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Lansium domesticum: skin and leaf extracts of this fruit tree interrupt the lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum, and are active towards a chloroquine-resistant strain of the parasite (T9) in vitro

Yapp DT, Yap SY

J Ethnopharmacol, 2003 Mar;85(1):145-50.
PMID: 12576213

Malaria remains a global problem in the light of chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. New compounds are needed for the development of novel antimalarial drugs. Seed, leaf, and fruit skin extracts of Lansium domesticum, a common fruit tree in South-East Asia, are used by indigenous tribes in Sabah, Malaysia for treating malaria. The skin and aqueous leaf extracts of the tree were found to reduce parasite populations of the drug sensitive strain (3D7) and the chloroquine-resistant strain (T9) of P. falciparum equally well. The skin extracts were also found to interrupt the lifecycle of the parasite. The data reported here indicate that extracts of L. domesticum are a potential source for compounds with activity towards chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum.
Particle size and metals concentrations of dust from a paint manufacturing plant

Huang SL, Yin CY, Yap SY

J Hazard Mater, 2010 Feb 15;174(1-3):839-42.
PMID: 19836131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.09.129

In this study, the particle size distribution and concentration of metallic elements of solvent- and water-based paint dust from bulk dust collected from dust-collecting hoppers were determined. The mean particle size diameter over a 12-week sampling period was determined using a particle size analyzer. The metals composition and concentration of the dust were determined via acid digestion technique followed by concentration analysis using inductively coupled plasma. The volume weighted mean particle diameters were found to be 0.941+/-0.016 and 8.185+/-0.201 microm for solvent- and water-based paint dust, respectively. The mean concentrations of metals in solvent-based paint dust were found to be 100+/-20.00 microg/g (arsenic), 1550+/-550.00 microg/g (copper), 15,680+/-11,780.00 microg/g (lead) and 30,460+/-10,580.00 microg/g (zinc) while the mean concentrations of metals in water-based paint dust were found to be 20.65+/-6.11 microg/g (arsenic), 9.14+/-14.65 microg/g (copper), 57.46+/-22.42 microg/g (lead) and 1660+/-1260 microg/g (zinc). Both paint dust types could be considered as hazardous since almost all of the dust particles were smaller than 10 microm. Particular emphasis on containment of solvent-based paint dust particles should be given since it was shown that they were very fine in size (<1 microm) and had high lead and zinc concentrations.
Association of dengue serotypes and its complications: a retrospective cohort study

Lau Q, Lee ZM, Shunmugarajoo A, Tan CY, Azmel A, Yap SY

Med J Malaysia, 2023 May;78(3):372-378.
PMID: 37271848

INTRODUCTION: Dengue fever is an arthropod-borne disease and has a wide clinical spectrum. It is hypothesised that dengue serotypes could be a possible factor for such phenomena and therefore be a possible predictor for the development of severe dengue.
METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was done to explore the association between dengue serotypes and the various complications. All patients who underwent dengue serotyping from 1st January to 31st December 2018 in Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital were selected. Serotypes were randomly done for admitted dengue patients. Notes were then retrieved for data collection. Secondary outcomes like length of stay and highest lactate level were also studied. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
RESULT: A total of 193 patient records were included in the analysis. Chi-square test for independence indicated that the proportion of dengue complications between male and female were significantly different (χ2(1) = 11.37, p = 0.001). Dengue serotype was not associated with the development of dengue complications, total number of dengue complications, length of admission, lactate level and survival among the serotypes. Results of the binary logistic regression showed that men have thrice the odds (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6 6.7) for developing dengue complications. One patient was found to be co-infected with serotype 2 and 3.
CONCLUSION: Our study did not reveal any association between the different dengue virus serotypes and its complications. Therefore, all dengue infection should be approached with equal meticulousness. There are possibilities that apart from serotype, dengue genotype and lineage would determine clinical outcome. However, more studies are required to study such associations.
Fulltext Medical record abstraction in a hospital with paper-based records: experience of early career psychiatrists in northern Borneo

Ahmad Shahabuddin F, Wah KY, Buji RI, Zulkafli NS, Lee SW, Soon HL, et al.

