Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 60 in total

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  1. Rajan, S., Awang, H., Pooi, A.H., Hassan, H., Devi, S.
    Ann Dent, 2008;15(1):5-10.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: An in vitro assessment of MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells' alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity when in contact with calcium hydroxide powder (CH), paste (CHP) and grey mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods: MG-63 cells were seeded to the three selected materials for durations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours. BCIP-NBT assay was used and ALP activity quantified using ELISA reader at 410 nm. Results: The overall analysis for ALP activity indicated significant interaction between test materials and control (maintenance medium). Subsequently, the test materials were paired and analysed for initial (0.25, 0.5, 1 hour) and delayed response (24, 48 and 72 hours). During the initial response, CH exhibited an increased ALP activity compared to MTA. This interaction was not dependant on duration. The delayed response exhibited elevated ALP activity with CHP when compared to MTA and CH. The interaction of CHP was dependant on duration. Conclusion: All three materials exhibited increased ALP activity.
  2. Zainol N, Raman P, Devi-S P, Mohd Khalid KH
    Retin Cases Brief Rep, 2023 Jul 01;17(4):362-364.
    PMID: 34381008 DOI: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001186
    OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of suprachoroidal hemorrhage during phacoemulsification in a patient with bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula.

    METHOD: Case report.

    RESULT: A 76-year-old woman with underlying hypertension presented left eye poor vision due to an underlying dense cataract. Her initial preoperative assessment was uneventful, and she underwent phacoemulsification. During epinucleus removal, there was sudden, unexpected anterior chamber shallowing, resulting in posterior capsule rupture. While the surgeon extended the wound to facilitate epinucleus removal, there was a further decrease of red reflex, followed by hardening of the globe, indicating a suprachoroidal hemorrhage. The corneal wound was opposed swiftly without an intraocular lens. Further evaluation after that revealed the patient had a chronic headache for several years, and ocular examination showed bilateral esophoria. A computed tomography demonstrated features suggestive of bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula, which was confirmed with computed tomography angiography later.

    CONCLUSION: Patients with carotid-cavernous fistula have elevated episcleral venous pressure and vortex venous pressure. Sudden decompression of the globe in these patients predisposes them to higher suprachoroidal hemorrhage risk, although this condition is generally rare in phacoemulsification.

  3. Pang T, Devi S, Puthucheary S, Pawlowski N
    Microbiol. Immunol., 1991;35(3):267-71.
    PMID: 1870442
    Mouse macrophages pre-labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid (20:4) were shown to release metabolites generated by the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways following in vitro addition of heat-killed Salmonella typhi. These metabolites were maximally released after 60-90 min of incubation and consisted of prostaglandins (85%), leukotriene C (6%), di-HETEs, leukotrienes D and E (4%), mono-HETEs (2%) and other metabolites (3%). Of the metabolites generated by the cyclo-oxygenase pathway (prostaglandins), 6-keto PGF1 alpha and PGE2 were generated at a ratio of 1.2 to 1. The significance and importance of these results are discussed.
  4. Sekhar WY, Devi S
    Singapore Med J, 2000 May;41(5):226-31.
    PMID: 11063173
    A seroepidemiology study was done in response to the recent increase of Endemic Typhus cases diagnosed at University Hospital. The serosurvey was based on doctors' request for the Weil Felix (WF) or the Indirect Immunoperoxidase (IIP) test in Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) patients for the years 1991 to 1997. Over the 7 years, we found that the incidence of Endemic typhus is increasing with gender (male:female = 2:1), age (20-40 years) and race distribution (Indians > Malay > Chinese) that reflects socioeconomic circumstances. A commercially available ELISA dot assay [INDX (E2R3) Dip-S-Ticks], for the detection of antibodies against R. typhi was compared with the indirect immunoperoxidase test (IIP). The ELISA assay was done against 219 IIP tested sera. The Dip-S-Ticks was found to be comparable to the IIP with a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 92.8% at cut-off titres of > 1:80 IIP.
  5. Sinniah B, Saraswathy Devi S, Prashant BS
    Med J Malaysia, 2010 Jun;65(2):112-4.
    PMID: 23756793 MyJurnal
    BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a complex chronic inflammatory skin disease with a worldwide distribution.
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of psoriasis according to age, gender and ethnicity among outpatients attending the dermatology clinic in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang Malaysia.
    STUDY POPULATION: All outpatients attending the specialist clinic of the dermatology department in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, Malaysia from January 2003 to December 2005.
    METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of all outpatients who attended the specialist clinic from January 2003 to December 2005 and diagnosed for psoriasis. The study population consisted of patients of all ages, both gender and different ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, Indians and foreign workers) living in the Klang Valley and the surrounding areas.
    RESULTS: A total of 5607 patients were examined during a period of three years and 9.5% were found to be suffering with psoriasis. It was more common in males (11.6%) than in females (7.2%). Patients within the 40-60 year age group had the highest (17.2%) rate and were lower in the younger age group including those aged over 60 years (8.1%). With regards to ethnicity, it was more common in Indians followed by Malays, Chinese and migrant foreign workers respectively. The study indicates that psoriasis is common in Malaysia and its distribution varies with age, ethnicity and gender.

