MyMedR

Fulltext Honey and cancer: sustainable inverse relationship particularly for developing nations-a review

Othman NH

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:410406.

PMID: 22761637 DOI: 10.1155/2012/410406

Honey and cancer has a sustainable inverse relationship. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process and has multifactorial causes. Among these are low immune status, chronic infection, chronic inflammation, chronic non healing ulcers, obesity, and so forth. There is now a sizeable evidence that honey is a natural immune booster, natural anti-inflammatory agent, natural antimicrobial agent, natural cancer "vaccine," and natural promoter for healing chronic ulcers and wounds. Though honey has substances of which the most predominant is a mixture of sugars, which itself is thought to be carcinogenic, it is understandable that its beneficial effect as anticancer agent raises skeptics. The positive scientific evidence for anticancer properties of honey is growing. The mechanism on how honey has anticancer effect is an area of great interest. Among the mechanisms suggested are inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and cell-cycle arrest. Honey and cancer has sustainable inverse relationship in the setting of developing nations where resources for cancer prevention and treatment are limited.

Fulltext Research Activities in Malaysia from the Perspectives of USM Medical School; The Reality and the Strategy

Othman NH

Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jan;11(1):1-8.

PMID: 22977355

School of medical sciences, universiti sains malaysia - the first 25 years in poetry

Othman NH

Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jul;11(2):171-3.

PMID: 22973130

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in routine cervical scraping samples: use for a national cervical cancer screening program in a developing nation

Othman N, Othman NH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(5):2245-9.

PMID: 24716964

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus is a well-established cause of the development of a variety of epithelial lesions in the cervix. However, as yet, incorporation of HPV testing into cervical cancer screening either as an adjunct or stand alone test is limited due to its cost. We therefore here ascertained the presence and type specificity of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in routine cervical scrapings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cervical scrapings were collected from women attending clinics for routine Pap smear screening. HPV-DNA was detected by PCR using MY09/11 and GP5+/GP6+ primer sets and genotyping was accomplished by cycle-sequencing.

RESULTS: A total of 635 women were recruited into the study with mean ± SD age of 43 ± 10.5 years. Of these 92.6% (588/635) were reported as within normal limits (WNL) on cytology. The presence of HPV infection detected by nested MY/GP+-PCR was 4.4% (28/635). The overall prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) in abnormal Pap smears was 53.8% (7/13). HPVs were also seen in 3.1% (18/588) of smears reported as WNL by cytology and 5.9% (2/34) in smears unsatisfactory for evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall percentage of HPV positivity in routine cervical screening samples is comparable with abnormal findings in cytology. Conventional Pap smear 'missed' a few samples. Since HPV testing is expensive, our results may provide valuable information for strategising implementation of effective cervical cancer screening in a country with limited resources like Malaysia. If Pap smear coverage could be improved, HPV testing could be used as an adjunct method on cases with ambiguous diagnoses.

Fulltext Challenges to cervical screening in a developing country: The case of Malaysia

Othman NH, Rebolj M

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):747-52.

PMID: 20104963

OBJECTIVES: Many developing countries, including Malaysia, will need to continue relying on cervical screening because they will not be able to cover their entire female adolescent populations with HPV vaccination. The aim of this paper was to establish the extent of the health care, informational, financial and psychosocial barriers to cervical screening in Malaysia.

METHODS: A literature search was made for reports on implementation, perceptions and reception of cervical screening in Malaysia published between January 2000 and September 2008.

RESULTS: Despite offering Pap smears for free since 1995, only 47.3% of Malaysian women have been screened. Several factors may have contributed to this. No national call-recall system has been established. Women are informed about cervical screening primarily through mass media rather than being individually invited. Smears are free of charge if taken in public hospitals and clinics, but the waiting times are often long. The health care system is unequally dense, with rural states being underserved compared to their urban counterparts. If the screening coverage was to increase, a shortage of smear-readers would become increasingly apparent.

