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Kaposi's sarcoma of the palate

Sakina G, Liew YT

QJM, 2022 Jan 09;114(12):896-897.
PMID: 34633460 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab264
Fulltext Familial hyperlipidaemia in Malaysian children

Khoo KL, Tan H, Liew YM

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Jun;55(2):249-58.
PMID: 19839155

This paper highlights two cases of paediatric familial hyperlipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia). The first case was an 11 year old Chinese boy, a "homozygous" (Type II) hypercholesterolaemic patient. He had extremely high blood cholesterol level (19.4 mmol/l), severe multiple xanthoma and abnormal resting electrocardiogram. He had repeated heart attacks and died at the age of 15 in spite of early intervention, treatment and follow up. The second case was a 2 1/2 years old girl who had severe hypertriglyceridaemia. She had raised cholesterol (6.2 mmol/l) and extremely high triglycerides (14.8 mmol/l). The patient did not resemble Type I lipoproteinaemia which is classically seen in childhood. On the contrary, the patient exhibited clinical and biochemical manifestations of a Type V lipoproteinaemia which often occurs in adults. Apart from a Type V lipoprotein pattern, the patient had low post hepatic lipase activity (PHLA), Apo C II and Apo E2/E3 phenotype. In addition, the lipid profile of her family members (both the parents and brothers) had raised triglycerides and thus ruled out the Type I lipoprotein inheritance pattern, which is an autosomal recessive condition. The issue of paediatric hyperlipidaemia, their management and treatments are discussed.
Fulltext Serum lipids and their relationship with other coronary risk factors in healthy subjects in a city clinic

Khoo KL, Tan H, Liew YM

Med J Malaysia, 1997 Mar;52(1):38-52.
PMID: 10968052

Over a thousand subjects who visited a city private medical clinic for health screening and advice were examined for their lipid profile and other cardiovascular risk factors. The mean TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were 5.43, 1.45, 3.61 and 1.15 mmol/l. Their derived ratios viz, TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C were 5.11 and 3.43 respectively. The prevalence of hyperlipidaemia was moderately high. Of the subjects studied 58.5% had elevated serum cholesterol, 14.8% had raised triglycerides, 64.9% had raised LDL-C and 20.8% had low HDL-C. Male subjects generally showed higher mean values and abnormality frequency in TC, TG, LDL-C, TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C as compared to female subjects. Although significant ethnic differences were not detected for certain lipid parameters (e.g. TC, TG and HDL-C), the Indians appeared to have higher mean lipid values (except HDL-C), and higher percentage abnormality for all the lipid parameters as compared to the Chinese and the Malays. In correlation studies, the following lipid parameters:- TC versus TG, LDL-C, TC:HDL-C; TG versus TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C; LDL-C versus TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C; were positively correlated. On the other hand, TC versus HDL-C, TG versus HDL-C, LDL-C and HDL-C, and HDL-C versus TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C were negatively correlated. The coronary risk factors which generally showed positive correlations with lipid parameters were BMI and blood pressure. Positive correlations were also recorded between fasting blood glucose and TG; uric acid with TG, TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C. In contrast, risk factors of negative correlations were observed between HDL-C and the coronary risk factors of BMI, diastolic blood pressure and uric acid. Smoking showed raised per cent lipid abnormality for TG, HDL-C, TC:HDL-C and LDL:HDL-C. Alcohol consumption also increased the mean level and abnormality frequency for TG. The implication of this investigation is discussed.
Spontaneous Thyroid Haemorrhage: A Cause of Upper Airway Obstruction

Wong M, Kanapaty Y, Liew YT, Bakri A

Acute Med, 2019;18(4):248-250.
PMID: 31912057

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous thyroid haemorrhage is a very rare condition that is potentially life-threatening. We report an unusual case of spontaneous thyroid haemorrhage leading to airway compromise requiring urgent intervention. We highlight key clinical findings and management steps with comparison to similar cases in the literature.
CASE SUMMARY: An adult male presented with sudden anterior neck swelling and bruises on his neck and chest with hoarseness and dysphagia. Clinical assessment and CT scan revealed a thyroid haemorrhage with laryngopharyngeal, neck and chest haematoma. He was intubated for airway protection and given intravenous steroids and antibiotics. He was extubated well after 3 days.
CONCLUSION: Careful prompt management of the patient's airway is of vital importance as worsening haematoma can lead to rapid airway compromise. Acute physicians should be aware of the clinical signs of thyroid haemorrhage, as this rare condition may present to the acute medical take.
Effects of genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1 on the efficacy of anesthetic and analgesic agents: a systematic review