    Study site: dermatology department in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah,
  6. Tay ST, Devi S, Puthucheary S, Kautner I
    Zentralbl. Bakteriol., 1996 Mar;283(3):306-13.
    PMID: 8861868
    By means of the gentamicin HEp-2 cell invasion assay, it was demonstrated that 82% of the Campylobacters tested were cell-invasive, including 83% of isolates from bloody diarrhoea and 80% of isolates from watery diarrhoea. The large number of invasive strains from watery diarrhoea suggests the possible role of invasiveness in the production of watery diarrhoea. Whether this stage can progress further to more severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea remains to be elucidated. Whether this progression to bloody diarrhoea occurs as a result of toxin production is still debatable. In Vero cells, invasion was less efficient and intracellular multiplication was not observed.
  7. Lam SK, Devi S, Pang T
    PMID: 3329413
    A modification of the IgM-capture ELISA which can provide an early diagnosis for dengue infection is presented. The test is technically simple compared to HI and appears to be more sensitive. It has the advantage over HIT for the detection of specific IgM in that it is more sensitive and the reading of the result is not subjective. There is the possibility of the test being able to replace HI and HIT in the future.
  8. Osman O, Fong MY, Devi S
    PMID: 18567445
    A preliminary study of dengue infection in Brunei between 2005 and 2006 showed that dengue 2 was the predominant serotype. A total of five DEN-2 isolates were isolated and maintained in the mosquito cell-line, albopictus C6/36. The sequence spanning the envelope and non-structural protein 1 (E/NS1) junction (positions 2311 to 2550) of the isolates were determined and analysed at the amino acid and nucleotide levels. Alignment of the 240 nucleotide sequences among the five isolates showed changes occurring at 7 positions (2.9%) of the region. All but one nucleotide substitution (position 2319, amino acid 742 V --> F) were found at the 3rd position of the codons and were silent mutations. Amino acid homology ranged from 98% to 100%. Sequence divergence of the Brunei isolates varied from 5% to 6.6% compared with dengue-2 prototype New Guinea C strain. Comparison of the Brunei DEN-2 isolates with sixty-five other strains placed them in a cluster containing Indonesian strains isolated in 1973, 1978 and 2004 and Malaysian strains isolated in 1996, 1998 and 1999 in genotype group IV.
  9. Lum LC, Lam SK, George R, Devi S
    PMID: 8160054
    Eight cases of liver failure and encephalopathy were observed among twenty cases of grade 3 and grade 4 dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur from January 1990 to December 1991. All patients with deterioriation in mental status showed a marked increase in liver enzymes (aspartate and alanine aminotransaminases) and severe coagulopathy. Six patients needed cerebral protection, including ventilation, intravenous sedation and muscle relaxants. There was one death during the period of study and one case of residual hemiparesis in a boy who had, in addition, intracerebral hemorrhage. All other survivors had complete recovery of liver and neurological function.
  10. Pang T, Devi S, Blanden RV, Lam SK
    Microbiol. Immunol., 1988;32(5):511-8.
    PMID: 3262810 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1988.tb01411.x
    A cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to dengue virus-infected target cells is described. Effector cells were generated in an in vitro secondary culture and appeared to be T cells possessing both the Lyt 1.1 and Lyt 2.1 surface antigens. A stronger CTL response was noted with the H-2k haplotype compared to H-2d, and H-2 compatibility was required between CTL and target cells. CTL generated showed some cross-reactivity with target cells infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), another flavivirus, but not with target cells infected with an alphavirus, Sindbis. The significance and importance of these findings are discussed.
  11. Osman O, Fong MY, Devi S
    Virus Res, 2008 Jul;135(1):48-52.
    PMID: 18406488 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.02.006