CONCLUSIONS: Improving screening coverage will remain an important strategy for combating cervical cancer in Malaysia. The focus should be on the policy-making context, improving awareness and the screening infrastructure, and making the service better accessible to women.

Fulltext Adequacy of cellular material in split-sampling of cervical scrapings for routine cancer screening: an analysis of 702 smears

Othman N, Othman NH

Malays J Pathol, 2012 Dec;34(2):115-21.

PMID: 23424773 MyJurnal

The aim of this study was to examine cells (split-sample) that were retained on sampling devices used to collect conventional Pap smears (primary smears) in order to evaluate specimen adequacy and cytological diagnosis of scrapings that are routinely discarded.

Fulltext Immunohistochemical localization of RET rearrangements in a Malaysian papillary thyroid carcinoma population

Omar E, Othman NH

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):461-2.

PMID: 14750392

Fulltext The anti-cancer effects of Tualang honey in modulating breast carcinogenesis: an experimental animal study

Ahmed S, Othman NH

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017 Apr 11;17(1):208.

PMID: 28399853 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1721-4

BACKGROUND: Honey has been shown to have anti-cancer effects, but the mechanism behind these effects is not fully understood. We investigated the role of Malaysian jungle Tualang honey (TH) in modulating the hematological parameters, estrogen, estrogen receptors (ER1) and pro and anti-apoptotic proteins expression in induced breast cancer in rats.

METHODS: Fifty nulliparous female Sprague-Dawley rats were used and grouped as follows: Group 0 (healthy normal rats control), Group 1 (negative control; untreated rats), Groups 2, 3 and 4 received daily doses of 0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg body weight of TH, respectively. The rats in groups 1, 2, 3, 4 were induced with 80 mg/kg of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU). TH treatment in groups 2, 3 and 4 was started one week prior to tumor induction and continued for 120 days.

RESULTS: The TH-treated rats had tumors of different physical attributes compared to untreated negative control rats; the tumor progression (mean 75.3 days versus 51.5 days); the incidence (mean 76.6% versus 100%); the multiplicity (mean 2.5 versus 4 tumor masses per rat); the size of tumor mass (mean 0.41 cm versus 1.47 cm [p

Fulltext Fibroblast test cells of embryo of Super Java Chicken as an indicator to test toxicity and malignancy

Mafruchati M, Othman NH

Heliyon, 2023 Dec;9(12):e22349.

PMID: 38125449 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22349

Fibroblast is one component of connective tissue cells in polygonal or stellate with cytoplasmic processes or projections. In vitro, tissue culture is an excellent medium used in biomedical research. The goal of this study was to analyze Toxicity and Malignancy in Embryo of Super Java Chicken as Potential Candidates of Strong Poultry in Indonesia. This study used Preparation of fibroblast primary cell culture of Java super chicken embryos, Pathogenicity test using fibroblast cells from Super Java chicken, Toxicity test using fibroblast cells from Super Java Chicken. Primary fibroblast cell culture of Java super chicken embryos was prepared from 10-day-old brood chicken eggs free of pathogens. Cells were prepared in 96-well microplates with minimal essential medium (MEM) containing 10 % fetal calf serum (FCS) 100 IU/ug penicillin/streptomycinVirus isolates were diluted in stages from 10-2 to 10-5 and inoculated into Java Super Chicken Fibroblast cell culture. The result showed that the negative control of the samples had a faster proliferative power than the fibroblast cell culture of Java super chicken, which was treated with concentrations of 10-2; 10-3; 10-4; 10-5. Moreover, before being inoculated with the virus, the confluent fibroblast cells of Java super chicken looked oval and regular. The day after infection, syncytia (large multinucleated cells) began to form on a small scale and became more pronounced on the second and third post-infection days. CPE was found in the 10-2,10-3 and 10-4 virus dilutions, and CPE was not found in the 10-5 dilution.

Fulltext Honey as a potential natural anticancer agent: a review of its mechanisms

Ahmed S, Othman NH

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:829070.

