MyMedR

Fulltext Phenotypic and functional characterization of long-term cryopreserved human adipose-derived stem cells

Yong KW, Pingguan-Murphy B, Xu F, Abas WA, Choi JR, Omar SZ, et al.

Sci Rep, 2015;5:9596.

Cryopreservation represents an effective technique to maintain the functional properties of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and allows pooling of cells via long-term storage for clinical applications, e.g., cell-based therapies. It is crucial to reduce freezing injury during the cryopreservation process by loading the ASCs with the optimum concentration of suitable cryoprotective agents (CPAs). In this study, human ASCs were preserved for 3 months in different combinations of CPAs, including 1) 0.25 M trehalose; 2) 5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO); 3) 10% DMSO; 4) 5% DMSO + 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS); 5) 10% DMSO + 20% FBS; 6) 10% DMSO + 90% FBS. Interestingly, even with a reduction of DMSO to 5% and without FBS, cryopreserved ASCs maintained high cell viability comparable with standard cryomedium (10% DMSO + 90% FBS), with normal cell phenotype and proliferation rate. Cryopreserved ASCs also maintained their differentiation capability (e.g., to adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes) and showed an enhanced expression level of stemness markers (e.g., NANOG, OCT-4, SOX-2 and REX-1). Our findings suggest that 5% DMSO without FBS may be an ideal CPA for an efficient long-term cryopreservation of human ASCs. These results aid in establishing standardized xeno-free long-term cryopreservation of human ASCs for clinical applications.

Fulltext Taste, smell and food-related nausea and vomiting responses in hyperemesis gravidarum: A case-controlled study

Tan PC, Kartik B, Thanendran P, Zakaria R, Win ST, Omar SZ

Sci Rep, 2020 03 10;10(1):4445.

PMID: 32157169 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61114-y

A case-controlled study was performed to evaluate taste and smell impairment, nausea or vomiting (NV) response to taste and smell and toleration to food texture, item and cooking method in hyperemesis gravidarum patients (HG) compared to gestation-matched controls from a university hospital and primary care clinic in Malaysia. Taste strips (4 base tastes), sniff sticks (16 selected smells) and a food-related questionnaire were used. 124 participants were recruited. Taste impairment was found in 13%(8/62) vs. 0%(0/62) P = 0.003 and the median for correct smell identification was 5[4-6] vs. 9[7-9] P

Fulltext The Impact of Self-Reported Sleep on Caesarean Delivery in Women Undergoing Induction of Labour: A Prospective Study

Teong ACA, Diong AX, Omar SZ, Tan PC

Sci Rep, 2017 09 26;7(1):12339.

PMID: 28951578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12410-7

216 women admitted for labour induction were recruited to evaluate sleep duration and other sleep measures on Caesarean delivery risk. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, International Restless Leg Syndrome, Insomnia Symptom Questionnaires were applied. Short sleep duration was defined as reported night sleep length in the previous month below the study population median of 6 hours. After binomial analysis, Caesarean delivery after labour induction is associated with short sleep duration (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9, P = 0.018), nulliparity, Bishop Score, prepregnant BMI and birth weight at P

Fulltext Analysis of serum circulating MicroRNAs level in Malaysian patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Jamalpour S, Zain SM, Vazifehmand R, Mohamed Z, Pung YF, Kamyab H, et al.

Sci Rep, 2022 Nov 24;12(1):20295.

PMID: 36434110 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23816-3

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a severe global issue that requires immediate attention. MicroRNA expression abnormalities are possibly disease-specific and may contribute to GDM pathological processes. To date, there is limited data on miRNA profiling in GDM, especially that involves a longitudinal study. Here, we performed miRNA expression profiling in the entire duration of pregnancy (during pregnancy until parturition and postpartum) using a miRNA- polymerase chain reaction array (miRNA-PCRArray) and in-silico analysis to identify unique miRNAs expression and their anticipated target genes in Malay maternal serum. MiRNA expression levels and their unique potential as biomarkers were explored in this work. In GDM patients, the expression levels of hsa-miR-193a, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-23a, and hsa-miR-361 were significantly increased, but miR-130a was significantly downregulated. The area under the curve (AUC) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve study demonstrated that hsa-miR-193a (AUC = 0.89060 ± 04,470, P = 0.0001), hsa-miR-21 (AUC = 0.89500 ± 04,411, P = 0.0001), and miR-130a (AUC = 0.6939 ± 0.05845, P = 0.0025) had potential biomarker features in GDM. In-silico analysis also revealed that KLF (Kruppel-Like family of transcription factor), ZNF25 (Zinc finger protein 25), AFF4 (ALF transcription elongation factor 4), C1orf143 (long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 2869), SRSF2 (serine and arginine rich splicing factor 2), and ZNF655 (Zinc finger protein 655) were prominent genes targeted by the common nodes of miR23a, miR130, miR193a, miR21, and miR361.Our findings suggest that circulating microRNAs in the first trimester has the potential for GDM screening in the Malay population.

