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  1. Tan GH, Tan KK, Afian MS, Liew WF, Mohamad AR
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl C:111-3.
    PMID: 16381295
    We report a case of upper cervical instability associated with Down syndrome to highlight its potential progression to inflict cord compression and the rationale for surgical decompression and extended short segment occipito-axial fusion.
  2. Wee YC, Tan KL, Chow TW, Yap SF, Tan JA
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2005 Dec;31(6):540-6.
    PMID: 16343256 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2005.00333.x
    AIM: Interactions between different determinants of alpha-thalassemia raises considerable problems, particularly during pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary. This study aims to determine the different types of deletional alpha-thalassemia and Hemoglobin Constant Spring (HbCS), and their frequency in Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
    METHODS: DNA from 650 pregnant women from the Antenatal Clinic of the University of Malaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who showed mean cell volume < or =89 fL and/or mean cell hemoglobin < or =28 pg were analyzed for the double alpha-globin gene South-East Asian deletion (--SEA), the -alpha3.7 and -alpha4.2 single alpha-globin gene deletions and HbCS.
    RESULTS: One hundred and three (15.8%) of the pregnant women were confirmed as alpha-thalassemia carriers: 25 (3.8%) were alpha-thalassemia-1 carriers with the --SEA/alphaalpha genotype, 64 (9.8%) were heterozygous for the -alpha3.7 rightward deletion (-alpha3.7/alphaalpha), four (0.6%) were heterozygous for the -alpha4.2 leftward deletion (-alpha4.2/alphaalpha), nine (1.4%) were heterozygous for HbCS (alphaCSalpha/alphaalpha) and one (0.2%) was compound heterozygous with the -alpha3.7/alphaCSalpha genotype. The double alpha-globin gene --SEA deletion was significantly higher in the Chinese (15%) compared to the Malays (2.5%) and not detected in the Indians studied. The -alpha3.7 deletion was distributed equally in the three races. HbCS and -alpha4.2 was observed only in the Malays.
    CONCLUSION: The data obtained gives a better understanding of the interactions of the different alpha-thalassemia determinants in the different ethnic groups, thus enabling more rapid and specific confirmation of alpha-thalassemia in affected pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary.
    Study site: Antenatal clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  3. Appanna R, Huat TL, See LL, Tan PL, Vadivelu J, Devi S
    Clin Vaccine Immunol, 2007 Aug;14(8):969-77.
    PMID: 17567768
    Dengue virus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical areas in the world. Attempts to develop effective vaccines have been hampered by the lack of understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and the absence of suitable experimental models for dengue viral infection. The magnitude of T-cell responses has been reported to correlate with dengue disease severity. Sixty Malaysian adults with dengue viral infections were investigated for their dengue virus-specific T-cell responses to 32 peptides antigens from the structural and nonstructural regions from a dengue virus isolate. Seventeen different peptides from the C, E, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5 regions were found to evoke significant responses in a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay of samples from 13 selected patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). NS3 and predominantly NS3(422-431) were found to be important T-cell targets. The highest peaks of T-cell responses observed were in responses to NS3(422-431) and NS5(563-571) in DHF patients. We also found almost a sevenfold increase in T-cell response in three DHF patients compared to three DF patient responses to peptide NS3(422-431). A large number of patients' T cells also responded to the NS2B(97-106) region. The ELISPOT analyses also revealed high frequencies of T cells that recognize both serotype-specific and cross-reactive dengue virus antigens in patients with DHF.
  4. Sim SM, Azila NM, Lian LH, Tan CP, Tan NH
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2006 Sep;35(9):634-41.
    PMID: 17051280
    INTRODUCTION: A process-oriented instrument was developed for the summative assessment of student performance during problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials. This study evaluated (1) the acceptability of the instrument by tutors and (2) the consistency of assessment scores by different raters.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of the tutors who had used the instrument was conducted to determine whether the assessment instrument or form was user-friendly. The 4 competencies assessed, using a 5-point rating scale, were (1) participation and communication skills, (2) cooperation or team-building skills, (3) comprehension or reasoning skills and (4) knowledge or information-gathering skills. Tutors were given a set of criteria guidelines for scoring the students' performance in these 4 competencies. Tutors were not attached to a particular PBL group, but took turns to facilitate different groups on different case or problem discussions. Assessment scores for one cohort of undergraduate medical students in their respective PBL groups in Year I (2003/2004) and Year II (2004/2005) were analysed. The consistency of scores was analysed using intraclass correlation.

