Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 1117 in total

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  1. An immunofluorescence study of lichen planus among Asians in Singapore
    Lim KB
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1988 Oct;17(4):545-7.
    PMID: 3223741
    Forty-five Asian patients (Indians 35, Chinese 8, Malay 2) with histologically proven lichen planus were studied by immunofluorescence. The most characteristic feature, seen in 93% of the cases, was shaggy deposition of fibrinogen along the basement membrane. Immunoglobulin deposition along the basement membrane was notably, absent. Colloid bodies were observed in 87% of the cases. Fibrinogen was the most common immunoreactant, and its presence in colloid bodies was always associated with fibrinogen deposition along the basement membrane zone. Colloid bodies also contained a variety of other immunoreactants. However, staining for IgM was noted to be the most intense. The combination of shaggy deposition of fibrinogen along the basement membrane, in the absence of immunoglobulins, and the presence of colloid bodies around the basement membrane zone, is highly characteristic of lichen planus. The pattern of immunofluorescence among Asians with lichen planus, conforms to that observed in other races. There did not appear to be any difference in the immunofluorescence staining with pattern in the three racial groups studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  2. An immunohistochemical and morphological study of amyloidosis complicating leprosy in Malaysian patients
    Looi LM, Jayalakshim P, Lim KJ, Rajagopalan K
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1988 Oct;17(4):573-8.
    PMID: 3223746
    Congo red screening of tissue blocks from 37 consecutive autopsies on leprosy patients revealed 7 cases of systemic amyloidosis, indicating a prevalence rate of 19%. 5 were males and 2 females. All were ethnic Chinese. Their ages ranged from 52 to 85 years with a mean of 69 years. Six had lepromatous leprosy while the remaining 1 had tuberculoid leprosy. In all 7 cases, the amyloid was AA in type, being permanganate-sensitive and immunoreactive with anti-human AA protein antiserum. Hepatic deposition was limited to blood vessels, a pattern typical of AA (secondary) amyloidosis. With regard to renal involvement, 4 showed a predominantly vascular pattern of infiltration while 3 exhibited the more ominous glomerular pattern. Three died of chronic renal failure and 2 of congestive cardiac failure attributable to renal and cardiac amyloidosis respectively. One patient succumbed to septicaemia and the remaining 1 to acute myocardial infarction. AA amyloidosis remains a serious and significant complication of leprosy among Malaysians.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  3. Distribution of haptoglobins in different dialect groups of Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore
    Saha N, Ong YW
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1984 Jul;13(3):498-501.
    PMID: 6517517
    A total of 870 subjects comprising 524 Chinese (from different dialect groups), 231 Malays and 115 Tamil Indians were investigated for the distribution of haptoglobin types and ABO blood groups. Haptoglobins were typed by PAG electrophoresis using discontinuous buffer system. The frequencies of Hp,1 Hp2 and Hp0 were found to be 0.330, 0.670 and 0.029 in Chinese; 0.298, 0.702 and 0.004 in Malays; and 0.167, 0.833 and 0.009 in Indians. The Hainanese had the highest frequency of Hp1 (0.375) followed by Cantonese (0.348), Teochew (0.333) and Hakkas (0.288). The distribution of all the phenotypes of haptoglobin was at equilibrium in all the population groups studied. No association of ABO blood groups was detected with the haptoglobin types. However, there was an excess of AB blood group in persons carrying Hp2 compared with those with Hp1.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  4. Interleukin-2 levels in chronic schizophrenia patients
    Mahendran R, Mahendran R, Chan YH
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2004 May;33(3):320-3.
    PMID: 15175772
    INTRODUCTION: Most research in interleukin activity in schizophrenia has been in Caucasian populations. We examined interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels and their relation to the duration of the illness, psychopathology and treatment effects, in chronic schizophrenia patients of Asian origin.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty chronic schizophrenia patients were recruited for the study and their demographic data and medication dosage were noted. Symptom severity was scored on the Positive And Negative Syndrome scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and blood sampling done. Ten healthy Chinese males were recruited as controls. Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated production of serum levels of IL-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

    RESULTS: IL-2 levels (1327 +/- 596.2) of all 30 patients were significantly lower than that of the Chinese controls (2420 +/- 342.5). This effect was noted throughout the entire duration of the illness. Ethnic and age differences in IL-2 levels were not found. There was, however, a negative correlation with the duration of the illness and a positive correlation with the dosage of medication.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study of a population of mostly Chinese patients with schizophrenia replicate an important finding. Data such as this has not been reported previously on Asians of this racial group.