Liew Y, Capule FR, Makmor-Bakry M

Pharmacogenomics, 2021 11;22(16):1099-1106.
PMID: 34590490 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2021-0079

Aim: To perform a systematic review to determine the effect of ABCB1 (1236C>T, 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T) variants on the effects of anesthetic and analgesic agents in various surgical procedures. Materials & methods: Literature was obtained from established databases and reference tracking. The main outcome measures were efficacy of anesthetic and analgesic agents intraoperative or within 48 h post surgery of human population. Results: Seventeen studies were included for data extraction from 1127 screened studies. The influences of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms on analgesic effects showed conflicting results. The mutational homozygous TT genotypes of 1236C>T and 3435C>T polymorphisms demonstrated significant association with the anesthetic effects. Conclusion: The mutational homozygous TT genotype in both ABCB1 1236C>T and 3435C>T is associated with weaker anesthetic effect but there are no clearly demonstrated analgesic effects.
Laryngeal amyloidosis: a rare etiology of hoarseness

Ghauth S, Toong LY, Sakina G, Liew YT

QJM, 2022 Jan 09;114(12):889-890.
PMID: 34597409 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab256
Effect of Intracanal Medicaments on the Bond Strength of Bioceramic Root Filling Materials to Oval Canals

Al-Haddad AY, Kacharaju KR, Haw LY, Yee TC, Rajantheran K, Mun CS, et al.

J Contemp Dent Pract, 2020 Nov 01;21(11):1218-1221.
PMID: 33850066

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the prior application of intracanal medicaments on the bond strength of OrthoMTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) and iRoot SP to the root dentin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty single-rooted mandibular premolars were standardized and prepared using ProTaper rotary files. The specimens were divided into a control group and two experimental groups receiving Diapex and Odontopaste medicament, either filled with iRoot SP or OrthoMTA, for 1 week. Each root was sectioned transversally, and the push-out bond strength and failure modes were evaluated. The data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U post hoc test.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the bond strength of iRoot SP and OrthoMTA without medicaments and with the prior placement of Diapex (p value > 0.05). However, iRoot SP showed significantly higher bond strength with the prior placement of Odontopaste (p value < 0.05). Also, there was no association between bond strength of OrthoMTA with or without intracanal medicament (p value > 0.05) and between failure mode and root filling materials (p value > 0.05). The prominent failure mode for all groups was cohesive.
CONCLUSION: Prior application of Diapex has no effect on the bond strength of iRoot SP and OrthoMTA. However, Odontopaste improved the bond strength of iRoot SP.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dislodgment resistance of root canal filling from root dentin could be an indicator of the durability and prognosis of endodontic treated teeth.
Fulltext Optimising the scan delay for arterial phase imaging of the liver using the bolus tracking technique

Chan R, Kumar G, Abdullah B, Ng Kh, Vijayananthan A, Mohd Nor H, et al.

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2011 Apr;7(2):e12.
PMID: 22287986 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.7.2.e12

To optimize the delay time before the initiation of arterial phase scan in the detection of focal liver lesions in contrast enhanced 5 phase liver CT using the bolus tracking technique.
Severe descending necrotizing mediastinitis: vacuum-assisted dressing did wonder

Liew YT, Lim EY, Zulkiflee AB, Prepageran N

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2017 Apr;65(4):225-228.
PMID: 27016203 DOI: 10.1007/s11748-016-0642-3

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rapidly progressive disease from the spread of cervical infection. Transcervical and transthoracic drainage was the recognized traditional surgical approach to achieve adequate clearance of infection. Non-invasive vacuum-assisted dressing is a new technique where applied negative pressure can help remove infective fluid and to promote wound healing. A 60-year-old man presented with odynophagia, fever and anterior neck swelling for 2 weeks. He was diagnosed to have anterior neck abscess and underwent surgical drainage. However, it did not respond well, but progressed to involve superior and inferior mediastinum. Vacuum-assisted dressing was applied for total of 2 weeks and the patient recovered without going through usual traditional transthoracic drainage. Vacuum drainage is a simple, safe and non-invasive method of managing DNM, in well selected group with small abscess cavity without airway obstruction and septicemia. This potential technique can lead to paradigm shift in treating life-threatening DNM.
Fulltext Health status of senior civil servants in Kuala Lumpur

