Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 54 in total

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  1. Fulltext Haemophagocytosis in typhoid fever
    Ramanathan M, Karim N
    Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):240-3.
    PMID: 8350805
    This report deals with a young man who developed features of haemophogocytosis during the course of typhoid fever. The pertinent clinical and laboratory features of typhoid-associated haemophagocytosis are discussed. The need for blood component replacement therapy in addition to specific anti-microbials to treat haemophagocytosis complicating typhoid fever is stressed.
  2. Laboratory accidents--a matter of attitude
    Karim N, Choe CK
    Malays J Pathol, 2000 Dec;22(2):85-9.
    PMID: 16329540
    This is a prospective study on accidents occurring in the Pathology laboratories of Hospital Ipoh over the 3-year period from January 1996 to October 1999. 15 mishaps were recorded. The location of the accidents were the histology (40%), microbiology (33%), haematology (20%) and cytology (7%) laboratories. No mishaps were reported from the clinical chemistry, blood bank and outpatient laboratories. Cuts by sharp objects were the most common injuries sustained (47%) followed by splashes and squirts by fluid such as blood or chemicals (27%). There was 1 case each of contact with biohazardous fluid, burn, allergy and accidental drinking of disinfectant. 67% of the accidents involved medical laboratory technicians, 20% involved attendants and the rest were medical officers and the junior laboratory technicians. Although the accidents reported appeared trivial, it is vital to document them and bring them to the attention of all concerned in the laboratory, in order to prevent major accidents and also because of medico-legal implications. The role of the Laboratory Safety Committee cannot be overemphasised. Modification of staff attitude is considered an important remedial goal.
  3. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and gastric carcinoma in Malaysian patients
    Karim N, Pallesen G
    Malays J Pathol, 2003 Jun;25(1):45-7.
    PMID: 16196377
    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has consistently been detected in the tumour cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoepithelial-like carcinoma of the salivary glands, and have occasionally been found in similar tumours at other sites. Moreover, recent studies from various parts of the world including the Orient have shown about 10% of gastric carcinomas to be EBV-associated. We studied 50 gastric carcinomas from Malaysia to investigate its association with EBV in the Malaysian population. They comprised 37 intestinal and 13 diffuse type carcinomas from 32 male and 18 female patients, age range from 29 to 86 years with an ethnic distribution of Malay: Chinese: Indian with the ratio of 4: 27: 19. EBV gene and gene-expression were examined in sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue using commercially available probes for detecting EBV encoded RNAs (EBERs) by in situ hybridization and monoclonal antibodies to EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) by standard immunohistochemistry. Five of 50 gastric carcinomas showed EBER intranuclear positivity in all tumour cells but no cases expressed LMP-1. The EBV-associated cases were classified as intestinal type in 4 and diffuse type in one case and all were histologically unremarkable. EBV-positive tumours were found in 3 Chinese and 2 Indian patients with none in the small Malay group. Four EBV-positive tumours were in male patients, with age-range of 65 to 86 years. We conclude that our findings of about 10% of Malaysian gastric carcinomas being EBV-associated is in line with the results from other parts of the world and from other ethnic groups.
  4. Fulltext Evaluation of nutritional status among a group of young Chinese adults in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Karim N, Leong SW
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2000 Jun;9(2):82-6.
    PMID: 24394392
    A nutritional status study was carried out among a group of young Chinese adults, aged between 19 and 25, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subjects comprised 108 young adults (55 women, 53 men) who were students at two institutes of higher learning. Physical characteristics were evaluated by anthropometric measurements while food intake was determined with a 3-day food record. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride were assessed using the Reflotron analyser. Birthweight was obtained from birth certificates or by proxy. The results showed that the mean body mass index (BMI) for men and women was 21.4 ± 3.3 and 20.0 ± 2.0, respectively, indicating normal weight. Further analysis of BMI classification demonstrated that 28% of men and 39% of women were underweight, 11% of men and 2% of women were overweight while 2% of men were obese. Mean waist-to-hip ratio showed that the subjects had a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease (0.72 ± 0.03 women; 0.81 ± 0.05 men). Mean energy intake was 8841 ± 1756 kJ per day for men and 6426 ± 1567 kJ per day for women. Closer analysis of energy intake of the subjects showed that 86% of men and 91% of women were consuming below the Malaysian recommendation for energy. Nutrients found to be deficient in at least one third of women were calcium, vitamin A, niacin and iron. Mean cholesterol intake in the diet was 278.7 ± 108.7 mg in men and 207.0 ± 82.5 mg in women and there was a significant difference between genders. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 3.88 ± 0.76 mmol/L and 1.08 ± 0.33 mmol/L, respectively in men, while these levels were lower in women, 3.87 ± 0.80 mmol/L for cholesterol and 0.99 ± 0.29 mmol/L for triglyceride. A general trend of higher mean blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels was shown in adults who were born with lower birthweights.
  5. Oesophagostomiasis in man: report of the first Malaysian case with emphasis on its pathology
    Karim N, Yang CO
    Malays J Pathol, 1992 Jun;14(1):19-24.
    PMID: 1469913
    This paper describes the first Malaysian case of oesophagostomiasis. The patient was an 8-year-old Malay boy who presented to Ipoh General Hospital, Perak with abdominal pain and weight loss. Examination revealed multiple cavitated pseudotumours of the colon. A hemicolectomy was performed. Examination of the lesions revealed Oesophagostomum worms in the necrotic centres. The differential diagnoses and the pathology caused by Oesophagostomum are discussed. A brief review of the available literature is presented.
  6. Fulltext Nutritional Status among Chinese Preschoolers in Subang Jaya, Selangor
    Karim NA, Lau K
    Malays J Nutr, 2000 Mar;6(1):45-53.
    PMID: 22692391 MyJurnal
    A nutritional status study was carried out among Chinese preschoolers (4- 6 years old) residing in Subang Jaya, Selangor. 91 preschoolers (48 boys and 43 girls) of Chinese descent participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements such as weight and height were taken and compared with the NCHS reference. Food habits and demographic background were also evaluated. The results indicated that the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting was 2% respectively, while the prevalence of overweight was 3%. Food habits data showed that most preschoolers consumed the daily main meals and snack once a day. Fruits were consumed between three to four times per week. Food items preferred by these preschoolers were milk, fish and fruits. In general, preschoolers in this study favoured foods, which were deep fried rather than steamed or roasted. Correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between income, education of parents and anthropometric index (weight for age, height for age and weight for height). The nutritional status of these preschool children in Subang Jaya was satisfactory.
  7. Fulltext The profile of lymphadenopathy in adults and children
    Darnal HK, Karim N, Kamini K, Angela K
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Dec;60(5):590-8.
    PMID: 16515110
    Surgical biopsies of lymphnodes of 315 patients (273 adult and 42 children) were reviewed microscopically and analysed. The sex ratio was similar in adults but in children males were twice than female (2:1). Ethnically Malay patients predominated in both the groups. The commonest cause of biopsied lymphadenopathy in adults were malignancy (47%) followed by chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis (20%) and granulomatous lymphadenitis (9%) while in children chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis was the commonest (46%) followed by granulomatous lymphadentitis (21%) and malignancy (14%). Twenty percent of adults and 4% of children had normal lymphnodes. Secondary deposits in adult males and females were of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma type respectively. In our study 100% of clildren and 96% of adults with granulomatous lymphadenitis had tubercular lesions.
  8. Flat colonic adenomas in Malaysia: fact or fancy?
    Rajendra S, Kutty K, Karim N
    J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2003 Jun;18(6):701-4.
    PMID: 12753153
    BACKGROUND: Some two-thirds of colorectal carcinomas arise from adenomatous polyps, and as such, screening by colonoscopy and polyp removal should significantly reduce colorectal cancer. This has not been the case, as evidenced by recent studies, which revealed that endoscopy failed to prevent up to 50% of all subsequent carcinomas. Flat or depressed adenomas, frequently reported from Japan but rarely elsewhere, might explain the 'missed carcinomas.' Detection of flat adenomas has not been previously reported from Malaysia.

