MyMedR

Displaying publications 1201 - 1220 of 8048 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Dysphagia in an elderly patient

Tan SH, Balachandran R, Prepageran N

Eur J Intern Med, 2019 02;60:e3-e4.
PMID: 29759815 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2018.05.012
Autochthonous spread of DENV-3 genotype III in Malaysia mitigated by pre-existing homotypic and heterotypic immunity

Tan KK, Nellis S, Zulkifle NI, Sulaiman S, AbuBakar S

Epidemiol Infect, 2018 10;146(13):1635-1641.
PMID: 29860959 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268818001425

Dengue virus type 3 genotype III (DENV-3/III) is widely distributed in most dengue-endemic regions. It emerged in Malaysia in 2008 and autochthonously spread in the midst of endemic DENV-3/I circulation. The spread, however, was limited and the virus did not cause any major outbreak. Spatiotemporal distribution study of DENV-3 over the period between 2005 and 2011 revealed that dengue cases involving DENV-3/III occurred mostly in areas without pre-existing circulating DENV-3. Neutralisation assays performed using sera of patients with the respective infection showed that the DENV-3/III viruses can be effectively neutralised by sera of patients with DENV-3 infection (50% foci reduction neutralisation titres (FRNT50) > 1300). Sera of patients with DENV-1 infection (FRNT50 ⩾ 190), but not sera of patients with DENV-2 infection (FRNT50 ⩽ 50), were also able to neutralise the virus. These findings highlight the possibility that the pre-existing homotypic DENV-3 and the cross-reacting heterotypic DENV-1 antibody responses could play a role in mitigating a major outbreak involving DENV-3/III in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Optimization of Bleaching Parameters in Refining Process of Kenaf Seed Oil with a Central Composite Design Model

Chew SC, Tan CP, Nyam KL

J Food Sci, 2017 Jul;82(7):1622-1630.
PMID: 28608553 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13758

Kenaf seed oil has been suggested to be used as nutritious edible oil due to its unique fatty acid composition and nutritional value. The objective of this study was to optimize the bleaching parameters of the chemical refining process for kenaf seed oil, namely concentration of bleaching earth (0.5 to 2.5% w/w), temperature (30 to 110 °C) and time (5 to 65 min) based on the responses of total oxidation value (TOTOX) and color reduction using response surface methodology. The results indicated that the corresponding response surface models were highly statistical significant (P < 0.0001) and sufficient to describe and predict TOTOX value and color reduction with R2 of 0.9713 and 0.9388, respectively. The optimal parameters in the bleaching stage of kenaf seed oil were: 1.5% w/w of the concentration of bleaching earth, temperature of 70 °C, and time of 40 min. These optimum parameters produced bleached kenaf seed oil with TOTOX value of 8.09 and color reduction of 32.95%. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between experimental and predicted values, indicating the adequacy of the fitted models.
Genetic diversity, virulotyping and antimicrobial resistance susceptibility of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from pigs and porcine products in Malaysia

Thong KL, Tan LK, Ooi PT

J Sci Food Agric, 2018 Jan;98(1):87-95.
PMID: 28542807 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8442

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the present study were to determine the antimicrobial resistance, virulotypes and genetic diversity of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from uncooked porcine food and live pigs in Malaysia.
RESULTS: Thirty-two non-repeat Y. enterocolitica strains of three bioserotypes (3 variant/O:3, n = 27; 1B/O:8, n = 3; 1A/O:5, n = 2) were analysed. Approximately 90% of strains were multidrug-resistant with a multiple antibiotic resistance index < 0.2 and the majority of the strains were resistant to nalidixic acid, clindamycin, ampicillin, ticarcillin, tetracycline and amoxicillin. Yersinia enterocolitica could be distinguished distinctly into three clusters by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, with each belonging to a particular bioserotype. Strains of 3 variant/O:3 were more heterogeneous than others. Eleven of the 15 virulence genes tested (hreP, virF, rfbC, myfA, sat, inv, ail, ymoA, ystA, tccC, yadA) and pYV virulence plasmid were present in all the bioserotpe 3 variant/03 strains.
CONCLUSION: The occurrence of virulent strains of Y. enterocolitica in pigs and porcine products reiterated that pigs are important reservoirs for Y. enterocolitica. The increasing trend of multidrug resistant strains is a public health concern. This is the first report on the occurrence of potential pathogenic and resistant strains of Y. enterocolitica in pigs in Malaysia. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Proteomics in commercial crops: An overview

