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The authorship of Neolissochilus soro (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae): a correction to Khaironizam et al. (2015)

Scharpf C

Zootaxa, 2015;3986(4):499-500.
PMID: 26250205 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3986.4.10

In a meristic, morphometric and distributional study of Neolissochilus from Peninsular Malaysia, Khaironizam et al. (2015) subsumed Lissochilus tweediei Herre in Herre & Myers 1937 and a taxon they called "Tor soro Bishop 1973" into the synonymy of N. soroides (Duncker 1904) based on data collected from museum specimens. However, "Bishop 1973" is not the correct author citation for Tor soro. Instead, Tor (now placed in Neolissochilus) soro was originally described as Barbus soro by Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1842:191). Since "Tor soro Bishop 1973" is not a valid name/author combination, Neolissochilus soro, as treated by Khaironizam et al. (2015), cannot be considered a junior synonym of N. soroides.
Therapeutic challenges in the era of antibiotic resistance

Lee C

Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2008 Dec;32 Suppl 4:S197-9.
PMID: 19134519 DOI: 10.1016/S0924-8579(09)70002-0

Multidrug microbial resistance poses major challenges to the management of infection, particularly with the paucity of new drugs with activity against these bacteria. Since the turn of this century a few new antibiotics have been licensed, including linezolid, daptomycin and tigecycline. This supplement reports data presented at the 13th International Congress of Infectious Diseases held in Kuala Lumpur in June 2008. Dr R. Isturiz reviews the data on global resistance trends and the potential impact on empirical therapy; Dr J.-H. Song reviews new agents on the antimicrobial horizon; and the final paper in the supplement, by Dr L.R. Peterson, reviews the role of tigecycline in the management of complicated intra-abdominal and skin and soft tissue infections.
Helicobacter pylori and recurrent abdominal pain: a review of the literature

Boey, Christopher C.M.

Malaysian Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2000;12(1):6-10.
MyJurnal

Helicobacter pylori (HP) was first described in 1983 by Warren and Marshall.' It is a spiral-shaped bacterium measuring 2-4p,m x 0.5-1.0μm. Since it was discovered, the organism has rarely been isolated from sites other than the stomach.2 Available evidence, therefore, points to the human stomach as the normal habitat of this bacterium. The infection is contracted primarily in childhood.' It has been shown that colonisation by HP is rare under the age of five years, but thereafter, it becomes gradually more frequent, and by sixty years of age more than 50% of individuals may be affected
Fulltext Broad considerations concerning electrochemical electrodes in primarily fluid environments

Jesudason CG

Int J Mol Sci, 2009 May;10(5):2203-51.
PMID: 19564949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10052203

This review is variously a presentation, reflection, synthesis and report with reference to more recent developments of an article - in a journal which has ceased publication - entitled "Some Electrode Theorems with Experimental Corroboration, Inclusive of the Ag/AgCl System" Internet Journal of Chemistry, (http://www.ijc.com), Special Issues: Vol. 2 Article 24 (1999). The results from new lemmas relating charge densities and capacitance in a metallic electrode in equilibrium with an ionic solution are used to explain the data and observed effects due to Esin, Markov, Grahame, Lang and Kohn. Size effects that vary the measured e.m.f. of electrodes due to changes in the electronic chemical potential are demonstrated in experiment and theory implying the need for standardization of electrodes with respect to geometry and size. The widely used Stern modification of the Gouy-Chapman theory is shown to be mostly inapplicable for many of the problems where it is employed. Practical consequences of the current development include the possibility of determining the elusive single-ion activity coefficients of solution ions directly from the expression given by a simplified capacitance theorem, the potential of zero charge and the determination of single ion concentrations of active species in the electrode reactions from cell e.m.f. measurements.
Fulltext Investigating cultural evolution using phylogenetic analysis: the origins and descent of the southeast Asian tradition of warp ikat weaving

Buckley CD

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52064.
PMID: 23272211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052064

The warp ikat method of making decorated textiles is one of the most geographically widespread in southeast Asia, being used by Austronesian peoples in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, and Daic peoples on the Asian mainland. In this study a dataset consisting of the decorative characters of 36 of these warp ikat weaving traditions is investigated using Bayesian and Neighbornet techniques, and the results are used to construct a phylogenetic tree and taxonomy for warp ikat weaving in southeast Asia. The results and analysis show that these diverse traditions have a common ancestor amongst neolithic cultures the Asian mainland, and parallels exist between the patterns of textile weaving descent and linguistic phylogeny for the Austronesian group. Ancestral state analysis is used to reconstruct some of the features of the ancestral weaving tradition. The widely held theory that weaving motifs originated in the late Bronze Age Dong-Son culture is shown to be inconsistent with the data.
Fulltext One-Particle Representation of Heat Conduction Described within the Scope of the Second Law