    METHODS: In the present prospective study, 426 consecutive patients underwent colonoscopic examination between March 1997 and January 2000, for a variety of bowel symptoms. The examinations were performed by an experienced endoscopist using a standard colonoscope and methylene blue dye spraying technique. Macroscopically, flat adenomas were defined using the criteria proposed by Sawada.

    RESULTS: Twenty-nine adenomas were identified in 12 patients, of which 15 were polypoid and 14 were flat, with no depressed lesions. Eight polypoidal lesions and all the flat adenomas contained mild or moderate areas of epithelial dysplasia. Seven severely dysplastic polyps were identified. One Duke's A polypoidal cancer and two advanced carcinomas were also found. All the severely dysplastic lesions and Duke's A carcinomas were found in polyps greater than 10 mm in mean size. The flat adenomas were all less than 5 mm in size.

    CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of colonic adenomas in Malaysian patients appear as small flat lesions, which could easily be missed during endoscopy. Increased recognition and treatment of flat adenomas among colonoscopists is warranted.

  9. Ethnic differences in the prevalence of endoscopic esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus: the long and short of it all
    Rajendra S, Kutty K, Karim N
    Dig Dis Sci, 2004 Feb;49(2):237-42.
    PMID: 15104363
    Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia is either increasing or better recognized. There is a paucity of reliable data on the prevalence of reflux disease in the various races in general and in Malaysia, in particular. The prevalence of erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus in a multiethnic Malaysian population was studied, as well as the relationship of various factors associated with reflux disease. Chinese, Malay, and Indian patients undergoing gastroscopy in a tertiary referral center were assessed for the presence of esophagitis, hiatus hernia, and Barrett's esophagus. Patient demographics and risk factors associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease were also documented. The prevalence of endoscopically documented esophagitis among 1985 patients was 6.1%, the majority of which were mild, Grade I or II (88%). There was a preponderance of Indians with esophagitis, as well as males (P < 0.05) and those with the presence of a hiatus hernia (P < 0.01). Long-segment Barrett's esophagus was found in 1.6% of patients, and short-segment Barrett's in 4.6%. Indians had the highest prevalence of Barrett's esophagus compared with Chinese (P < 0.05) or Malays (P < 0.01). Hiatus hernia and erosive esophagitis were both positively associated with Barrett's metaplasia (P < 0.01). A significant proportion of Malaysian patients undergoing endoscopy has mild reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. Indian ethnicity and the presence of a hiatus hernia were significantly associated with endoscopic esophagitis and Barrett's metaplasia. These observed racial differences warrant further study.
  10. Fulltext Postpartum dietary intakes and food taboos among chinese women attending maternal and child health clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
    Poh BK, Wong YP, Abdul Karim N
    Malays J Nutr, 2005;11(1):1-21-.
    MyJurnal
    Traditionally, Chinese women adhere to special dietary practices during the month following childbirth. This paper discusses the dietary practices and food taboos practised by Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 134 Chinese mothers of children below one year were recruited from three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to obtain information on socioeconomic background, dietary practices, food taboos and cooking methods during the confinement period. Food intake was assessed by multiple 24-hour dietary recall among 34 mothers during their confinement month (zuo yuezi). Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index calculated. Majority of the respondents had secondary school education (77.6%), household income between RM1001 and RM3000 (64%), and were homemakers (48.5%). The women were aged 18-39 years, and 68% were of normal weight. Most women (82%) practised 30 days of confinement, during which they adhered to special dietary practices. The diet was directed at attaining yin-yang (cold-hot) balance, whereby “hot” foods were most commonly used and “cold” foods were avoided. Ginger, rice wine and sesame seed oil, considered “hot” foods, were used in large amounts in the cooking. Rice, chicken and pork were also consumed in large amounts. Most vegetables and fruits were considered “cold” and were prohibited during confinement. Most mothers drank specially-prepared teas boiled from Chinese herbs. Mean energy intake was 19% below RNI, while mean protein intake was 93% above RNI (NCCFN, 2005). Mean intakes of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin were above 75% of RNI, while vitamins A and C were at half of RNI or less. Mean iron and calcium intakes were at 222% and 67% of RNI, respectively. It is concluded that most Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur do conform to special dietary practices during zuo yuezi.

    Study site: three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
  11. Fulltext Effects of iron supplementation and nutrition education on haemoglobin, ferritin and oxidative stress in iron-deficient female adolescents in Palestine: randomized control trial
    Jalambo M, Karim N, Naser I, Sharif R
    East Mediterr Health J, 2018 Jul 29;24(6):560-568.
    PMID: 30079951 DOI: 10.26719/2018.24.6.560
    Background: Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia are associated with oxidative stress, but their role is largely unclear. Information is scarce on the effects of iron supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in humans.

    Aims: This study evaluated the effectiveness of iron supplementation and nutrition education on improving the levels of haemoglobin and ferritin, and decreasing oxidative stress among iron-deficient female adolescents in Gaza, Palestine.

