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Tuberculous lymphadenitis at Penang General Hospital, Malaysia

Khan AH, Sulaiman SA, Muttalif AR, Hassali MA, Khan TM

Med Princ Pract, 2011;20(1):80-4.
PMID: 21160220 DOI: 10.1159/000319764

To evaluate the incidence, treatment and clinical outcomes of tuberculous (TB) lymphadenitis at Penang General Hospital, Malaysia.
Fulltext The prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms and role of protective measures among Malaysian hajj pilgrims

Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Naing NN, Othman NH

J Travel Med, 2010 Mar-Apr;17(2):82-8.
PMID: 20412173 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2009.00384.x

BACKGROUND: Respiratory symptoms including cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever are the most common clinical manifestations faced by hajj pilgrims in Mecca. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Malaysian hajj pilgrims and the effect of a few protective measures taken by hajj pilgrims to reduce respiratory symptoms.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing survey forms to Malaysian hajj pilgrims at transit center before flying back to Malaysia. The recruitment of respondents to the survey was on a voluntary basis.
RESULTS: A total of 387 survey forms were available for analysis. The mean age was 50.4 +/- 11.0 years. The common respiratory symptoms among Malaysian hajj pilgrims were: cough 91.5%, runny nose 79.3%, fever 59.2%, and sore throat 57.1%. The prevalence of hajj pilgrims with triad of cough, subjective fever, and sore throat were 40.1%. The symptoms lasted less than 2 weeks in the majority of cases. Only 3.6% did not suffer from any of these symptoms. Seventy-two percent of hajj pilgrims received influenza vaccination before departure and 72.9% wore facemasks. Influenza vaccination was not associated with any of respiratory symptoms but it was significantly associated with longer duration of sore throat. Wearing masks was significantly associated with sore throat and longer duration of sore throat and fever.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was high among Malaysian hajj pilgrims and the current protective measures seemed inadequate to reduce it. Beside standardization of the term used in hajj studies, more collaborative effort should be taken to reduce respiratory symptoms. The hajj authority should prepare for the challenge of pandemic influenza by providing more healthcare facilities and implementation of more strict measures to reduce the transmission of pandemic influenza strain among hajj pilgrims.
Fulltext Comparison of antioxidant effects of honey, glibenclamide, metformin, and their combinations in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Salam SK, Salleh MS, Gurtu S

Int J Mol Sci, 2011;12(1):829-43.
PMID: 21340016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12010829

Hyperglycemia-induced increase in oxidative stress is implicated in diabetic complications. This study investigated the effect of metformin and/or glibenclamide in combination with honey on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the kidneys of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; intraperitoneal)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were randomized into eight groups of five to seven rats and received distilled water (0.5 mL); honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); or metformin (100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg) orally once daily for four weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly elevated while catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and GSH:oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio was significantly reduced in the diabetic kidneys. CAT, glutathione reductase (GR), TAS, and GSH remained significantly reduced in the diabetic rats treated with metformin and/or glibenclamide. In contrast, metformin or glibenclamide combined with honey significantly increased CAT, GR, TAS, and GSH. These results suggest that combination of honey with metformin or glibenclamide might offer additional antioxidant effect to these drugs. This might reduce oxidative stress-mediated damage in diabetic kidneys.
Community knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards depression in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Khan TM, Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA, Anwar M, Wasif G, Khan AH

Community Ment Health J, 2010 Feb;46(1):87-92.
PMID: 20146000 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-009-9262-z

