MyMedR

This paper presents a two-staged, pilot-scale vertical flow engineered wetland-based septage treatment system (VFEWs), which was designed and constructed in Curtin University Sarawak Campus to determine the system efficiency in treatment of septage. The treatment system consists of storage tanks, vertical flow wetlands, and a network of influent and effluent distribution pipes. The first stage of the VFEWs treatment system consists of three vertical flow wetlands placed in parallel to provide pre-treatment to raw septage to reduce solids and organic matters mainly by physical filtration and sedimentation processes. The percolate from the first stage is then further treated in the second stage, with four vertical flow wetlands, each with variation in operational regime and substrate (filter) type. The influences of various system and application-related parameters such as substrate material, presence of plants and plant types, and septage feeding practices (solid loading rate (SLR), batch and intermittent loading, and frequency of daily feeding) on pollutant removal efficiency were studied. Results from the first stage wetlands indicate that the removal of total solids and organic matter (BOD and COD) from the raw septage is promising (> 80%) at both SLR of 100 kg TS/m2 .yr and 250 kg TS/m2 .yr, respectively. However, a higher SLR decreased the average NH3-N removal efficiency. The findings on bed clogging assessment during the study period are also presented in this paper. Validation and expansion of these results are carried out with ongoing assessments on the system performance.

Anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus from sheep in Malaysia

Pandey VS, Sivaraj S

Vet Parasitol, 1994 May;53(1-2):67-74.

PMID: 8091619

Albendazole, oxfendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole, closantel, ivermectin and febantel were administered to sheep on four farms and their efficacy assessed by faecal egg count reduction test. High level of resistance of Haemonchus contortus was found to benzimidazoles (albendazole, oxfendazole, fenbendazole) on all farms and to febantel on the one farm where it was tested. No resistance to closantel and levamisole was observed. Resistance to ivermectin was absent on the three farms examined under this study, but has been reported on the fourth farm in earlier work. It is concluded that anthelmintic resistance to benzimidazoles and the probenzimidazole, febantel, is a serious and widespread problem in H. contortus in sheep in Malaysia.

Isolation of an ivermectin-resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus from sheep in Malaysia

Sivaraj S, Pandey VS

Vet Rec, 1994 Sep 24;135(13):307-8.

PMID: 7817517

Fulltext Aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) of polyphenol oxidase from lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera) and its characterisation

Wong, C. W, Ding, K. Y., Anggraeni, V. S.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(6):1699-1706.

MyJurnal

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) root and partially
purified up to 11.51× with a 43.6% yield using aqueous two-phase separation system. The
optimum pH was at 8.0 for both substrates; 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol. PPO activities
were maximally achieved at 50°C for pyrogallol, and 20°C for 4-methylcatechol. 84% and 71%
loss of relative PPO activities were obtained for pyrogallol and 4-methylcatechol, respectively
following heat inactivation at 90°C for 40 min. Inactivation rate constant (k) values ranged
between 0.88 × 10-2 min-1 to 2.97 × 10-2 min-1 for pyrogallol, and 0.69 × 10-2 min-1 to 2.44 × 10-2min-1 for 4-methylcatechol. The activation energy (Ea) were 75.32 kJ mol-1 and 73.14 kJ mol-1
for pyrogallol and 4-methylcatechol, respectively. PPO activity was strongly inhibited (> 79%)
by ascorbic acid. SDS exhibited the greatest efficiency in activating lotus root PPO.

Fulltext Exotic food anaphylaxis and the broken heart: sago worm and takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Yew KL, Kok VS

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Oct;67(5):540-1.

PMID: 23770880 MyJurnal

There is increasing consumption of exotic food in Malaysia. Animals such as insects, worms and wild life animals also form part of the staple food of the local population. This practice may lead to more incidence of food allergy and anaphylaxis. We report a non-indigenous man who developed food anaphylaxis after consuming fried sago worms and consequently Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We postulate that certain food allergy and anaphylaxis could be another causative trigger for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

RBC-Y/MCV as a discriminant function for differentiating carriers of thalassaemia and HbE from iron deficiency

Nadarajan VS, Sthaneshwar P, Jayaranee S

Int J Lab Hematol, 2010 Apr;32(2):215-21.

