Browse publications by year: 1996

1. Spontaneous, extra-dural haematoma causing spinal cord compression

   Mustafa M, Subramanian N

   Int Orthop, 1996;20(6):383-4.

   PMID: 9049770

   Abstract

   We describe a patient with acute compression of the spinal cord by a spontaneous extra-dural haematoma. This rare condition is often misdiagnosed. We believe that an urgent MRI scan is indicated in patients presenting with progressive neurological deficit following spinal trauma. This allows the diagnosis of extra-dural haematoma to be made rapidly and for prompt decompression of the cord.

   MeSH terms: Aged; Female; Hematoma/complications*; Hematoma/diagnosis; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiography; Spinal Cord/pathology; Spinal Cord Compression/diagnosis; Spinal Cord Compression/etiology*
2. Nucleotide sequence of precore region of hepatitis B virus DNA in HBsAg-positive carriers in Malaysia

   Ton SH, Iskandar K, Noriah R, Thanaletchimy N

   Scand. J. Infect. Dis., 1996;28(6):543-8.

   PMID: 9060053

   Abstract

   As most published studies on precore mutants have been carried out on isolates from patients with liver diseases, and it is unclear whether HBsAg carriers with viraemia in the absence of HBeAg are also generally infected by such mutants, it was decided to sequence the precore region in some HBV-DNA isolated from HBsAg-positive carriers. Precore sequences of HBV-DNA from 43 HBsAg carriers in Malaysia were studied. Three HBV subtypes were identified according to the nucleotide sequence of the precore region. Most of the carriers were found to be infected by the subtype adr. Mutations were detected in the precore regions. The most common conserved mutation was a silent mutation involving conversion from T to C (CCT to CCC) at position 1858 at codon 15 (proline). It was found that 4/43 (9.3%) had a mutation at the penultimate codon where TGG was changed to TAG. All 4 isolates with the TAG mutation had nt T at position 1858. Of the 4 carriers who were infected by these mutant viruses, 2 were coinfected with the wild type, 1 was infected only by a variant with the mutation at position 1896, while another was infected by a variant with mutations at positions 1896 and 1899. Three of the 4 were anti-HBe positive while 1 was HBeAg positive. Alanine aminotransaminase activities in all 4 carriers were normal. This study therefore demonstrated that variants with stop codons at the penultimate codon could be found in asymptomatic carriers in Malaysia.

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Base Sequence; Carrier State/virology*; DNA Mutational Analysis; DNA, Viral/genetics*; DNA, Viral/isolation & purification; Female; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood; Hepatitis B virus/genetics*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation; Codon, Terminator
3. Fulltext Treating one's own ailments

   Ibrahim MI

   World Health Forum, 1996;17(4):409-10.

   PMID: 9060246

   Abstract

   A small survey in Peninsular Malaysia indicates a marked tendency among the general population to treat minor ailments by self-medication with over-the-counter drugs and/or traditional medicines. The use of over-the-counter drugs appears to be favoured for skin conditions, general health care, aches and pains, and problems affecting the eyes, ears, mouth, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. A doctor is usually consulted if self-medication fails.

   MeSH terms: Analgesics/therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use; Humans; Malaysia; Self Care*; Self Medication*
4. Complement C6 and C7 DNA polymorphisms analysed by PCR in seven ethnic groups and characterisation of the C6 MspI RFLP

   Fernie BA, Finlay A, Price D, Chan E, Orren A, Joysey VC, et al.

   Exp. Clin. Immunogenet., 1996;13(2):92-103.

   PMID: 9063701

   Abstract

   Five polymorphisms in the C6 and C7 genes have been investigated in seven ethnic groups. The allele frequencies are broadly similar in most groups except C7 M/N which is monomorphic in our group of Africans, and C6 MspI and C7 S367T where the allele frequencies in African and Cape Coloured subjects are very different from the other ethnic groups. There is very little allelic association except between C6 A/B and C6 MspI. Seventeen of the 32 possible haplotypes have been observed, suggesting that much recombination has taken place. We describe a new method for the investigation of the MspI RFLP located in intron 3 of C6 (approximately 3 kbp 3' from exon 3 and 1.5 kbp 5' from exon 4) and its molecular basis, together with an improved method for the isolation of DNA from stored serum.

   MeSH terms: Alleles; China/ethnology; Complement C6/genetics*; Complement C7/genetics*; DNA/isolation & purification*; Europe/ethnology; Gene Frequency/immunology; Haplotypes/immunology; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Polymorphism, Genetic*; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*; South Africa/ethnology; Spain/ethnology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Deoxyribonuclease HpaII/genetics*
5. Salt: an ineffective vehicle for iodine delivery to young children in rural Sarawak

   Foo LC, Zainab T, Nafikudin M, Letchuman GR

   Ann Endocrinol (Paris), 1996;57(6):470-5.

