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), an arginine analog or iii) Pg-LPS and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) with or without anti-IFN-gamma antibodies or interleukin-10 (IL-10). Tissue culture supernatants were assayed for NO levels after 24 h in culture. NO was not observed in tissue culture supernatants of RAW 264.7 cells following stimulation with Pg-LPS, but was observed after stimulation with St-LPS. Exogenous L-arginine restored the ability of Pg-LPS to induce NO production; however, the increase in NO levels of cells stimulated with Pg-LPS with exogenous L-arginine was abolished by NMMA. IFN-gamma induced independent NO production by Pg-LPS-stimulated macrophages and this stimulatory effect of IFN-gamma could be completely suppressed by anti-IFN-gamma antibodies and IL-10. These results suggest that Pg-LPS is able to stimulate NO production in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell model in an L-arginine-dependent mechanism which is itself independent of the action of IFN-gamma.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  7. Fulltext Reliability and validity of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) among urological patients: a Malaysian study
    Quek KF, Low WY, Razack AH, Loh CS, Chua CB
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):258-67.
    PMID: 15559178 MyJurnal
    To validate the English version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in a sample of Malaysia patients with and without urinary symptoms. Validity and reliability were studied in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and patients without LUTS. Reliability was evaluated using the test-retest method and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Sensitivity to change was expressed as the effect size in the pre-intervention versus post-intervention score in additional patients with LUTS who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Internal consistency was excellent. A high degree of internal consistency was observed for each of the 40 items with Cronbach's alpha value = 0.38 to 0.89 while the Cronbach's alpha for the total scores was 0.86. Test-retest correlation coefficients for the 40 items score were highly significant. Intraclass correlation coefficient was high (ICC=0.39 to 0.89). A high degree of sensitivity and specificity to the effects of treatment was observed. A high degree of significant level between baseline and post-treatment scores was observed across nearly half of the items in surgical group but not in the non-LUTS group (control subjects). The STAI is reliable, valid and sensitive to clinical change in a sample of Malaysian patients with and without urinary symptoms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  8. Fulltext Non-achievement of clinical targets in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
    Eid M, Mafauzy M, Faridah AR
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):177-84.
    PMID: 15559167 MyJurnal
    The study was conducted to determine whether the clinical targets for the control of diabetes recommended by American Diabetes Association can be met in the context of routine diabetes practice. This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 211 type 2 diabetic patients at the Outpatients Diabetes Clinic, Hospital Universisti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Kelantan between the year 2001-2002. Patients' physical examination and their medical history as well as their family history were obtained by administering a structured questionnaire. Samples of patients' venous blood during fasting were taken and analysed for plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin and lipid profile. Analysis showed that many patients had comorbidities or complications. A large number of them had poor glycaemic control (73%). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 75% and 85% subjects were > or = 130 and > or = 80 mmHg, respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) values of 66% of the patients were outside the clinical target (BMI > or = 25 in male and > or = 24 kg/m2 in female). The lipid profile showed that 96% of the patients had at least one lipid value outside the clinical target level. In this study, 70% of the patients had total cholesterol > or = 5.2 mmol/L, 87% had LDL cholesterol > or = 2.6 mmol/L, 57% had HDL cholesterol less than the normal range, < or = 1.15 mmol/L in men and < or = 1.4 mmol/L in women, while 46% had triglycerides > or = 1.71 mmol/L. Complications of diabetes were observed in 48% of the total number of patients. As for the patients' systolic blood pressure, age and duration of diabetes were found to have significant effects. Older subjects with a longer duration of diabetes were more hypertensive. Variables that had significant effects on BMI were age, duration of diabetes, glycaemic control and gender. Younger females and newly diagnosed subjects with better glycaemic control (A1C < 7%) were found to have higher BMI values. The overall clinical targets were suboptimal. The prevalence of hyperlipidaemia and hypertension was high. It is imperative that better treatment strategies and methods be adopted to enhance diabetes control and reduce long-term complications of the disease.

    Study site: Outpatients Diabetes Clinic, Hospital Universisti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  9. Fulltext Alteration of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in young Malaysian IDDM patients
    Indran M, Rokiah P, Chan SP, Kuppusamy UR
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):166-70.