Fulltext Author Correction: Analysis of serum circulating MicroRNAs level in Malaysian patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Jamalpour S, Zain SM, Vazifehmand R, Mohamed Z, Pung YF, Kamyab H, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Mar 29;13(1):5121.

PMID: 36991146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32260-w

Fulltext Profile of a menopause clinic in an urban population in Malaysia

Damodaran P, Subramaniam R, Omar SZ, Nadkarni P, Paramsothy M

Singapore Med J, 2000 Sep;41(9):431-5.

PMID: 11193115

The object of this study is to determine the status of an urban Malaysian woman in her menopause age group with reference to her menopausal symptoms, lipid profile, breast, pelvis and bone. One hundred and sixty four women attending the Menopause Clinic of University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur who had not previously been on hormone replacement therapy were studied. Forty nine women were perimenopausal, 74 women were in early menopause (within 5 years of menopause) and 41 women were in late menopause (after 5 years of menopause). The most common symptoms were hot flushes (56%) and generalised tiredness (49%). Eighty four percent (84%) of women had high cholesterol levels. Serum triglycerides were highest in the late menopause group. There were 2 cases of intraductal carcinoma diagnosed on routine mammography, with 8 cases of fibrocystic breast disease and 7 cases of suspicious breast lumps. Routine ultrasound (pelvic and abdominal) revealed two women with ovarian cysts, 6 women with an endometrial thickness of more than 5 mm and 8 women with uterine fibroids. Eighty five women (51.8%) had mild osteoporosis while four women had moderate osteoporosis on dual photon measurements for bone mineral density. Menopause clinics should aim at investigating a woman in her menopause as a whole. Vasomotor symptoms were common in the urban Malaysian menopausal woman. There was a high incidence of lipid abnormalities. Routine mammography, pelvic ultrasound examinations and bone mineral density tests detected significant pathology and abnormalities.
Study site: Menopause Clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fulltext Large lower segment myoma--myomectomy at lower segment caesarean section--a report of two cases

Omar SZ, Sivanesaratnam V, Damodaran P

Singapore Med J, 1999 Feb;40(2):109-10.

PMID: 10414171

Uterine leiomyoma is found in approximately 2% of pregnant women. One in ten women will have complications related to myoma in pregnancy. Myomectomy during pregnancy especially at Caesarean section is much discouraged in the literature. We present here 2 cases of large uterine myoma, situated in the anterior aspect of the lower segment, complicating pregnancy at term. Myomectomy in both instances allowed delivery of the fetus through the lower segment, making vaginal delivery in subsequent pregnancies possible.

Fulltext Coitus and orgasm at term: effect on spontaneous labour and pregnancy outcome

Tan PC, Yow CM, Omar SZ

Singapore Med J, 2009 Nov;50(11):1062-7.

PMID: 19960160

INTRODUCTION: Coitus and orgasm in late pregnancy are believed to facilitate the onset of labour. We aim to evaluate the relationship at term of reported coitus and orgasm with spontaneous labour.
METHODS: Women at term scheduled for non-urgent labour induction were asked to keep a coitus and orgasm diary. These women were recruited for a randomised trial on the effect of coitus to promote spontaneous labour. For this analysis, the women were categorised into coitally-active and abstinent groups according to their coital diary. Spontaneous labour prior to the date of scheduled labour induction was the primary outcome. Labour, delivery and neonatal outcome were also evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control for significant variables.
RESULTS: On univariate analysis, the inverse association of coitus with spontaneous labour was borderline (odds ratio [OR] 0.6; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 0.3-1.0; p-value is 0.052). Orgasm was not associated with spontaneous labour (p-value is 0.33). After adjustment, coitus (adjusted OR 0.4; 95 percent CI 0.2-0.8; p-value is 0.009) displayed a significant inverse association with spontaneous labour. Coitus and orgasm were not associated with any other adverse pregnancy outcome.
CONCLUSION: Women who reported coitus were less likely to go into spontaneous labour prior to their scheduled labour induction. Reported coitus and orgasm were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.