Jesudason CG

PLoS One, 2016;11(1):e0145026.
PMID: 26760507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145026

The Carnot cycle and its deduction of maximum conversion efficiency of heat inputted and outputted isothermally at different temperatures necessitated the construction of isothermal and adiabatic pathways within the cycle that were mechanically "reversible", leading eventually to the Kelvin-Clausius development of the entropy function S with differential dS = dq/T such that [symbol: see text]C dS = 0 where the heat absorption occurs at the isothermal paths of the elementary Carnot cycle. Another required condition is that the heat transfer processes take place infinitely slowly and "reversibly", implying that rates of transfer are not explicitly featured in the theory. The definition of 'heat' as that form of energy that is transferred as a result of a temperature difference suggests that the local mode of transfer of "heat" in the isothermal segments of the pathway implies a Fourier-like heat conduction mechanism which is apparently irreversible, leading to an increase in entropy of the combined reservoirs at either end of the conducting material, and which is deemed reversible mechanically. These paradoxes are circumvented here by first clarifying the terms used before modeling heat transfer as a thermodynamically reversible but mechanically irreversible process and applied to a one dimensional atomic lattice chain of interacting particles subjected to a temperature difference exemplifying Fourier heat conduction. The basis of a "recoverable trajectory" i.e. that which follows a zero entropy trajectory is identified. The Second Law is strictly maintained in this development. A corollary to this zero entropy trajectory is the generalization of the Zeroth law for steady state non-equilibrium systems with varying temperature, and thus to a statement about "equilibrium" in steady state non-thermostatic conditions. An energy transfer rate term is explicitly identified for each particle and agrees quantitatively (and independently) with the rate of heat absorbed at the reservoirs held at different temperatures and located at the two ends of the lattice chain in MD simulations, where all energy terms in the simulation refer to a single particle interacting with its neighbors. These results validate the theoretical model and provides the necessary boundary conditions (for instance with regard to temperature differentials and force fields) that thermodynamical variables must comply with to satisfy the conditions for a recoverable trajectory, and thus determines the solution of the differential and integral equations that are used to model these processes. These developments and results, if fully pursued would imply that not only can the Carnot cycle be viewed as describing a local process of energy-work conversion by a single interacting particle which feature rates of energy transfer and conversion not possible in the classical Carnot development, but that even irreversible local processes might be brought within the scope of this cycle, implying a unified treatment of thermodynamically (i) irreversible (ii) reversible (iii) isothermal and (iv) adiabatic processes by conflating the classically distinct concept of work and heat energy into a single particle interactional process. A resolution to the fundamental and long-standing conjecture of Benofy and Quay concerning the Fourier principle is one consequence of the analysis.
Fulltext Influenza A / H1N1 Pandemic: The Scare of 2009

Lee CK

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Jul;16(3):1-4.
PMID: 22589658 MyJurnal
A study towards the total synthesis of TAN1251B

Asnuzilawati Asari, Hayes CJ

Sains Malaysiana, 2009;38.

A synthetic route towards the synthesis of TAN1251B was developed utilizing an alkylidene carbene insertion reaction as a key step to construct the quartenary centre. The α-hydroxylation of the 5,6-spirocyclic enone with iodosobenzene was successful to give a mixture of diastereomer compounds 20 and 21 in 1:1.2 ratios.
Fulltext Cryptococcal Meningitis in an immunocompetent Swiftlet Rancher – first reported case

Tan, Sin Nee, Lim, Thiam Seong Christopher

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(1):82-84.
MyJurnal

Cryptococcal meningitis is a central nervous system infection cause by Cryptococcus neoformans. Although Cryptococcus is found in bird droppings, it has never been reported for those ranchers involved in the niche swiftlet ranching industry despite having close proximity with the bird droppings. We present here a case of a 41-year-old healthy swiftlet rancher who presents with a history of prolonged fever, headache and altered behaviour of a month duration. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis revealed the presence of Cryptococcus. He was treated with intravenous amphotericin B and flucytosine and discharged well with fluconazole consolidation therapy for 8 weeks, followed by maintenance therapy for 1 year. We believe this is the first reported case of Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) occurring in an immunocompetent swiftlet rancher. This case should highlight the needs to wear a proper personal protective equipment inside a swiftlet ranch due to the constant exposure to the potential cryptococcal-rich environment. A high index of suspicion, careful history taking and physical examination focusing on neurologic assessment is key to early diagnosis and timely management of CM.
Fulltext Diabetic ketoacidosis in end stage renal failure patient on maintenance dialysis – key challenges in management

Xue Meng Lim, Christopher Thiam Seong Lim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):345-347.
MyJurnal