Tan BC, Lim YS, Lau SE

J Proteomics, 2017 10 03;169:176-188.
PMID: 28546092 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.05.018

Proteomics is a rapidly growing area of biological research that is positively affecting plant science. Recent advances in proteomic technology, such as mass spectrometry, can now identify a broad range of proteins and monitor their modulation during plant growth and development, as well as during responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we highlight recent proteomic studies of commercial crops and discuss the advances in understanding of the proteomes of these crops. We anticipate that proteomic-based research will continue to expand and contribute to crop improvement.
SIGNIFICANCE: Plant proteomics study is a rapidly growing area of biological research that is positively impacting plant science. With the recent advances in new technologies, proteomics not only allows us to comprehensively analyses crop proteins, but also help us to understand the functions of the genes. In this review, we highlighted recent proteomic studies in commercial crops and updated the advances in our understanding of the proteomes of these crops. We believe that proteomic-based research will continue to grow and contribute to the improvement of crops.
Violent actions against children

Alhammami M, Ooi CP, Tan WH

Data Brief, 2017 Jun;12:480-484.
PMID: 28508027 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.04.026

We present in this paper a novel dataset (MMU VAAC) for violent actions against children recognition. This original dataset has been recorded using Microsoft Kinect with the usage of a child mannequin. MMU VAAC dataset contains skeleton joints, depth, and RGB modalities.
Cervical angiomyofibroblastoma: a case report and review of literature

Wong YP, Tan GC, Ng PF

J Obstet Gynaecol, 2017 Jul;37(5):681-682.
PMID: 28604180 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1281236
Quality appraisal of acne clinical practice guidelines, 2008-2013

Kawala C, Fernando D, Tan JK

J Cutan Med Surg, 2014 Nov;18(6):385-91.
PMID: 25348759

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic disease, and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) can provide credible treatment information.
METHOD: A literature search for acne CPGs published between January 2008 and September 2013 was conducted. Two reviewers independently applied the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. METHODological quality was evaluated by ranking in AGREE II domains and the highest number of items scoring above the neutral threshold score.
RESULTS: Four CPGs fulfilled the selection criteria, and the highest ranked were the European and Malaysian. Highest scores achieved by the former were for scope/purpose, stakeholder involvement, and rigor of development and by the latter were for scope/purpose, clarity of presentation, and applicability. Applicability was the lowest scoring of all domains for all CPGs.
CONCLUSION: European and Malaysian acne CPGs were ranked highest for methodological quality and may serve to inform clinical practice and guideline adaptation.
Fulltext A Facile and Flexible Method for On-Demand Directional Speed Tunability in the Miniaturised Lab-on-a-Disc

Tan MK, Siddiqi A, Yeo LY

Sci Rep, 2017 07 27;7(1):6652.
PMID: 28751783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07025-x

The Miniaturised Lab-on-a-Disc (miniLOAD) platform, which utilises surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to drive the rotation of thin millimeter-scale discs on which microchannels can be fabricated and hence microfluidic operations can be performed, offers the possibility of miniaturising its larger counterpart, the Lab-on-a-CD, for true portability in point-of-care applications. A significant limitation of the original miniLOAD concept, however, is that it does not allow for flexible control over the disc rotation direction and speed without manual adjustment of the disc's position, or the use of multiple devices to alter the SAW frequency. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility of achieving such control with the use of tapered interdigitated transducers to confine a SAW beam such that the localised acoustic streaming it generates imparts a force, through hydrodynamic shear, at a specific location on the disc. Varying the torque that arises as a consequence by altering the input frequency to the transducers then allows the rotational velocity and direction of the disc to be controlled with ease. We derive a simple predictive model to illustrate the principle by which this occurs, which we find agrees well with the experimental measurements.
Dynamic Interfacial Adhesion through Cucurbit[n]uril Molecular Recognition

Liu J, Tan CSY, Scherman OA

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2018 07 16;57(29):8854-8858.
PMID: 29663607 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201800775