    RESULTS: The majority of the tutors surveyed expressed no difficulty in using the instrument and agreed that it helped them assess the students fairly. Analysis of the scores obtained for the above cohort indicated that the different raters were relatively consistent in their assessment of student performance, despite a small number consistently showing either "strict" or "indiscriminate" rating practice.

    CONCLUSION: The instrument designed for the assessment of student performance in the PBL tutorial classroom setting is user-friendly and is reliable when used judiciously with the criteria guidelines provided.

  5. Jamora RD, Tan EK, Liu CP, Kathirvel P, Burgunder JM, Tan LC
    J Neurol Sci, 2006 Aug 15;247(1):35-7.
    PMID: 16631205
    Dystonia is a heterogenous group of movement disorders whose clinical spectrum is very wide. At least 13 different genes and gene loci have been reported. While a 3-bp deletion in the DYT1 gene is the most frequent cause of early limb-onset, generalized dystonia, it has also been found in non-generalized forms of sporadic dystonia. An 18-bp deletion in the DYT1 gene has also been reported.
  6. Tan MY, Magarey JM, Chee SS, Lee LF, Tan MH
    Health Educ Res, 2011 Oct;26(5):896-907.
    PMID: 21715653 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyr047
    We assessed the effectiveness of a brief structured diabetes education programme based on the concept of self-efficacy on self-care and glycaemic control using single-blind study design. One hundred and sixty-four participants with poorly controlled diabetes from two settings were randomized using computer-generated list into control (n = 82) and intervention (n = 82) groups, of which 151 completed the study. Monthly interventions over 12 weeks addressed the self-care practices of diet, physical activity, medication adherence and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). These self-care practices were assessed at Weeks 0 and 12 using pre- and post-questionnaires in both groups together with glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and diabetes knowledge. In the intention-to-treat analysis (n = 164), the intervention group improved their SMBG (P = <0.001), physical activity (P = 0.001), HbA1c (P = 0.03), diabetes knowledge (P = <0.001) and medication adherence. At Week 12, HbA1c difference adjusted for SMBG frequency, medication adherence and weight change remained significant (P = 0.03) compared with control group. For within group comparisons, diabetes knowledge (P = <0.001), HbA1c level (P = <0.001), SMBG (P = <0.001) and medication adherence (P = 0.008) improved from baseline in the intervention group. In the control group, only diabetes knowledge improved (P = <0.001). These findings can contribute to the development of self-management diabetes education in Malaysia.
  7. Hayati AR, Nur Fariha MM, Tan GC, Tan AE, Chua K
    Arch Med Res, 2011 May;42(4):291-300.
    PMID: 21820607 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2011.06.005
    Placenta as a fetomaternal organ is a potential source of fetal as well as maternal stem cells. This present study describes novel properties of the cells isolated from the maternal part of term placenta membrane, the decidua basalis.
  8. Tan YP, Ling TC, Tan WS, Yusoff K, Tey BT
    Protein Expr Purif, 2006 Mar;46(1):114-21.
    PMID: 16139513
    In the present work, a single-step purification of recombinant nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) directly from unclarified feedstock using an expanded bed adsorption chromatography (EBAC) was developed. Streamline 25 column (ID = 25 mm) was used as a contactor and Streamline chelating adsorbent immobilized with Ni2+ ion was used as affinity adsorbent. The dynamic binding capacity of Ni2+ -loaded Streamline chelating adsorbent for the NP protein in unclarified feedstock was found to be 2.94 mg ml(-1) adsorbent at a superficial velocity of 200 cm h(-1). The direct purification of NP protein from unclarified feedstock using expanded bed adsorption has resulted in a 31% adsorption and 9.6% recovery of NP protein. The purity of the NP protein recovered was about 70% and the volume of processing fluid was reduced by a factor of 10. The results of the present study show that the IMA-EBAC developed could be used to combine the clarification, concentration and initial purification steps into a single-step operation.
  9. Tan YP, Ling TC, Yusoff K, Tan WS, Tey BT
    J Microbiol, 2005 Jun;43(3):295-300.
    PMID: 15995649
    In the present study, the performances of conventional purification methods, packed bed adsorption (PBA), and expanded bed adsorption (EBA) for the purification of the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from Escherichia coli homogenates were evaluated. The conventional methods for the recovery of NP proteins involved multiple steps, such as centrifugation, precipitation, dialysis, and sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. For the PBA, clarified feedstock was used for column loading, while in EBA, unclarified feedstock was used. Streamline chelating immobilized with Ni2+ ion was used as an affinity ligand for both PBA and EBA. The final protein yield obtained in conventional and PBA methods was 1.26% and 5.56%, respectively. It was demonstrated that EBA achieved the highest final protein yield of 9.6% with a purification factor of 7. Additionally, the total processing time of the EBA process has been shortened by 8 times compared to that of the conventional method.
  10. Cheng N, Lee GK, Yap BS, Lee LT, Tan SK, Tan KP
    J Forensic Sci, 2005 Jan;50(1):177-84.
    PMID: 15831016
    This paper investigated the class characteristics in English handwriting of the Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore, many of whom learned their native language as a second language. One hundred and fifty-four handwriting exemplars were collected and features such as letter designs, pen-lifts, letter spacing and embellishments were studied. A number of characteristic features peculiar to the individual racial group were identified, which confirmed the impact of their native language writing systems on English handwriting.