This study was intended to evaluate the mental health literacy vis-à-vis depression among inhabitants of Penang state in North Malaysia. Using a clustered random sampling method, 1,855 respondents were approached to participate in the survey. A total of 1,149 respondents actually participated, for a 61.9% response rate. Face to face interviews were then conducted using a pre-validated 21-item questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 30 years (SD +/-11.5). The majority (n = 884; 76.9%) could recognize three or more symptoms of depression. Chinese and/or female respondents performed the best in this domain. Respondents with a personal experience of depression displayed a significantly better knowledge of symptoms of and therapies for depression than those who did not (t = -35.745, P = <0.001). Overall, a moderate knowledge level of the symptoms of depression and a cursory knowledge towards therapy were observed among the general population in Penang. Notably, respondents were generally inclined towards the use of alternative medicine. The study suggests that strong beliefs in alternative and traditional medicines could undermine the respondents' willingness and ability to seek evidence-based mental health care.
Fulltext The antibacterial properties of Malaysian tualang honey against wound and enteric microorganisms in comparison to manuka honey

Tan HT, Rahman RA, Gan SH, Halim AS, Hassan SA, Sulaiman SA, et al.

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2009;9:34.
PMID: 19754926 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-9-34

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is on the rise, thus the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents is urgently needed. Honey possesses therapeutic potential, including wound healing properties and antimicrobial activity. Although the antimicrobial activity of honey has been effectively established against an extensive spectrum of microorganisms, it differs depending on the type of honey. To date, no extensive studies of the antibacterial properties of tualang (Koompassia excelsa) honey on wound and enteric microorganisms have been conducted. The objectives of this study were to conduct such studies and to compare the antibacterial activity of tualang honey with that of manuka honey.
Incidence of adverse drug reactions induced by N-acetylcysteine in patients with acetaminophen overdose

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Syed Sulaiman SA, Sweileh WM, Al-Jabi SW

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2010 Mar;29(3):153-60.
PMID: 20071472 DOI: 10.1177/0960327109359642

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (IV-NAC) is widely recognized as the antidote of choice for acetaminophen overdose. However, its use is not without adverse drug reactions (ADR) that might affect therapeutic outcome or lead to treatment delay.
Women's attitude and sociodemographic characteristics influencing usage of herbal medicines during pregnancy in Tumpat District, Kelantan

Rahman AA, Sulaiman SA, Ahmad Z, Salleh H, Daud WN, Hamid AM

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2009 Mar;40(2):330-7.
PMID: 19323019

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is associated with women's attitudes towards herbal medicines and their sociodemographic features, such as age, education level, and income. Two-hundred ten women (110 "users," 100 "non-users") were studied. The probability of using herbal medicines among women who had negative attitudes towards the use of herbal medicines was 50.0% less compared to those who had positive attitudes (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.29 - 0.92). Women who had a positive attitude towards the safety of herbal medicines were less likely to use herbal medicines during pregnancy. There were no significant associations between usage and sociodemographic features, such as age, income, race, and education.
The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy and perinatal mortality in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Malaysia

Ab Rahman A, Ahmad Z, Naing L, Sulaiman SA, Hamid AM, Daud WN

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2007 Nov;38(6):1150-7.
PMID: 18613559

The objective of this case-control study was to determine the association between herbal medicine use during pregnancy and perinatal mortality in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Malaysia. Cases were mothers who gave birth from June 2002 to June 2005 with a history of perinatal mortality, while controls were those without a history of perinatal infant mortality. A total of 316 mothers (106 cases and 210 controls) were interviewed. The use of unidentified herbs prepared by traditional midwives and other types of herbal medicines during the first trimester of pregnancy were positively associated with perinatal mortality (OR = 5.24, 95% CI = 1.13; 24.23 and OR = 8.90, 95%, CI = 1.35; 58.53, respectively). The use of unidentified "Orang Asli" herbs and coconut oil during the third trimester of pregnancy were negatively associated with perinatal mortality in Tumpat (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02; 0.59 and OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25; 0.92, respectively). These findings suggest the use of unidentified "Orang Asli" herbs and coconut oil in late pregnancy are protective against perinatal mortality, while the use of unidentified herbs prepared by traditional midwives and other types of herbal medicines in early pregnancy has an increased risk of perinatal infant mortality. Pharmacological studies to confirm and identify the compounds in these herbs and their effects on the fetus should be conducted in the future.
Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients

Biswal BM, Sulaiman SA, Ismail HC, Zakaria H, Musa KI

Integr Cancer Ther, 2013 Jul;12(4):312-22.
PMID: 23142798 DOI: 10.1177/1534735412464551

Hypothesis. Withania somnifera is an herb with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antistress, and adaptogenic properties. Previous studies have shown its antistress effects in animals. Traditional Indian medicine has used it for centuries to alleviate fatigue and improve general well-being.
A clinical and economic study of community-acquired pneumonia between single versus combination therapy

Hasali MA, Ibrahim MI, Sulaiman SA, Ahmad Z, Hasali JB

Pharm World Sci, 2005 Jun;27(3):249-53.
PMID: 16096896

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in many developing countries. It is reported that 12.9 million children under 5 years of age died world-wide in 1990 and one-third of these deaths or 4.3 million annually were attributed to acute respiratory infection with pneumonia.
OBJECTIVES: On this basis, a study was conducted in a district hospital to study the therapy outcomes of antibiotic regimens used in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) management and to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CE) between IV ampicillin versus combination therapy of IV ampicillin and IV gentamicin.
METHOD: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind study was conducted in a pediatric ward in a 80-bed district hospital. Pediatric patients diagnosed with CAP aged 2 months to 5 years old were randomly and equally divided into two treatment arms: ampicillin versus ampicillin plus gentamicin. The dose of IV ampicillin used in this study was 100 mg/kg/day divided every 6 h and 5 mg/kg of IV gentamicin as a single daily dose. Both clinical and economic evaluations were carried out to compare both treatment arms.
RESULTS: With the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 40 patients diagnosed with CAP were included in the study. The results showed that the two treatment arms were significantly different (P < 0.05) in terms of duration of patients on ampicillin, number of days of hospitalization and time to switch to oral therapy. A significant difference was noted between the two treatment modalities in terms of effectiveness and cost (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Overall, the endpoint of this study showed that the total cost per patient of ampicillin-treated group is cheaper than the total cost with the combination therapy (ampicillin plus gentamicin) and reduced unnecessary exposure to adverse effects or toxicities. Besides that, addition of gentamicin in the treatment modalities will only increase the cost of treatment without introducing any changes in the treatment outcome.
Developing and validating a new tool: physicians' barriers, attitudes and practices towards applying smoking cessation interventions in their clinics. [Abstract]

Albaroodi KA, Syed Sulaiman SA, Awaisu A, Shafie AA, Lajis R, Abo-Maali MF

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A714.
PMID: 26533997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.2692

Objectives
Endocrinologists and other clinicians who provide care to diabetic patients have ideal teaching opportunities to connect and deliver tobacco cessation interventions in diabetes care. This study aimed to develop, validate and measure the reliability of a new tool that would be used to evaluate physicians’ attitudes and practices regarding tobacco cessation counselling in patients with diabetes, as well as barriers to deliver tobacco cessation counselling in their clinics.

Methods
This study was conducted from March till December 2012 in the endocrine clinic at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. A standardised, 22-item, self-administered questionnaire was developed to determine (i) physicians’ attitudes and practices regarding tobacco cessation counselling in patients with diabetes, and (ii) barriers in delivering tobacco cessation counselling in their clinics. Face and content validity were assessed. Six pharmacists, whom were faculty members with experience and expertise in research and in the development of surveys, reviewed the questionnaire to assess its content validity.Reliability test was run along to check whether the new tool questions are correlated with one another adequatly or no.

Results
Reliability test for the tool was pretested on a sample of 25 physicians physicians who ran the endocrine clinic at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Reliability analyses for the attitude domain and practice domain were 0.710 and 0.720, respectively.