    Methods: A total 131 iron-deficient female adolescents were recruited and allocated randomly into 3 different groups. The iron supplementation group (A) received 200 mg of ferrous fumarate weekly during the 3-month intervention, the iron supplementation with nutrition education group (B) received iron supplements with nutrition education sessions, and the control group (C) did not receive any intervention. The levels of haemoglobin, ferritin and malonyl dialdehyde were measured at baseline, after 3 months (at which point the intervention was stopped), and then 3 months later. Trial registration number: ACTRN12618000960257.

    Results: Haemoglobin levels increased significantly after supplementation in both groups A and B. At the follow-up stage (3 months after stopping the intervention), iron and haemoglobin levels in group B continued to increase and malonyl dialdehyde decreased. In Group A, haemoglobin, ferritin and malonyl dialdehyde levels decreased after 3 months of stopping the intervention. No changes were seen in Group C.

    Conclusions: A nutrition programme should be adopted and integrated into comprehensive intervention programmes to target iron-deficiency anaemia among female adolescents in Palestine.

  12. Fulltext Follicular thyroid carcinoma with insular component: a retrospective case study, immunohistochemical analysis and literature review
    Htwe TT, Karim N, Lam AK
    Singapore Med J, 2012 Mar;53(3):e49-51.
    PMID: 22434304
    This is a retrospective case study of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with follicular thyroid carcinoma. The patient underwent thyroidectomy for the treatment of goitre after being admitted for shortness of breath. Microscopic and immunohistochemical studies were performed, which confirmed follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with an insular component. We also conducted a review of the literature on this uncommon entity.
  13. Fulltext Ulcerative colitis and motor neurone disease: causal or coincidental?
    Rajendra S, Kadir ZA, Karim N, Zain Z
    Singapore Med J, 2003 Aug;44(8):423-5.
    PMID: 14700423
    Neurological involvement associated with inflammatory bowel disease is well established though rarely reported in the literature. The coexistence of motor neurone disease with ulcerative colitis has never been previously documented. The case of a 53-year-old Indian male with distal ulcerative colitis who, two and a half years later, developed dysarthria, dysphagia, a wasted fasciculating tongue and palatal palsy characteristic of bulbar type motor neurone disease is described. Topical and oral steroids together with azathioprine and mesalazine suppositories controlled the bowel symptoms but did not improve the neurological deficit. Subsequently, the antiglutamate agent riluzole improved the mobility of his tongue. The close temporal relationship and relative infrequency of both these conditions in a Malaysian population along with the recognised association between ulcerative colitis and other neurological conditions deserve careful consideration as to whether a common denominator is involved. Documentation of coexistence of both disorders in a single patient is important in case similar associations are reported in future.
  14. Fulltext Reversal of myoblast aging by tocotrienol rich fraction posttreatment
    Lim JJ, Ngah WZ, Mouly V, Abdul Karim N
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2013;2013:978101.
    PMID: 24349615 DOI: 10.1155/2013/978101
    Skeletal muscle satellite cells are heavily involved in the regeneration of skeletal muscle in response to the aging-related deterioration of the skeletal muscle mass, strength, and regenerative capacity, termed as sarcopenia. This study focused on the effect of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on regenerative capacity of myoblasts in stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). The myoblasts was grouped as young control, SIPS-induced, TRF control, TRF pretreatment, and TRF posttreatment. Optimum dose of TRF, morphological observation, activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-galactosidase), and cell proliferation were determined. 50 μg/mL TRF treatment exhibited the highest cell proliferation capacity. SIPS-induced myoblasts exhibit large flattened cells and prominent intermediate filaments (senescent-like morphology). The activity of SA-β-galactosidase was significantly increased, but the proliferation capacity was significantly reduced as compared to young control. The activity of SA-β-galactosidase was significantly reduced and cell proliferation was significantly increased in the posttreatment group whereas there was no significant difference in SA-β-galactosidase activity and proliferation capacity of pretreatment group as compared to SIPS-induced myoblasts. Based on the data, we hypothesized that TRF may reverse the myoblasts aging through replenishing the regenerative capacity of the cells. However, further investigation on the mechanism of TRF in reversing the myoblast aging is needed.
  15. Diagnostic Value of the EZH2 Immunomarker in Malignant Effusion Cytology
    Ang PP, Tan GC, Karim N, Wong YP
    Acta Cytol., 2020;64(3):248-255.
    PMID: 31352449 DOI: 10.1159/000501406
    BACKGROUND: Differentiating reactive mesothelial cells from metastatic carcinoma in effusion cytology is a challenging task. The application of at least 4 monoclonal antibodies including 2 epithelial markers (Ber-EP4, MOC-31, CEA, or B72.3) and 2 mesothelial markers (calretinin, WT-1, CK5/6, or HBME-1) are often useful in this distinction; however, it is not readily available in many resource-limited developing countries. Aberrant immunoexpression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a transcriptional repressor involved in cancer progression, is observed widely in various malignancy. In this study, we evaluate the diagnostic value of EZH2 as a single reliable immunomarker for malignancy in effusion samples.