Liew YM, Zulkifli A, Tan H, Ho YN, Khoo KL

Med J Malaysia, 1997 Dec;52(4):348-66.
PMID: 10968112

733 senior civil servants comprising 520 males and 213 females with a mean age of 44 years (range 25-56 years) were screened for their health status. The sample population comprised of 67.9% Malays, 22.5% Chinese, 9.1% Indians and 0.4% other ethnic origins. The subjects' medical histories were recorded and a full medical examination including anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood biochemistry and urine analysis, chest X-ray and electrocardiograms were done. The results obtained showed that 36.0% of the study population were overweight with 6.5% being obese. Of this 32.0% had central obesity. 15.2% of the subjects had systolic hypertension (systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg) whilst 27.6% had diastolic hypertension (diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg). Hyperlipidaemia was common, with 75.2% subjects having raised cholesterol, 19.9% raised triglycerides, 50.2% raised LDL-C, 74.6% raised TC:HDL-C and 26.6% raised LDL:HDL-C. An elevated blood glucose was found in 8.4% subjects, whilst urine sugar was detected in only 2.6%, and a raised uric acid was found in 2.8% subjects. The prevalence of hypertension, raised blood glucose and hyperlipidaemia increased with age with more males affected than females. Although hypercholesterolaemia appeared more frequently amongst the Malays, the Indians, by comparison had the highest prevalence for a raised LDL:HDL-C ratio, a reflection of the increase in LDL-C and a concomitant decrease in HDL-C. The latter findings indicate that the Indians are at greater risk for the development of coronary heart disease than the Chinese and Malays. In addition, the mean levels of serum cholesterol found in this study seemed to have exceeded the levels found in populations in the industrialised countries such as the USA. There is thus an urgent need for more public health campaigns aimed at the reduction and control of such coronary risk factors.
Fulltext Patients' knowledge and attitude towards treatment and control of hypertension: a nation-wide telephone survey conducted in Malaysia

Khoo KL, Liew YM, Tan H, Sambhi JS, Hatijah BA

Med J Malaysia, 1999 Mar;54(1):37-46.
PMID: 10972003

The telephone survey of 2,526 hypertensive subjects showed 94% of the respondents were aware of the importance in controlling hypertension. Among these 504 were not on anti-hypertensive medication while the majority of 2,022 were currently on anti-hypertensive medication. Of those who were not on medication, 80% (n = 403) were found non-hypertensive on follow-up. The remaining 20% (n = 101) were confirmed hypertensive and were offered medication. However, 38 subjects refused to take medication and 63 subjects complied with medication but subsequently gave up. The main reasons for giving up medication included lack of motivation (38%), doctors' advice (20%), side effects (19%) and concern of side effects (10%). Of 2,022 hypertensive respondents who were currently on medication, almost half (44%, n = 890) required a change of medication due to side effects (40%, n = 356) or the blood pressure not controlled with the previous medication (33%, n = 294). Despite the change in medication, 42% (n = 150) still continued to suffer from some form of side effects. The information obtained from this survey suggested it is important to recommend some strategies to improve patient compliance. These strategies comprise of motivating the patient, improving medication with less side effects, improving potency and efficiency of medication, and reduction of cost in medication. In addition, convenient blood pressure monitoring such as home blood pressure monitoring is also encouraged.
Cloning of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from an Antarctic psychrophilic bacterium by inverse and splinkerette PCR

Too WC, Liew YC, Few LL

J Basic Microbiol, 2008 Oct;48(5):430-5.
PMID: 18759222 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.200800008

Psychrophiles are organisms that thrive in cold environments. One of the strategies for their cold adaptation is the ability to synthesize cold-adapted enzymes. These enzymes usually display higher catalytic efficiency and thermolability at lower temperatures compared to their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. In this work, a psychrophilic bacterium codenamed pi9 was selected for the cloning of the gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. Here, the cloning of an 1,113 bp fragment of GAPDH gene which covers the 1,002 bp open reading frame by using multiple PCR steps is described. The partial sequence of this gene was PCR amplified by using degenerate primers followed by the cloning of the flanking sequences by inverse and splinkerette PCR techniques. The success in cloning the GAPDH gene by PCR has bypassed the more time consuming genomic library construction and screening method. The full length GAPDH protein was subsequently expressed in E. coli, purified as His-tag protein and confirmed to be catalytically active. This work demonstrated the use of multiple PCR techniques to clone a gene based solely on sequence comparison. It also laid the foundation for further biochemical and structural characterizations of GAPDH from a psychrophilic bacterium by providing a highly purified recombinant protein sample.
Acute necrotising encephalopathy of childhood: A review of two cases

