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Displaying publications 1121 - 1140 of 8478 in total

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Differential utilisation of health facilities and services for childbirth in Peninsula Malaysia--the ethnic factor

Arhsat H, Tan BA, Tey NP

Malays J Reprod Health, 1985 Dec;3(2):105-14.
PMID: 12314737
Ethnic group differences in low birthweight of live singletons in Singapore, 1981-3

Hughes K, Tan NR, Lun KC

J Epidemiol Community Health, 1986 Sep;40(3):262-6.
PMID: 3772285

All singleton live births occurring in Singapore in the three years 1981-3 were computed, and birthweight was examined in the different ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). Overall the proportions of babies of very low birthweight (less than 1500 g) and low birthweight (less than 2500 g) were: Chinese 0.3% and 6.1%, Malays 0.4% and 8.5%, and Indians 0.5% and 10.0%. The important finding was that in all gestational periods and virtually all maternal age and live birth order groups Indians had the highest proportion of very low and low birthweight babies. However for prematurity Indians at 6.7% had a higher rate than Chinese (5.1%) but lower than Malays (9.9%). Likewise for neonatal mortality Indians at 8.7 per 1000 live births were between Chinese (7.1) and Malays (9.1). The evidence seems to indicate that the reason for Indians having a higher proportion of low birthweight babies is partly ethnic/genetic, and the cut-off point of 2500 g should perhaps be lowered for babies from the Indian subcontinent when international comparisons are being made.
The biological properties of venoms from juvenile and adult taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) snakes

Tan NH, Armugam A, Mirtschin PJ

Comp. Biochem. Physiol., B, 1992 Nov;103(3):585-8.
PMID: 1458834

1. The biological properties of four venom pooled samples from adult taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) snakes and one pooled venom sample from six juvenile taipan snakes (11 months old) were compared. 2. The intravenous LD50 (median lethal dose), procoagulant activity and enzymatic activities of the juvenile venom were not significantly different from those of the adult venoms. 3. The juvenile and adult venoms exhibited similar polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (PAGE) and SDS-PAGE patterns, indicating that they possessed a similar protein composition. 4. The results suggest that there is no significant age-dependency in the biological properties of taipan venom.
Fulltext Legionella species isolated from cooling towers in Kuala Lumpur

Ngeow YF, Tan CH, Lim SY

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Mar;47(1):15-9.
PMID: 1387443

Three building complexes in Kuala Lumpur were surveyed for the presence of legionellae in cooling towers. The organisms were grown from 12 out of 46 samples of water collected from 30 towers. L. pneumophila serogroups 1 and 7 were the commonest serogroups isolated. None belonged to the Pontiac subgroup of L. pneumophila serogroup 1.
Radioactivity associated with amang upgrading plants

Hu SJ, Koo WK, Tan KL

Health Phys, 1984 Feb;46(2):452-5.
PMID: 6693279
Effectiveness of publications in family planning program

Noor Laily Abu Bakar, Tan BA, Tey NP, Yusuf Y

Malays J Reprod Health, 1983 Dec;1(2):109-19.
PMID: 12313333
Fulltext Outcome of neonates admitted to special care nursery, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: a comparison of two periods

Toh CK, Tan PC, Chan YK

Med J Malaysia, 1984 Mar;39(1):21-7.
PMID: 6513836

The overall mortality rate of babies delivered in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur has improved significantly from 18.5 in 1969-1971 to 9.9 per thousand live births in 1979-1981. This drop in mortality is also seen in those infants weighing 1001 - 2000 g at birth. Indian babies in the weight group 1001 - 1500 g at birth appear to have a significantly lower mortality than the other races. Babies referred from outside have a much higher mortality rate compared to babies delivered in University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.
Fulltext Malignant lymphoma in children: University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur 1967-1980

Sinniah D, Tan BE, Lin HP

Singapore Med J, 1983 Jun;24(3):140-4.
PMID: 6635676

Malignant lymphoma constitutes the third most common childhood malignancy seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur and can be categorised into Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both diseases demonstrate a higher preference for Chinese males. The majority of patients presented with stage IV disease. High default rate and poor compliance to treatment were associated with poor overall cure rates but encouraging results have been obtained in those who adhered to therapy. There is an obvious need to educate the public on the improved outlook 'or childhood malignancies and 'or earlier referral to help reduce the higher mortality and morbidity associated with advanced disease.
Syringomyelia associated with a cauda equina meningioma involving the conus medullaris