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a medical emergency which requires prompt management to prevent mortality. Treat- ment is complicated in end stage renal failure (ESRF) patients due to their altered physiology in sugar metabolism and fluid haemodynamics. To date, there are only a few case reports illustrating the presentation and management of DKA in ESRF patients and a definite guideline on treatment of DKA in ESRF is seriously lacking. We report here a case of an ESRF patient on maintenance haemodialysis, who develops DKA due to missed insulin, and outline our successful treatment plan. We hope our reported case report research can further contribute to the knowledge of DKA management in ESRF.
Fulltext Ochrobactrum anthropi bacteremia with variable clinical course: report of two cases

Durga Arinandini Arimuthu, Christopher Thiam Seong Lim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):339-341.
MyJurnal

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a rare nosocomial pathogen that is manifesting itself mostly in immunocompromised patients and those with indwelling catheters. Identification of the microorganism is challenging and the ability to survive in aquatic surroundings have made it a clinically significant pathogen. Furthermore, the clinical picture of
O. anthropi infection, is not well described. It may manifest in any form of clinical infections though bacteremia is the most common mode of presentation reported in the limited literature. We report here two cases of O. anthropi bacteremia presenting in an immunocompetent and an immunocompromised host respectively with different clini- cal manifestation and response. In view of the highly variable presentation of O.anthropi, a high index of suspicion must be given to at risks patients to ensure the timely diagnosis and optimal clinical outcome.
Fulltext Streptococcus plurianimalium peritonitis in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a case report

Durga Arinandini Arimuthu, Christopher Thiam Seong Lim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(4):388-390.
MyJurnal

Streptoccoccus plurianimalium is a rare pathogen that has recently made a crossover from its common host, animals to humans. As reports start to emerge from this pathogen, it has come to light that it can cause clinically significant infections in a broad spectrum of systems. However, the mode of transmission of this pathogen has not yet been fully established. We report here a case of Streptoccoccus plurianimalium peritonitis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in our centre. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a Streptoc- coccus plurianimalium peritonitis in an end-stage kidney disease patient.
Primary chemotherapy in management of tumors of undescended testis: Where it stands?

Ho CC

Urol Ann, 2013 Jul;5(3):182-3.
PMID: 24049382
Fulltext Fast-track urology training without a Masters in General Surgery

Ho CC

Indian J Urol, 2011 Apr;27(2):291-2.
PMID: 21814332 DOI: 10.4103/0970-1591.82862
Fulltext Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic virus: learning from the first wave, preparing for the second

Lee CK

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Mar;65(1):1-2.
PMID: 21265237

In a short period of two months, the novel influenza A/H1N1 virus has circumnavigated the entire planet leaving behind in its wake approximately 3000 reported deaths worldwide. Fortunately, in many areas around the world, September 2009 brought a lull in the number of new H1N1 infections. This brought welcomed relief in many countries that had earlier experienced high respiratory disease activity in their communities. However, based on previous influenza pandemics, this reprieve may well be short-lived. As the Northern hemisphere approaches its winter months, many experts are now predicting a second wave of influenza A/H1N1 infections. This prediction maybe well placed as all 3 influenza pandemics in the last century reported second or even subsequent waves of new infections, all of which appeared to be more severe than the primary event (ref). The timing of these second waves have varied from 6 months to 3 years and invariably seemed to be linked to the winter months. It is unclear precisely what changes caused the increased severity seen during the second waves; one possibility is the progressive adaptation of the novel influenza virus to its new human host . Molecular analysis, for example, suggests that the 1918 Spanish influenza virus that emerged during the second wave had undergone changes in the hemagglutinin binding site that increased the binding specificity for human receptors. This is thought to have increased the replicative capacity and hence, the pathogenicity of the virus. It is also evident that as the H1N1 2009 pandemic virus continues to spread, opportunities for adaptation that increases virulence will also increase. Nonetheless, the changes needed for such adaptation and for increased virulence are unpredictable and by no means inevitable
Fulltext Changing approaches in HIV testing

Lee CK

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Mar;62(1):1-2.
PMID: 17682559 MyJurnal

In 1985, when HIV testing first became available, the main goal of such testing was to ensure blood safety. Hemophiliacs and other patients who were transfusion-dependent were the initial patients that needed to be protected as they were exposed to iatrogenic risk. It dawned very quickly to health authorities even then that alternative testing sites had to be quickly established to deter persons from using blood bank facilities for HIV testing purposes. At that time, professional opinion was divided regarding the value of HIV testing and whether HIV testing should be encouraged because no consensus existed regarding whether a positive test predicted transmission to sex partners or from mother to infant. No effective treatment existed then and stigma and discrimination faced by those who were found positive was rampant in many parts of the world. Counseling was designed, in part, to ensure that persons tested were aware of the implications of a positive result and in part, to address the person’s risk behavior to reduce transmission to others.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): worldwide issues