Conclusions
The questionnaire was valid and reliable to be use for the evaluation of physician’s barriers, attitude and practice regarding tobacco cessation counselling in the diabetics clinics.
Patterns Of Medication Use In Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5d: Emphasis On Medications For The Management Of Ckd-Mbd

Salman M, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Syed Sulaiman SA, Hussain K, Mansoor S, et al.

Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A508-9.
PMID: 26532849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.1460
Factors associated with poor CD4 and viral load outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS

Syed IA, Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA, Syed SH, Shan LH, Lee CK

J Med Virol, 2016 May;88(5):790-7.
PMID: 26399724 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24389

Suboptimal viral suppression and CD4 response to antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is known to cause poor outcomes with the increase cost of treatment. We aimed to assess factors associated with such control among HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia. Four hundred and six HIV/AIDS patients, using Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for at least the past three months, treated as outpatients at medication therapy adherence clinics (MTAC) were recruited. CD4 cell counts, viral load readings along with co-variants such as socio-demographic factors, adverse drug reactions, comorbidities, and medication record were obtained. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS(®) ) version 18 and STATA IC(®) version 12 were used for data analysis. CD4 counts were found highest among those within the age category 41-50 years (390.43 ± 272.28), female (402.64 ± 276.14), other ethnicities (400.20 ± 278.04), and participants with no formal education (414.87 ± 290.90). Patients experiencing adverse effects had a 2.28 (95%CI:1.25-4.18) fold greater risk of poor CD4 control, while patients with comorbidities had 2.46 (95%CI:1.02-5.91) fold greater risk of mild viral suppression. Adverse drug reactions, co-morbidities were found to be significantly associated with poor immunological and virological outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation is needed to better understand other confounders.
Study site: Medication therapy adherence clinic, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
Occurrence, Management, and Risk Factors for Adverse Drug Reactions in Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients

Ahmad N, Javaid A, Syed Sulaiman SA, Afridi AK, Zainab, Khan AH

Am J Ther, 2016 3 5;25(5):e533-e540.
PMID: 26938643 DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000421

Although Pakistan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), little is known about prevalence, management, and risk factors for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in MDR-TB patients in Pakistan. To evaluate occurrence, management, and risk factors for ADRs in MDR-TB patients, and its impact on treatment outcomes, this observational cohort study was conducted at programmatic management unit for drug resistant TB of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 181 MDR-TB patients enrolled at the study site from January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013 were included. Patients with drug resistant TB other than MDR-TB, transferred out patients and those who were still on treatment at the end of study duration (January 31, 2015) were excluded. Patients were followed until treatment outcomes were reported. ADRs were determined by laboratory data and/or clinical criteria. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. A total of 131 patients (72.4%) experienced at least 1 ADR. Gastrointestinal disturbance was the most commonly observed adverse event (42%), followed by psychiatric disturbance (29.3%), arthralgia (24.3%), and ototoxicity (21%). Potentially life-threatening ADRs, such as nephrotoxicity (2.7%) and hypokalemia (2.8%) were relatively less prevalent. Owing to ADRs, treatment regimen was modified in 20 (11%) patients. On multivariate analysis, the only risk factor for ADRs was baseline body weight ≥ 40 kg (OR = 2.321, P-value = 0.013). ADRs neither led to permanent discontinuation of treatment nor adversely affected treatment outcomes. Adverse effects were prevalent in current cohort, but caused minimal modification of treatment regimen, and did not negatively impact treatment outcomes. Patient with baseline body weight ≥ 40 kg should be closely monitored.
Fulltext Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life among Tuberculosis Patients in Two Cities in Yemen

Jaber AA, Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman SA, Ahmad N, Anaam MS

PLoS One, 2016;11(6):e0156258.
PMID: 27257990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156258