    PMID: 15559165 MyJurnal
    The present study was designed to explore the relationship between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in young Malaysian insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. Indicative parameters of lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes and diabetes parameters were evaluated in single blood samples from 30 young type 1 diabetic patients and 30 healthy control subjects. Antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased while plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator for lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in IDDM patients compared to control subjects. Positive correlations between HbA1c and MDA; fasting blood glucose (FBG) and MDA and negative correlations between HbA1c and SOD; MDA and SOD were observed in these patients. No significant correlation existed between HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, GPx or CAT in the diabetic patients. The strong correlations found between lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and diabetes parameters confirms the existence of oxidative stress in our IDDM patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  10. Gene expression profiling of p53(+/-) knockout and wild-type mice following diethylstilbestrol administration
    Salleh MN, Ismail P, Abdullah AS, Taufiq-Yap YH, Carmichael P
    IUBMB Life, 2004 Jul;56(7):409-16.
    PMID: 15545218
    Studies with clastogenic carcinogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) resulted in a broad of spectrum of toxic and carcinogenic effects in humans and rodents, but the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) by which it induces cancer is not clear. To identify putative genetic targets for p53 in vivo, we applied the cDNA macroarray gene expression profiles associated with apoptosis by comparing p53+/- knockout mice and wild-type mice on the kidney and uterus of female mice. p53+/- knockout mice and wild-type mice were treated with DES (500 micromole kg(-1)) or vehicle i.p once daily for 4 days. Total RNAs were obtained from kidney and uterus of both control and DES-treated. The signal intensities of individual gene spots on the membrane were quantified and normalized to the expression level of the GAPDH gene as an internal control. Our results demonstrated that 16 genes; bad, bax, bcl-2, bcl-w, bcl-x, caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8, c-myc, E124, GADD45, mdm2, NKkappab1, p53, p21, Rb and trail were up-regulated and six genes; caspase-1, caspase-2, DR5, E2F1, FasL and iNOS did not changed in response to DES treatment in wild-type mice compared to p53+/- knockout mice. Most genes are involved in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, apoptosis, or transcription. The greatest changes were seen in bad, bcl-x, mdm2, p53 and p21 gene expression in wild-type mice compared to p53+/- knockout mice. In comparing p53 and p21 gene expression in wild-type mice and p53+/- knockout mice, there was an 4.4-fold vs. 1.8-fold; 8-fold vs. 5.2-fold for kidney and 16-fold vs. 5.5-fold; 2.1-fold vs. 8.3-fold for uterus samples increase in induction (respectively). RT-PCR and densitometric analysis was used to confirm the biggest changes of p21, p53 and bax genes. Using this approach, we have identified apoptosis associated genes regulated in response to DES and have revealed putative differences between the isogenic parent strain and p53+/- knockout mice, which will contribute to a better understanding of toxicity/carcinogenicity mechanisms in this model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  11. Strategies adopted by the mudskipper Boleophthalmus boddaerti to survive sulfide exposure in normoxia or hypoxia
    Ip YK, Kuah SS, Chew SF
    Physiol Biochem Zool, 2004 Sep-Oct;77(5):824-37.
    PMID: 15547800
    The effects of sulfide on the energy metabolism of Boleophthalmus boddaerti in normoxia and hypoxia were examined. The 24-, 48-, and 96-h LC50 values of sulfide for B. boddaerti with body weight ranging from 11.6 to 14.2 g were 0.786, 0.567, and 0.467 mM, respectively. The tolerance of B. boddaerti to sulfide was not due to the presence of a sulfide-insensitive cytochrome c oxidase. There was no accumulation of lactate in the muscle and liver of specimens exposed to sulfide in normoxia. In addition, the levels of ATP, AMP, and energy charge in both the muscle and the liver were unaffected. These results indicate that B. boddaerti was able to sustain the energy supply required for its metabolic needs via mainly aerobic respiration when exposed to sulfide (up to 0.4 mM) in normoxia. Exposure of B. boddaerti simultaneously to hypoxia and 0.2 mM sulfide for 48 h resulted in decreases in the ATP levels in the muscle and liver. However, the energy charge in both tissues remained unchanged, and the level of lactate accumulated in the muscle was too low to have any major contribution to the energy budget of the fish. Our results reveal that B. boddaerti possesses inducible mechanisms to detoxify sulfide in an ample supply or a lack of O2. In normoxia, it detoxified sulfide to sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate. There were significant increases in the activities of sulfide oxidase in the muscle and liver of specimens exposed to sulfide, with that in the liver being >13-fold higher than that in the muscle. However, in hypoxia, sulfide oxidase activity in the liver was suppressed in response to environmental sulfide. In such conditions, there were significant increases in the activities of sulfane sulfur-forming enzyme(s) in the muscle and liver that were not observed in specimens exposed to sulfide in normoxia. Correspondingly, there were no changes in the levels of sulfate or sulfite in the muscle or liver. Instead, B. boddaerti detoxified sulfide mainly to sulfane sulfur in hypoxia. In conclusion, B. boddaerti was able to activate different mechanisms to detoxify sulfide, producing different types of detoxification products in normoxia and hypoxia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  12. Effect of cacao liquor extract on tumor marker enzymes during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rats
    Amin I, Koh BK, Asmah R
    J Med Food, 2004;7(1):7-12.