  11. Lai NM, Tan ML, Quah SY, Tan EL, Foong KW
    Singapore Med J, 2010 Sep;51(9):724-9.
    PMID: 20938614
    We conducted a retrospective audit on the inpatient assessment and care of children admitted with febrile convulsion to Hospital Batu Pahat, a district hospital in Malaysia, using the Malaysian national clinical practice guidelines and the American Academy of Paediatrics practice parameters on febrile convulsion as the reference standards.
  12. Koh KC, Husni S, Tan JE, Tan CW, Kunaseelan S, Nuriah S, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Sep;64(3):233-5.
    PMID: 20527275 MyJurnal
    We set out to investigate whether neckties worn by doctors are more likely to be contaminated with Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) compared to neckties worn by preclinical medical undergraduates who have never been exposed to a hospital environment. We discovered that more than half (52%) of neckties worn by doctors were contaminated with Staphylococcus and out of these, 62% of them were identified as MRSA. In contrast, none of the student's ties were contaminated with MRSA. Due to the high prevalence of staphylococcus detected on doctors' neckties, we recommend that health care workers do not wear neckties.
  13. Wong YC, George E, Tan KL, Yap SF, Chan LL, Tan JA
    Malays J Pathol, 2006 Jun;28(1):17-21.
    PMID: 17694955
    The molecular basis of variable phenotypes in P-thalassaemia patients with identical genotypes has been associated with co-inheritance of alpha-thalassaemia and persistence of HbF production in adult life. The Xmn I restriction site at -158 position of the Ggamma-gene is associated with increased expression of the Ggamma-globin gene and higher production of HbF This study aims to determine the frequency of the digammaferent genotypes of the Ggamma Xmn I polymorphism in P-thalassaemia patients in two ethnic groups in Malaysia. Molecular characterisation and frequency of the Ggamma Xmn I polymorphism were studied in fifty-eight Chinese and forty-nine beta-thalassaemia Malay patients by Xmn I digestion after DNA amplification of a 650 bp sequence. The in-house developed technique did not require further purification or concentration of amplified DNA before restriction enzyme digestion. The cheaper Seakem LE agarose was used instead of Nusieve agarose and distinct well separated bands were observed. Genotyping showed that the most frequent genotype observed in the Malaysian Chinese was homozygosity for the absence of the Xmn I site (-/-) (89.7%). In the Malays, heterozygosity of the Xmn I site (+/-) was most common (63.3%). Homozygosity for the Xmn I site (+/+) was absent in the Chinese, but was confirmed in 8.2% of the Malays. The ratio of the (+) allele (presence of the Xmn I site) to the (-) allele (absence of the Xmn I site)) was higher in the Malays (0.66) compared to the Chinese (0.05). The (+/-) and (+/+) genotypes are more commonly observed in the Malays than the Chinese in Malaysia.
  14. Lim A, Tan D, Price P, Kamarulzaman A, Tan HY, James I, et al.
    AIDS, 2007 Jul 31;21(12):1525-34.
    PMID: 17630546
    To examine the relationships between blood CD4 natural regulatory T (Treg) cells, plasma HIV RNA level, CD4 T-cell count and immune activation in untreated HIV-infected patients and immunodeficient patients beginning antiretroviral therapy (ART), using a novel phenotype to define Treg cells (CD25CD127CD4). Data were compared with established Treg cell markers (FoxP3, CTLA-4 and GITR).
  15. Ng CF, Lum LC, Ismail NA, Tan LH, Tan CP
    J Clin Virol, 2007 Nov;40(3):202-6.
    PMID: 17928264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.08.017
    BACKGROUND: Difficulties in the classification of dengue infection have been documented. Such difficulties could be due to the low awareness of the World Health Organization diagnostic guidelines among clinicians.
    OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic practices of clinicians in classifying patients as dengue fever (DF) or dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome (DSS) at the time of discharge during an outbreak.
    METHODS: A prospective descriptive study of clinical features and disease classification in adult and pediatric dengue patients in the University of Malaya Medical Centre.
    RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty adult and 191 pediatric patients were enrolled. Thrombocytopenia and evidence of plasma leakage were present in 8% of adult and 19% of pediatric patients. Of these, 93% and 49%, respectively, were given the discharge diagnoses of DF instead of DHF/DSS. Hemoconcentration, serous effusion and thrombocytopenia were not recognized in clinicians' discharge diagnosis of DHF/DSS for adult patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve suggested a lack of consistency in the use of WHO guidelines in establishing DHF/DSS in adult patients, while implying otherwise for pediatric patients.
    CONCLUSION: DHF/DSS is an under-recognized condition by clinicians managing these patients. This can affect the case fatality rate of DHF/DSS and the economic burden of the disease. The lack of awareness in disease manifestations especially plasma leakage, can lead to delayed recognition of DHF/DSS.
    Study site: Outpatient department and inpatients, adult medical and pediatric wards, University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  16. Tan SH, King TL, Tan SSN, Lai WH, Bujang MA, Voon PJ
    Asia Pac J Clin Oncol, 2025 Feb;21(1):95-101.
    PMID: 37943536 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.14034
    AIM: Participant recruitment has always been a major challenge in clinical trials. This study aimed to develop and validate the Join Clinical Trial Questionnaire (JoinCT), exploring the willingness to join a clinical trial and associated factors in patients.