BJPsych Int, 2020 May;17(2):43-44.
PMID: 32558818 DOI: 10.1192/bji.2019.29

We used medical record abstraction to conduct research in a psychiatric hospital with paper-based medical records. The challenges we encountered included: the difficulty in retrieving files; the extensive effort and time needed to extract clinical information; the lack of a standardised documentation system of medical records; and the need for advanced computer literacy. To promote future research using electronic medical records, potential solutions include creating a registry of all patients receiving treatment, as well as equipping busy clinicians with computer skills.
Fulltext Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitutions and Psychological Determinants of Depression among University Students in Malaysia: A Pilot Study

Yap SY, Foo CN, Lim YM, Ng FL, Mohd-Sidik S, Tang PY, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 May 18;18(10).
PMID: 34069915 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105366

Depression is commonly observed in university students, who are a high risk group for developing psychiatric disorders during adulthood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its traditional Chinese medicine body constitutions and psychological determinants among university students in Malaysia. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted between 9 and 28 September 2020 among 80 university students in Malaysia. Participants completed online survey questionnaires, including the validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CMCQ), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) stress subscale, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), which assess depression, body constitution, dysfunctional attitude, stress, perceived stress, and self-esteem. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the associated risk factors for depression. The overall prevalence of depression among university students was 33.8%. The multiple regression analysis showed a significant relationship between depression and qi-stagnation constitution (B = 0.089, p = 0.011), balanced constitution (B = -0.077, p = 0.049), and self-esteem (B = -0.325, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that some traditional Chinese medicine body constitutions and self-esteem are significant risk factors affecting depression among university students. Identifying risk factors of depression is vital to aid in the early detection of depression among university students.
Fulltext Health Effects of Various Edible Vegetable Oil: An Umbrella Review

Voon PT, Ng CM, Ng YT, Wong YJ, Yap SY, Leong SL, et al.

Adv Nutr, 2024 Jul 23;15(9):100276.
PMID: 39053603 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100276

Vegetable oils, derived from diverse sources such as seeds, nuts, and some fruits, play a significant role in dietary health. However, the current evidence on the health effects of different types of vegetable oil consumption remains controversial. This umbrella review aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the health outcomes associated with various vegetable oils. A comprehensive literature search was performed up to 31 July, 2023 on 12 databases for studies examining the association of different vegetable oils with health outcomes in adults. Data was extracted independently by 2 authors, with evidence strength assessed using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation criteria. A total of 48 studies, including 206 meta-analyses, were included. Moderate to very low certainty evidence showed that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as canola oil, virgin olive oil, and rice bran oil are beneficial in reducing serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations. Conversely, low to very low certainty evidence suggests that oils high in saturated fats, such as coconut oil and palm oil, increase total cholesterol and LDL concentrations but also raise high-density lipoprotein concentrations. Very low certainty evidence showed the consumption of olive oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil could improve blood sugar control. Low certainty evidence showed olive oil consumption reduced risk of breast, digestive, and other cancers. Moderate to very low certainty evidence suggested that canola oil and sesame oil consumption reduced body weight. The consumption of vegetable oil appears to offer different health benefits, with summary estimates indicating beneficial effects on reducing lipid concentrations, especially with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated rich oils when consumed in recommended amounts. Future research should focus on long-term studies and comprehensive dietary assessments to better understand the health impacts of vegetable oils, providing a basis for informed dietary recommendations. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42021239210.
Fulltext Effects of proton pump inhibitor on the human gut microbiome profile in multi-ethnic groups in Singapore

Koo SH, Deng J, Ang DSW, Hsiang JC, Lee LS, Aazmi S, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2019 Oct;60(10):512-521.
PMID: 30488079 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018152

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of ethnicity, gender and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), omeprazole, on the human gut microbiome. PPIs are commonly used for the treatment of acid-related disorders. We hypothesised that PPI therapy might perturb microbial communities and alter the gut microbiome.
METHODS: Healthy subjects of Chinese (n = 12), Malay (n = 12) and Indian (n = 10) ancestry, aged 21-37 years, were enrolled. They provided a baseline stool sample (Day 1) and were then given a course of omeprazole at therapeutic dose (20 mg daily) for seven days. Stool samples were collected again on Day 7 and 14 (one week after stopping omeprazole). Microbial DNA was extracted from the stool samples, followed by polymerase chain reaction, library construction, 16S rRNA sequencing using Illumina MiSeq, and statistical and bioinformatics analyses.
RESULTS: The findings showed an increase in species richness (p = 0.018) after omeprazole consumption on Day 7, which reverted to baseline on Day 14. There were significant increases in the relative abundance of Streptococcus vestibularis (p = 0.0001) and Veillonella dispar (p = 0.0001) on Day 7, which diminished on Day 14. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Sutterella stercoricanis and Bacteroides denticanum were characteristic of Chinese, Malays and Indians, respectively. Lactobacillaceae and Bacteroides xylanisolvens were the signature taxa of male and female subjects, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated alterations in the gut microbiome following omeprazole treatment. This may explain the underlying pathology of increased risk of Clostridium difficile infections associated with omeprazole therapy.