PMID: 24363771 DOI: 10.1155/2013/829070

The main treatment for cancer is by using chemotherapy and radiotherapy which themselves are toxic to other viable cells of the body. Recently, there are many studies focusing on the use of natural products for cancer prevention and treatment. Of these natural products, honey has been extensively researched. The mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of honey as chemopreventive and therapeutic agent has not been completely understood. The possible mechanisms are due to its apoptotic, antiproliferative, antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and immunomodulatory activities. We collate the findings of several studies published in the literature in order to understand the mechanism of its action.

Fulltext Review of the medicinal effects of tualang honey and a comparison with manuka honey

Ahmed S, Othman NH

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 May;20(3):6-13.

PMID: 23966819 MyJurnal

Tualang honey (TH) is a Malaysian multifloral jungle honey. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of studies published in medical databases regarding its potential health benefits. The honey is produced by the rock bee (Apis dorsata), which builds hives on branches of tall Tualang trees located mainly in the north-western region of Peninsular Malaysia. This review collates the results of the various studies of TH that range from research on tissue culture to randomised control clinical trials. Findings thus far show that, TH has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumor, and antidiabetic properties, in addition to wound-healing attributes. Some of its properties are similar to the well-researched Manuka honey (New Zealand and/or Australian monofloral honey). Distinct differences include higher phenolics, flavonoids, and 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural (HMF). Compared with Manuka honey, TH is also more effective against some gram-negative bacterial strains in burn wounds.

Fulltext Association of colorectal carcinoma with metabolic diseases; experience with 138 cases from Kelantan, Malaysia

Othman NH, Zin AA

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Oct-Dec;9(4):747-51.

PMID: 19256771

OBJECTIVE: Kelantan in Malaysia has a high prevalence of diabetes and colorectal cancer is also on the rise. This study is to determine the association of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes type 2 [DM2] and hypertension, with colorectal cancer patients in our population.

METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on all colorectal carcinomas in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kelantan from ythe ears 2001-2006. The data were retrieved from the Registry in Pathology laboratory and the clinical details from the patients' clinical records and analyzed using SSPS Version 12.0, with a value of p<0.05 taken to be statistically significant.

RESULTS: 138 CRC cases with complete clinical records were included. The age ranged from 16.0 to 88.0 years, with a mean of 56.9 -/+ SD 15.4. The male 90(65%) to female 48(35%) ratio was 1.7:1.0 and 47.8% were suffering from metabolic diseases; 18(13.0%) with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2(DM2), and 48(34.8%) with hypertension (HT). Diabetes Type 2 and hypertension also demonstrated significant association (p<0.05) with the stage and the site of the cancer. Patients with diabetes type 2 88.8%(16/18) and Hypertension 85.4% (41/48) were strongly associated with cancers located in the distal to transverse colon (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: There is a high proportion of metabolic diseases; hypertension and diabetes type 2 among colorectal carcinomas seen in Kelantan population. In this preliminary study we noted a strong association of metabolic diseases with the stage and site of the cancer. To reduce CRC incidence, the high prevalence of DM2 in Kelantan needs to be addressed.

Endometrial amoebiasis

Othman NH, Ismail AN

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1993 Dec 15;52(2):135-7.

PMID: 8157142

A case of endometrial infection by Entamoeba histolytica is described in an elderly lady who presented with profuse vaginal discharge and was clinically misdiagnosed as endometrial carcinoma.

Fulltext Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis with cholestanolaemia--involvement of five individuals in a Malay family

Othman NH, Rahman SA

Med J Malaysia, 1990 Dec;45(4):275-80.

PMID: 2152046

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), a rare inherited lipid storage disease is due to a defect in bile acid metabolism. Involvement of five members of a family is presented. The clinical features, laboratory and pathologic findings are discussed. Tendinous and tuberous xanthomatosis, bilateral cataracts, cerebral impairment and raised serum cholestanol are the salient features. We believe this is the first report of CTX in Malaysia.

The journey of Malaysian external quality assurance program for general diagnostic histopathology

Ch'ng ES, Othman NH

Malays J Pathol, 2021 Apr;43(1):19-23.

