Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 29 in total

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  1. An improved technique of anaesthesia for Caesarean section
    Chin LP
    Med J Malaya, 1972 Dec;27(2):142-6.
    PMID: 4268040
  2. Are plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) useful markers of prostate cancer?
    Lopez JB, Sahabudin RM, Chin LP
    Int. J. Biol. Markers, 2004 Apr-Jun;19(2):164-7.
    PMID: 15255551
    Increased concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and decreased insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in serum have been proposed as markers of prostate cancer (CaP). The evidence for this, however, is contradictory. We assayed serum for IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with CaP and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in healthy controls (HC). The mean +/- SD concentration of IGF-I in CaP (98.3 +/- 39.3 ng/mL; n = 15) was lower than in BPH (119 +/- 31.1 ng/mL; n=24) and HC (119 +/- 36.1 ng/mL; n=46), but the differences between the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mean IGFBP-3 concentrations in CaP (2691 +/- 1105 ng/mL; n = 16; p = 0.029) and BPH (2618 +/- 816 ng/mL; n = 26; p = 0.006) patients were significantly lower than that of the HC (3119 +/- 618 ng/mL; n=59), but the difference between the two groups of patients was not significant (p > 0.05). PSA concentrations in CaP (median = 80.8 ng/mL; n = 25) were significantly higher than those in BPH (median = 8.6 ng/mL; n = 39) (p < 0.001). Ninety-six percent of CaP and 72% of BPH patients had PSA concentrations >4.0 ng/mL; the proportions of patients with concentrations exceeding 20 ng/mL were 76% and 10%, respectively. We conclude that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are inferior to PSA for CaP detection.
  3. Fulltext Trap geometry in three giant montane pitcher plant species from Borneo is a function of tree shrew body size
    Chin L, Moran JA, Clarke C
    New Phytol, 2010 Apr;186(2):461-70.
    PMID: 20100203 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03166.x
    *Three Bornean pitcher plant species, Nepenthes lowii, N. rajah and N. macrophylla, produce modified pitchers that 'capture' tree shrew faeces for nutritional benefit. Tree shrews (Tupaia montana) feed on exudates produced by glands on the inner surfaces of the pitcher lids and defecate into the pitchers. *Here, we tested the hypothesis that pitcher geometry in these species is related to tree shrew body size by comparing the pitcher characteristics with those of five other 'typical' (arthropod-trapping) Nepenthes species. *We found that only pitchers with large orifices and lids that are concave, elongated and oriented approximately at right angles to the orifice capture faeces. The distance from the tree shrews' food source (that is, the lid nectar glands) to the front of the pitcher orifice precisely matches the head plus body length of T. montana in the faeces-trapping species, and is a function of orifice size and the angle of lid reflexion. *Substantial changes to nutrient acquisition strategies in carnivorous plants may occur through simple modifications to trap geometry. This extraordinary plant-animal interaction adds to a growing body of evidence that Nepenthes represents a candidate model for adaptive radiation with regard to nitrogen sequestration strategies.
  4. Interspecific variation in prey capture behavior by co-occurring Nepenthes pitcher plants: evidence for resource partitioning or sampling-scheme artifacts?
    Chin L, Chung AY, Clarke C
    Plant Signal Behav, 2014;9(1):e27930.
    PMID: 24481246
    Pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes capture a wide range of arthropod prey for nutritional benefit, using complex combinations of visual and olfactory signals and gravity-driven pitfall trapping mechanisms. In many localities throughout Southeast Asia, several Nepenthes different species occur in mixed populations. Often, the species present at any given location have strongly divergent trap structures and preliminary surveys indicate that different species trap different combinations of arthropod prey, even when growing at the same locality. On this basis, it has been proposed that co-existing Nepenthes species may be engaged in niche segregation with regards to arthropod prey, avoiding direct competition with congeners by deploying traps that have modifications that enable them to target specific prey types. We examined prey capture among 3 multi-species Nepenthes populations in Borneo, finding that co-existing Nepenthes species do capture different combinations of prey, but that significant interspecific variations in arthropod prey combinations can often be detected only at sub-ordinal taxonomic ranks. In all lowland Nepenthes species examined, the dominant prey taxon is Formicidae, but montane Nepenthes trap few (or no) ants and 2 of the 3 species studied have evolved to target alternative sources of nutrition, such as tree shrew feces. Using similarity and null model analyses, we detected evidence for niche segregation with regards to formicid prey among 5 lowland, sympatric Nepenthes species in Sarawak. However, we were unable to determine whether these results provide support for the niche segregation hypothesis, or whether they simply reflect unquantified variation in heterogeneous habitats and/or ant communities in the study sites. These findings are used to propose improvements to the design of field experiments that seek to test hypotheses about targeted prey capture patterns in Nepenthes.