PMID: 19566741 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553X.2009.01174.x

Individuals with alpha-thalassaemia (ATT), beta-thalassaemia (BTT) and HbE trait (HET) are often initially identified based on haematological parameters. However, the values of these parameters usually overlap with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). We evaluated the use of RBC-Y in 156 normal individuals and 332 patients; ATT (n = 37), BTT (n = 61), HET (n = 25), HbH disease (n = 5), ACD (n = 67), IDA (n = 83) and ACD with IDA (n = 54). Diagnostic efficiency was analysed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC). MCH was better compared with RBC-Y in discriminating normal from abnormal with sensitivity and specificity of 94% at a cut-off of 26 pg. The Green and King (G&K) index performed the best in discriminating carriers from IDA and ACD with area under the ROC curve (AUC(ROC)) of 0.81. However, if ACD was excluded, RBC-Y/MCV was a good discriminator for carriers from IDA with AUC(ROC) = 0.845. In general screening of populations with ATT, BTT and HET, we propose that hypochromic individuals be first identified by MCH <26 pg and carriers distinguished within these hypochromic individuals from IDA by using RBC-Y/MCV. However, if the prevalence of ACD were high within the screening population, G&K index would be a more suitable discriminator.

Two replacement names of the genus group of Micronoctuini and a new species of the genus Tentaxus Han & Kononenko from Sabah, East Malaysia (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Hypenodinae). Taxonomic study of Micronoctuini. Contribution I

Han HL, Kononenko VS

Zootaxa, 2017 Dec 05;4362(2):259-266.

PMID: 29245428 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4362.2.5

Two replacement names of the genus group in Micronoctuini (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Hypenodinae), Tentaxus nom. nov. pro Tentax Fibiger 2011 (unavailable name) and Flaxus nom. nov. pro Flax Fibiger 2011 (unavailable name) are proposed; 43 new conbinations (comb. nov.) are stated. A new species T. zhangweiweii Han & Kononenko, sp. nov. is described from Borneo (Sabah, East Malaysia).

Fulltext Prevalence of overweight/obesity among the medical students, Malaysia

Gopalakrishnan S, Ganeshkumar P, Prakash MVS, Christopher, Amalraj V

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Aug;67(4):442-4.

PMID: 23082463

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used in classifying overweight and obesity in adult populations and individuals.
OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted to screen the medical students of AIMST University for overweight/obesity using Body Mass Index(BMI) and to determine the prevalence among them.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 290 medical students using a pre-tested questionnaire and measured their Body Mass Index (BMI). Data obtained was analyzed statistically by calculating proportions.
RESULTS: Out of 290 students who participated in the study, 45.2% were males. In the study, 14.8% were found to be overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2); 13.7% of males and 15.7% of females. Pre-obese students (BMI 25-29kg/m2) accounted for 15.9% of the total (males 18.3% and females 13.8%). 5.2% were found to be obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2): males 9.2% and females 1.9%. Also 14.8% were found to be underweight (males 12.2% and females 17.0%). The study group consisted of 63.8% Indian, 32.4% Chinese and 3.8% Malay students.
CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the medical students of AIMST University is on the high, which is comparable to the findings of earlier studies conducted in Malaysia, reinforcing the need to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy food habits and a physically active daily routine, among the adolescents and youth of this country.

Multiple and multigeneric anthelmintic resistance on a sheep farm in Malaysia

Sivaraj S, Dorny P, Vercruysse J, Pandey VS

Vet Parasitol, 1994 Oct;55(1-2):159-65.

PMID: 7886917

The anthelmintic efficacy of benzimidazoles, levamisole, closantel, ivermectin and moxidectin was evaluated on an institutional farm in Malaysia using faecal egg count reduction tests, controlled slaughter trials and an in vitro egg hatch assay. The results of this study indicated simultaneous resistance of Haemonchus contortus against benzimidazoles and ivermectin and of Trichostrongylus colubriformis against benzimidazoles and levaminsole on the same farm. Moxidectin was effective against the ivermectin resistant H. contortus.