Ong SCL, Nur Azidawati AH, Liew YH, Anita S

Med J Malaysia, 2017 10;72(5):311-313.
PMID: 29197889 MyJurnal

Acute necrotising encephalopathy of childhood (ANEC) is an uncommon disease with characteristic clinical and imaging findings. We present two cases of ANEC secondary to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and mycoplasma infections. An eight-month-old boy presented with features of gastroenteritis but soon developed multiple episodes of seizures. Blood and CSF cultures were negative but nasopharyngeal aspirate immunofluorescence was positive for RSV. A nine-year-old girl presented with abnormal behaviour following two days of prodromal symptoms. Her serological markers implicated mycoplasma (IgM titre 1: 640). CT brain of both patients showed bilateral symmetrical thalamic hypodensities, while MRI revealed more extensive white matter involvements.
Fulltext Management experience of subglottic stenosis by endoscopic bougie dilatation with mitomycin C and review of literature: case series

Liew YT, Yong DJ, Somasundran M, Lum CL

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2015 Mar;67(Suppl 1):129-33.
PMID: 25621268 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-014-0801-8

The aim of the study was to examine and analyze the epidemiology and outcome of treatment for paediatric acquired subglottic stenosis treated with endoscopic bougie dilatation and topical mitomycin C. There were 15 patients identified from 2008 until 2013. All of them had acquired subglottic stenosis due to history of intubation. Majority of the patients had grade III stenosis, with the total of seven. Three patients had grade IV; three were grade II and two were grade I. All of the patients with severe stenosis (grade III and IV) needed tracheostomy while only one in mild stenosis group (grade I and II) required it for prolonged ventilation rather than obstruction due to subglottic stenosis. All of them underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia followed by endoscopic dilatation with bougie and topical mitomycin C 0.4 mg/ml for 5 min. Aim of success in our study was decannulation of tracheostomy or absence of symptoms at exertion. We achieved 6 (60 %) successful decannulation out of 10 patients with tracheostomy (excluded the patient with tracheostomy in grade I stenosis due to prolonged ventilation). As for those without tracheostomy, 3 (75 %) out of 4 patients were asymptomatic even at exertion. Average number of dilatation was 3.1 times, with mean duration of 28 min. No complications were reported in our series. One patient with grade I stenosis passed away due to severe pneumonia unrelated to the stenosis or dilatation, and she did not have any dilatation before she passed away. Multiple related risk factors were identified such as intubation, prematurity, movement of endotracheal tube, respiratory infection, traumatic intubation and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Experience of open surgical method was very limited in our centre in Sabah in East Malaysia. Endoscopic technique plays an important role in treatment of subglottic stenosis with adjunct like mitomycin C possibly booster the successful rate.
Lipids and coronary heart disease in Asia

Khoo KL, Tan H, Liew YM, Deslypere JP, Janus E

Atherosclerosis, 2003 Jul;169(1):1-10.
PMID: 12860245

In Western countries, it has been shown that coronary heart disease (CHD) is related to high serum total cholesterol (TC) levels. In less developed continents such as Asia and Africa, serum lipid levels are low and CHD incidence is much lower as compared with Western countries. With growing urbanization and industrialization in Asia, it has been shown that there is a concomitant rise in the level of serum TC and with it a rise in CHD. In all the Asian countries, serum TC levels are also higher in the urban compared with the rural population. Singapore, the only Asian country which is 100% urbanized since 1980, showed a rise of serum TC similar to that seen in the US and UK from the 1950s to the 1980s followed thereafter by a fall. This is reflected in the trend (rise followed by a fall) of CHD morbidity and mortality as well. In spite of a declining trend in serum TC level, CHD morbidity and mortality are still high in Singapore and comparable to the Western countries. The rest of the Asian countries show a different pattern from Singapore. In general, there is still a rising trend in serum TC level and in CHD mortality in most Asian countries. However, Japan is considered an exception in having a decreasing CHD mortality in spite of an increasing trend in serum TC. This may be attributed to a better control of other CHD risk factors such as hypertension and smoking. The rising trend in serum TC level remains a cause for concern, as this will emerge as a major problem for CHD morbidity and mortality in the future.
Fulltext Blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate and levels of blood cholesterol and glucose of volunteers during National Heart Weeks, 1995-1997