  5. Mutualism between tree shrews and pitcher plants: perspectives and avenues for future research
    Clarke C, Moran JA, Chin L
    Plant Signal Behav, 2010 Oct;5(10):1187-9.
    PMID: 20861680
    Three species of Nepenthes pitcher plants from Borneo engage in a mutualistic interaction with mountain tree shrews, the basis of which is the exchange of nutritional resources. The plants produce modified "toilet pitchers" that produce copious amounts of exudates, the latter serving as a food source for tree shrews. The exudates are only accessible to the tree shrews when they position their hindquarters over the pitcher orifice. Tree shrews mark valuable resources with faeces and regularly defecate into the pitchers when they visit them to feed. Faeces represent a valuable source of nitrogen for these Nepenthes species, but there are many facets of the mutualism that are yet to be investigated. These include, but are not limited to, seasonal variation in exudate production rates by the plants, behavioral ecology of visiting tree shrews, and the mechanism by which the plants signal to tree shrews that their pitchers represent a food source. Further research into this extraordinary animal-plant interaction is required to gain a better understanding of the benefits to the participating species.
  6. Hydrogen peroxide modulates angiotensin II-induced contraction of mesenteric arteries from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Chin LC, Achike FI, Mustafa MR
    Vascul. Pharmacol., 2007 Mar;46(3):223-8.
    PMID: 17126611 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2006.10.005
    Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) contributes in the regulation of vascular tone, especially in pathological states. The role of H(2)O(2) and superoxide anion free radicals in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced contraction of diabetic tissues was examined with the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Isometric tension in response to various drug treatments was measured in isolated superior mesenteric arteries of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic WKY rats using the Mulvany wire myograph. Compared to the normal (euglycaemic) arteries, the Ang II-induced contraction was significantly reduced in diabetic arteries. Superoxide dismutase (SOD; converts superoxide to H(2)O(2)) significantly reduced the contraction in both types of arteries -- an effect abolished by catalase (H(2)O(2) scavenger), suggesting that the SOD effect was mediated by H(2)O(2). Treatment with catalase had no effect on the Ang II contraction in euglycaemic arteries, but it raised the contraction in diabetic arteries to euglycaemic levels. This increase was similar to that observed with diabetic arteries incubated with L-NAME. Combined catalase and L-NAME treatment further enhanced the contraction in diabetic arteries, suggesting that the catalase effect was not mediated by nitric oxide (NO). The catalase effect was abolished by indomethacin treatment. These results suggest that attenuation of Ang II-induced contraction in diabetic tissues is modulated by endogenous H(2)O(2), the scavenging of which unmasks an indomethacin-sensitive (and therefore cyclooxygenase product-mediated) Ang II-induced contraction.
  7. Fulltext Parenteral nutrition solution in cerebrospinal fluid of a neonate: complication from a malpositioned central venous catheter
    Chin L, Choo PPL, Ng DC
    BMJ Case Rep, 2021 Nov 02;14(11).
    PMID: 34728517 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246970
  8. COVID-19 in a premature infant
    Ng DC, Chin L, Choo PPL, Paramasivam U
    BMJ Case Rep, 2021 May 31;14(5).
    PMID: 34059550 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-243783
    We report a case of COVID-19 in a 29-week preterm infant. This child is the youngest reported case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Malaysia, and to the best of our knowledge, one of the youngest documented cases of established vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 reported in literature. Our report highlights the clinical course, timelines of viral shedding by real-time reverse transcription-PCR and antibody seroconversion in a premature infant infected with SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we discuss the challenges faced in managing a preterm infant infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the knowledge gaps that need to be explored.
  9. Wood fuel consumption and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a dynamic panel study
    Sulaiman C, Abdul-Rahim AS, Chin L, Mohd-Shahwahid HO
    Chemosphere, 2017 Mar 06;177:224-231.
    PMID: 28292722 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.019
    This study examined the impact of wood fuel consumption on health outcomes, specifically under-five and adult mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, where wood usage for cooking and heating is on the increase. Generalized method of moment (GMM) estimators were used to estimate the impact of wood fuel consumption on under-five and adult mortality (and also male and female mortality) in the region. The findings revealed that wood fuel consumption had significant positive impact on under-five and adult mortality. It suggests that over the studied period, an increase in wood fuel consumption has increased the mortality of under-five and adult. Importantly, it indicated that the magnitude of the effect of wood fuel consumption was more on the under-five than the adults. Similarly, assessing the effect on a gender basis, it was revealed that the effect was more on female than male adults. This finding suggests that the resultant mortality from wood smoke related infections is more on under-five children than adults, and also are more on female adults than male adults. We, therefore, recommended that an alternative affordable, clean energy source for cooking and heating should be provided to reduce the wood fuel consumption.