    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  5. Ethnic Differences in Preoperative Patient Characteristics and Postoperative Functional Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty among Chinese, Malays and Indians
    Shah NZ, Malhotra R, Hong CC, Sng JB, Kong CH, Shen L, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2018 05;47(5):201-205.
    PMID: 29911739
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  6. Alpha-Fetoprotein levels in normal males from seven ethnic groups with different hepatocellular carcinoma risks
    Sizaret P, Tuyns A, Martel N, Jouvenceaux A, Levin A, Ong YW, et al.
    Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1975 Aug 22;259:136-55.
    PMID: 54017
    Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) levels of 1,335 males (15 years and older) of seven ethnic groups (Chinese, Indians, and Malays from Singapore, Caucasians from Lyon, and Blacks from Nairobi, forest, and the savanna region of the Ivory Coast) were determined by radioimmunoassay. A few elevated levels (up to 30 nanounits/ml) were detected in some normal individuals, especially in the older age-groups. In addition, there was a systematic age-dependency of AFP levels particularly evident in the groups from Singapore-Lyon, in which there was a 50% AFP increase between the ages of 20 and 40. Comparison between Africans on the one hand and people from Singapore-Lyon on the other hand revealed highly significant differences (p less than 0.001), especially in the younger groups, whereas Chinese, Malays, and Indians from Singapore had very similar AFP pattern; this suggests an important role for environmental factors in the regulation of AFP levels. The age dependency of the presumed effect of environmental factors is in keeping with experimental data showing that young animals respond more vigorously to AFP-stimulating factors. Although the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) differs in the three Singapore groups (the highest in Chinese and the lowest in Indians), no relationship was observed in this study between mean AFP level and HCC incidence in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  7. Fulltext Anticardiolipin antibodies in patients from Malaysia with systemic lupus erythematosus
    Jones HW, Ireland R, Senaldi G, Wang F, Khamashta M, Bellingham AJ, et al.
    Ann Rheum Dis, 1991 Mar;50(3):173-5.
    PMID: 2015010 DOI: 10.1136/ard.50.3.173
    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is highly prevalent in Malaysia, which has a mixed population of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. A quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) levels (total immunoglobulin, IgG, and IgM) in 200 patients with SLE (164 Chinese, 26 Malay, and 10 Indian) attending the University Hospital of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and 103 matched controls. Only 33 (16.5%) of the patients had raised aCL levels; 26 had raised IgG aCL, five IgM aCL, and two both IgG and IgM aCL. There was a low prevalence of raised levels of aCL in the population studied, which was seen in conjunction with a rare occurrence of thrombosis. The classical association of high aCL levels with thrombocytopenia and recurrent abortions was noted, though not with cerebral disease. The low prevalence of aCL in this study population of mixed racial origin contrasts with findings in European patients with SLE and lends support to the influence of local factors, be they genetic or environmental, on the clinical manifestations of this disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  8. Fulltext Apparent predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese patients in West Malaysia
    Frank AO
    Ann Rheum Dis, 1980 Jun;39(3):266-9.
    PMID: 7416817 DOI: 10.1136/ard.39.3.266
    In the first 9 years following the opening of the University Hospital in kuala Lumpur nearly 130,000 patients have been admitted (excluding obstetric patients), and, of these, 175 fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. This diagnosis was made significantly more frequently in Chinese patients than in other races. SLE is more often reported from Chinese communities in Asia than from India and tropical Africa. There may be a lower susceptibility to autoimmune disease in black Africans than the suspected increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease in black Africans than the suspected increased susceptibility in their American Negro and West Indian descendants. A careful study of racial and geograhical factors in autoimmune disease should throw further light on the interaction between the host and his environment which results in autoimmune disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  9. Fulltext Pattern of rheumatoid arthritis in West Malaysia
    Toh BH, Sengupta S, Ang AH, White JC, Lau KS
    Ann Rheum Dis, 1973 Mar;32(2):151-6.