Chee CP, Tan CT, Nuruddin R

Br J Neurosurg, 1990;4(6):529-33.
PMID: 2076215

An unusual case of syringomyelia secondary to a cauda equina meningioma involving the conus medullaris is described. The tumour was totally removed with decompression of an adjacent cyst and syrinx resulting in resolution of the symptoms and radiological appearance.
Snake bite in Kelantanese children: a five year experience

Tan KK, Choo KE, Ariffin WA

Toxicon, 1990;28(2):225-30.
PMID: 2339437

The records associated with 83 children from 16 months to 12 years of age who were admitted with snake bite to Kota Bharu General Hospital and University Hospital, Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 5 year period were reviewed. Elapid bites were more common than viper bites while sea-snake bites were not recorded. Symptoms were relatively mild, the common clinical features being pain and local swelling. Antivenom therapy was required in 11 children. Only three of the 11 children developed minor adverse reactions to antivenom. Four of the 83 required ventilatory support for respiratory failure and two children died.
Preparation of antibodies to king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom hemorrhagin and investigation of their cross-reactivity

Tan NH, Saifuddin MN, Jaafar MI

Toxicon, 1990;28(11):1355-9.
PMID: 2128424

Hannahtoxin, the major hemorrhagin purified from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom, elicits hemorrhages in rabbits but not in mice. Two antisera against hannahtoxin were prepared: one raised against purified hannahtoxin, while the other was raised against glutaraldehyde cross-linked and detoxified hannahtoxin. The antisera were refined by pepsin digestion and ammonium sulfate precipitation. They are of approximately equal potency in their ability to neutralize the hemorrhagic activity of king cobra venom in rabbits. The antisera did not form a precipitin line with venom of snakes of the Viperidae family nor neutralize hemorrhages elicited in mice by any of these venoms. However, when the hemorrhagic activity was assayed in rabbits, both antisera were able to abolish the hemorrhages elicited by all of the venoms tested. These results suggest that hannahtoxin displays few epitopes in common with hemorrhagins of viperid venoms, except those involved in the neutralization of hemorrhagic activity in rabbits. The epitopes of viperid venom hemorrhagins involved in the neutralization reaction in rabbits are different from those in mice.
Influenza HI antibodies in pig and man in Malaysia (with special reference to swine influenza)

Tan DS, Omar M, Yap TC

Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):159-62.
PMID: 548720
Fulltext Influence of hip and knee osteoarthritis on dynamic postural control parameters among older fallers

Mat S, Ng CT, Tan MP

J Rehabil Med, 2017 Mar 06;49(3):258-263.
PMID: 28218341 DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2202

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relationship between postural control and knee and hip osteoarthritis in older adults with and without a history of falls.
METHODS: Fallers were those with ≥ 2 falls or 1 injurious fall over 12 months. Non-fallers were volunteers with no falls in the past year. Radiological evidence of osteoarthritis with no reported symptoms was considered "asymptomatic osteoarthritis", while "symptomatic osteoarthritis" was defined as radiographic osteoarthritis with pain or stiffness. Dynamic postural control was quantified with the limits of stability test measured on a balance platform (Neurocom® Balancemaster, California, USA). Parameters assessed were end-point excursion, maximal excursion, and directional control.
RESULTS: A total of 102 older individuals, mean age 73 years (standard deviation 5.7) years were included. The association between falls and poor performance in maximal excursion and directional control was confounded by age and comorbidities. In the same linear equation model with falls, symptomatic osteoarthritis remained independently associated with poor end-point excursion (β-coefficient (95% confidence interval) -6.80 (-12.14 to -1.42)).
CONCLUSION: Poor performance in dynamic postural control (maximal excursion and directional control) among fallers was not accounted for by hip/knee osteoarthritis, but was confounded by old age and comorbidities. Loss of postural control due to hip/knee osteoarthritis is not a risk factor for falls among community-dwelling older adults.
Study site: Departments of Emergency Medicine, Primary Care and Geriatric Medicine, in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext The Prevalence of Anti-Aquaporin 4 Antibody in Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases Presented to a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia: Presentation and Prognosis

Abdullah S, Wong WF, Tan CT

Mult Scler Int, 2017;2017:1359761.
PMID: 28203460 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1359761

