Browse publications by year: 1994

  1. Thyroid metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report
    Jalaludin MA, Rajadurai P, Va R, Prasad U
    J Laryngol Otol, 1994 Oct;108(10):886-8.
    PMID: 7989842 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215100128415
    Anaplastic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastatic to the thyroid gland is rare. We report the first such case in a 54-year-old Malaysian Chinese woman. The correct diagnosis should be made so that thyroidectomy may be avoided and an appropriate chemoradiotherapeutic regimen instituted.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma/pathology; Carcinoma/secondary*; China/ethnology; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology*; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology; Thyroid Neoplasms/secondary*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  2. A polymorphic microsatellite marker from the tropical tree Dryobalanops lanceolata (Dipterocarpaceae)
    Terauchi R
    Jpn. J. Genet., 1994 Oct;69(5):567-76.
    PMID: 7999373
    Di-nucleotide microsatellites were isolated from a genomic library of a tropical tree species, Dryobalanops lanceolata, in Sarawak, for the purpose of using them as hypervariable genetic markers to study the pollen-mediated gene flow. Among 1600 recombinant clones, in total 20 clones gave positive signals when hybridized with oligonucleotides with the three different repeat motifs, GT, CA and CT. Estimations of abundance of (GT)n/(CA)n and (GA)n/(CT)n dinucleotide repeats in D. lanceolata genome revealed to be one in every 84 kb and 80 kb, respectively. Among six sequenced microsatellite loci, one was selected to synthesize PCR primers to amplify the microsatellite. PCR product size of the locus was variable among different individuals, which is attributed to the different number of di-nucleotide repeats. The same microsatellite genotype was detected in the trunk and canopy of a single large tree, indicating the utility of trunk tissue as the source of DNA for the population genetic study of tropical tree species, the canopy of which is usually difficult to approach.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; DNA, Satellite/genetics*; Genetic Markers; Molecular Sequence Data; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; Pollen/genetics; Polymorphism, Genetic*; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics*; Trees/genetics*; Genomic Library; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Plant Leaves; DNA, Plant/genetics; DNA, Plant/isolation & purification
  3. Hydrocarbons in seawater and sediment from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia
    Abdullah AR, Tahir NM, Wei LK
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1994 Oct;53(4):618-26.
    PMID: 8000192
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Gel; Hydrocarbons/analysis*; Hydrocarbons/toxicity; Malaysia; Methylene Chloride/chemistry; Reference Values; Seawater/analysis*; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Water Pollutants/analysis*
  4. Study on the Terpenoids of Zingiber ottensii
    Sirat HM
    Planta Med, 1994 Oct;60(5):497.
    PMID: 17236079
  5. Analysis of the D1S80 locus by amplified fragment length polymorphism technique in the Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore
    Chuah SY, Tan WF, Yap KH, Tai HE, Chow ST
    Forensic Sci Int, 1994 Oct 21;68(3):169-80.
    PMID: 7982636
    The distributions of the D1S80 alleles and genotypes in the Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore were determined by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AMP-FLP) analysis. The distributions of the observed genotypes for the three races conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The system was applied to 19 families whose paternity had been established by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. In all cases, Mendelian inheritance of the alleles at the D1S80 locus could be demonstrated. D1S80 typing on DNA recovered by differential extraction of forensic specimens which included vaginal swabs, urethral swabs and seminal stains yielded consistent results.
    MeSH terms: Alleles; Base Sequence; China/ethnology; Female; Forensic Medicine/methods; Genetics, Population*; Genotype; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics*; Semen/cytology; Singapore; Vagina/cytology; Polymerase Chain Reaction*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
  6. Thyroid function and pubertal development in malnutrition
    Ali O, Tan TT, Sakinah O, Khalid BA, Wu LL, Wan Nazaimoon WM, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1994 Nov;23(6):852-5.