    PMID: 4120913 DOI: 10.1136/ard.32.2.151
    In West Malaysia RA appears to be less common than in temperate climates, but more common than in tropical Africa; furthermore, the incidence of gout and SLE is comparable. The clinical manifestations of RA are milder than those seen in more temperate climates. Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules have not been observed. Positive serological tests for RF are significantly higher than in the general Malaysian population, but still lower than those reported for patients with RA in temperate climates. Of the three main ethnic groups, the highest incidence of positive results is found in the Chinese.
    Study site: Arthritis Clinic, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur (University Malaya Medical Centre, UMMC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  10. Fulltext Use of complementary and alternative medicine among asthmatic patients in primary care clinics in Malaysia
    Alshagga MA, Al-Dubai SA, Muhamad Faiq SS, Yusuf AA
    Ann Thorac Med, 2011 Jul;6(3):115-9.
    PMID: 21760841 DOI: 10.4103/1817-1737.82438
    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the knowledge about asthma and the prevalence, disclosure and evaluation of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among asthmatic patients.
    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 patients diagnosed with asthma in a primary healthcare centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire.
    RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with a mean age of 47.06 years (±12.8) participated, the majority were female (66.7%), Malay (72.6%). The prevalence of ever-CAM use was 61.1%. The non-ever-CAM users' mean age was 51±13.9 years while the ever-CAM users' mean age was 44.5 ±11.5 years (P = 0.021). Sixty-three females (66.8%) used CAM compared to 14 males (43.8%) (P = 0.014). Thirty-six (62.1%) CAM users had not discussed use of CAM with their doctors. The main reason of non-disclosure was the doctor never asked (55.6%), and the main sources of information about CAM were family and relatives (46.6%). There was no significant difference between use of CAM and knowledge about asthma. The majority of asthmatic patients used rubs (39%), foods (16.9%) and herbs (16.9%). About 76% of asthmatic patients perceived CAM as good for their disease management. On linear multiple regression, Malay race (P = 0.026) and female gender (P = 0.006) were significant predictors of CAM use.
    CONCLUSION: Use of CAM among asthmatic patients is relatively high, particularly among females. The majority of asthmatic patients valued the use of CAM. Non-disclosure was high in this study. Health education of asthmatic patients about CAM is highly recommended.
    KEYWORDS: Asthma; Malaysia; complementary and alternative medicine; disclosure
    Study site: Primary care clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  11. Febrile convulsions: acute seizure characteristics and anti-convulsant therapy
    Ling SG
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 2000 Sep;20(3):227-30.
    PMID: 11064777 DOI: 10.1080/02724936.2000.11748139
    A descriptive study using data from the medical records of 448 children with febrile convulsion was carried out to determine the seizure characteristics and use of anti-convulsant therapy for febrile convulsions in a Malaysian hospital. There was a higher incidence of multiple seizures and a lower incidence of focal seizures in the local population than in studies done among Western populations. The majority of initial seizures occurred within 24 h of fever onset. Transient neurological abnormalities following an acute seizure were common. A quarter of children referred by general practitioners had been given anti-convulsants prior to referral but up to 20% of general practitioners had used ineffective routes for administering diazepam. However, diazepam used in the hospital was found to be effective in controlling acute febrile seizures.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  12. Parenting stress among mothers of Malaysian children with cerebral palsy: predictors of child- and parent-related stress
    Ong LC, Afifah I, Sofiah A, Lye MS
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1998 Dec;18(4):301-7.
    PMID: 9924586 DOI: 10.1080/02724936.1998.11747964
    A hospital study was carried out to compare parenting stress among 87 Malaysian mothers of children with cerebral palsy and a control group (comprising 87 mothers of children without disability who attended the walk-in paediatric clinic), using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine socio-demographic and medical factors associated with child-domain stress (CDS) and parent-domain stress (PDS). Mothers of children with cerebral palsy scored significantly higher than control subjects on all sub-scales of CDS and PDS (p < 0.01), except for the sub-scale of 'role restriction'. The presence of cerebral palsy (p < 0.001) and activities of daily living (ADL) scores (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with CDS. Factors predictive of PDS were ADL scores (p < 0.001), number of hospitalizations over the past year (p = 0.024), level of maternal education (p = 0.018) and Chinese mothers (p < 0.001). Although this study demonstrated that Malaysian mothers of children with cerebral palsy experienced higher levels of stress than controls, the impact of cerebral palsy per se on parenting stress was modified by other factors such as increased care-giving demands, low maternal education and ethnic background. Habilitation should be directed at easing the burden of daily care, minimizing hospital re-admissions and targeting appropriate psychosocial support at specific subgroups to change parental perception and expectations.
