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Fulltext Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome - a potential diagnostic and management dilemma for the surgeon

Kumar S, Talib A, Gul YA

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2005;1(1):61-65.

Occult mucosal prolapse syndrome, also known as the solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is uncommon. Due to its rarity, a misdiagnosis of rectal cancer is occasionally made as the clinical features may closely mimic those of rectal malignancy. We hereby report a case of SRUS in an elderly Malay gentleman who had primary symptoms of rectal bleeding with associated anaemia and anorectal pain. Even though the clinical features and specific investigations suggested the presence of rectal cancer, preoperative histological analysis failed to confirm this. In view of the intractable symptoms and rectal bleeding, a low anterior resection was performed. A detailed examination of the resected specimen intraoperatively, together with the histological report and awareness of this condition avoided the performance of an abdomino-perineal resection. Incidently coexisting malrotation of the sigmoid colon to the right side was discovered during surgery. This finding, which may be coincidental, has not been reported thus far in the medical literature. The patient's symptoms improved postoperatively with a subsequent uneventful recovery. A brief literature review supplements this case report.
Keywords: Mucosal prolapse syndrome, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, rectal cancer
Immunohistochemical expressions of p75, s100, PGP 9.5 and c-KIT in resected bowel of hirchsprung's disease and correlation with postoperative complication

Omar E, Adhwan F, Talib A, Zahari Z

Pathology, 2016 Feb;48 Suppl 1:S147.
PMID: 27772921 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2015.12.401
Fulltext Evaluation on physico-chemical properties of pink guava puree residue as bioresource

Mhd Abd Kader, K. A., Ab. Aziz, N., Aziz, A., Talib, A. T., Ahmad, N. H., Tan, C. P., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(101):125-131.
MyJurnal

Pink Guava Puree (PGP) factory produces tons of residues from its unit operation [refiner (R),
siever (S), and decanter (D)]. These residues represent a waste of nutrients and can contribute
to environmental problem. However, it can benefit related industries if the properties of the
residues are known. Thus, this research aims to determine the compositions of the residues
from PGP processing factory in order to evaluate possible value-added by-product and energy
sources. The residues from each unit operation were being tested for proximate composition,
dietary fibre components, pH value, emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsifying stability (ES),
carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and sugar analysis. The sugar content was analysed using High
Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-RI detector). Results showed that the residues
have good composition of carbohydrate (11.82–12.18%), and thus potential as carbon source
and can be a good substrate for fermentation. These residues may also benefit the food industry
as a good source of dietary fibre (18.63–29.86%). The pH value for these PGP residues is 4;
thus they were considered as acidic food by-product. The low pH value also contributed to the
low EA and ES value other than the low content of protein in the sample. C/N ratio for PGP
residue from R (46:1) is the lowest compared to the C/N ratio from S (84:1) and D (115:1). The
amount of sugars detected in the PGP residues in descending order were fructose > glucose >
sucrose.
Fulltext A survey of benthic assemblages of foraminifera in tropical coastal waters of pulau pinang, malaysia

Minhat FI, Yahya K, Talib A, Ahmad O

Trop Life Sci Res, 2013 Aug;24(1):35-43.
PMID: 24575240 MyJurnal

The distribution of benthic Foraminifera throughout the coastal waters of Taman Negara Pulau Pinang (Penang National Park), Malaysia was studied to assess the impact of various anthropogenic activities, such as fishing, ecotourism and floating cage culture. Samples were obtained at 200 m intervals within the subtidal zone, extending up to 1200 m offshore at Teluk Bahang, Teluk Aling, Teluk Ketapang and Pantai Acheh. The depth within coastal waters ranged between 1.5 m and 10.0 m, with predominantly muddy substrate at most stations. Water quality analysis showed little variation in micronutrient (nitrite, NO2; nitrate, NO3; ammonia, NH4 and orthophosphate, PO4) concentrations between sampling stations. Temperature (29.6±0.48°C), salinity (29.4±0.28 ppt), dissolved oxygen content (5.4±0.95 mg/l) and pH (8.5± 0.13) also showed little fluctuation between stations. A total of nine genera of foraminifera were identified in the study (i.e., Ammonia, Elphidium, Ammobaculites, Bigenerina, Quinqueloculina, Reopax, Globigerina, Textularia and Nonion). The distribution of benthic foraminifera was dominated by opportunistic groups that have a high tolerance to anthropogenic stressors. Ammonia had the highest frequency of occurrence (84.7%), followed by Bigenerina (50%), Ammobaculites (44.2%) and Elphidium (38.9%). The Ammonia-Elphidium Index (AEI) was used to describe the hypoxic condition of benthic communities at all sites. Teluk Bahang had the highest AEI value. The foraminiferal assemblages and distribution in Teluk Bahang, Teluk Aling, Teluk Ketapang and Pantai Acheh showed no correlation with physical or chemical environmental parameters.
Fulltext Invasive aspergillosis in paediatric oncology patients