   PMID: 9084692

   Abstract

   The urinary iodine excretions of women (15-40 y) and young children (< or = 6 y) from two longhouse villages in the iodine-deficient district of Lubok Antu, Sarawak, were compared. One longhouse (Mengkak) was provided with freshly produced iodized salt every two months (one kg per family) while the other (Menjiling) was provided with iodized water via fortification of the village piped-water supply. Spot urines were collected for iodine determination at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the start of the study. Salt and water samples were collected at monthly intervals. Goiter assessment was performed on the women at the start and end of the one-year study. The mean iodine concentrations in the salt samples from Mengkak and Menjiling were, respectively, 47.1 +/- 9.7 mg/kg (n = 60) and 0.8 +/- 3.4 mg/kg (n = 60) while the mean iodine concentration in the water samples from Menjiling was 138.6 +/- 43.2 micrograms/L (n = 24); iodine could not be detected in the water samples from Mengkak. There were significant and sustained increases in median urinary iodine excretions of both women and young children in Menjiling; in Mengkak, however, significant and sustained increases in median urinary iodine excretions were observed only in women while the median urinary iodine excretions of children remained essentially unchanged throughout the study period. Goiter prevalences in the women were reduced in both longhouses. The above observations reveal the inadequacy of iodized salt as a vehicle for iodine delivery to young rural Sarawakian children and indicate the need for other means of delivering supplemental iodine to this age group in areas where salt iodization is the only strategy for IDD control. In contrast, iodization of village water supply by itself is adequate in delivering iodine uniformly to the whole community.

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Food, Fortified*; Goiter/epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Iodine/administration & dosage*; Iodine/pharmacology; Iodine/urine*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Rural Population; Water/administration & dosage*; Water/chemistry; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/administration & dosage*; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/pharmacology
6. Traditional diets and meal patterns in South Africa

   Labadarios D, Walker AR, Blaauw R, Walker BF

   World Rev Nutr Diet, 1996;79:70-108.

   PMID: 9111811

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Africa/ethnology; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet/standards*; Europe/ethnology; Female; Food Habits*; Humans; India/ethnology; Infant; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Population; Rural Health; Socioeconomic Factors; South Africa; Urban Health
7. Clonal diversity in single isolates of Malaysian Plasmodium falciparum

   Ang HH, Chan KL, Mak JW

   Med Trop (Mars), 1996;56(4):349-51.

   PMID: 9112620

   Abstract

   Six clones were derived from each of five isolates of Malaysian Plasmodium falciparum and characterized with regard to susceptibility to schizontocidal drugs, chloroquine, mefloquine, and quinine. The 5 isolates were found to be resistant to chloroquine and sensitive to mefloquine and quinine. Most of the clones displayed susceptibility patterns similar to those of their parent isolate, except ST9/D8 clone which became sensitive to chloroquine, C/C10 and ST148/A5 clones which became resistant to mefloquine and to quinine respectively. This diversity in susceptibility to schizontocidal drugs would likely have been overlooked by assessment of natural uncloned isolates against antimalarial drugs.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Antimalarials*; Clone Cells; Drug Resistance; Humans; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects*; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics*; Plasmodium falciparum/isolation & purification; Genetic Variation*
8. Purification and properties of two forms of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger

   Amirul AA, Khoo SL, Nazalan MN, Razip MS, Azizan MN

   Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1996;41(2):165-74.

   PMID: 9138312

   Abstract

   A. niger produced alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase and two forms of glucoamylase when grown in a liquid medium containing raw tapioca starch as the carbon source. The glucoamylases, which formed the dominant components of amylolytic activity manifested by the organism, were purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange and two cycles of gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzymes, designated GA1 and GA2, a raw starch digesting glucoamylase, were found to have molar masses of 74 and 96 kDa and isoelectric points of 3.8 and 3.95, respectively. The enzymes were found to have pH optimum of 4.2 and 4.5 for GA1 and GA2, respectively, and were both stable in a pH range of 3.5-9.0. Both enzymes were thermophilic in nature with temperature optimum of 60 and 65 degrees C, respectively, and were stable for 1 h at temperatures of up to 60 degrees C. The kinetic parameters Km and V showed that with both enzymes the branched substrates, starch and amylopectin, were more efficiently hydrolyzed compared to amylose. GA2, the more active of the two glucoamylases produced, was approximately six to thirteen times more active towards raw starches compared to GA1.

   MeSH terms: Amylopectin/metabolism; Amylose/metabolism; Aspergillus niger/enzymology*; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase/isolation & purification*; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase/metabolism*; Heating; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Isoelectric Focusing; Isoelectric Point; Kinetics; Starch/metabolism
9. Effect of heparin-surface-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses on the postoperative inflammation in an Asian population

   Lai YK, Fan RF

   J Cataract Refract Surg, 1996;22 Suppl 1:830-4.