Ramanathan S, McCurdy CR

Curr Opin Psychiatry, 2020 07;33(4):312-318.
PMID: 32452943 DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000621

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To inform readers about the increasingly popular Western dietary supplement, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and how the products are available in the Western world compared with traditional Southeast Asian use. Kratom has been traditionally used for increasing stamina of outdoor laborers (farmers), mood enhancement, pain, and opium addiction. Interestingly, kratom has been reported to have a paradoxical effect in that stimulant feelings, and sedative feelings can be obtained depending on the amount utilized. There are several biologically active alkaloids present in kratom.
RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have been focused on the interactions of mitragynine, the most abundant alkaloid, and opioid-like effects. This has been driven by the harm that kratom products have produced in the Western world, in stark contrast to the lack of harm in Southeast Asian traditional use over centuries. Many users in the Western world ingest kratom for mood enhancement and/or to ween themselves from prescription or illicit opioids. Highly concentrated products and recreational use and misuse have resulted in individuals pushing doses to levels that have not been imagined or ever studied in animal, let alone humans.
SUMMARY: Kratom, as a preparation and how it is utilized is different around the world.
First Reported Case of Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Concomitant Use of Cyclosporin, Diltiazem, and Simvastatin

Fuah KW, Lim C

Indian J Nephrol, 2020 11 07;31(2):173-175.
PMID: 34267441 DOI: 10.4103/ijn.IJN_5_20

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome with a wide range of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic raised serum creatinine kinase to life-threatening metabolic disturbances and acute kidney injury. A careful history taking and high clinical suspicion on drug-drug interaction are crucial to identify the etiology of rhabdomyolysis. Here, we present a case of rhabdomyolysis due to a rare drug-to-drug interaction of simvastatin, diltiazem, and cyclosporin in a patient with IgA nephropathy. Early renal replacement therapy was initiated, and the insulting agents were withheld. Despite the metabolic disturbances were corrected, the patient succumbed to possible venous thromboembolism event during the prolonged hospital stay. Therefore, heightened awareness is required in dealing with patients with glomerulonephritis who are frequently prescribed on polypharmacy, in order to reduce unwarranted adverse events.
Vaccines to Emerging Viruses: Nipah and Hendra

Amaya M, Broder CC

Annu Rev Virol, 2020 09 29;7(1):447-473.
PMID: 32991264 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-021920-113833

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are bat-borne zoonotic para-myxoviruses identified in the mid- to late 1990s in outbreaks of severe disease in livestock and people in Australia and Malaysia, respectively. HeV repeatedly re-emerges in Australia while NiV continues to cause outbreaks in South Asia (Bangladesh and India), and these viruses have remained transboundary threats. In people and several mammalian species, HeV and NiV infections present as a severe systemic and often fatal neurologic and/or respiratory disease. NiV stands out as a potential pandemic threat because of its associated high case-fatality rates and capacity for human-to-human transmission. The development of effective vaccines, suitable for people and livestock, against HeV and NiV has been a research focus. Here, we review the progress made in NiV and HeV vaccine development, with an emphasis on those approaches that have been tested in established animal challenge models of NiV and HeV infection and disease.
Areca nut trade, globalisation and its health impact: perspectives from India and South-east Asia

Arora S, Squier C

Perspect Public Health, 2019 Jan;139(1):44-48.
PMID: 29957144 DOI: 10.1177/1757913918785398

AIM:: Areca nut (AN) is consumed globally by 600 million people, and 10%-20% of the world population uses betel quid, a preparation containing areca nut. India and other South-east Asian countries are the largest consumers of AN in the world. The aim of this article is to review the economic impact and oral health effects of the consumption of AN. It will also discuss the role of dentists and auxiliary healthcare providers for increasing public awareness and the need for a strong public health policy.
METHOD:: To address the concerned area, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were explored from the year 1965 until 2017. Studies focusing on various aspects of AN only, and articles published in English were included. Anecdotal reports, case reports and unpublished data were excluded.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:: This narrative review suggests India is the world's largest producer of AN along with the largest AN consuming population followed by other South-east Asian countries. AN chewing causes oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and it is most commonly observed in people of India and South-east Asia. AN use is associated with various social and unsocial aspects. Dentists and dental auxiliaries can increase the knowledge and awareness of a health issue (OSF) among the target audience as well as the detrimental effects of AN chewing.
CONCLUSION:: There is a need for more aggressive public health measures and dentists and dental auxiliaries should be employed to bring awareness to the general public regarding AN use.

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