Myocardial infarction in a young Indian grandmultipara

Kannan P, Raman S, Ramani VS, Jeyamalar R

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1993 Nov;33(4):424-6.

PMID: 8179560

Fulltext Awareness, knowledge and views of off-label prescribing in children: a systematic review

Balan S, Hassali MA, Mak VS

Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2015 Dec;80(6):1269-80.

PMID: 26314841 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12750

AIM: The aim of this review was to provide an updated overview of awareness, knowledge and views of off-label prescribing in children.

METHOD: A literature search using electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, Proquest, Ebsco Host and Google Scholar was conducted. Additional articles were identified by reviewing the bibliography of retrieved articles. The articles were searched with any of the following medical subject headings (MeSH) terms in the title: attitude, awareness, knowledge, experience, view, off-label, pediatric, paediatric and children. The inclusion criteria were full text articles published in English between January 2004 and February 2015 and reported outcome related to awareness, knowledge and views regarding off-label prescribing in children. Editorials, reviews, notes, conference proceedings, letters and studies reporting prevalence of off-label prescribing were excluded. The articles were scrutinized using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Eleven studies conducted among doctors, community pharmacists, paediatric nurses, parents and children met the inclusion criteria. Nine themes were developed through document analysis which included main domains such as knowledge, awareness and views on off-label drug use in children, choice of information sources, reasons and suggestions to reduce off-label prescribing, concern regarding obtaining consent and participation in clinical trials.

CONCLUSION: The studies reviewed reported that the majority of doctors and community pharmacists were familiar with the term off-label prescribing but knowledge among parents was low. Awareness on off-label prescribing in children remains low among all study participants. There is a mismatch between views on off-label prescribing in children of study participants and the finding of previous studies.

Non-regulatory related factors leading to off-label prescribing in children: A concept map

Balan S, Hassali MA, Mak VSL

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2017 Nov;13(6):1219-1221.

PMID: 28576615 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.05.013

Challenges in pediatric drug use: A pharmacist point of view

Balan S, Hassali MA, Mak VSL

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2017 May-Jun;13(3):653-655.

PMID: 27493130 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.06.014

The pediatric population is an enormously diverse segment of population varying both in size and age. The diversity caused pharmacists face various challenges primarily related to procuring, provision as well as use of drugs in this group of patients. Pediatric dose calculation is particularly a concern for pharmacists. Another challenge faced by pharmacists is unavailability of suitable formulations for pediatric use. This has also led many pharmacists to prepare extemporaneous liquid preparations, even though stability data on such preparations are scarce. Some extemporaneous preparations contain excipients which are potentially harmful in children. Besides that, inadequate labeling and drug information for pediatric drug use had not only challenged pharmacists in recommending and optimizing drug use in children, but also inadvertently caused many drugs used outside the approved terms of the product license (off-label use). Pharmacists are striving to stay connected to overcome the common and comparable challenges faced in their day to day duties and strive to maximize the safe and effective use of medicines for children.

Fulltext Oesophageal food bolus impaction

Elango S, Palaniappan SP, Lingam VS, George L

Singapore Med J, 1990 Dec;31(6):624-6.

PMID: 2281364

Impaction of food usually occurs in patients having obstructive lesions of the oesophagus. The food bolus impaction normally occurs in patients older than 60 years of age. Though food bolus impaction in the oesophagus is not uncommon, food bolus in the oesophagus causing complete obstruction resulting in total dysphagia is rare. This is a case report of a woman who had complete obstruction of the oesophagus following impaction by a piece of meat. The various treatment modalities available for such a condition are discussed.

Prevalence and specificity of red-blood-cell antibodies in a multiethnic South and East Asian patient population and influence of using novel MUT+Mur+ kodecytes on its detection

Nadarajan VS, Laing AA, Saad SM, Usin M

Vox Sang, 2012 Jan;102(1):65-71.

PMID: 21592136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2011.01507.x

Appropriate screening for irregular red-cell antibodies is essential for ensuring transfusion compatibility and for antenatal management of mothers at risk of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn. Screening for all relevant antibodies is, however, limited by screening cells that do not express antigens present in the patient and donor population. Technology to artificially incorporate antigens into red cells is currently available and may be an option for customizing screening cells.

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