Khoo KL, Tan H, Liew YM, Sambhi JS, Aljafri AM, Hatijah A

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Dec;55(4):439-50.
PMID: 11221155

The paper presents the results of a health screening programme conducted in 10 major centers in Malaysia--Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Alor Star, Kuala Terengganu, Malacca, Kota Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu during the National Heart Weeks, 1995-1997. There were 6,858 participants of both sexes aged between 6 years to 81 years old. The parameters involved in the screening programme were body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and glucose. The following are the results of the study:- 1. The mean and standard deviation for the body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), total cholesterol (TC) and non fasting (random) blood glucose (GL) of the volunteers studied were 24.3 +/- 4.0 kg/m2, 128.3 +/- 21.1 mmHg, 79.6 +/- 11.9 mmHg, 77.2 +/- 12.1 bpm, 5.33 +/- 1.37 mmol/l and 5.11 +/- 1.97 mmol/l respectively. 2. There was a rising trend for BMI, SBP, DBP, TC and GL with age. The HR was higher in the younger age group of those below 20 years. Males tended to have higher mean values than females except for HR which was similar in both sexes. 3. The Malays, Chinese and Indians seemed to have closely similar mean values for SBP, DBP and HR but the Indians possessed the highest BMI (25.62 +/- 3.90 kg/m2), TC (5.61 +/- 1.48 mmol/l) and GL (5.41 +/- 2.43 mmol/l) among the three major ethnic groups. While the Ibans had highest TC (6.07 + 1.09 mmol/l), their GL level was the lowest (4.76 +/- 1.15 mmol/l). The Kadazans had the lowest TC level (4.94 +/- 1.39 mmol/l) among all the ethnic groups. 4. Among the participants screened, 31.9% were overweight (BMI > or = 25), 7.6% were obese (BMI > or = 30); 26.8% had raised SBP (> or = 140 mmHg) and 19.3% had raised DBP (> or = 90 mmHg); 13.6% of the participants had increased HR (> or = 90 bpm), 22% had raised TC (> or = 6.20 mmol/l) and 2% had raised GL (> or = 11.00 mmol/l). There was a higher prevalence for abnormal values with increasing age until between the ages of 60 or 70 years, when the values began to fall. 5. Age was positively correlated with SBP (r = 0.41***, df = 4351), DBP (r = 0.27***, df = 4351), TC (r = 0.22***, df = 3303) and GL (r = 0.16***, df = 2442) but negatively correlated with HR (r = -0.13***, df = 4351). The BMI was positively correlated with SBP (r = 0.29***, df = 2769), DBP (r = 0.31***, df = 2769), TC (r = 0.16***, df = 2137) and GL (r = 0.11**, df = 1637) but there was no correlation with HR (r = 0.03NS, df = 2771). The SBP and DBP were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.75***, df = 4351) and they also showed highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.08***-0.13***, df = 2441-3301) with TC and GL. TC was positively correlated with GL (r = 0.05* df = 2319) but only at the 5% probability level.
Effects of MDR1 and OPRM1 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacodynamics of propofol-remifentanil TIVA in pediatrics

Liew Y, Capule FR, Rahman RA, Nor NM, Teo R, Makmor-Bakry M

Pharmacogenomics, 2023 Apr;24(5):247-259.
PMID: 36999508 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2023-0006

Aims: To investigate the roles of MDR1 (1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, and 3435C>T) and OPRM1 (118A>G) gene polymorphisms on the anesthetic and adverse effects of propofol-remifentanil total intravenous anesthesia in pediatric surgery. Materials & methods: The genotypes were identified through Sanger sequencing. The clinical data including hemodynamics on anesthesia, postanesthesia pain and sedation score and the occurrence of adverse effects were recorded and compared against the genetic data. Results: A total of 72 pediatric patients undergoing surgery were recruited. A weak to no association was found between the genetic polymorphisms of MDR1 and OPRM1 and the anesthetic and adverse effects of propofol-remifentanil. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms in OPRM1, but not in MDR1, gene polymorphism, demonstrated plausible association with the effects of propofol-remifentanil.
Fulltext Neuroinflammation: A Common Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease and Epilepsy

Liew Y, Retinasamy T, Arulsamy A, Ali I, Jones NC, O'Brien TJ, et al.