PMID: 33903301

International Academy of Pathology, Malaysian Division has initiated and run the external quality assurance program for general diagnostic histopathology since the year 2017. This article introduces the educational philosophy of this external quality assurance program and the technicalities in running such a national program. Challenges in ensuring the successful running of this program to gain wide acceptance by histopathology laboratories in Malaysia as well as experience in overcoming these challenges are detailed. This article charts the future direction of this external quality assurance program.

Fulltext Correlation of Nuclear Morphometry and AgNOR Score with Radiation Response in Squamous Cell Cancers of the Head and Neck: A Preliminary Study

Biswal BM, Othman NH

Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jul;17(3):19-26.

PMID: 22135545 MyJurnal

Prediction of radiation response before the completion of the radiotherapy schedule is challenging. Information about radiation response could help oncologist to choose the appropriate combination and sequence of therapies in the multidisciplinary management of cancer.

Self-collection tools for routine cervical cancer screening: a review

Othman NH, Mohamad Zaki FH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(20):8563-9.

PMID: 25374168

Sub-optimal participation is a major problem with cervical cancer screening in developing countries which have no organized national screening program. There are various notable factors such as 'embarrassment', 'discomfort' and 'no time' cited by women as they are often also the bread winners for the family. Implementation of self-sampling methods may increase their participation. The aim of this article was to provide a survey of various types of self-sampling tools which are commonly used in collection of cervical cells. We reviewed currently available self-sampling devices and collated the advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of its acceptance and its accuracy in giving desired results. In general, regardless of which device is used, self-sampling for cervical scrapings is highly acceptable to women in most of the studies cited.

Fulltext Obstetric and birth outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy: A hospital-based study

Othman NH, Ab Rahman AF

Ann Indian Acad Neurol, 2013 Oct;16(4):534-7.

PMID: 24339574 DOI: 10.4103/0972-2327.120458

In addition to changes in seizure frequency, pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) are at increased risk of complications during pregnancy or delivery. In the absence of a nationwide WWE registry, hospital-based studies may provide important information regarding current management and outcomes in these patients.

Fulltext Recurrent glossal leiomyoma

Idayu MY, Irfan M, Othman NH

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Jun;67(3):329-30.

PMID: 23082428 MyJurnal

Oral leiomyomas are rare benign tumour of smooth muscle. The first case of oral leiomyoma was reported by Blanc in 1884 and since then more cases has been published following advancement in immunohistochemical study. This tumour has an excellent prognosis and recurrences are extremely rare. We report a case of a recurrent glossal leiomyoma in a patient with HIV infection and the lesion recurred one year after the first excision.

Fulltext The inference of breast cancer metastasis through gene regulatory networks

Ahmad FK, Deris S, Othman NH

J Biomed Inform, 2012 Apr;45(2):350-62.

PMID: 22179053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2011.11.015

Understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation during breast cancer is one of the most difficult problems among oncologists because this regulation is likely comprised of complex genetic interactions. Given this complexity, a computational study using the Bayesian network technique has been employed to construct a gene regulatory network from microarray data. Although the Bayesian network has been notified as a prominent method to infer gene regulatory processes, learning the Bayesian network structure is NP hard and computationally intricate. Therefore, we propose a novel inference method based on low-order conditional independence that extends to the case of the Bayesian network to deal with a large number of genes and an insufficient sample size. This method has been evaluated and compared with full-order conditional independence and different prognostic indices on a publicly available breast cancer data set. Our results suggest that the low-order conditional independence method will be able to handle a large number of genes in a small sample size with the least mean square error. In addition, this proposed method performs significantly better than other methods, including the full-order conditional independence and the St. Gallen consensus criteria. The proposed method achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.79203, whereas the full-order conditional independence and the St. Gallen consensus criteria obtained 0.76438 and 0.73810, respectively. Furthermore, our empirical evaluation using the low-order conditional independence method has demonstrated a promising relationship between six gene regulators and two regulated genes and will be further investigated as potential breast cancer metastasis prognostic markers.

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 87 in total