Background. There have been inconsistent reports on the prevalence and pathogenicity of anti-Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in patients presented with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IIDDs). Objective. To estimate the prevalence of anti-AQP4 antibody in patients with IIDDs presented to University Malaya Medical Centre in terms of patients' clinical and radiological presentations and prognoses. Methods. Retrospective data review of IIDDs patients presented from 2005 to 2015. Patients were classified into classical multiple sclerosis (CMS), opticospinal (OS) presentation, optic neuritis (ON), transverse myelitis (TM), brainstem syndrome (BS), and tumefactive MS. Anti-Aquaporin 4 antibody was tested using the Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IIFT) cell-based assay. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS version 20. Results. Anti-AQP4 antibody was detected in 53% of patients presented with IIDDs. CMS was more common in the seronegative group, 27/47 (57.45%; p < 0.001). Conversely, OS involvement was more common in the seropositive group, 26/53 (49.06%; p < 0.001). Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCLs) on MRI were also more common in the seropositive group, 29/40 (72.50%; p = 0.004). Only 2/40 (5.00%) had MRI evidence of patchy or multiple short-segment spinal cord lesions in the AQP4-positive group (p = 0.003). The relapse rate and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were also higher in the seropositive group (5.43 versus 3.17, p = 0.005; 4.07 versus 2.51, p = 0.006, resp.). Typical clinical presentations that defined NMO were also seen in the seronegative patients, but in a lower frequency. Conclusion. Our cohort of patients had a higher prevalence of seropositivity of anti-AQP4 antibody as compared to those in Western countries. This was also associated with a more typical presentation of opticospinal involvement with LESCLs on MRI, a higher rate of relapse, and EDSS.
Recent Advances in Analysis of Pesticides in Food and Drink Samples Using LPME Techniques Coupled to GC-MS and LC-MS: a Review

Lawal A, Tan GH, Alsharif AM

J AOAC Int, 2016 Nov 01;99(6):1383-1394.
PMID: 27667201 DOI: 10.5740/jaoacint.16-0272

Food quality and food safety are major challenges affecting agricultural and industrial aspects of production. Many contaminants from different sources contaminate foods and drinks, leading to disastrous health problems like gene mutations and cancer. Previously, many different methods have been used for the analysis of these contaminants. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) has been the most well-known conventional technique used, but its limitations are its tediousness, time required, and the use of large quantities of toxic organic solvents. These limitations have led to the search for other, efficient techniques that are more environmentally friendly. Hence, this review highlights recent advances in liquid-phase (single-drop, hollow fiber, and dispersive liquid-liquid) microextraction procedures for food and drink analyses. Such modifications can be justified for solving limitations associated with the traditional LLE method. The objective of this review is to serve as a reference platform for providing effective management tools for solving problems of pollution, clean-up, and control of food quality and safety globally.
Quorum quenching properties of Actinobacteria isolated from Malaysian tropical soils

Devaraj K, Tan GYA, Chan KG

Arch Microbiol, 2017 Aug;199(6):897-906.
PMID: 28364274 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1371-4

In this study, a total of 147 soil actinobacterial strains were screened for their ability to inhibit response of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 to short chain N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) which is a quorum sensing molecule. Of these, three actinobacterial strains showed positive for violacein inhibition. We further tested these strains for the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 quorum sensing-regulated phenotypes, namely, swarming and pyocyanin production. The three strains were found to inhibit at least one of the quorum sensing-regulated phenotypes of PAO1. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these strains belong to the genera Micromonospora, Rhodococcus and Streptomyces. This is the first report presenting quorum quenching activity by a species of the genus Micromonospora. Our data suggest that Actinobacteria may be a rich source of active compounds that can act against bacterial quorum sensing system.
Expression of surface-bound nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein of influenza virus A H5N1 on Lactobacillus casei strain C1

Tan TS, Syed Hassan S, Yap WB

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2017 Jun;64(6):446-451.
PMID: 28370088 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12738

The study aimed to construct a recombinant Lactobacillus casei expressing the nonstructural (NS) 1 protein of influenza A virus H5N1 on its cell wall. The NS1 gene was first amplified and fused to the pSGANC332 expression plasmid. The NS1 protein expression was carried out by Lact. casei strain C1. PCR screening and DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of recombinant pSG-NS1-ANC332 plasmid in Lact. casei. The plasmid was stably maintained (98·94 ± 1·65%) by the bacterium within the first 20 generations without selective pressure. The NS1 was expressed as a 49-kDa protein in association with the anchoring peptide. The yield was 1·325 ± 0·065 μg mg(-1) of bacterial cells. Lactobacillus casei expressing the NS1 on its cell wall was red-fluorescently stained, but the staining was not observed on Lact. casei carrying the empty pSGANC332. The results implied that Lact. casei strain C1 is a promising host for the expression of surface-bound NS1 protein using the pSGANC332 expression plasmid.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study has demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein of influenza A virus H5N1 on the cell wall of Lactobacillus casei using the pSGANC332 expression plasmid. Display of NS1 protein on the bacterial cell wall was evident under an immunofluorescence microscopic observation. Lactobacillus casei carrying the NS1 protein could be developed into a universal oral influenza vaccine since the NS1 is highly conserved among influenza viruses.
Tsunami run-up and inundation along the coast of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia due to a potential Brunei submarine mass failure