Fulltext Predictors for caesarean delivery and neonatal admission after trial of labour in women with one previous lower segment caesarean scar

Tan PC, Subramaniam RN, Omar SZ

Singapore Med J, 2008 Mar;49(3):188-92.

PMID: 18362998

Caesarean delivery rates are still increasing, and reliable predictors of adverse outcomes at a subsequent trial of scar are important as they guide decision-making on the best mode of delivery. We aimed to evaluate whether there are any predictors for caesarean delivery and neonatal admission, following trial of labour after one lower transverse caesarean section.

Fulltext Trial of labor after one cesarean: role of the order and number of prior vaginal births on the risk of emergency cesarean delivery and neonatal admission

Tan PC, Subramaniam RN, Omar SZ

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2008 Sep;47(3):305-11.

PMID: 18935994 DOI: 10.1016/S1028-4559(08)60129-1

To evaluate the influences of mode of immediate preceding delivery and number of prior vaginal births on the risk of repeat cesarean and neonatal admission at attempted vaginal birth after cesarean.

Fulltext High throughput silencing identifies novel genes in endometrioid endometrial cancer

Md Fuzi AA, Omar SZ, Mohamed Z, Mat Adenan NA, Mokhtar NM

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2018 Apr;57(2):217-226.

PMID: 29673664 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2018.02.009

OBJECTIVE: To validate the gene expression profile obtained from the previous microarray analysis and to further study the biological functions of these genes in endometrial cancer. From our previous study, we identified 621 differentially expressed genes in laser-captured microdissected endometrioid endometrial cancer as compared to normal endometrial cells. Among these genes, 146 were significantly up-regulated in endometrial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 genes were selected from the list of up-regulated genes for the validation assay. The qPCR confirmed that 19 out of the 20 genes were up-regulated in endometrial cancer compared with normal endometrium. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to knockdown the expression of the upregulated genes in ECC-1 and HEC-1A endometrial cancer cell lines and its effect on proliferation, migration and invasion were examined.

RESULTS: Knockdown of MIF, SOD2, HIF1A and SLC7A5 by RNAi significantly decreased the proliferation of ECC-1 cells (p < 0.05). Our results also showed that the knockdown of MIF, SOD2 and SLC7A5 by RNAi significantly decreased the proliferation and migration abilities of HEC-1A cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of SLC38A1 and HIF1A by RNAi resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation of HEC1A cells (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: We have identified the biological roles of SLC38A1, MIF, SOD2, HIF1A and SLC7A5 in endometrial cancer, which opens up the possibility of using the RNAi silencing approach to design therapeutic strategies for treatment of endometrial cancer.

Oral celecoxib versus oral diclofenac for post-perineal repair analgesia after spontaneous vaginal birth: a randomised trial

Lim SS, Tan PC, Sockalingam JK, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2008 Feb;48(1):71-7.

PMID: 18275575 DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2007.00808.x

To compare oral celecoxib with oral diclofenac as pain reliever after perineal repair following normal vaginal birth.

Labour and perinatal outcome in women at term with one previous lower-segment Caesarean: a review of 1000 consecutive cases

Tan PC, Subramaniam RN, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2007 Feb;47(1):31-6.

PMID: 17261097

To compare the outcome in 1000 women at term with one lower transverse Caesarean that was suitable for a trial of labour.

Readmission risk and metabolic, biochemical, haematological and clinical indicators of severity in hyperemesis gravidarum

Tan PC, Jacob R, Quek KF, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2006 Oct;46(5):446-50.

PMID: 16953861

In a retrospective analysis of 192 cases of presumed hyperemesis gravidarum, there were no biochemical markers that predicted hospital readmission. There was, however, statistically significant negative predictive value in abnormal liver function tests. This could represent acute self-limited illness with a component of hepatitis as the cause for the clinical presentation, rather than hyperemesis.

The use of the semen analysis in predicting fertility outcome

Arumugam K, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1992 May;32(2):154-7.