    In a previous study, we have reported the detection and isolation of dengue virus in Brunei (Osman, O., Fong, M.Y., Devi, S., 2007. A preliminary study of dengue infection in Brunei. JJID 60 (4), 205-208). DEN-2 was the predominant serotype followed by DEN-1. The full genomic sequences of 3 DEN-2 viruses isolated during the 2005-2006 dengue incident in Brunei were determined. Twenty-five primer sets were designed to amplify contiguous overlapping fragments of approximately 500-600 base pairs spanning the entire sequence of the viral genome. The amplified PCR products were sent for sequencing and their nucleotides and the deduced amino acids were determined. All three DEN-2 virus isolated were clustered in the Cosmopolitan genotype of the DEN-2 classification by Twiddy et al. This work constitutes the first complete genetic characterization of three Brunei DEN-2 virus strains.
  12. Osman O, Fong MY, Devi S
    Jpn J Infect Dis, 2007 Jul;60(4):205-8.
    PMID: 17642533
    The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of dengue infection in Brunei and to determine the predominant serotype circulating in the country. The study generated useful epidemiological data on dengue infection in Brunei. A total of 271 samples from patients suspected of having dengue infections were selected and analyzed. All patients were seen in clinics and hospitals in Brunei. The samples were collected from April 2005 to April 2006 and transported to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research, University of Malaya, Malaysia. The following tests were used to achieve the objectives: in-house IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus isolation in mosquito albopictus cell line (C6/36), and viral RNA detection and serotyping by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results show that 45 people were positive for dengue-specific IgM (27 males and 18 females), while RT-PCR detected dengue viral RNA in 12 patients, 3 identified as DEN-1 and 9 as DEN-2. Dengue virus was isolated from 6 patients using the C6/36 cell line; 3 were DEN-2 isolates and 3 were DEN-1 isolates. These data show that dengue virus is circulating in Brunei and the predominant infecting serotype for that period was DEN-2 followed by DEN-1. This study is the first to report the detection and isolation of dengue virus from Brunei using RT-PCR and culture in the C6/36 albopictus mosquito cell line.
  13. Tang SW, Abubakar S, Devi S, Puthucheary S, Pang T
    Infect Immun, 1997 Jul;65(7):2983-6.
    PMID: 9199477
    The heat shock protein (HSP) response of Salmonella typhi following exposure to elevated growth temperatures was studied. Three major proteins with molecular sizes of 58, 68, and 88 kDa were abundantly expressed when S. typhi cells were shifted from 37 to 45 degrees C and to 55 degrees C. These proteins were also constitutively expressed at 37 degrees C. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation studies with anti-HSP monoclonal antibodies revealed that the 58- and 68-kDa proteins were analogous to the GroEL and DnaK proteins, respectively, of Escherichia coli. These HSPs are also abundantly present in the outer membrane fraction of disrupted cells and, to a lesser extent, in the cytosol. Immunoblotting experiments with sera from patients with a culture-positive diagnosis of typhoid fever showed the presence of antibodies to these HSPs. Nine of twelve sera reacted with the 58-, 68-, and 88-kDa proteins, while three sera reacted only with the 68- and 88-kDa proteins. All 10 sera from healthy individuals showed no binding to these HSPs. In light of the well-documented roles of HSPs in the pathogenesis of microbial infections and as immunodominant antigens, these findings may be relevant for a better understanding of disease processes and for the future development of diagnostic and preventive strategies.
  14. Nur Hanis Y, Raman P, Premala Devi S, Mohd Khalid KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 08;74(4):296-299.
    PMID: 31424036
    OBJECTIVE: The Ministry of Health introduced the cluster hospital project in Kuala Pilah district in 2016 to allow sharing of resources between the hospitals in the same vicinity. The aim of this study is to compare the demographic profile, prevalence of cataract blindness and low vision among patients who presented for cataract surgery before and after the programme.

    METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent cataract surgery in Kuala Pilah Cluster Hospitals between 2010 and 2017. A total of 2539 records of patients were reviewed. Patients were assigned into two groups: Group 1 (2010-2012)- before the programme (2010-2012) and Group 2 (2015-2017) after the introduction of the programme.

    RESULTS: There was a significant increase in number of cataract cases in the district hospital after the cluster initiative. The mean age of patients undergoing cataract surgery was similar in both groups. The common comorbidities were hypertension (Group 1=57.3%; Group 2=70.8%) and diabetes mellitus (Group 1=40.6%; Group 2=51.1%). In 2010-2012, most of the patients were one eye blind (34.4%), whereas in 2015-2017 majority of patients presented with vision better than 6/18 (43.5%). The proportion of patients with cataract blindness reduced from 6% in 2010-2012 to 4.3% in 2015-2017 (p<0.01).

    CONCLUSION: There is a significant decrease in percentage of patients with cataract blindness and low vision after the introduction of Kuala Pilah Cluster Hospital Program. We believe that that cluster hospital system is effective in improving accessibility to eye care and therefore increases the cataract detection rate.
  15. Sekhar WY, Soo EH, Gopalakrishnan V, Devi S
    Singapore Med J, 2000 Aug;41(8):370-5.
    PMID: 11256343
    The aim of the study was to look into the epidemiology of serodiagnosed cases of leptospirosis at the University Hospital and compare two commercial ELISA Assays to the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Demographic data for all serodiagnosed cases for the years 1991-1997 were collected. From this data, 104 sera (n = 104) were selected as samples for comparative evaluation of the commercial ELISAs (INDX Dip-S-Ticks and PanBio ELISA) to the MAT test. Thirty two (n = 32) negative control sera were selected from serodiagnosed cases of other differential diagnosis of leptospira infection. The MAT test is a standard test that detects agglutination antibodies to leptospira biflexa, while the INDX Dip-S-Ticks is an ELISA dot test assaying for total anti-leptospira antibodies. The PanBio ELISA is a colorometric assay in test well strips to detect anti-leptospira IgM. The sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of tests were calculated at a MAT cut-off value of 1:320. Demographic data showed that leptospirosis peaks during March-May and Aug-Nov coinciding with the inter-monsoon period with more men being infected than women and more adults than children. The sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of test for the INDX Dip-S-Ticks were 83.3%, 93.8% and 87.5% while the values for the PanBio ELISA were 54.2%, 96.9% and 71.3%. The suboptimal PanBio result could be related to the blocking effect of high IgG titres or could be related to the diagnostic MAT cut-off values used in this study. The data hence reflects a pattern of transmission that is related to "wet" occupational risk factors. The commercial assays evaluated, are easier to perform but interpretation of results should be based on level of endemicity. The INDX Dip-S-Ticks allows this flexibility and is a practical alternative to the MAT test.
  16. Tay ST, Puthucheary SD, Devi S, Kautner I
    Singapore Med J, 1995 Jun;36(3):282-4.
    PMID: 8553093
    Eight-five clinical and 15 poultry isolates of Campylobacter species were characterised by biotyping, serotyping and by using a radiolabelled DNA probe. A total of 80% of the isolates from both sources were identified as C. jejuni. Also amongst the clinical strains were 5 c. jejuni subsp. doylei, 7 C. coli, 3 C. lari and 8 were untypable. The similarity in the distribution of C. jejuni in the clinical and poultry isolates adds credibility to published reports of chickens being the most common source of Campylobacter infections. Although the gold standard for identification of C. jejuni is the DNA probe, serotyping is more discriminating while biotyping is the most feasible method in most laboratories.
  17. Mohd Azahar NMZ, Krishnapillai ADS, Zaini NH, Yusoff K
    Heart Asia, 2017;9(2):e010864.
    PMID: 29467830 DOI: 10.1136/heartasia-2016-010864
    Objective: Despite various efforts, hypertension remains poorly controlled, thus allowing cardiovascular disease (CVD) to impact the health burden worldwide. Patients' perception of risk may contribute to this scenario. The present study aims to assess the level of risk perception among individuals with hypertension in rural Malaysia.