    PMID: 15117546
    This study investigated the effect of cacao liquor extract (CLE) on tumor marker enzymes--alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities--in plasma and/or liver of hepatocarcinogenic rats, which were induced with diethylnitrosamine and 2-acetylaminofluorene. Twenty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 150-330 g) were divided into four groups (n = 6-8): normal control group (N), normal group + CLE (NE), cancer group (C), and cancer group + CLE (CE). Analysis of variance showed significant differences (P
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  13. Vermicomposting of cattle and goat manures by Eisenia foetida and their growth and reproduction performance
    Loh TC, Lee YC, Liang JB, Tan D
    Bioresour Technol, 2005 Jan;96(1):111-4.
    PMID: 15364088
    Vermicomposting is commonly adopted for the treatment of livestock organic wastes. In the present study, two types of livestock manure were used for culturing of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida. Each treatment group consisted of six replicates and worm vermicasts were examined after 5 weeks. The concentrations of total C, P and K in goat manure vermicasts were higher than those in cattle manure vermicasts. Cattle vermicasts had a higher N content than goat vermicasts but the C:N ratio of fresh manure was higher than that of vermicasts for both materials. Earthworm biomass and reproductive performance, in terms of number of worms after 5 weeks of experiment, were higher in cattle manure than in goat manure. The cocoon production per worm in cattle manure was higher than in goat manure. However, the hatchability of cocoons was not affected by manure treatments. In conclusion, cattle manure provided a more nutritious and friendly environment to the earthworms than goat manure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  14. Fulltext Incentive spirometry as a means to score breathlessness
    Loh LC, Teh PN, Raman S, Vijayasingham P, Thayaparan T
    Malays J Med Sci, 2005 Jan;12(1):39-50.
    PMID: 22605946 MyJurnal
    Perceived breathlessness played an important role in guiding treatment in asthma. We developed a simple, user-friendly method of scoring perception of dyspnoea (POD) using an incentive spirometer, Triflo II (Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, USA) by means of repetitive inspiratory efforts achieved within three minutes in 175 normal healthy subjects and 158 asthmatic patients of mild (n=26), moderate (n=78) and severe (n=54). Severity was stratified according to GINA guideline. The mean POD index in normal subjects, and asthmatic patients of mild, moderate and severe severity were: 6 (4-7) 16 (9-23), 25 (14-37), and 57 (14-100) respectively (p<0.001 One-Way ANOVA). Based on 17 asthmatic and 20 normal healthy subjects, intraclass correlation coefficients for POD index within subjects were high. In 14 asthmatic patients randomized to receiving nebulised b(2)-agonist or saline in a crossover, double-blind study, % FEV(1) change correlated with % changes in POD index [r(s) -0.46, p=0.012]. Finally, when compared with 6-minutes walking test (6MWT) in an open label study, respiratory POD index correlated with walking POD index in 21 asthmatic patients [r(s)= 0.58 (0.17 to 0.81) (p=0.007] and 26 normal subjects [0.50 (0.13 to 0.75) (p=0.008)]. We concluded that this test is discriminative between asthmatic patients of varying severity and from normal subjects, is reproducible, responsive to bronchodilator effect, and comparable with 6MWT. Taken together, it has the potential to score disability and POD in asthma effectively and simply.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  15. Appropriate antibiotic administration in elective surgical procedures: still missing the message
    Gul YA, Hong LC, Prasannan S
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Apr;28(2):104-8.