    METHODS: A total of 108 pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial effusions/washings diagnosed as unequivocally reactive (n = 41) and metastatic carcinoma (n = 67) by cytomorphology over 18 months were reviewed. Among the metastatic carcinoma cases, 54 were adenocarcinoma and others were squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1), carcinosarcoma (n = 1), and carcinoma of undefined histological subtypes (n = 11). Cell block sections were immunostained by EZH2 (Cell Marque, USA). The percentages of EZH2-immunolabeled cells over the total cells of interest were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off score to define EZH2 immunopositivity.

    RESULTS: A threshold of 8% EZH2-immunolabeled cells allows distinction between malignant and reactive mesothelial cells, with 95.5% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 93.2% negative predictive value (p < 0.0001). The area under the curve was 0.988.

    CONCLUSION: EZH2 is a promising diagnostic biomarker for malignancy in effusion cytology which is inexpensive yet trustworthy and could potentially be used routinely in countries under considerable economic constraints.

  16. Fulltext Glycaemic index of eight types of commercial rice in Malaysia
    Mohd Yusof BN, Abdul Talib R, Abdul Karim N
    Malays J Nutr, 2005;11(2):151-163.
    MyJurnal
    This experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of eight types of commercial rice in Malaysia on blood glucose response and to determine their glycaemic index (GI) values. Ten healthy Malay volunteers (7 males, 3 females, BMI=23.6kgm-2, age=25.1years) participated in this study. The eight types of rice tested were three high fibre rice (HFR A, HFR B & HFR C), three white rice (WR D, WR E and WR F) and two fragrant rice (FR G and FR H). The subjects were required to go through the study protocol on eleven separate occasions (eight tests for the test rice samples and three repeated tests for the reference food) after an overnight fasting. Capillary blood samples were taken immediately before (0min) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min after consumption of the test foods. The blood glucose response was obtained by calculating the incremental area under the curve (iAUC). The GI was determined according to the standardised methodology. This study showed that out of eight types of rice tested, three (HFR B, WR E and WR F) could be categorised as having intermediate GI while the remaining five were considered high GI foods (HFR A, HFR C, WR D, FR G and FR H). The GI of HFR B (60 ± 5.8) and WR E (61 ± 5.8) were significantly lower than the reference food (glucose; GI=100) (p0.05). The GI value of the rice tested in descending order were HFR C, 87 ± 9.0 followed by HFR A (81 ± 6.7), FR G (80 ± 5.5), FR H (79 ± 7.6), WR D (72 ± 8.5), WR F (69 ± 8.3), WR E (61 ± 5.8) and HFR B (60 ± 5.8). There was no relationship between the dietary fibre content of the rice with the iAUC (r= -0.05, p=0.63) and GI values (r= -0.08, p=0.46). This shows that the GI values of the test rice were independent of the dietary fibre content of the rice. Other factors that may influence the GI value of rice include amylose content, gelatinisation process and botanical sources. The results of this study will provide useful information for dietitians and nutritionists in selecting the appropriate type of rice for the daily diet of diabetics.
  17. Loss of human leucocyte antigen class I and gain of class II expression are early events in carcinogenesis: clues from a study of Barrett's oesophagus
    Rajendra S, Ackroyd R, Karim N, Mohan C, Ho JJ, Kutty MK
    J Clin Pathol, 2006 Sep;59(9):952-7.
    PMID: 16467164
    Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) expression is altered in oesophageal carcinomas compared with normal tissue. It is unclear, however, whether this phenotype precedes malignant transformation or results as a consequence of it.
  18. Fulltext Nanostructured Pd-Based Electrocatalyst and Membrane Electrode Assembly Behavior in a Passive Direct Glycerol Fuel Cell
    Yahya N, Kamarudin SK, Karim NA, Basri S, Zanoodin AM
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2019 Feb 11;14(1):52.
    PMID: 30742238 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-019-2871-8
    The aim of this study was to synthesize, characterize, and observe the catalytic activity of Pd1Au1 supported by vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) anode catalyst prepared via the chemical reduction method. The formation of the single-phase compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement analysis, which showed single peaks corresponding to the (111) plane of the cubic crystal structure. Further analysis was carried out by field emission scanning emission microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical performance was examined by cyclic voltammetry tests. The presence of mesoporous VGCNF as support enables the use of a relatively small amount of metal catalyst that still produces an excellent current density (66.33 mA cm-2). Furthermore, the assessment of the kinetic activity of the nanocatalyst using the Tafel plot suggests that Pd1Au1/VGCNF exerts a strong electrocatalytic effect in glycerol oxidation reactions. The engineering challenges are apparent from the fact that the application of the homemade anode catalyst to the passive direct glycerol fuel cell shows the power density of only 3.9 mW cm-2. To understand the low performance, FESEM observation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was carried out, examining several morphological defects that play a crucial role and affect the performance of the direct glycerol fuel cell.
  19. Fulltext Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Quality of Life among Breast and Gynaecology Cancer Survivors
    Zainordin NH, A Karim N, Shahril MR, Abd Talib R
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2021 Aug 01;22(8):2399-2408.
    PMID: 34452552 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.8.2399
    BACKGROUND: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time was recommended to cancer survivors after cancer treatment for sustained health and to enhance the quality of life. This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity and sitting time with quality of life among the Malay breast and gynaecological cancer survivors.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 breast and gynaecology cancer survivor subjects. The Malay International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity and sitting time. Quality of life was assessed using the Malay EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were also obtained in this study.