    PMID: 7741498
    Thyroid function and pubertal development of aborigines (Orang Asli) and Malays at different socioeconomic strata were assessed among 1136 subjects aged 7 years and above. Anthropometric measurements, goitre and pubertal staging were done. Serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and growth hormone were measured using radioimmunoassays (RIA) and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by immunoradiometric assays (IRMA). It was found that serum T3 in children was significantly higher in Malays from rural areas, girls and children aged less than 13 years. However, in adults, T3 was significantly associated with anthropometric indices. On the contrary, serum T4 levels were higher among children from urban areas. In adults, serum T4 levels were significantly related to nutritional status and they increased according to the levels of social development, being lowest in remote areas and highest in urban areas. However, serum TSH levels were significantly higher in Orang Asli at all ages and among malnourished children. By using multiple regression, apart from age, gender and ethnicity, nutritional status was a significant predictor for T3 levels in children and adults. Presence of goitre was an important factor which determined the T4 levels in children and adults after controlling for other factors. It was also a predictor for TSH levels in children but not in adults. Fasting serum growth hormone (GH) levels were significantly higher among less privileged groups and decreased according to social development. Serum growth hormone was negatively correlated with anthropometric indices and had a significant association with malnutrition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Female; Goiter/ethnology; Goiter/physiopathology*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Nutrition Disorders/ethnology; Nutrition Disorders/physiopathology*; Nutritional Status; Puberty/ethnology; Puberty/physiology*; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Thyroid Gland/physiopathology*; Thyroid Hormones/blood*; Body Mass Index; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Oceanic Ancestry Group; Continental Population Groups
  7. Activated recombinant factor VII in the treatment of retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a patient with factor VIII inhibitor
    Ng SC
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1994 Nov;23(6):901-2.
    PMID: 7741509
    The management of haemorrhagic episodes in patients with factor VIII inhibitor is difficult and the outcome rather unpredictable. The use of an investigational drug, that is, activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) in a young non-haemophiliac patient with spontaneous occurrence of factor VIII inhibitor who presented with life-threatening retroperitoneal haemorrhage is reported. There was prompt achievement of haemostasis with rFVIIa after the patient had failed conventional therapy with factor IX and Autoplex. Two further episodes of retroperitoneal bleeding again responded promptly to rFVIIa therapy.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Factor VIII/antagonists & inhibitors*; Factor VIII/immunology; Hemorrhage/blood; Hemorrhage/etiology; Hemorrhage/therapy*; Humans; Male; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use; Retroperitoneal Space; Factor VIIa/therapeutic use*
  8. Congenital limb reduction defects: report of two cases
    Malik AS, Ram SP, Seng QB, Noor AR
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1994 Nov;23(6):914-6.
    PMID: 7741513
    We describe two Malay male term neonates with congenital limb reduction defects. The first neonate had hypodactyly of limbs associated with micrognathia, microstomia, glossopalatine ankylosis and congenital mitral stenosis. He developed gram-negative septicaemia and died on day 14 of life. The second neonate had tetraperomelia without any other associated congenital abnormality. He developed staphylococcal skin infection which was treated conservatively. Very few cases of congenital limb reduction defects have been reported in the Asian population and we are not aware of any other reports describing Malay infants with the congenital abnormalities described in this report.
    MeSH terms: Abnormalities, Multiple/ethnology*; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Mitral Valve Stenosis/congenital; Syndrome; Tongue/abnormalities; Limb Deformities, Congenital*
  9. Plant biotechnologies in Pacific Rim developing countries: achievements, co-operation and prospects
    Sasson A
    Australas Biotechnol, 1994 Nov-Dec;4(6):333-6.
    PMID: 7765827
    MeSH terms: Agriculture/economics; Agriculture/trends; Agriculture/statistics & numerical data*; Biotechnology/economics; Biotechnology/trends; Biotechnology/statistics & numerical data*; China; Developing Countries*; Indonesia; International Cooperation; Malaysia; Philippines; Plants/chemistry*; Thailand; Vietnam
  10. Child health in Malaysia
    Ariffin W
    Arch Dis Child, 1994 Nov;71(5):452-6.
    PMID: 7826121
    MeSH terms: Child; Child Health Services/organization & administration*; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; Health Promotion/organization & administration; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia/epidemiology; Morbidity; Preventive Medicine; Quality of Health Care; Social Change
  11. Sediment trace metal concentrations from the mudflats of Kuala Juru and Kuala Muda of Malaysia
    Mat I, Maah MJ
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1994 Nov;53(5):740-6.
    PMID: 7833611
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Cadmium/analysis; Copper/analysis; Lead/analysis; Malaysia; Reference Values; Shellfish; Trace Elements/analysis*; Water Pollutants/analysis*; Zinc/analysis
  12. Fulltext Body mass index and illness in rural Sarawak
    Strickland SS, Ulijaszek SJ
    Eur J Clin Nutr, 1994 Nov;48 Suppl 3:S98-108; discussion S108-9.