BACKGROUND: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Tuberculosis (TB) patients is important because it directly influences the outcome of TB patients in several aspects. The current study aims to evaluate and to find the factors influencing the HRQoL of TB patients in two major TB-prevalent cities (Taiz and Alhodidah) in Yemen.
METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, and all TB patients meeting the HRQoL criteria were asked to complete the HRQoL SF-36 survey. The records of TB patients were examined for disease confirmation, and a follow-up was consequently performed for patients during treatment between March 2013 and February 2014 in Taiz and Alhodidah Cities. HRQol scores were calculated by using QM scoring software version 4.5, in which the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) were obtained. The scores obtained between 47-53 normal based score (NBS) were considered equivalent to the US normal score. Low scores indicate the poor health situation of TB patients.
RESULTS: A total of 243 TB patients enrolled in the study at the beginning of the treatment. A total of 235 and 197 TB patients completed the questionnaire at the end of the intensive phase (I.P.) and continuation phase (C.P.), respectively. The final dropout rate was 16.2%. The mean PCS and MCS scores at the beginning of treatment were low, thus showing the poor health situation of TB patients. The mean PCS scores at the beginning of treatment, end of I.P., and end of treatment were (36.1), (44.9), and (48), respectively. Moreover, the mean MCS score at the beginning of treatment, end of I.P., and end of treatment were (35.1), (42.2), and (44.3), respectively. The result shows that significant increases are observed at the end of I.P. for PCS and MCS because of the treatment and slight changes at the end of C.P. Despite this finding, the MCS score remains below the normal range (47), thus indicating a significant risk of depression among TB patients. Furthermore, general linear repeated measure ANOVA was performed for selected variables, to examine the changes of PCS and MCS over time. It was found that Alhodiah city, chewing khat habit, stigmatization, and duration of treatment more than six months were greatly associated with low mean MCS score of TB patient, indicating great risk of depression which may result in poor treatment outcome.
CONCLUSION: TB patients in Yemen were found to have poor QoL, with a significant likelihood of depression. Highly risk depression was found among TB patients in Alhodiah city, khat chewers, stigmatization and having a duration of treatment more than 6 months. Therefore, additional efforts should be made to improve their QoL because it may affect the final clinical outcome of patients.
Oxidative stress correlates (OSC) in diabetes mellitus patients

Azeem E, Gillani SW, Siddiqui A, Mian RI, Poh V, Sulaiman SA, et al.

Curr Diabetes Rev, 2016;12(3):279-84.
PMID: 25989845 DOI: 10.2174/1573399811666150520094631

Background/aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a considerable systemic metabolic disorder to exhibit various metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, mainly hyperglycemia. Our study aims to evaluate oxidative stress markers in DM patients and to determine the clinical correlates affecting the investigational parameters.

Methodology: To evaluate oxidative stress, the following parameters were included: tri-glycerides(TG), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL), oxidized LDL cholesterol(Ox LDL), superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI) which were measured at single observation point. Patient clinical and demographic data were taken from registered medication profiles from the Outpatient Department.

Results: The diabetic subjects have significantly high measured values of endocrine(p<0.01), metabolic(p<0.01) and antioxidant parameters(p<0.05), and have significant higher values of TG(3.69±1.27 vs 1.79±0.84 mmol/L, p< 0.01), Ox LDL(85.37±19.1 vs 77.11±26.64 mmol/L, p<0.05) and SOD enzyme activity(918.78 ± 145.39 vs 880.08±149.52 U/g Hb, p<0.05) compared to the controls. A significant negative correlation was found between Ox LDL and HbA1c(r = -0.6782, p < 0.001) among diabetic subjects.

Conclusion: Elevated Ox-LDL, SOD and GSH-Px are associated with the diabetic patients. However, oxidative stress threshold values also showed high oxidative activity markers among controls. Clinical variables showed predictive information on oxidative activity among diabetes patients.
Management and treatment outcomes of MDR-TB: results from a setting with high rates of drug resistance

Ahmad N, Javaid A, Basit A, Afridi AK, Khan MA, Ahmad I, et al.