  10. Preliminary report of comparison of direct and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques utilizing a filarial antigen-antibody system
    Guest MF, Cheong WH, Fredericks H, Chin LK, Sulzer AJ
    Med J Malaya, 1968 Mar;22(3):248-9.
    PMID: 4234386
  11. Is lower dose of intramuscular dexamethasone injection beneficial in reducing neonatal respiratory morbidity for elective caesarean section deliveries at 37 to 38 weeks? An observational study
    Tan ACC, Kumar HK, Lokeman Hazli FL, Chin L
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 09;76(5):624-629.
    PMID: 34508366
    INTRODUCTION: The use of intramuscular (IM) dexamethasone injections before an elective caesarean delivery at term has been shown in multiple randomized controlled trials to reduce the rates of transient tachypnoea of the newborn, and admission to neonatal care. Recent studies have suggested that a complete course of IM steroids can be associated with long term harmful consequences to the infants born, and there have been studies suggesting that a lower dose of IM corticosteroids can be beneficial. Therefore, we aim to establish if halving the dose of dexamethasone to 12mg can demonstrate any benefit for term elective caesarean section deliveries whilst minimizing foetal exposure.

    METHODS: An observational controlled study comparing neonatal respiratory morbidities before and after the single dose 12mg dexamethasone was implemented in our obstetrics and gynaecology centre for term elective caesarean section deliveries. We included singleton pregnancies from 37+0 to 38+6 weeks undergoing elective caesarean section into our study. A total of 674 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were recruited. We compared the rates and duration of admission to neonatal intensive care unit, the need for mechanical ventilation and the rate of transient tachypnoea of the newborn in the first half of 2019 without IM dexamethasone injections against the second half of the year when a single dose IM dexamethasone was given.

    RESULTS: IM dexamethasone injection did not show any significant benefit with regards to reducing the admission to neonatal care (OR 0.97, p- value 0.69), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (OR 0.91, p- value 0.80), the need for mechanical ventilation (OR 0.98, p- value 0.95), and the incidence of transient tachypnoea of the newborn (OR1.01, p- value 0.96). There was also no significant difference for the duration of admission in the neonatal intensive care unit for both groups (p- value 0.17).

    CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there was no significant benefit gained from the lower dose antenatal corticosteroids for term elective caesarean section deliveries and considering that there have been long term harmful consequences demonstrated from the higher dose of antenatal corticosteroids at term, this practice should therefore be discontinued until a larger study is done to refute these findings. The use of such dexamethasone should only be a viable option in a research setting.

  12. Trade-environment nexus in OIC countries: fresh insights from environmental Kuznets curve using GHG emissions and ecological footprint
    Ali S, Yusop Z, Kaliappan SR, Chin L
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Jan;28(4):4531-4548.
    PMID: 32944853 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10845-6
    Being closely correlated with income and economic growth, trade openness impacts the environmental quality through different means. The study analyzes the robustness of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in OIC countries by examining the extent to which trade openness influence environmental quality through different environmental indicators for the period 1991 to 2018. A new methodology dynamic common correlated effects (DCCE) is applied to resolve the issue of cross-sectional dependence (CSD). We have used greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) along with ecological footprint as indicators of environmental quality. Results of DCCE estimation identify a negative association of trade openness with CO2, N2O, and CH4, while the positive relationship with the ecological footprint in overall OIC countries and higher income OIC countries. On the other hand, trade openness has a positive association with all environmental indicators in lower income OIC countries. Our findings confirm that inverted-U-shaped EKC exists in all groups of OIC countries when CO2, CH4, and ecological footprint are used as environmental indicators. However, a U-shaped EKC exists in overall OIC countries and lower income OIC countries when N2O is used. Eventually, it is recommended that if OIC countries continue trade openness policies and energy sector reforms and maintain sustainable use of biocapacity; then, they will be able to combat environmental issues with the increase in income.
  13. Dynamic common correlated effects of trade openness, FDI, and institutional performance on environmental quality: evidence from OIC countries
    Ali S, Yusop Z, Kaliappan SR, Chin L
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 Apr;27(11):11671-11682.