PMID: 1520202

The study investigates the use of the various parameters of the semen analysis in predicting the fertility outcome in 82 infertile couples. The sperm density, % progressive motility, % normal morphology were divided into 'normal' and 'abnormal' based on the criteria proposed by WHO. The subsequent cumulative pregnancy rates were then calculated according to this criteria. A life-table method of analysis was used. All female related fertility factors were excluded. With the exception of a sperm density of less than 20 x 10(6) per ml the other parameters showed no significant correlation with the cumulative pregnancy rates at 12 months or 24 months respectively. We concluded that the semen analysis does not predict the probable outcome of the subsequent rates even when female fertility related factors were excluded apart from a sperm density less than 20 x 10(6) per ml.

Induction of labour from 39 weeks in low-risk multiparas with ripe cervixes: A randomised controlled trial

Tan PC, Othman A, Win ST, Hong JGS, Elias N, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2021 Jun 05.

PMID: 34089525 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13377

BACKGROUND: Induction of labour (IOL) in low-risk nulliparas at 39 weeks reduces caesarean delivery. Multiparas with ripe cervixes typically have vaginal delivery within eight hours. Delivery at night and weekend are associated with higher maternal and neonatal mortality.

AIMS: To evaluate IOL in full-term multiparas with ripe cervixes to achieve delivery at normal working hours and improve maternal satisfaction.

METHODS: A randomised trial was performed in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Low-risk multiparas with ripe cervixes (Bishop score ≥6) were recruited at 38+4 -40+0 weeks, then randomised to planned labour induction at 39+0 weeks or expectant care. Primary outcomes were delivery during 'normal working hours' 09:00-17:00 hours, Monday-Friday and patient satisfaction by visual numerical rating scale.

RESULTS: For IOL (n = 80) vs expectant care (n = 80) arms respectively, primary outcomes of delivery at normal working hours was 27/80 (34%) vs 29/78 (37%), relative risk (RR) 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-1.7, P = 0.41, patient satisfaction was 8.0 ± 1.8 vs 7.8 ± 1.6, P = 0.41; presentation for spontaneous labour or rupture of membranes were 27/80 (34%) vs 70/79 (89%), RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5, P

Screening for gestational diabetes at antenatal booking in a Malaysian university hospital: the role of risk factors and threshold value for the 50-g glucose challenge test

Tan PC, Ling LP, Omar SZ

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2007 Jun;47(3):191-7.

PMID: 17550485 DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2007.00717.x

Background: The best method of screening for gestational diabetes (GDM) remains unsettled. The 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) is used in a two-stage screening process but its best threshold value can vary according to population.

Aims: To evaluate the role of risk factors in conjunction with GCT and to determine an appropriate threshold for the one-hour venous plasma glucose with the GCT.

Method: In a prospective study, 1600 women at antenatal booking without a history of diabetes mellitus or GDM filled a form on risk factors before GCT. Women who had GCT >or= 7.2 mmol/L underwent the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). GDM was diagnosed according to WHO (1999) criteria.

Result: Thirty-five per cent had GCT >or= 7.2 mmol/L, 32.6% underwent OGTT and 34.5% of OGTT confirmed GDM. The GDM rate in our population was at least 11.4%. Examination of the receiver operator characteristic curve suggested that the best threshold value for the GCT in our population was >or= 7.6 mmol/L. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that only GCT >or= 7.6 mmol/L was an independent predictor for GDM (adjusted odds ratio 3.7: P < 0.001). After GCT, maternal age and anthropometry, OGTT during the third trimester, family history, obstetric history and glycosuria were not independent predictors of GDM.

Conclusions: Risk factors were not independent predictors of GDM in women with GCT >or= 7.2 mmol/L. GCT threshold value >or= 7.6 mmol is appropriate for the Malaysian population at high risk of GDM.

Hormonal changes causing rhinitis in pregnancy among Malaysian women

Indirani B, Raman R, Omar SZ

J Laryngol Otol, 2013 Sep;127(9):876-81.

PMID: 23954035 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215113001692

To investigate the aetiology of rhinitis occurring in pregnancy, by (1) describing the relationship between pregnancy rhinitis and serum oestrogen, progesterone, placental growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor, and (2) assessing the prevalence of pregnancy rhinitis among Malaysian women.

Role of Genistein in Preeclampsia: A Case-Control Study

Fernandez AR, Omar SZ, Husain R

J Reprod Med, 2016 Jan-Feb;61(1-2):47-51.

PMID: 26995888

To examine the association between genistein intake (estimated from a food frequency questionnaire [FFQ) and incidence of preeclampsia.

Rape--the Malaysian scenario

Nadesan K, Omar SZ

Malays J Pathol, 2002 Jun;24(1):9-14.

PMID: 16329550

Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 110 in total