    METHODS: This questionnaire development study involved four phases: (i) exploring and understanding the subject matter, (ii) questionnaire development, (iii) content validity testing, and lastly, (iv) field-testing of the questionnaire. For the field-testing phase, a cross-sectional self-administered survey of JoinCT was conducted among cancer patients with various socio-demographic backgrounds and medical conditions. Besides content validity, Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate the internal consistency of domains, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the model fit of the JoinCT framework.

    RESULTS: A total of 389 respondents participated in the survey. Based on the results obtained from a field data collection phase, JoinCT consisted of four independent variables domains, namely "knowledge", "perception of benefits", "perception of risks", and "confidence". The only dependent variable was the willingness to participate in a clinical trial. The minimum Cronbach's alpha was 0.937, and the model fit for the overall framework of JoinCT is also excellent with Comparative Fit Index (> 0.90), root mean square error approximation (

  17. Tan TW, Tan HL, Hsu MF, Huang HL, Chung YC
    BMC Womens Health, 2023 Nov 14;23(1):606.
    PMID: 37964288 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02749-7
    BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a chronic disease marked by gradual muscle system and functional decline. Prior research indicates its prevalence in those under 60 varies from 8 to 36%. There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for sarcopenia prevention in menopausal women aged 40-60. This study examines the influence of such interventions for sarcopenia prevention on these women.

    METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PEDro, and Airiti Library were searched from inception until May 5, 2023. Randomized controlled trials that examined exercise, vitamin D and protein supplementation effects on muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Quality assessment used the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and analysis employed Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.0.

    RESULTS: A total of 27 randomized controlled trials, involving 1,989 participants were identified. Meta-analysis results showed exercise improved lean body mass (SMD = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.097, 0.366), handgrip strength (SMD = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.362, 1.441), knee extension strength (SMD = 0.698, 95% CI: 0.384, 1.013). Resistance training had a small effect on lean body mass, longer exercise duration (> 12 weeks) and higher frequency (60-90 min, 3 sessions/week) showed small to moderate effects on lean body mass. Vitamin D supplementation improved handgrip strength (SMD = 0.303, 95% CI: 0.130, 0.476), but not knee extension strength. There was insufficient data to assess the impact of protein supplementation on muscle strength.