    PMID: 31970640 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07768-7
    The study aims to address the dynamic common correlated effects of trade openness, FDI, and institutional performance on environmental quality in OIC countries. Mostly, pollutants like CO2 and SO2 emissions are considered as the environmental indicators. However, for this study, we have selected ecological footprint as the indicator of environmental quality. The new econometric approach Dynamic Common Correlated Effects (DCCE) by Chudik and Pesaran (2015) has been used to measure the cross-sectional dependence among cross-sectional units. Results confirm that previous techniques for long panel data, like MG and PMG, give ambiguous outcomes in the presence of cross-sectional dependence. According to DCCE estimation, trade openness, FDI, and urbanization have a positive and significant relationship with ecological footprint while a significant and negative association is found between institutional performance and ecological footprint. The OIC countries must encourage green technology, clean production, and improved institutions for sustainable development and better environmental quality.
  14. Fulltext Imaging of skin birefringence for human scar assessment using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography aided by vascular masking
    Gong P, Chin L, Es'haghian S, Liew YM, Wood FM, Sampson DD, et al.
    J Biomed Opt, 2014 Dec;19(12):126014.
    PMID: 25539060 DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.19.12.126014
    We demonstrate the in vivo assessment of human scars by parametric imaging of birefringence using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). Such in vivo assessment is subject to artifacts in the detected birefringence caused by scattering from blood vessels. To reduce these artifacts, we preprocessed the PS-OCT data using a vascular masking technique. The birefringence of the remaining tissue regions was then automatically quantified. Results from the scars and contralateral or adjacent normal skin of 13 patients show a correspondence of birefringence with scar type: the ratio of birefringence of hypertrophic scars to corresponding normal skin is 2.2 ± 0.2 (mean ± standard deviation ), while the ratio of birefringence of normotrophic scars to normal skin is 1.1 ± 0.4 . This method represents a new clinically applicable means for objective, quantitative human scar assessment.
  15. Fulltext Evaluation of codon optimized recombinant Plasmodium knowlesi merozoite surface protein-119 (pkMSP-119) expressed in Pichia pastoris
    Lau YL, Cheong FW, Chin LC, Mahmud R, Chen Y, Fong MY
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Dec;31(4):749-59.
    PMID: 25776601 MyJurnal
    Malaria causes high global mortality and morbidity annually. Plasmodium knowlesi has been recognised as the fifth human Plasmodium sp. and its infection is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Merozoite surface protein-119 (MSP-119) appears as a potential candidate for malaria blood stage vaccine as it could induce protective immunity. In this study, codon optimized P. knowlesi MSP-119 (pkMSP-119) was expressed and purified in yeast Pichia pastoris expression system. The purified recombinant protein was further evaluated using Western blot assay using knowlesi malaria, non-knowlesi human malaria, non-malarial parasitic infections and healthy serum samples (n = 50). The sensitivity of purified pkMSP-119 towards detection of knowlesi infection was as 28.6% (2/7). pkMSP-119 did not react with all non-malarial parasitic infections and healthy donor sera, yet reacted with some non-knowlesi human malaria sera, therefore lead to a specificity of 86.0% (37/43).
  16. Determination of artemether and dihydroartemisinin in blood plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography for application in clinical pharmacological studies
    Navaratnam V, Mansor SM, Chin LK, Mordi MN, Asokan M, Nair NK
    J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl, 1995 Jul 21;669(2):289-94.
    PMID: 7581905
    A selective reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the simultaneous quantitative determination of the antimalarial compound artemether (ARM), dihydroartemisinin (DQHS) and artemisinin (QHS), as internal standard, is described. After extraction from plasma, ARM and DQHS were analysed using a Lichrocart/Lichrosphere 100 CN stainless-steel column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.05 M acetic acid (15:85, v/v) adjusted to pH 5.0, and electrochemical detection in the reductive mode. The mean recovery of ARM and DQHS over a concentration range of 30-120 ng/ml was 81.6% and 93.4%, respectively. The within-day coefficients of variation were 0.89-7.01% for ARM and 3.45-8.11% for DQHS. The day-to-day coefficients of variation were 2.06-8.43% and 3.22-6.33%, respectively. The minimum detectable concentration for ARM and DQHS in plasma was 2.5 and 1.25 ng/ml for both compounds. The method was found to be suitable for use in clinical pharmacological studies.
  17. Does quality institutions promote environmental quality?
    Ali HS, Zeqiraj V, Lin WL, Law SH, Yusop Z, Bare UAA, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 04;26(11):10446-10456.
    PMID: 30891699 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04670-9
  18. How does government efficiency affect carbon emission intensity? A comprehensive empirical study
    Ding Y, Chin L, Taghizadeh-Hesary F, Abdul-Rahim AS, Deng P
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Dec;30(59):123067-123082.