    PMID: 7843165
    This paper reports findings of a cross-sectional anthropometric survey of 447 men and 564 women aged > 18 years of the Iban tribe in rural Sarawak. The percentage of each approximately 10 year cohort with body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) < 18.5 increased progressively with age > 40 years in both sexes. BMI and arm-muscle plus bone cross-sectional area (AMBA) were influenced significantly by reported single symptoms in men and two concurrent symptoms in women. Sensitivity of BMI < 18.5 for identifying those reporting symptoms of illness was 21% in men and 29% in women. Independently of illness effects, values of stature, BMI and AMBA in men, and stature alone in women, were significantly greater in those farming plots with the shortest time left fallow, suggesting their comparative success. The BMI of men may reflect primarily their economic activities, while that of women their experience of illness; the AMBA may also be a better overall index of health than BMI in this population.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Borneo/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Morbidity*; Occupations; Rural Health*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Nutrition Assessment; Body Mass Index*
  13. Effect of suturing on the mechanical properties of bovine pericardium--implications for cardiac valve bioprosthesis
    Lim KO, Cheong KC
    Med Eng Phys, 1994 Nov;16(6):526-30.
    PMID: 7858787
    In the fabrication of a bioprosthetic heart valve from bovine pericardial tissues, the tissues are subjected to suturing. The stress-strain response of sutured as well as unsutured strips of this tissue were examined. The stress-strain response was determined using a tensile-testing machine. It was found that suturing weakens the tissue in that sutured strips are more extensible, exhibit a lower stress at rupture and a lower final elastic modulus. In addition, it was also found that the bigger the suture/needle size used the greater the decrease in tissue strength. In all, tissue strength was observed to decrease by 22 to 59% in this study. The weakening of the tissue is attributed to the puncture holes created by the surgeon's needle which create regions of weakness. This response of bovine pericardial tissue to suturing should be given due consideration in the fabrication of a bioprosthetic heart valve using this tissue.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bioprosthesis/standards*; Cattle; Heart Valve Prosthesis/standards*; Male; Materials Testing; Pericardium/transplantation*; Stress, Mechanical; Suture Techniques*; Sutures/classification; Sutures/standards; Tensile Strength
  14. Suppressive effects of eugenol and ginger oil on arthritic rats
    Sharma JN, Srivastava KC, Gan EK
    Pharmacology, 1994 Nov;49(5):314-8.
    PMID: 7862743
    This study examined the effect of eugenol and ginger oil on severe chronic adjuvant arthritis in rats. Severe arthritis was induced in the right knee and right paw of male Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting 0.05 ml of a fine suspension of dead Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in liquid paraffin (5 mg/ml). Eugenol (33 mg/kg) and ginger oil (33 mg/kg), given orally for 26 days, caused a significant suppression of both paw and joint swelling. These findings suggest that eugenol and ginger oil have potent antiinflammatory and/or antirheumatic properties.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use*; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*; Arthritis, Experimental/etiology; Eugenol/therapeutic use*; Male; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spices*; Rats
  15. Amok
    Kon Y
    Br J Psychiatry, 1994 Nov;165(5):685-9.
    PMID: 7866687
    BACKGROUND: Amok is reviewed from a historical standpoint, tracing how it has changed from the Hindu states of India where it was a war tactic to the sudden incomprehensible violence and mass murder by a single individual associated with the syndrome today.

    METHOD: A typical amok attack is described and the criteria for amok discussed. Amok in Malaysia, New Guinea, Laos, North America and other countries are presented. The possible motives for such violent killings and a possible psychiatric diagnosis in relation to contemporary diagnostic criteria is discussed.

    CONCLUSION: Classification of amok remains unresolved. The reason for its frequency in and around Malaysia remains unknown.

    MeSH terms: Asia; Cross-Cultural Comparison*; Europe; Homicide/history*; Homicide/psychology; Humans; Malaysia; Medicine, Traditional/history*; North America; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval
  16. Effect of Mycoplasma gallinarum on embryonated village chicken eggs
    Shah-Majid M
    Res Vet Sci, 1994 Nov;57(3):390-2.
    PMID: 7871263
    The effect of Mycoplasma gallinarum isolated from village chickens on embryonated village chicken eggs was investigated. Seven-, 10-, 12- and 18-day-old embryos were inoculated with medium containing 10(6) colony forming units of M gallinarum or with uninfected medium and incubated at 37 degrees C until they hatched. There was no significant difference between the infected embryos which failed to hatch and those which hatched or between them and the group inoculated with medium only. A much higher percentage of the eggs inoculated as 18-day-old embryos hatched than of those inoculated at seven, 10 and 12 days old. The hatchability of the uninoculated village chicken eggs used in the four trials ranged from 60 to 100 per cent. Mycoplasmas were isolated from the oesophagus, trachea and yolk of the infected chicks and from the dead-in-shell embryos.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Chick Embryo/growth & development; Chick Embryo/microbiology*; Mycoplasma/pathogenicity*; Virulence
  17. Survey for drug-resistant trichostrongyle nematodes in ten commercial goat farms in west Malaysia
    Rahman WA
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 1994 Nov;26(4):235-8.