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2015 Sep;19(9):1109-14, i-ii.
PMID: 26260834 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0167

Although Pakistan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), little is known about the management and treatment outcomes of MDR-TB patients in Pakistan.
Fulltext Cardioprotective Effects of Tualang Honey: Amelioration of Cholesterol and Cardiac Enzymes Levels

Khalil MI, Tanvir EM, Afroz R, Sulaiman SA, Gan SH

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:286051.
PMID: 26064893 DOI: 10.1155/2015/286051

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of Malaysian Tualang honey against isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats by investigating changes in the levels of cardiac marker enzymes, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, and antioxidant defense system combined with histopathological examination. Male albino Wistar rats (n = 40) were pretreated orally with Tualang honey (3 g/kg/day) for 45 days. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg in saline) for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in serum cardiac marker enzymes (creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and aspartate transaminase (AST)), cTnI, serum TC, and TG levels. In addition, ISO-induced myocardial injury was confirmed by a significant increase in heart lipid peroxidation (LPO) products (TBARS) and a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, GRx, and GST). Pretreatment of ischemic rats with Tualang honey conferred significant protective effects on all of the investigated biochemical parameters. The biochemical findings were further confirmed by histopathological examination in both Tualang-honey-pretreated and ISO-treated hearts. The present study demonstrates that Tualang honey confers cardioprotective effects on ISO-induced oxidative stress by contributing to endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity via inhibition of lipid peroxidation.
Fulltext The relationship between telomere length and beekeeping among Malaysians

Nasir NF, Kannan TP, Sulaiman SA, Shamsuddin S, Azlina A, Stangaciu S

Age (Dordr), 2015 Jun;37(3):9797.
PMID: 26028466 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-015-9797-6

The belief that beekeepers live longer than anyone else is present since ages. However, no research has been done to explore the longevity of life in beekeepers. Here, we investigated the telomere length in 30 male beekeepers and 30 male non-beekeepers and associated them with the longevity of life using Southern analysis of terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) generated by Hinf I/Rsa I digestion of human genomic DNA using TeloTAGGG Telomere Length Assay. Interestingly, we found that the telomere length of male beekeepers was significantly longer than those of male non-beekeepers with a p value of less than 0.05, suggesting that beekeepers may have longer life compared to non-beekeepers. We further found that the consumption of bee products for a long period and frequent consumption of bee products per day are associated with telomere length. An increase of year in consuming bee products is associated with a mean increase in telomere length of 0.258 kbp. In addition, an increase in frequency of eating bee products per day was also associated with a mean increase of 2.66 kbp in telomere length. These results suggested that bee products might play some roles in telomere length maintenance.
HBV and HIV co-infection: Prevalence and clinical outcomes in tertiary care hospital Malaysia

Akhtar A, Khan AH, Sulaiman SA, Soo CT, Khan K

J Med Virol, 2016 Mar;88(3):455-60.
PMID: 26255632 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24347

According to WHO, Malaysia has been classified as a concentrated epidemic country due to progression of HIV infection in the population of injecting drug users. The main objectives of current study are to determine the prevalence of HBV among HIV-positive individuals in a tertiary care hospital of Malaysia and to assess the predictors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients. A retrospective, cross-sectional study is conducted at Hospital Palau Pinang, Malaysia. The collection of socio-demographic data as well as clinical data is done with the help of data collection form. Data were analyzed after putting the collected values of required data by using statistical software SPSS version 20.0 and P > 0.05 is considered as significant. Results show that the overall prevalence of HBV was 86 (13%) including 495 (74.5%) males and 169 (25.5%) females among a total of 664 HIV-infected patients. It was observed that there is a high prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection in males 76 (11.4%) as compared to females 10 (1.5%) (P = 0.002). The median age of the study population was 39 years. The statistical significant risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were observed in the variables of gender, age groups, and injecting drug users. The findings of the present study shows that the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV-positive patients was 13% and the risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were gender, age, and intravenous drug users.

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