J Alzheimers Dis, 2023;94(s1):S253-S265.
PMID: 37092226 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-230059

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is an innate immunological response of the central nervous system that may be induced by a brain insult and chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Recent research has shown that neuroinflammation may contribute to the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and associated epileptogenesis.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to investigate the available literature on the shared molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation in AD and epilepsy.
METHODS: The search included in this systematic review was obtained from 5 established databases. A total of 2,760 articles were screened according to inclusion criteria. Articles related to the modulation of the inflammatory biomarkers commonly associated with the progression of AD and epilepsy in all populations were included in this review.
RESULTS: Only 7 articles met these criteria and were chosen for further analysis. Selected studies include both in vitro and in vivo research conducted on rodents. Several neuroinflammatory biomarkers were reported to be involved in the cross-talk between AD and epilepsy.
CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammation was directly associated with the advancement of AD and epilepsy in populations compared to those with either AD or epilepsy. However, more studies focusing on common inflammatory biomarkers are required to develop standardized monitoring guidelines to prevent the manifestation of epilepsy and delay the progression of AD in patients.
Motion corrected LV quantification based on 3D modelling for improved functional assessment in cardiac MRI

Liew YM, McLaughlin RA, Chan BT, Abdul Aziz YF, Chee KH, Ung NM, et al.

Phys Med Biol, 2015 Apr 7;60(7):2715-33.
PMID: 25768708 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/60/7/2715

Cine MRI is a clinical reference standard for the quantitative assessment of cardiac function, but reproducibility is confounded by motion artefacts. We explore the feasibility of a motion corrected 3D left ventricle (LV) quantification method, incorporating multislice image registration into the 3D model reconstruction, to improve reproducibility of 3D LV functional quantification. Multi-breath-hold short-axis and radial long-axis images were acquired from 10 patients and 10 healthy subjects. The proposed framework reduced misalignment between slices to subpixel accuracy (2.88 to 1.21 mm), and improved interstudy reproducibility for 5 important clinical functional measures, i.e. end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction, myocardial mass and 3D-sphericity index, as reflected in a reduction in the sample size required to detect statistically significant cardiac changes: a reduction of 21-66%. Our investigation on the optimum registration parameters, including both cardiac time frames and number of long-axis (LA) slices, suggested that a single time frame is adequate for motion correction whereas integrating more LA slices can improve registration and model reconstruction accuracy for improved functional quantification especially on datasets with severe motion artefacts.
Fulltext Detection, molecular characterization, and antibiogram of multi-drug resistant and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from pets and pet owners in Malaysia

Chai MH, Sukiman MZ, Liew YW, Shapawi MS, Roslan FS, Hashim SN, et al.

Iran J Vet Res, 2021;22(4):277-287.
PMID: 35126535 DOI: 10.22099/ijvr.2021.39586.5752

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA) in animals and humans with continuous contact are a great zoonotic concern.
Aims: This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the carriage rate, genotypic characteristics, and to determine the antibiogram of S. aureus isolated from pets and pet owners in Malaysia.
Methods: Nasal and oral swab samples from 40 cats, 30 dogs, and 70 pet owners were collected through convenient sampling. Presumptive colonies on mannitol salt agar were subjected to biochemical identification. S. aureus and MRSA were confirmed by PCR detection of nuc and mecA genes, respectively. Molecular profiles for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in S. aureus were also determined. The antibiogram was carried out via Kirby-Bauer test using 18 antibiotics.
Results: 17.5% of cats, 20% of dogs, and 27% of pet owners were S. aureus positive. MRSA was also detected in dogs, and pet owners. S. aureus isolates displayed high resistance against penicillin (72.7%), and amoxicillin/clavulanate (66.7%). 39.4% of S. aureus isolates showed multidrug-resistance traits, phenotypically. Molecular characterization of S. aureus revealed the presence of mecA, tetk, tetL, ermA, ermB, ermC, msrA, scn, chp, sak, sep, and sea genes.
Conclusion: This study showed the emergence of MRSA and MDRSA in pets and pet owners in Malaysia. The antibiogram findings showed resistance of S. aureus to multiple antibiotics. Furthermore, molecular analysis of immune evasion cluster (IEC) strongly suggests the spread of animal-adapted S. aureus lineages among pets and pet owners.

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