    CONCLUSIONS: Exercise effectively improves muscle mass, and strength in menopausal women. Resistance training with 3 sessions per week, lasting 20-90 min for at least 6 weeks, is most effective. Vitamin D supplementation enhances small muscle group strength. Further trials are needed to assess the effects of vitamin D and protein supplementation on sarcopenia prevention.

    REGISTRATION NUMBER: This review was registered on PROSPERO CRD42022329273.

  18. Ling WY, Loo CH, Nurul Shafaril Niza MA, Tan JL, Norazlima MA, Tan WC
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 May;78(3):263-269.
    PMID: 37271834
    INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting adolescents and young adults. It affects one's self-esteem and social relationship. In addition, poor adherence to treatment can cause poor treatment response and disease recurrence. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of medical education and counselling on treatment adherence and disease severity.

    METHODS: This is a non-randomised interventional study with age- and treatment- matched control conducted in a tertiary dermatology clinic from July 2021 to June 2022. Patients in the intervention group received a 10 min video presentation on acne, followed by treatment counselling. The adherence rate was determined objectively (pill counting and tube weighing) and subjectively (ECOB questionnaire). The disease severity was assessed using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) and Global Acne Grading System (GAGS).

    RESULTS: A total of 100 patients completed the 12-week study. With intervention, patients have better adherence to topical medication (5% benzoyl peroxide gel: 71% vs 57.9%, p= 0.031; 0.05% tretinoin cream: 58.7% vs 45.4%, p= 0.044) at week 12. However, the intervention program did not improve adherence to oral medication. Overall, with intervention, a significantly higher percentage of improvement in disease severity was noted (47.3% vs. 39.1%, p=0.044). Nonadherence to treatment was attributed mostly to forgetfulness in 54% of the patients, followed by a busy lifestyle (41%) and little knowledge of acne (26%).

    CONCLUSION: Patients have significantly better adherence to topical medication with education and counselling. Better adherence to treatment leads to more remarkable disease improvement.

  19. Tan KS, Azman AS, Hassandarvish P, Amelia-Yap ZH, Tan TK, Low VL
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Aug 03;24(15).
    PMID: 37569772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512398
    The insecticidal activity of Streptomyces sp. KSF103 ethyl acetate (EA) extract against mosquitoes is known; however, the underlying mechanism behind this activity remains elusive. In this study, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed to investigate changes in the protein profile of Aedes aegypti larvae and adults treated with lethal concentrations of 50 (LC50) EA extract. By comparing the treated and untreated mosquitoes, this study aimed to identify proteins or pathways that exhibit alterations, potentially serving as targets for future insecticide development. Treatment with a lethal concentration of EA extract upregulated 15 proteins in larvae, while in adults, 16 proteins were upregulated, and two proteins were downregulated. These proteins were associated with metabolism, protein regulation/degradation, energy production, cellular organization and structure, enzyme activity, and catalysis, as well as calcium ion transport and homeostasis. Notably, ATP synthase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), and ATP citrate synthase were significantly expressed in both groups. Gene ontology analysis indicated a focus on energy metabolic processes. Molecular docking revealed a strong interaction between dodemorph, selagine (compounds from the EA extract), and FBA, suggesting FBA as a potential protein target for insecticide development. Further studies such as Western blot and transcriptomic analyses are warranted to validate the findings.
  20. Tan CS, Bandak DB, Habeebur-Rahman SP, Tan LT, Lim LLA
    Virol J, 2023 Aug 07;20(1):176.
    PMID: 37550752 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02133-9
    SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic betacoronavirus that was first reported at the dawn of 2019 in Wuhan, China and has since spread globally, causing an ongoing pandemic. Anthroponotic transmission was reported early, with confirmed infections reported in 26 species to date, including dogs and cats. However, there is a paucity of reports on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to companion animals, and thus, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats in Sarawak, Malaysia. From August 2022 to 2023, we screened plasma samples of 172 companion animals in Sarawak, Malaysia, using a species-independent surrogate virus neutralization test. Our findings revealed the presence of neutralizing antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 in 24.5% (27/110) of dogs and 24.2% (15/62) of cats. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals in Malaysia. Our findings emphasize the need for pet owners to distance themselves from their pets when unwell, and a strategy must be in place to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals to assess the potential impact of the virus on companion animals.
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