Supramolecular building blocks, such as cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n])-based host-guest complexes, have been extensively studied at the nano- and microscale as adhesion promoters. Herein, we exploit a new class of CB[n]-threaded highly branched polyrotaxanes (HBP-CB[n]) as aqueous adhesives to macroscopically bond two wet surfaces, including biological tissue, through the formation of CB[8] heteroternary complexes. The dynamic nature of these complexes gives rise to adhesion with remarkable toughness, displaying recovery and reversible adhesion upon mechanical failure at the interface. Incorporation of functional guests, such as azobenzene moieties, allows for stimuli-activated on-demand adhesion/de-adhesion. Macroscopic interfacial adhesion through dynamic host-guest molecular recognition represents an innovative strategy for designing the next generation of functional interfaces, biomedical devices, tissue adhesives, and wound dressings.
Molecular targeted therapy: Treating cancer with specificity

Lee YT, Tan YJ, Oon CE

Eur J Pharmacol, 2018 Sep 05;834:188-196.
PMID: 30031797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.07.034

Molecular targeted therapies are revolutionized therapeutics which interfere with specific molecules to block cancer growth, progression, and metastasis. Many molecular targeted therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have demonstrated remarkable clinical success in the treatment of a myriad of cancer types including breast, leukemia, colorectal, lung, and ovarian cancers. This review provides an update on the different types of molecular targeted therapies used in the treatment of cancer, focusing on the fundamentals of molecular targeted therapy, its mode of action in cancer treatment, as well as its advantages and limitations.
A 4-Week-old Neonate with Jaundice and Hepatosplenomegaly

Tan GC, Stalling M, Fung B

J Clin Exp Hepatol, 2018 Jun;8(2):210-211.
PMID: 29892186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2017.11.004
Pollinator specialization in the enigmatic Rafflesia cantleyi: A true carrion flower with species-specific and sex-biased blow fly pollinators

Wee SL, Tan SB, Jürgens A

Phytochemistry, 2018 Sep;153:120-128.
PMID: 29906658 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.06.005

The plants of the enigmatic genus Rafflesia are well known for their gigantic flowers and their floral features such as pungent floral scent and vivid dark color, which mimics the food/brood sites of carrion. However, information on the pollination biology of this plant group remains limited and mostly anecdotal. In the present paper, we studied the floral volatiles of R. cantleyi Solms-Laubach and their role in pollinator attraction. To achieve these aims, the floral scent was collected in situ in the field using a dynamic headspace method followed by chemical analysis via GC-MS. The olfactory preferences of pollinators to the identified chemical compounds, were tested singly and in blends, in flight tunnel bioassays and compared with responses to headspace floral extracts. In addition, flower-visiting calliphorid flies and the local carrion fly community were sampled and identified. Five species of calliphorid flies (subfamilies of Chrysomyinae and Calliphorinae), all females, were found on the flowers, whereas nine species were found in the traps that were baited with tainted meat in the surrounding habitat. However, only flower visitors of one blow fly species, Chrysomya chani Kurahashi, were observed to carry R. cantleyi pollen after visiting male flowers. The floral volatiles emitted by male flowers in full bloom were dominated by two sulphur-containing compounds, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS). These were accompanied by other minor compounds such as benzenoids (4), monoterpenoids (4), trace amounts of aliphatic compounds (1), and sesquiterpenes (1). In flight-tunnel bioassays, a female-specific positive response of C. chani flies to individual DMDS, DMTS, and a blend of DMDS and DMTS was evident. Our findings suggest that R. cantleyi biochemically mimics carrion and that relative ratio of oligosulfides in the floral scent play a key role in sex-biased pollinator specialization, attracting only female C. chani carrion flies to the flowers.
Extraversion and happiness: The mediating role of social support and hope

Tan CS, Low SK, Viapude GN

Psych J, 2018 Sep;7(3):133-143.
PMID: 30015375 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.220

Studies have found that extraversion enhances happiness indirectly through social support. However, it is unclear how social support may be connected to happiness. On the basis of a literature review, we hypothesize that individual hope may play an important role in the relationship between social support and happiness. Using a serial mediation model, the present study attempted to investigate the hypothetical mediating role of hope in the relationship between extraversion and happiness and between social support and happiness. Analysis of responses of 360 undergraduate students showed that extraversion, social support, and hope were significantly linked with happiness. Moreover, hope was found to mediate the linkage of extraversion and happiness and of social support and happiness. The results also supported the view that extraversion enhances happiness through social support and then hope (serial mediating effect). Lastly, the serial mediating effect was found to be significantly lower than the other two indirect effects. The findings offer insights into the effect of social support on happiness and extend the understanding of the relationship between extraversion and happiness.
A novel automated diagnostic system for classification of myocardial infarction ECG signals using an optimal biorthogonal filter bank