    PMID: 15851363
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis in selected elective surgical procedures in a tertiary referral centre.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study using retrospective data from January 2000 to May 2002 was performed pertaining to elective colorectal surgery, cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repairs. Appropriateness of antibiotic administration was determined based on compliance with national and internationally accepted guidelines on prophylactic antibiotic prescribing policy. A single dose or omission of antibiotic administration was judged appropriate for cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repair, while up to 24 hours' dosing was considered appropriate practice for colorectal surgery.

    RESULTS: Of 419 cases, there were 55 (13.1%) colorectal procedures, 97 (23.2%) cholecystectomies and 267 (63.7%) inguinal hernia repairs. Antibiotics were administered in a total of 306 (73%) cases, with single-dose prophylaxis in only 125 (41%) of these. Prophylaxis was inappropriately prolonged in 80%, 52% and 31% of colorectal, cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia cases, respectively. The corresponding mean duration of anti-biotic administration was 2.4+/-2.2, 1.6+/-1.8 and 1.1+/-1.3 days, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective surgery continues to be administered haphazardly. This study supports close surveillance of antibiotic utilization by a dedicated team, perhaps consisting of microbiologists or pharmacists, to minimize inappropriate administration.

    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  16. Study of viridans streptococci and Staphylococcus species in cleft lip and palate patients before and after surgery
    Arief EM, Mohamed Z, Idris FM
    Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2005 May;42(3):277-9.
    PMID: 15865462
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of surgery on types and colony count of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients.

    DESIGN: Saliva samples were collected after the morning meal by placing a sterile cotton swab in the vestibule of the oral cavity from cleft lip and palate patients immediately preoperative and 12 weeks postoperative. Normal children were examined as a control group. Samples were cultured; Staphylococcus and Streptococcus isolates were identified and quantified.

    PATIENTS: Fifteen cleft lip and palate patients and 22 normal children, aged 3 to 39 months were examined.

    RESULTS: Streptococcus mitis biovar 1, Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus oralis of the viridans group of streptococci were the most commonly found in normal children, as well as in cleft lip and palate children. In the cleft lip and palate group, mean streptococcal count was 32.41 (29.80) and 46.46 (42.80) in the pre- and postoperative periods, respectively; in the normal group, the count was 20.93 (27.93) and 49.92 (34.72) at 0 week and 12 weeks, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common Staphylococcus species found in CLP patients, representing 47.4% postoperatively. In the cleft lip and palate children, mean staphylococcal count was 5.34 (8.13) and 0.56 (0.92) in the pre- and postoperative periods, respectively; in normal children, the count was 0.82 (1.98) and 0.60 (2.55) at 0 and 12 weeks, respectively. The differences were statistically significant only for the staphylococcal count between pre- and postoperative periods in children with cleft lip and palate as tested by analysis of variance (p < .05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Cleft lip and palate patients had more colonization by S. aureus compared with normal children, and the colony count decreased significantly following surgical repair of the cleft lip and palate.

    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  17. Effects of exercise in the heat on thermoregulation of Japanese and Malaysian males
    Saat M, Tochihara Y, Hashiguchi N, Sirisinghe RG, Fujita M, Chou CM
    J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci, 2005 Jul;24(4):267-75.
