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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.
Flickering of cardiac state before the onset and termination of atrial fibrillation

Lan BL, Liew YW, Toda M, Kamsani SH

Chaos, 2020 May;30(5):053137.
PMID: 32491883 DOI: 10.1063/1.5130524

Complex dynamical systems can shift abruptly from a stable state to an alternative stable state at a tipping point. Before the critical transition, the system either slows down in its recovery rate or flickers between the basins of attraction of the alternative stable states. Whether the heart critically slows down or flickers before it transitions into and out of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is still an open question. To address this issue, we propose a novel definition of cardiac states based on beat-to-beat (RR) interval fluctuations derived from electrocardiogram data. Our results show the cardiac state flickers before PAF onset and termination. Prior to onset, flickering is due to a "tug-of-war" between the sinus node (the natural pacemaker) and atrial ectopic focus/foci (abnormal pacemakers), or the pacing by the latter interspersed among the pacing by the former. It may also be due to an abnormal autonomic modulation of the sinus node. This abnormal modulation may be the sole cause of flickering prior to termination since atrial ectopic beats are absent. Flickering of the cardiac state could potentially be used as part of an early warning or screening system for PAF and guide the development of new methods to prevent or terminate PAF. The method we have developed to define system states and use them to detect flickering can be adapted to study critical transition in other complex systems.
Fulltext Evaluation of bowel distension and mural visualisation using neutral oral contrast agents for multidetector-row computed tomography

Lim BK, Bux SI, Rahmat K, Lam SY, Liew YW

Singapore Med J, 2012 Nov;53(11):732-6.
PMID: 23192500

We compared the effectiveness of different types of non-commercial neutral oral contrast agents for bowel distension and mural visualisation in computed tomographic (CT) enterography.
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.