    PMID: 37979120 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31069-4
    This study utilized panel data from 132 countries spanning from 1996 to 2019 to examine the effect of government efficiency on carbon emission intensity. Using a fixed effect model, the study found that stronger government efficiency is associated with a significant decrease in carbon emission intensity. Robustness tests were performed, the results of which consistently supported the main findings. Additionally, the study investigated the mechanisms underlying the linkage between government efficiency and carbon emission intensity, revealing that improved government efficiency can inhibit carbon emission intensity by fostering environmental innovation and promoting renewable energy consumption. Finally, the study examined the moderating effects of national income level, economic freedom, democracy, and ruling party ideology on the nexus of government efficiency and carbon emission intensity, and found empirical evidence supporting these moderating effects. These results provide new insights for governments seeking to reduce carbon emission intensity.
  19. Fulltext The Personalization of Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Therapy: The Role of Integrative Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacometabolomics
    Amin AM, Sheau Chin L, Azri Mohamed Noor D, Sk Abdul Kader MA, Kah Hay Y, Ibrahim B
    Cardiol Res Pract, 2017;2017:8062796.
    PMID: 28421156 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8062796
    Dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel is pivotal for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the variable platelets reactivity response to clopidogrel may lead to outcome failure and recurrence of cardiovascular events. Although many genetic and nongenetic factors are known, great portion of clopidogrel variable platelets reactivity remain unexplained which challenges the personalization of clopidogrel therapy. Current methods for clopidogrel personalization include CYP2C19 genotyping, pharmacokinetics, and platelets function testing. However, these methods lack precise prediction of clopidogrel outcome, often leading to insufficient prediction. Pharmacometabolomics which is an approach to identify novel biomarkers of drug response or toxicity in biofluids has been investigated to predict drug response. The advantage of pharmacometabolomics is that it does not only predict the response but also provide extensive information on the metabolic pathways implicated with the response. Integrating pharmacogenetics with pharmacometabolomics can give insight on unknown genetic and nongenetic factors associated with the response. This review aimed to review the literature on factors associated with the variable platelets reactivity response to clopidogrel, as well as appraising current methods for the personalization of clopidogrel therapy. We also aimed to review the literature on using pharmacometabolomics approach to predict drug response, as well as discussing the plausibility of using it to predict clopidogrel outcome.
  20. Fulltext The CYP2C19(∗)1/(∗)2 Genotype Does Not Adequately Predict Clopidogrel Response in Healthy Malaysian Volunteers
    Nasyuhana Sani Y, Sheau Chin L, Luen Hui L, Mohd Redhuan Shah Edwin NE, Teck Hwa G, Serebruany VL, et al.
    Cardiol Res Pract, 2013;2013:128795.
    PMID: 23431496 DOI: 10.1155/2013/128795
    Background. The CYP2C19∗2 allele may be associated with a reduced antiplatelet effect for clopidogrel. Here, we assessed whether CYP2C19∗2 alleles correlate with clopidogrel responsiveness following the administration of clopidogrel in healthy Malaysian volunteers. Methods. Ninety volunteers were genotyped for CYP2C19∗2 and CYP2C19∗3 alleles. Forty-five of 90 volunteers were included in the clopidogrel response studies and triaged into three genotypes, namely, CYP2C19∗1/∗1 (n = 17), CYP2C19∗1/∗2 (n = 21), and CYP2C19∗2/∗2 (n = 7). All subjects received 300 mg of clopidogrel, and platelet reactivity was assessed after a four-hour loading utilizing the VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay. Platelet activity was reported using P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs), and nonresponder status was prespecified at PRU ≥ 230. Results. Following clopidogrel intake, CYP2C19∗2/∗2 carriers had a significantly higher mean PRU compared to the CYP2C19∗1/∗2 and CYP2C19∗1/∗1 (291.0 ± 62.1 versus 232.5 ± 81.4 versus 147.4 ± 87.2 PRU, P < 0.001) carriers. Almost half of the participants (46.7%) were found to be nonresponders (3 were CYP2C19∗1/∗1, 11 were CYP2C19∗1/∗2, and 7 were CYP2C19∗2/∗2). Conclusion. In healthy Malaysian volunteers, CYP2C19∗2 allele was associated with a decrease in platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel. However, clopidogrel nonresponders can be found not only in the carriers of CYP2C19∗2/∗2, but also in the carriers of CYP2C19∗1/∗2 and CYP2C19∗1/∗1. The present paper demonstrated that genotype information does not correlate with clopidogrel response, and genotyping may represent a less robust approach compared to platelet activity testing in guiding clopidogrel therapy.
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