    Study site: neurology clinics or physiotherapy department or inpatients, Paediatric Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  13. A cross-sectional study of hepatitis B immune status in Asian children in Singapore
    Quak SH, Singh R, Oon CJ, Wong HB
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1982 Jun;2(2):53-6.
    PMID: 6185078
    A study of race-related distribution of hepatitis B markers was conducted in 458 children admitted consecutively to Singapore General Hospital. The positive rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Chinese, Malays and Indians were 11.2, 8.0 and 12.2% respectively and the corresponding figures for anti-HBs were 30.2, 12.0 and 14.6%. In Chinese children HBsAg prevalence was shown to be sex-related, being higher in males than females. The percentages of Chinese children positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc were also higher than those of the Indians. This study confirmed that Singapore children were exposed to hepatitis B infection from early life. All three races were equally susceptible to this infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  14. Distribution of hair on the dorsum of the phalanges of the hand in a Chinese population from Malaysia
    Dharap AS, Lim BC, Ong LB
    Anthropol Anz, 1996 Dec;54(4):311-6.
    PMID: 9008788
    Hair distribution on the dorsum of phalanges of the hand was studied on 302 Chinese subjects (134 males and 168 females) randomly selected from the residents of Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Proximal phalangeal hair was seen on the dorsum of both hands in 99.3% of male subjects but in only 85.1% of female subjects. Chinese females showed a significantly lower (p < 0.05) incidence of proximal phalangeal hair on the hands than Chinese males. Comparison with other racial groups showed that Chinese females had significantly less (p < 0.05) hair on the proximal phalanges of the hands than Malay and African (Nigerian) females. The least common digital combination of proximal phalangeal hair in female subjects was the presence of proximal phalangeal hair only on the fourth digit (ring finger) and was noted in 0.6% of subjects. This has not been reported before. The frequency of middle phalangeal hair (MPH) distribution in Chinese falls between that in Malays and in Japanese which is probably explained by the fact that all these three racial groups originate from Asia. A study of digital combination of MPH in Chinese showed that the most common and the least common combinations in the Chinese differ considerably from those in other races. A total of 16 patterns of hair distribution was noted on the dorsum of the phalanges of the hands in Chinese subjects. Our study showed that though Chinese females had less digital hair on the hands than Chinese males, they showed a much larger variety of patterns of digital hair distribution than males.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  15. Fulltext Food, culture, and identity in multicultural societies: Insights from Singapore
    Reddy G, van Dam RM
    Appetite, 2020 06 01;149:104633.
    PMID: 32084519 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.104633
    The choice of food practices can be influenced by one's identity in many societies, but has mostly been evaluated in light of the maintenance of cultural identity in migrant populations. This study focused on understanding the influence of identity on food practices among individuals in multicultural societies. We conducted 18 focus group discussions (n = 130) among Indian, Chinese and Malay women in Singapore. Focus group transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis both inductively and deductively. Deductive analysis was framed within a Social Representations Approach, a social psychological theory that allows a deeper understanding of the contextual aspects of identity. Participants highlighted the central position of food in social events, cultural celebrations, and persistent traditional beliefs about health (such as 'hot-cold balance'). These beliefs extended to the perception of certain traditional foods possessing medicinal properties. Importantly, the consumption of these traditional foods was accepted as necessary for the maintenance of health by the women. We propose that while cultural food practices are integral to identity preservation and identity continuity for Singaporean women from all three racial groups, this is different to other multicultural societies such as Canada where communities preserve their cultural food practices, in part, due to fear of cultural identity loss. In addition, cross-cultural food practices are readily adopted in participants' daily lives for a number of reasons such as the promotion of health, convenience, and variety. At times, this adoption blurred boundaries between different cultural cuisines. Food practices in multicultural societies like Singapore are thus a reflection of everyday multiculturalism, multicultural social policies, and attitudes towards traditional healthful food practices, and these aspects need to be considered in the development of public health policies and interventions.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  16. Clinical manifestations of vitamin deficiencies as observed in the Federated Malay States
    Fasal P
    Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology, 1944;50:160-166.