   PMID: 9279680

   Abstract

   PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of heparin-surface-modified (HSM), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) with that of unmodified PMMA IOLs in reducing postoperative complications caused by inflammatory reactions after extracapsular cataract extraction in an Asian population.

   SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

   METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind study performed at two centers, 51 patients received an HSM PMMA lens and 48, an unmodified PMMA IOL. Cell and pigment deposits were evaluated by slitlamp at 1 to 6 days, 2 to 3 weeks, and 3 to 6 months postoperatively.

   RESULTS: Significantly more eyes with unmodified IOLs had inflammatory cell deposits than those with HSM IOLs at 3 to 6 months (P < .001) and 12 to 14 months (P = .018) postoperatively. The HSM group also had significantly fewer cell deposits per patient at these two follow-ups. Significantly more eyes in the non-HSM group had pigment deposits 3 to 6 months after surgery (P = .049). One year postoperatively, about 85% of patients in both groups had a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better.

   CONCLUSION: Heparin surface modification significantly reduced the inflammatory response to PMMA IOLs in an Asian population for at least 12 to 14 months.

   MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Asia, Southeastern; Cataract Extraction/adverse effects; Cell Adhesion; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heparin*; Humans; Lenses, Intraocular*; Male; Methylmethacrylates*; Middle Aged; Endophthalmitis/etiology; Endophthalmitis/pathology; Endophthalmitis/prevention & control*; Postoperative Complications/etiology; Postoperative Complications/pathology; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control*; Surface Properties; Visual Acuity
10. Salmonella serotypes isolated in Malaysia over the ten-year period 1983-1992

    Yasin RM, Jegathesan MM, Tiew CC

    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1996;9:1-5.

    PMID: 10050191

    Abstract

    From January 1983 to December 1992 a total of 20,874 salmonella were serotyped in the Bacteriology Division IMR, which showed an increase of 100% compared to the previous ten-years. There were 97 serotypes which belonged to 22 Kauffmann-white groups. Twenty two serotypes hitherto were seen in this study period. S. typhi was the commonest serotype isolated. Overall there was a rise in the isolation of non-typhoidal salmonella particularly S. enteritidis which increased by 760% and S. blockley which increased by 720%. However there is a drop in the isolation of S typhimurium by 223% and S. paratyphi B by 319%.
    Publication year=1996-1997

    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Population Surveillance; Salmonella/classification*; Salmonella Infections/microbiology*; Salmonella Infections/epidemiology*; Serotyping; Incidence
11. Prevalence of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions in elderly Malaysians

    Ali TB, Jalalluddin RL, Abdul Razak I, Zain RB

    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1996;9:24-7.

    PMID: 10050195

    Abstract

    A house to house survey on elderly subjects aged 60 years old and above was undertaken in a large district in Malaysia. A total of 486 subjects in randomly selected Enumeration Blocks were interviewed and examined. The prevalence of oral precancerous lesions was recorded at 3.3%, of which leukoplakia was the most common. When the ethnic distribution of these oral precancerous and cancerous (OPC) lesions was compared, 72% of those inflicted were Indians. Oral cancer was detected in two subjects (0.4%), both of whom were of Indian origin. Among subjects with OPC lesions, 4.2% were smokers, 12.7% were betelquid chewers, 11.8% had indulged in both habits, whilst one subject had not practised any of the oral habits of interest (0.4%). The findings suggest the occurrence of OPC lesions to be related to betelquid chewing.
    Publication year=1996-1997

    MeSH terms: Aged*; Aged, 80 and over; China/ethnology; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Oral Health; Precancerous Conditions/epidemiology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Prevalence
12. [Medical exchanges among China and Asiana countries]

    Chen H

    Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi, 1996;26(1):43-9.

    PMID: 11613284

    Abstract

    Among the issues of medical exchanges, medicaments are more often encountered than medical issues, based on ancient Chinese literatures, early in the Han-Jin Dynasties, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei had exchanges with China, also in Sui-Tang Dynasties. In the Song-Yuan Dynasties, ancient Singapore and the Philippines also incorporated in exchanges of medicament and goods. In the Ming-Qing dynasties, these 6 Asian countries had even more close contact with China, especially in trades and medical exchanges among the masses, carried out in a large scale thus, promoting the advent and development of TCM in Asiana Regions.

    MeSH terms: Asia; China; Commerce/history*; Pharmaceutical Preparations/history*; Humans; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; History, Early Modern 1451-1600; History, Modern 1601-
13. Asian student migration to Australia

    Shu J, Hawthorne L

    Int Migr, 1996;34(1):65-95.