    RESULTS: The mean age of the subject was 51.8 ± 7.7 years old and the duration of survivorship was 4.3 ± 3.4 years. A total of 76.8% of subjects were categorized as having low physical activity level with a mean MET 403.5 ± 332.7 minutes/week and sitting time of 416.9 ± 151.0 minutes/day. Overall, subjects aged 50 years and above (p=0.006), widowed (p=0.032), retired (p=0.029) and had other non-communicable diseases (p=0.005) showed lower levels of physical activity. Increased physical activity had a positive effect on physical function (r=0.2, p=0.038), reduced insomnia (r=-0.3, p <0.001) and constipation symptoms (r=-0.3, p=0.012) domains of quality of life. The longer the sitting period showed more severe insomnia symptoms (r=0.2, p=0.03) but improved social function (r=0.2, p=0.012).

    CONCLUSIONS: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time have a positive effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors. The focus of health education should be prioritized to older adults (50 years and above), widows, retirees, and those with other comorbidities as they are at risk of being not physically active.
    .

  20. Fulltext Differential expression of galectin-3 in advancing thyroid cancer cells: a clue toward understanding tumour progression and metastasis
    Htwe TT, Karim N, Wong J, Jahanfar S, Mansur MA
    Singapore Med J, 2010 Nov;51(11):856-9.
    PMID: 21140111
    INTRODUCTION: Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family that plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion and in cell-to-matrix interaction. Cellular expression of galectin-3 is correlated with cancer aggressiveness and metastasis.
    METHODS: We examined the differential expression of galectin-3 in a collection of 142 cases of thyroid lesions, including 108 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 34 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCA). An immunohistochemical method was applied and semiquantitative scoring was performed on the staining intensity of the positive tissue. Scoring was done on cells at the central portion of the tumour foci and on cells at the periphery that were adjacent to the neighbouring normal thyroid tissue matrix.
    RESULTS: A significantly higher expression (p is 0.001) of galectin-3 was observed in the advancing peripheral thyroid cancer cells compared to the centrally located cells that were not in close contact with the neighbouring stromal tissue in cases with PTC compared to those with FCA.
    CONCLUSION: This finding supported the role of galectin-3 in its cell-to-cell adhesion and cell-to-matrix interaction. Galectin-3 is a potential tumour marker for indicating local and distance metastasis, especially in cases with PTC.
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