    DOI: 10.1001/archderm.1944.01510150012002
    Manifestations of vitamin deficiencies observed in 6,000 Tamil and 4,000 Malay children and young adults during a survey carried out by the Institute for Medical Research in the Federated Malay States included phrynoderma, Bitot spots
    and angular stomatitis. They were more frequent in Tamils than in Malays. Phrynoderma and Bitot spots responded rapidly to administration of vitamin A or carotene, though in some patients with phrynoderma improvement was not attained unless also the protein intake was increased and vitamin B complex added. Angular stomatitis was benefited by administration of riboflavin or vitamin B complex. The clinical and histologie observations of phrynoderma in Tamils and Malays in Malaya were identical with those previously reported in Chinese, Ceylonese and southern Indians. A supplementary food ration, composed of soy beans, skim milk powder, dal and red palm oil, given to Tamil children on rubber estates not only increased the general state of health but led to a rapid regression of the manifestations of vitamin deficiencies.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  17. Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: study of a large Chinese pedigree
    Rajagopalan K, Tay CH
    Arch Dermatol, 1977 Apr;113(4):481-5.
    PMID: 139851
    Hidrotic ectodermaldysplasia was found, to our knowledge, for the first time in a Chinese family in Malaysia, and it affected 15 members in five generations. The disease, which is transmitted as a non-sex-linked autosomal dominant trait, presumably originated from southern China. All 15 members had the typical nail, hair, and skin lesions, and we observed three different types of nail defects. Scalp alopeica was more extensive in the female members while keratoderma of the palms and soles was more notable in the male members. The nail and skin lesions also became severer with age. Except for the infectious eczematoid dermatitis present in the propositus, none had other skin or systemic disorders. All were relatively healthy and had normal life expectancies;
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  18. Ethnic differences in the Goodenough-Harris draw-a-man and draw-a-woman tests
    Dugdale AE, Chen ST
    Arch Dis Child, 1979 Nov;54(11):880-5.
    PMID: 393181
    The draw-a-man (DAM) and draw-a-woman (DAW) tests were given to 307 schoolchildren in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The children were ethnically Malay, Chinese, or Indian (Tamil), and all came from lower socioeconomic groups. The standard scores of the Chinese children averaged 118 in the DAM and 112 in the DAW tests. These scores were significantly better than the American standards. Malay children scored significantly lower than Chinese, and Tamil children scored lower again. The nutritional status of the children had no influence on the scores. Chinese and Tamil children scored better in the DAM than the DAW, while in Malay boys the reverse was true. Malay children tended to emphasise clothing in the DAM, but Chinese and Tamil children scored better on items relating to facial features and body proportions. The Goodenough-Harris draw-a-person tests are obviously not culture-free, but the causes of ethnic differences have not been elucidated.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  19. The wish to be held. A transcultural study
    Huang LT, Phares R, Hollender MH
    Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 1976 Jan;33(1):41-3.
    PMID: 1247362
    In a previous study, it was noted that "a strong desire to be held or cuddled correlated with a general leaning toward openness in emotional expression." As is well known, some cultures foster openness, while others do not. This project was designed to assess the influence of cultural attitudes on the wish to be held. To do so, questionnaires were given to five groups of Asian women living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The most striking differences found were between two groups of Chinese women, one Chinese-educated, and the other, English-educated. The Chinese-educated group inhibited the expression of sensual needs. An English education overturned the traditional mode of response; women in this group scored highest in their wish to be held and lowest in their inclination to keep their body-contact desires secret. This study demonstrates that cultural as well as psychological forces exert a profound influence on the wish to be held.
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
  20. Fulltext A case of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state with involuntary movements - diagnostic dilemma and clinical considerations
    Abd Hamid H, Umar NA, Othman H, Das S
    Arch Med Sci, 2010 Dec;6(6):987-90.
    PMID: 22427779 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2010.19315
    Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) is a medical emergency which needs immediate medical intervention. A 37-year-old Chinese woman with a history of hypertension attended the Emergency Department. She had a two-day history of involuntary movement, i.e. chorea of the upper limbs, preceded by a one-week history of upper respiratory tract infection. She also had polyuria and polydipsia, although she was never diagnosed as diabetic. The main aim of reporting the present case was to highlight the importance of biochemical investigations involved in the diagnosis of involuntary movements.
    Study site: emergency department, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
    Matched MeSH terms: China/ethnology
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