Muda Z, Ibrahim H, Abdulrahman EJ, Menon BS, Zahari Z, Zaleha AM, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):415-6.
PMID: 19803305 MyJurnal

Invasive aspergillosis predominantly occurs in immunocompromised patients and is often resistant to different therapeutically strategies. However, mortality significantly increases if the central nervous system is affected. In this report we describe two cases of invasive aspergilosis, one with kidney involvement with a successful treatment while the other with pulmonary and cerebral involvement with a grave outcome.
Fulltext Infantile Progressive Hepatoencephalomyopathy with Combined OXPHOS Deficiency due to Mutations in the Mitochondrial Translation Elongation Factor Gene GFM1

Balasubramaniam S, Choy YS, Talib A, Norsiah MD, van den Heuvel LP, Rodenburg RJ

JIMD Rep, 2012;5:113-22.
PMID: 23430926 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2011_107

Mitochondrial disorders are a heterogeneous group of often multisystemic and early fatal diseases caused by defects in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. Given the complexity and intricacy of the OXPHOS system, it is not surprising that the underlying molecular defect remains unidentified in many patients with a mitochondrial disorder. Here, we report the clinical features and diagnostic workup leading to the elucidation of the genetic basis for a combined complex I and IV OXPHOS deficiency secondary to a mitochondrial translational defect in an infant who presented with rapidly progressive liver failure, encephalomyopathy, and severe refractory lactic acidemia. Sequencing of the GFM1 gene revealed two inherited novel, heterozygous mutations: a.539delG (p.Gly180AlafsX11) in exon 4 which resulted in a frameshift mutation, and a second c.688G > A (p.Gly230Ser) mutation in exon 5. This missense mutation is likely to be pathogenic since it affects an amino acid residue that is highly conserved across species and is absent from the dbSNP and 1,000 genomes databases. Review of literature and comparison were made with previously reported cases of this recently identified mitochondrial disorder encoded by a nuclear gene. Although limited in number, nuclear gene defects causing mitochondrial translation abnormalities represent a new, rapidly expanding field of mitochondrial medicine and should potentially be considered in the diagnostic investigation of infants with progressive hepatoencephalomyopathy and combined OXPHOS disorders.
Expression of beta-catenin, COX-2 and iNOS in colorectal cancer: relevance of COX-2 adn iNOS inhibitors for treatment in Malaysia

Hong SK, Gul YA, Ithnin H, Talib A, Seow HF

Asian J Surg, 2004 Jan;27(1):10-7.
PMID: 14719508

BACKGROUND: Promising new pharmacological agents and gene therapy targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) could modulate treatment of colorectal cancer in the future. The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression fo beta-catenin and teh presence of COX-2 and iNOS in colorectal cancer specimens in Malaysia. This is a useful prelude to future studies investigating interventions directed towards COX-2 adn iNOS.
METHODS: A cross-section study using retrospective data over a 2-year period (1999-2000) involved 101 archival, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of colorectal cancers that were surgically resected in a tertiary referral.
RESULTS: COX-2 production was detected in adjacent normal tissue in 34 sample (33.7%) and in tumour tissue in 60 samples (59.4%). More tumours expressed iNOS (82/101, 81.2%) than COX-2. No iNOS expression was detected in adjacent normal tissue. Intense beta-catenin immunoreactivity at the cell-to-cell border. Poorly differentiated tumours had significantly lower total beta-catenin (p = 0.009) and COX-2 scores (p = 0.031). No significant relationships were established between pathological stage and beta-catenin, COX-2 and iNOS scores.
CONCLUSIONS: the accumulation of beta-catenin does not seem to be sufficient to activate pathways that lead to increased COX-2 and iNOS expression. A high proportion of colorectal cancers were found to express COX-2 and a significant number produced iNOS, suggesting that their inhibitors may be potentially useful as chemotherapeutic agents in the management of colorectal cancer.
Novel heterozygous mutations in TALDO1 gene causing transaldolase deficiency and early infantile liver failure

Balasubramaniam S, Wamelink MM, Ngu LH, Talib A, Salomons GS, Jakobs C, et al.

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2011 Jan;52(1):113-6.
PMID: 21119539 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181f50388
Associated genetic polymorphisms and clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations - A systematic literature review