    Methods: This is a community-based study conducted among adults between 2010 and 2011 among a rural population in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia. Blood pressure was measured after 5 min of rest. Measurement was done twice and the average was recorded. Cardiovascular risk perception score (CvRPS) was derived using the Modified Risk and Health Behavior Questionnaire. Higher CvRPS indicates the respondent perceives a poorer prognostic outlook.

    Results: A total of 383 respondents who have hypertension participated in this study. The mean age of respondents was 62±10.6 years; men 63.1±9.6 years, women 61.2±11.1 years (p>0.05). Among hypertensives, those who were not on medication had significantly lower CvRPS compared with those who were on medications (115.9±22.1vs 120.9±23.5, p=0.036); those who were not aware of their hypertensive status had significantly lower CvRPS compared with respondents who were aware about their hypertension (116.7±22.5vs 121.7±21.3, p=0.029) and those with uncontrolled hypertension had significantly lower CvRPS compared with those whose blood pressure was controlled (118.2±22.2vs 128.8±25.8, p=0.009).

    Conclusions: Our study shows that respondents who were not on medications, unaware of their hypertension status and those who had uncontrolled hypertension tended to underestimate (lower CvRPS) their risk for CVD. Improving their CvPRS through a concerted health education may lead to better therapeutic behaviour and outcomes.

  18. Ansari SA, Devi S, Tenguria S, Kumar A, Ahmed N
    Cytokine, 2014 Aug;68(2):110-7.
    PMID: 24767863 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.03.006
    HP0986 protein of Helicobacter pylori has been shown to trigger induction of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) through the activation of NF-κB and also to induce Fas mediated apoptosis of human macrophage cells (THP-1). In this study, we unravel mechanistic details of the biological effects of this protein in a murine macrophage environment. Up regulation of MCP-1 and TNF-α in HP0986-induced RAW 264.7 cells occurred subsequent to the activation and translocation of NF-κB to the cell nucleus. Further, HP0986 induced apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells through Fas activation and this was in agreement with previous observations made with THP-1 cells. Our studies indicated activation of TNFR1 through interaction with HP0986 and this elicited the aforementioned responses independent of TLR2, TLR4 or TNFR2. We found that mouse TNFR1 activation by HP0986 facilitates formation of a complex comprising of TNFR1, TRADD and TRAF2, and this occurs upstream of NF-κB activation. Furthermore, FADD also forms a second complex, at a later stage, together with TNFR1 and TRADD, resulting in caspase-8 activation and thereby the apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, our observations reveal finer details of the functional activity of HP0986 protein in relation to its behavior in a murine macrophage cell environment. These findings reconfirm the proinflammatory and apoptotic role of HP0986 signifying it to be an important trigger of innate responses. These observations form much needed baseline data entailing future in vivo studies of the functions of HP0986 in a murine model.
  19. Ong KC, Devi S, Cardosa MJ, Wong KT
    J Virol, 2010 Jan;84(1):661-5.
    PMID: 19864378 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00999-09
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes childhood hand, foot, and mouth disease and neurological complications, and no vaccines or therapeutic drugs are currently available. Formaldehyde-inactivated whole-virus vaccines derived from EV71 clinical isolates and a mouse-adapted virus (MAV) were tested in a mouse model of EV71 encephalomyelitis. After only two immunizations, given to mice at 1 and 7 days of age, the MAV vaccine protected mice at 14 days of age from disease. Tissues from immunized mice were negative for virus by viral culture, reverse transcriptase PCR, immunohistochemistry analysis, and in situ hybridization. Cross-neutralizing EV71 antibodies to strains with genotypes B3, B4, and C1 to C5 generated in immunized adult mice were able to passively protect 14-day-old mice from disease.
  20. Tan PC, Rajasingam G, Devi S, Omar SZ
    Obstet Gynecol, 2008 May;111(5):1111-7.
    PMID: 18448743 DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31816a49fc
    To estimate prevalence rate of recent dengue infection in parturients, as well as the vertical transmission rate, and to compare pregnancy outcomes among infected women.
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