Tan WK, Teh SY, Koh HL

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jul;24(19):15976-15994.
PMID: 28343360 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8698-x

Submarine landslides, also known as submarine mass failures (SMFs), are major natural marine disasters that could critically damage coastal facilities such as nuclear power plants and oil and gas platforms. It is therefore essential to investigate submarine landslides for potential tsunami hazard assessment. Three-dimensional seismic data from offshore Brunei have revealed a giant seabed mass deposited by a previous SMF. The submarine mass extends over 120 km from the continental slope of the Baram Canyon at 200 m water depth to the deep basin floor of the Northwest Borneo Trough. A suite of in-house two-dimensional depth-averaged tsunami simulation model TUNA (Tsunami-tracking Utilities and Application) is developed to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities in Sabah and Sarawak subject to potential SMF tsunami. The submarine slide is modeled as a rigid body moving along a planar slope with the center of mass motion parallel to the planar slope and subject to external forces due to added mass, gravity, and dissipation. The nonlinear shallow water equations are utilized to simulate tsunami propagation from deepwater up to the shallow offshore areas. A wetting-drying algorithm is used when a tsunami wave reaches the shoreline to compute run up of tsunami along the shoreline. Run-up wave height and inundation maps are provided for seven densely populated locations in Sabah and Sarawak to highlight potential risks at each location, subject to two scenarios of slide slopes: 2° and 4°. The first wave may arrive at Kudat as early as 0.4 h after the SMF, giving local communities little time to evacuate. Over a small area, maximum inundated depths reaching 20.3 m at Kudat, 26.1 m at Kota Kinabalu, and 15.5 m at Miri are projected, while the maximum inundation distance of 4.86 km is expected at Miri due to its low-lying coast. In view of the vulnerability of some locations to the SMF tsunami, it is important to develop and implement community resilience program to reduce the potential damage that could be inflicted by SMF tsunamis.
Perceptions of Healthcare Professionals on the Usage of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in a Teaching Hospital from a Middle-Income South East Asian Country

Jaafar MH, Mahadeva S, Subramanian P, Tan MP

J Nutr Health Aging, 2017;21(4):473-479.
PMID: 28346575 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-016-0774-2

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions of healthcare professionals' (HCPs) in a South East Asian nation towards percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding.
DESIGN: Semi-structured, qualitative interviews.
SETTINGS: A teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 healthcare professionals aged 23-43 years, 82% women.
RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed five themes that represent HCPs' perceptions in relation to the usage of PEG feeding: 1) knowledge of HCPs, 2) communication, 3) understanding among patients, and 4) financial and affordability.
CONCLUSION: The rationale for reluctance towards PEG feeding observed in this regions was explained by lack of education, knowledge, communication, team work, and financial support. Future studies should assess the effects of educational programmes among HCPs and changes in policies to promote affordability on the utilization of PEG feeding in this region.
A new species and locality record for Pseudopsyra katydid (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae)

Tan MK, Dawwrueng P, Artchawakom T

Zootaxa, 2017 Feb 13;4231(4):zootaxa.4231.4.12.
PMID: 28264411 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4231.4.12

Pseudopsyra is a genus of Phaneropterinae katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), currently comprising of four species - two species each from southern China and Peninsular Malaysia (Hebard, 1922; Liu & Kang, 2006; Tan & Kamaruddin, 2013, 2014). The revision of Pseudopsyra by Liu & Kang (2006) provided a redescription of the genus, a new diagnosis and a key to known species. Subsequently, more surveys were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia and yield another species, representing the lowest latitudinal limits of this genus thus far (Tan & Kamaruddin, 2013). Continued surveys between the upper and lower latitudinal limits of the genus yield a new species: Pseudopsyra taksini sp. nov. from the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand. The orthopteran diversity at Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve remains understudied with numerous new species described recently, including other genus of Phaneropterinae (Tan & Artchawakom, 2014; Tan et al., 2015). With emphasis of using sexual parts for evidence of reproductive isolation in species delimitation, the discovery of a new species of Pseudopsyra also represents the first record of the genus from Thailand. It is not surprising that more undescribed species of Pseudopsyra can be found across the Indo-China region.

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