Sharma M, Tan RS, Acharya UR

Comput Biol Med, 2018 11 01;102:341-356.
PMID: 30049414 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.07.005

Myocardial infarction (MI), also referred to as heart attack, occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to parts of the heart, due to the acute rupture of atherosclerotic plaque, which leads to damage of heart muscle. The heart muscle damage produces changes in the recorded surface electrocardiogram (ECG). The identification of MI by visual inspection of the ECG requires expert interpretation, and is difficult as the ECG signal changes associated with MI can be short in duration and low in magnitude. Hence, errors in diagnosis can lead to delay the initiation of appropriate medical treatment. To lessen the burden on doctors, an automated ECG based system can be installed in hospitals to help identify MI changes on ECG. In the proposed study, we develop a single-channel single lead ECG based MI diagnostic system validated using noisy and clean datasets. The raw ECG signals are taken from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt database. We design a novel two-band optimal biorthogonal filter bank (FB) for analysis of the ECG signals. We present a method to design a novel class of two-band optimal biorthogonal FB in which not only the product filter but the analysis lowpass filter is also a halfband filter. The filter design problem has been composed as a constrained convex optimization problem in which the objective function is a convex combination of multiple quadratic functions and the regularity and perfect reconstruction conditions are imposed in the form linear equalities. ECG signals are decomposed into six subbands (SBs) using the newly designed wavelet FB. Following to this, discriminating features namely, fuzzy entropy (FE), signal-fractal-dimensions (SFD), and renyi entropy (RE) are computed from all the six SBs. The features are fed to the k-nearest neighbor (KNN). The proposed system yields an accuracy of 99.62% for the noisy dataset and an accuracy of 99.74% for the clean dataset, using 10-fold cross validation (CV) technique. Our MI identification system is robust and highly accurate. It can thus be installed in clinics for detecting MI.
Fulltext A Case of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Encephalitis as a Possible Complication of Cosmetic Nasal Dermal Filler Injection

Khoo CS, Tan HJ, Sharis Osman S

Am J Case Rep, 2018 Jul 13;19:825-828.
PMID: 30002360 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.909883

BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly used for medical and aesthetic purposes in clinical practice. Common complications following filler injections include bruising, itching, infections, allergic reactions, and tissue necrosis. This case is the first report of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis as a possible complication of dermal filler injection. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old woman with no past medical history presented with altered mental state, headaches, and seizures. She had a nasal dermal filler injection for aesthetic purpose five weeks before her acute presentation. A diagnosis of HSV-1 encephalitis was made based on brain imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that showed bilateral frontotemporal lobe hyperintensity. Analysis of her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirmed the presence of HSV-1 DNA. Despite anti-viral treatment with acyclovir, she developed postencephalitic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS This case report highlights the possibility that among the complications of the use of cosmetic dermal fillers, the transmission of HSV-1 and the development of HSV-1 encephalitis should be recognized.
Ryzophagia secondary to PCOS -related menorrhagia

Tan YL, Voon HY, Ngeh N

Med J Malaysia, 2018 06;73(3):170-171.
PMID: 29962501

We report the peculiar case of a patient who consumed raw rice daily and had iron-deficiency anaemia secondary to menorrhagia with underlying polycystic ovarian syndrome. A 32-year-old lady of Asian descent presented with symptoms of fatigue, lethargy and prolonged, irregular periods for the last two months. There was noticeable increase in body weight, male pattern alopecia and facial acne. In addition, she experienced sudden, unexplained predilection towards consumption of raw rice (up to 300- 400g/day). The patient was treated with oral iron and cyclical progestin. After three weeks, her haemoglobin improved and her ryzophagia subsided. Gynaecologists should be vigilant of pica, which can occur outside of the context of pregnancy and also poses potential health risks including tooth attrition, electrolyte imbalance, intestinal obstruction and poisoning.
Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome With Evolving Movement Disorders

Tan AH, Lim SY, Ng RX

JAMA Neurol, 2018 07 01;75(7):888-889.
PMID: 29799978 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.0983
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.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links