MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext The role of Hedgehog signalling pathway in human cancers development

Loh C. Y., Tang, T. F., Wong, W. F., Looi, Chung Yeng

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(102):22-22.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway serves as a major regulator in organ development, stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. This pathway is highly regulated and aberrant activation will promote tumorigenesis. Hh pathway notably Sonic Hedgehog pathway was reported to be upregulated and promote tumorigenesis in various human malignancies including colorectal, gastric, lung, prostate, and breast. This review was aimed to discuss the current understanding of Hh pathway activation in different types of human cancers and discuss the development of the therapeutic applications targeting Hh pathway. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the electronic research database PubMed Central (PMC) from 2014-2019. The search was limited to studies that are relevant to both Hh signalling pathway and human cancers. A total of 50 articles were selected and their references cited were searched and reviewed. Results: The results regarding the role of Hh signalling in pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer are controversial with some reporting tumor promoting activities whereas others tumor suppressive activity. Besides, results from other studies suggesting that Hh signalling pathway plays an oncogenic role by inducing tumor cells proliferation, promoting metastasis and maintaining cancer stem cells in human cancers such as lung, stomach, and breast. To date, Glasdegib (PF-04449913) is the only Hh targeting small molecule inhibitor being studied at FDA Phase 3 clinical trial. Identification of the right tumors and minimization of the side effects remain as the main obstacles in the development of Hh signalling inhibitors. Conclusion: In conclusion, advancement in our understanding of Hh pathway has provided us opportunity to develop novel therapeutic strategies to fight human cancers with activated Hh pathway but more studies need to be conducted to solve the controversial regarding the role of Hh pathway in certain cancers.
Fulltext The Prevalence of Anti-Aquaporin 4 Antibody in Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases Presented to a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia: Presentation and Prognosis

Abdullah S, Wong WF, Tan CT

Mult Scler Int, 2017;2017:1359761.
PMID: 28203460 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1359761

Background. There have been inconsistent reports on the prevalence and pathogenicity of anti-Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in patients presented with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IIDDs). Objective. To estimate the prevalence of anti-AQP4 antibody in patients with IIDDs presented to University Malaya Medical Centre in terms of patients' clinical and radiological presentations and prognoses. Methods. Retrospective data review of IIDDs patients presented from 2005 to 2015. Patients were classified into classical multiple sclerosis (CMS), opticospinal (OS) presentation, optic neuritis (ON), transverse myelitis (TM), brainstem syndrome (BS), and tumefactive MS. Anti-Aquaporin 4 antibody was tested using the Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IIFT) cell-based assay. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS version 20. Results. Anti-AQP4 antibody was detected in 53% of patients presented with IIDDs. CMS was more common in the seronegative group, 27/47 (57.45%; p < 0.001). Conversely, OS involvement was more common in the seropositive group, 26/53 (49.06%; p < 0.001). Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCLs) on MRI were also more common in the seropositive group, 29/40 (72.50%; p = 0.004). Only 2/40 (5.00%) had MRI evidence of patchy or multiple short-segment spinal cord lesions in the AQP4-positive group (p = 0.003). The relapse rate and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were also higher in the seropositive group (5.43 versus 3.17, p = 0.005; 4.07 versus 2.51, p = 0.006, resp.). Typical clinical presentations that defined NMO were also seen in the seronegative patients, but in a lower frequency. Conclusion. Our cohort of patients had a higher prevalence of seropositivity of anti-AQP4 antibody as compared to those in Western countries. This was also associated with a more typical presentation of opticospinal involvement with LESCLs on MRI, a higher rate of relapse, and EDSS.
Current advances of nanocellulose application in biomedical field

Leong MY, Kong YL, Harun MY, Looi CY, Wong WF

Carbohydr Res, 2023 Oct;532:108899.
PMID: 37478689 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2023.108899

Nanocellulose (NC) is a natural fiber that can be extracted in fibrils or crystals form from different natural sources, including plants, bacteria, and algae. In recent years, nanocellulose has emerged as a sustainable biomaterial for various medicinal applications including drug delivery systems, wound healing, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial treatment due to its biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and exceptional water holding capacity for cell immobilization. Many antimicrobial products can be produced due to the chemical functionality of nanocellulose, such disposable antibacterial smart masks for healthcare use. This article discusses comprehensively three types of nanocellulose: cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) in view of their structural and functional properties, extraction methods, and the distinctive biomedical applications based on the recently published work. On top of that, the biosafety profile and the future perspectives of nanocellulose-based biomaterials have been further discussed in this review.
Distinguishing features of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 febrile seizures in hospitalised children

Mahendran S, Ng BH, Lim HY, Zailanalhuddin NE, Chandran Y, Wong WF, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jul;79(4):408-413.
PMID: 39086337

INTRODUCTION: Febrile seizures in children can be associated with various underlying conditions, including COVID-19. Differentiating COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related febrile seizures is crucial for tailored patient management and for implementing appropriate infection control measures to prevent nosocomial transmission. This study aimed to describe the clinical features of children hospitalised for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 febrile seizures and to identify factors that differentiate between the two groups.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study involved children aged 6 months to 6 years who were hospitalised for febrile seizures in Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban (HTJS) from January 2021 to June 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the differences in demographics and clinical presentations. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 febrile seizures.
RESULTS: Of the 345 patients (median age 22 months, IQR 15- 32; 59.7% were males) included in the study, 130 (37.7%) tested positive for COVID-19, while 215 (62.3%) tested negative. There were no significant differences between both groups based on age, comorbidities, history of febrile seizures, seizure types, temperature on arrival, cough and rhinorrhoea. Multivariate analysis revealed that a family history of febrile seizures and leucocytosis were associated with increased odds of non-COVID-19 febrile seizures. In contrast, lymphopenia was associated with decreased odds.
CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation of COVID-19 and non- COVID-19 febrile seizures are remarkably similar, highlighting the importance of including COVID-19 screening in febrile seizures workup. Full blood count readings may be potentially useful for differentiating between these conditions.