A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to enable dapsone, monoacetyl dapsone and pyrimethamine to be measured simultaneously in plasma samples from volunteers in England and Malaysia who had been dosed with Maloprim. Mean half-lives of 25 and 80 h were calculated for dapsone and pyrimethamine, respectively, but there was wide individual variation. All subjects were found to be classifiable as "slow acetylators".
Matched MeSH terms: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
No population-based cancer registry exists in Malaysia; thus our main sources of incidence data were biopsy series. We determined the frequency of cancers by body site, sex, and ethnic group from biopsy records of the Division of Pathology of the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur for the years 1969-71. We then made comparisons of leading sites with data from the Singapore Cancer Registry. Relative risk values for 21 sites indicated significant differences among ethnic groups for cancers of the nasopharynx, larynx, lung, bone, skin, cervix, ovary, prostate, and penis and for lymphomas.
The permainan puteri (usually abbreviated to main puteri) is an indigenous Kelantanese healing ceremony in which the bomoh (traditional medicine-man), the sick individual and other participants become spirit-medium through whom puteri (spirits) are able to enact a permainan ('play'). It has been successfully used as a psychotherapy for depression. The bomoh assisted by his minduk (master of spirits) and a troupe of musicians, is able to provide a conceptual framework around which the sick individual can organize his vague, mysterious and chaotic symptoms so that they become comprehensible and orderly. At the same time the bomoh is able to draw the sick individual out of his state of morbid self-absorption and heighten his feelings of self-worth. The involvement of his family, relatives and friends tends to enhance group solidarity and reintegrate the sick individual into his immediate social group.
The indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test done with turkey red cells was applied to 173 serum samples obtained from patients and persons exposed to Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi in endemic areas of Peninsular Malaysia. A crude extract of adult worms of the rat filaria, Breinlia booliati, was used as the antigen. When a titer of 1:16 was taken as negative, positive IHA test rates in sera from microfilaria-negative persons in endemic areas, microfilaremic cases, and patients with clinical filariasis were 13%, 75%, and 80%, respectively. Results of the IHA test correlated well with results obtained with the indirect fluorescent technique.
A ten-year review revealed a similarity in the incidence of teratoma in relation to other childhood tumors in Malaysian as compared with Caucasian children. The most common sites of origin were the sacropcoccygeal, gonadal, and retroperitoneal areas. The reason for the high incidence of retroperitoneal tumor in our series as compared with other countries is not clear. Late presentation and poor followup are associated with poor prognosis.
The multidiscipline laboratories (MDLs) of University of Malaya are a significant feature in the Faculty of Medicine. They provide facilities for a number of activities within the teaching curriculum. This is in contrast to the departmental type of laboratories. Being the first in the eastern hemisphere, they are gaining popularity among new medical schools in this part of the world. Since a number of visitors testify to a continued interest in the multidiscipline laboratories, an attempt is made to discuss our experience with these facilities in relation to tthe design, uses, organisation, staff requirement, student usage and space problems.
Eighteen cases of anterior encephalocele treated at the University of Malaya Hospital between 1970 and 1980 are discussed, and the literature concerning this defect is reviewed. A detailed analysis of the microscopic abnormalities present in the surgical specimens is included, along with the relevant radiographic and demographic data. Anterior encephalocele is more common in Southeast Asia than elsewhere. The possible ethnographic and geographic implications are presented, as well as a discussion of the relevant embryology, in attempting to define possible etiologies for this malformation. The author's surgical approach to the repair of this defect and reasons for preferring a transcranial, intradural approach are described. Potential complications are enumerated.
Two hundred and twelve of undescended testes were operated on in the Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital between the years 1974 through 1980. There was a 51.9% incidence of right undescended testis, 34.9% left undescended testis and 13.2% were bilateral. The method of treatment was surgical exploration with orchidopexy wherever technically feasible or orchidectomy if the testis was found to be severely hypoplastic. Of the total series, 42% were operated on before the age of 5 years. The oldest patient undergoing orchidopery was aged 40. Failure of orchidopexy to secure the scrotal position for the testis was noted in 14 cases. This was probably due to inadequate mobilisation at the first operation. There was no mortality and no significant morbidity following surgical treatment in this series.
The ability to visualise valvular vegetations by echocardiography is a significant advantage in the management oj patients with infective endocarditis. In this report the M-Mode and Cross-Sectional echocardiographic appearances oj infective endocarditis affecting the aortic valve are described. The uses and limitations of echocardiography are discussed.
Extensive research and field work have established that more than 74 million women and female children are mutilated by female genital operations in Africa alone. The operations are also practiced in many parts of the Middle East and, with Moslemization, were introduced into Indonesia and Malaysia where they are preformed at the present time in a less damaging form. This paper lists the countries where instances of excision and infibulation have been reported and includes case reports from Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Upper Volta, and Senegal. The ethical issues posed by genital mutilation are also discussed.
The role of multiple pleural biopsies in malignant pleural effusion to achieve better diagnostic yield was evaluated. The specific diagnosis was established in 43.8 percent (14/32) of cases on first biopsy, and improved to 93.8 percent (30/32) of cases by three biopsies. The contribution of multiple biopsies was stressed.