    PMID: 7900221
    The prevalence of drug-resistant parasites in goats in West Malaysia has rarely been reported. Ten commercial goat farms were surveyed for resistance to anthelminthics by measuring the reduction in faecal egg counts (FECs) after treatment with levamisole, pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole. Resistance to fenbendazole was seen in most farms; there was no evidence of resistance to levamisole but some resistance to pyrantel pamoate was detected on one farm. The significance of the findings are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Husbandry; Anthelmintics/pharmacology*; Drug Resistance; Goats/parasitology*; Haemonchus/drug effects; Malaysia; Oesophagostomum/drug effects; Trichostrongyloidea/drug effects*; Trichostrongyloidiasis/drug therapy; Trichostrongyloidiasis/parasitology; Trichostrongyloidiasis/veterinary; Trichostrongylus/drug effects; Goat Diseases/drug therapy; Goat Diseases/parasitology
  18. Cross-sectional study of the clinical and microbiological status of eyes of sheep during an infectious keratoconjunctivitis outbreak
    Fatimah CT, Mutalib AR, Majid MS
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 1994 Nov;26(4):247-50.
    PMID: 7900224
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacterial Infections/epidemiology; Bacterial Infections/veterinary*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Outbreaks/veterinary*; Female; Keratoconjunctivitis/epidemiology; Keratoconjunctivitis/veterinary*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Sheep; Sheep Diseases/epidemiology*
  19. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) in two Asian families
    Teh BT, Hii SI, David R, Parameswaran V, Grimmond S, Walters MK, et al.
    Hum Genet, 1994 Nov;94(5):468-72.
    PMID: 7959678 DOI: 10.1007/bf00211009
    Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), an autosomal dominant disease characterized by neoplasia of the parathyroid glands, anterior pituitary and endocrine pancreas, is rarely reported in Asian populations. The MEN1 gene, mapped to chromosome 11q13 but yet to be cloned, has been found to be homogeneous in Caucasian populations through linkage analysis. Here, two previously unreported Asian kindreds with MEN1 are described; linkage analysis using microsatellite polymorphic markers in the MEN1 region was carried out. The first kindred, of Mongolian-Chinese origin, is a multigeneration family with over 150 living members, eight of whom are affected to date. The second kindred is of Chinese origin consisting of four affected members. Linkage to chromosome 11q13 was confirmed in both kindreds, supporting evidence for genetic homogeneity. A recombination in the larger kindred localizes the gene distal to marker D11S956, consistent with its placement from previous studies. We also show that it is feasible to use these markers for predictive testing, as four gene carriers were detected in 13 family members with unknown disease status in the first kindred.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoid Tumor/genetics; Child; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms/genetics*; Female; Genetic Testing; Humans; Lod Score*; Malaysia; Male; Pedigree; Polymorphism, Genetic; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1/ethnology; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
  20. Ultrastructural studies of developing goat oocytes in vitro
    Rajikin MH, Yusoff M, Abdullah RB
    Theriogenology, 1994 Nov 01;42(6):1003-16.
    PMID: 16727604
    The structure and distribution of organelles within developing goat oocytes at various stages of incubation were studied. In oocytes with 5 or more layers of cumulus cells, at 0 h of incubation, the zona pellucida had developed although zonation was not evident. Lipid bodies were present but no mitochondria were observed. At 20 h, the zona pellucida had differentiated into thicker and thinner regions. Clusters of membrane-bound electron-transparent bodies were present in the perivitelline space. The mitochondria were fully developed, distributed evenly and usually in close proximity with dilated endoplasmic reticula. Cortical granules were distributed at the periphery. At 40 h of incubation, a number of mitochondria was hooded. In oocytes of 2 to 4 layers of cumulus cells at 0 h, the zona pellucida was penetrated by cumulus cell processes, and the mitochondria were not well developed. However, in 20-h incubated oocytes, fully developed mitochondria, many of which were hooded, could be observed. Clusters of membrane-bound electron-transparent bodies were also observed, while cortical granules were at the periphery. In cumulus-free oocytes, zonation within the zona pellucida was indistinct. Very few vesicles and lipid bodies were observed. At 20 h, mitochondria were sparsely distributed and were not well developed and lacked cristae. At 40 h, the zona pellucida was less compact, and the membrane-bound electron-transparent bodies were less numerous compared with those of the other groups. Endoplasmic reticula were not dilated, and cortical granules were few and had no definite pattern of distribution.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Electrons; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Female; Goats; Mitochondria; Oocytes; Zona Pellucida; Cumulus Cells; Lipid Droplets
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