Abd Talib AKA, Tan SC, Jamal R, Azizan EA, Shaharir SS, Abdul Murad NA

Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):541-550.
PMID: 34305116

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and life-threatening autoimmune disease. Its prevalence and clinical manifestations are known to be particularly severe in the Asian populations. Although genetics is known to play an important role in SLE susceptibility and clinical manifestations, the specific polymorphisms associated with these phenotypes in Asia are unclear. Therefore, we aim to review the association of SLE genetic polymorphisms with lupus manifestations across Asian populations and their role in the pathogenesis of SLE.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, EBSCOHost, and Web of Science. We identified 22 casecontrol studies that matched our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information such as study characteristics, genetic polymorphisms associated with SLE, and organ manifestations was extracted and reported in this review.
RESULTS: In total, 30 polymorphisms in 16 genes were found to be associated with SLE among Asians. All included polymorphisms also reported associations with various SLE clinical features. The association of rs1234315 in TNFSF4 linking to SLE susceptibility (P=4.17x10-17 OR=1.45 95% CI=1.34-1.59) and musculoskeletal manifestation (P=3.35x10-9, OR=1.37, 95%CI= 1.23-1.51) might be the most potential biomarkers to differentiate SLE between Asian and other populations. In fact, these associated genetic variants were found in loci that were implicated in immune systems, signal transduction, gene expression that play important roles in SLE pathogenesis.
DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: This review summarized the potential correlation between 30 genetic polymorphisms associated with SLE and its clinical manifestations among Asians. More efforts in dissecting the functional implications and linkage disequilibrium of associated variants may be required to validate these findings.
Fulltext Co-breeding Association of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Relation to Location and Container Size

Hashim NA, Ahmad AH, Talib A, Athaillah F, Krishnan KT

Trop Life Sci Res, 2018 Mar;29(1):213-227.
PMID: 29644025 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2018.29.1.14

The occurrence of major outbreaks of dengue, and other vector borne diseases such as chikungunya and zika in tropical and subtropical regions has rendered control of the diseases a top-priority for many affected countries including Malaysia. Control of the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus through the reduction of breeding sites and the application of insecticides to kill immature forms and adults are the main control efforts to combat these diseases. The present study describes the association between Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in shared breeding sites. This study is important given that any measure taken against one species may affect the other. A yearlong larval survey was conducted in four dengue endemic areas of Penang Island. Sorenson's coefficient index indicated that no association between number of the immatures of the two species regardless of container size and study location. Therefore, the mean number Ae. albopictus immature was not decreased in the presence of Ae. aegypti in shared breeding container. However Ae. aegypti appeared to prefer breeding in habitats not occupied by Ae. albopictus, the two species sharing breeding sites only where available containers were limited. In control efforts, eliminating the preferred breeding containers for one species might not affect or reduce the population of the other species.
Fulltext Empty nano and micro-structured lipid carriers of virgin coconut oil for skin moisturisation

Noor NM, Khan AA, Hasham R, Talib A, Sarmidi MR, Aziz R, et al.

IET Nanobiotechnol, 2016 Aug;10(4):195-9.
PMID: 27463789 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2015.0041

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is the finest grade of coconut oil, rich in phenolic content, antioxidant activity and contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). In this work formulation, characterisation and penetration of VCO-solid lipid particles (VCO-SLP) have been studied. VCO-SLP were prepared using ultrasonication of molten stearic acid and VCO in an aqueous solution. The electron microscopy imaging revealed that VCO-SLP were solid and spherical in shape. Ultrasonication was performed at several power intensities which resulted in particle sizes of VCO-SLP ranged from 0.608 ± 0.002 µm to 44.265 ± 1.870 µm. The particle size was directly proportional to the applied power intensity of ultrasonication. The zeta potential values of the particles were from -43.2 ± 0.28 mV to -47.5 ± 0.42 mV showing good stability. The cumulative permeation for the smallest sized VCO-SLP (0.608 µm) was 3.83 ± 0.01 µg/cm(2) whereas for larger carriers it was reduced (3.59 ± 0.02 µg/cm(2)). It is concluded that SLP have the potential to be exploited as a micro/nano scale cosmeceutical carrying vehicle for improved dermal delivery of VCO.
HER2 testing by immunohistochemistry in breast cancer: A multicenter proficiency ring study

Md Pauzi SH, Masir N, Yahaya A, Mohammed F, Tizen Laim NMS, Mustangin M, et al.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 2021 10 22;64(4):677-682.
PMID: 34673585 DOI: 10.4103/IJPM.IJPM_983_20

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) over-expression in breast cancer is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and predicts response to targeted therapy. Accurate HER2 result is paramount for optimal patient management. However, routine HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing are subjected to intra- and inter-laboratory variability.
Objective: This study aims to determine inter-laboratory variation in HER2 IHC testing through a slide-exchange program between five main reference laboratories.
Method: A total of 20 breast carcinoma cases with different known HER2 expression and gene status were selected by the central laboratory in five testing rounds. Three unstained tissue sections from each case were sent to participating laboratories, which immunostained and interpreted the HER2 immunohistochemistry result. One of the stained slides was sent to one designated participating laboratory for evaluation. Results were analyzed by the central laboratory.
Results: A complete concordance was achieved in six IHC-positive and six IHC-negative cases, its gene status of which was confirmed by in-situ-hybridization (ISH) study. The discordant results were observed in six equivocal cases, one negative case and one positive case with a concordance rate of 50-88.3%. Interestingly, the negative discordant case actually displays tumor heterogeneity. Good inter-observer agreement was achieved for all participating laboratories (k = 0.713-1.0).
Conclusion: Standardization of HER2 testing method is important to achieve optimum inter-laboratory concordance. Discordant results were seen mainly in equivocal cases. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity may impact the final HER2 IHC scoring. The continuous quality evaluation is therefore paramount to achieve reliable HER2 results.

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