    PMID: 16079566
    The effect of low-intensity exercise in the heat on thermoregulation and certain biochemical changes in temperate and tropical subjects under poorly and well-hydrated states was examined. Two VO2max matched groups of subjects consisting of 8 Japanese (JS) and 8 Malaysians (MS) participated in this study under two conditions: poorly-hydrated (no water was given) and well-hydrated (3 mL x Kg(-1) body weight of water was provided at onset of exercise, and the 15th, 35th and 55th min of exercise). The experimental room in both countries was adjusted to a constant level (Ta: 31.6+/-0.03 degrees C, rh: 72.3+/-0.13%). Subjects spent an initial 10 min rest, 60 min of cycling at 40% VO2max and then 40 min recovery in the experimental room. Rectal temperatures (Tre) skin temperatures (Tsk), heart rate (HR), heat-activated sweat glands density (HASG), local sweat rate (M sw-back) and percent dehydration were recorded during the test. Blood samples were analysed for plasma glucose and lactate levels.The extent of dehydration was significantly higher in the combined groups of JS (1.43+/-0.08%) compared to MS (1.15+/-0.05%). During exercise M sw-back was significantly higher in JS compared to MS in the well-hydrated condition. The HASG was significantly more in JS compared to MS at rest and recovery. Tre was higher in MS during the test. Tsk was significantly higher starting at the 5th min of exercise until the end of the recovery period in MS compared to JS. In conclusion, tropical natives have lower M sw-back associated with higher Tsk and Tre during the rest, exercise and recovery periods. However, temperate natives have higher M sw-back and lower Tsk and Tre during experiments in a hot environment. This phenomenon occurs in both poorly-hydrated and well-hydrated states with low intensity exercise. The differences in M sw-back, Tsk and Tre are probably due to a setting of the core temperature at a higher level and enhancement of dry heat loss, which occurred during passive heat exposure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  18. Persistence of cognitive deficits following paediatric head injury without professional rehabilitation in rural East Coast Malaysia
    Abdullah JM, Kumaraswamy N, Awang N, Ghazali MM, Abdullah MR
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jul;28(3):163-7.
    PMID: 16024307
    To use data from a prospective, longitudinal study to determine whether psychomotor functions improve spontaneously during the first year following paediatric traumatic brain injury without modern rehabilitation facilities in a rural area of Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  19. HIV and sexual health knowledge and sexual experience among Australian-born and overseas-born students in Sydney
    Song A, Richters J, Crawford J, Kippax S
    J Adolesc Health, 2005 Sep;37(3):243.
    PMID: 16109347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.08.032
    PURPOSE: To examine differences between Australian-born and Asian-born first-year university students in Sydney in their sexual behavior and knowledge about the prevention and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
    METHODS: Students were recruited from a stall during the student Orientation Week in both 2002 and 2003 at the University of New South Wales. A short questionnaire was completed and returned anonymously. Data on age, gender, country of birth, sexual behavior, and sexual health knowledge were collected. A score was calculated based on the sum of the correct answers given to 12 HIV/STI transmission and prevention questions. The students were then divided into three groups according to their country of birth (Australia, Asia, and elsewhere) and their knowledge scores were compared. Students born in certain Asian countries were also asked their perception of the HIV epidemic in their home country compared with Australia.
    RESULTS: A total of 1185 first-year students completed the questionnaire. Although older on average, Asian-born students were less likely to have had sexual intercourse and had had fewer sexual partners. They also had consistently poorer HIV/STI knowledge scores than Australian-born students. Students born in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore but not Thailand underestimated the prevalence of HIV in their country of birth in comparison with Australia.
    CONCLUSION: The combination of poorer knowledge, apparent misconception of the extent of HIV epidemic in their home country (or Australia), and potential later frequent travel indicates a potential risk for later transmission of HIV/STIs. The university is an underused setting for prevention health education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
  20. Haplotype diversity in 11 candidate genes across four populations
    Beaty TH, Fallin MD, Hetmanski JB, McIntosh I, Chong SS, Ingersoll R, et al.
    Genetics, 2005 Sep;171(1):259-67.
    PMID: 15965248
    Analysis of haplotypes based on multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) is becoming common for both candidate gene and fine-mapping studies. Before embarking on studies of haplotypes from genetically distinct populations, however, it is important to consider variation both in linkage disequilibrium (LD) and in haplotype frequencies within and across populations, as both vary. Such diversity will influence the choice of "tagging" SNPs for candidate gene or whole-genome association studies because some markers will not be polymorphic in all samples and some haplotypes will be poorly represented or completely absent. Here we analyze 11 genes, originally chosen as candidate genes for oral clefts, where multiple markers were genotyped on individuals from four populations. Estimated haplotype frequencies, measures of pairwise LD, and genetic diversity were computed for 135 European-Americans, 57 Chinese-Singaporeans, 45 Malay-Singaporeans, and 46 Indian-Singaporeans. Patterns of pairwise LD were compared across these four populations and haplotype frequencies were used to assess genetic variation. Although these populations are fairly similar in allele frequencies and overall patterns of LD, both haplotype frequencies and genetic diversity varied significantly across populations. Such haplotype diversity has implications for designing studies of association involving samples from genetically distinct populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance
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