    PMID: 12291796

    Abstract

    "This paper presents an overview of Asian student migration to Australia, together with an analysis of political and educational aspects of the overseas student programme. It focuses on some significant consequences of this flow for Australia. The characteristics of key student groups are contrasted to provide some perspective of the diversity of historical and cultural backgrounds, with the source countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and PRC [China] selected as case studies. Since the issue of PRC students in Australia has attracted considerable public attention and policy consideration, particular focus is placed on their experience." (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA)

    MeSH terms: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Australia; China; Culture*; Demography; Developing Countries; Education*; Emigration and Immigration*; Far East; Indonesia; Malaysia; Pacific Islands; Politics*; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Research; Students*; Transients and Migrants*; Developed Countries
14. The migration transition in Malaysia

    Lim LL

    Asian Pac Migr J, 1996;5(2-3):319-37.

    PMID: 12320775

    Abstract

    "Exploring the unique experience of migration transition in Malaysia, this paper identifies the turning points in relation to the level and nature of economic and labor market developments in Malaysia. Examining the development dynamics that mark the passage from exporting labor to depending on foreign labor, the paper concludes that such dynamics are influenced not only by economic but also sociocultural, demographic and policy factors. Several lessons from the Malaysian experience are drawn at the end to be utilized by other countries that still have to reach the turning points of the migration transition."

    MeSH terms: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Demography; Developing Countries; Economics*; Emigration and Immigration*; Employment*; Health Manpower*; Malaysia; Population; Population Dynamics; Transients and Migrants*
15. Country watch: South-East Asia

    Bagasao TM

    AIDS STD Health Promot Exch, 1996.

    PMID: 12347180

    MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*; Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Developing Countries; Disease; Human Rights*; Organizations*; Prejudice*; Research*; Social Problems; Virus Diseases; HIV Infections*
16. Financing old age in Southeast Asia: an overview

    Asher MG

    Nanyang Wenti Yenchiu, 1996.

    PMID: 12348604

    Abstract

    "The main purpose here is to provide an overview of the social security arrangements in selected Southeast Asian countries. Given the significant differences in these countries in the underlying philosophy, design and detailed provisions concerning social security arrangements, a country-by-country rather than a comparative approach is adopted." The countries analyzed are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

    MeSH terms: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Developing Countries; Economics; Financial Management; Financing, Government; Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore; Social Security*; Thailand
17. Tributyltin distribution in the coastal environment of Peninsular Malaysia

    Tong SL, Pang FY, Phang SM, Lai HC

    Environ Pollut, 1996;91(2):209-16.

    PMID: 15091442

    Abstract

    The occurrence of tributyltin (TBT) is reported in the coastal waters of a few selected sites in Peninsular Malaysia. Water, bivalves and sediment samples collected were analysed specifically for TBT using sensitive analytical methods which involved a solvent extraction procedure with appropriate clean-up followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric measurements. The levels of TBT in the seawater in unexposed areas were found in the range from <3.4 to 20 ng litre(-1) as compared to coastal areas with high boat and ship activities where TBT levels in seawater were generally above 30 ng litre(-1), with the highest level found at 281.8 ng litre(-1). TBT levels in the tissues of random cockle and soft-shell clam samples from local markets were found in the range from <0.5 to 3.7 ng g(-1) wet weight. The levels of TBT found in green mussel samples both from the market (23.5 ng g(-1) wet weight) and those from a mussel farm (14.2 ng g(-1) wet weight) indicate slight accumulation of TBT. In sediments, TBT levels were found ranging from <0.7 ng g(-1) dry weight in unexposed coastal sites to as high as 216.5 ng g(-1) dry weight for a site within a port area.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Graphite; Malaysia; Seawater; Ships; Solvents; Trialkyltin Compounds; Water; Cardiidae; Mya; Farms
18. Dermatoglyphic patterns in subtypes of schizophrenia

    Chary T, Varma S, Singh S, Zain A, Dharap A

    Eur. Psychiatry, 1996;11(1):12-5.

    PMID: 19698416 DOI: 10.1016/0924-9338(96)80453-6

    Abstract

    Dermatoglyphic patterns of fingers were studied in two hundred and fifty patients of various subtypes of schizophrenia and ninety normal control subjects. The difference between the males and female dermatoglyphic patterns in the schizophrenic and controls was found to be non significant. No difference was also found between the fingerprint patterns in patients of various subtypes of schizophrenia.
19. Hysteria revisited

    Mazumdar P, Najib M, Varma S

    Eur. Psychiatry, 1996;11(2):106.

    PMID: 19698433 DOI: 10.1016/0924-9338(96)84789-4
20. Unpredictable neuroleptics induced priapism: a case report

    Razali Salleh M, Mohamad H, Zainol J

    Eur. Psychiatry, 1996;11(8):419-20.

    PMID: 19698495 DOI: 10.1016/S0924-9338(97)82583-7