Browse publications by year: 2000

  1. Effect of retinoic acid and palm oil carotenoids on oestrone sulphatase and oestradiol-17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines
    Ng JH, Nesaretnam K, Reimann K, Lai LC
    Int J Cancer, 2000 Oct 1;88(1):135-8.
    PMID: 10962451
    Oestrogen is important in the development of breast cancer. Oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers are associated with a better prognosis than oestrogen-receptor negative breast cancers since they are more responsive to hormonal treatment. Oestrone sulphate acts as a huge reservoir for oestrogens in the breast. It is converted to the potent oestrogen, oestradiol (E(2)) by the enzymes oestrone sulphatase and oestradiol-17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (E(2)DH). Retinoic acid and carotenoids have been shown to have chemopreventive activity against some cancers. The aim of our study was to determine and compare the effects of retinoic acid and palm oil carotenoids on growth of and oestrone sulphatase and E(2)DH activities in the oestrogen receptor positive, MCF-7 and oestrogen receptor negative, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Retinoic acid and carotenoids inhibited MCF-7 cell growth but had no effect on MDA-MB-231 cell growth. Both retinoic acid and carotenoids stimulated oestrone sulphatase activity in the MCF-7 cell line. E(1) to E(2) conversion was inhibited by 10(-7) M carotenoids but was stimulated at 10(-6) M in the MCF-7 cell line. Retinoic acid had no effect on E(1) to E(2) conversion at 10(-7) M but stimulated E(1) to E(2) conversion at 10(-6) M. Retinoic acid and carotenoids had no effect on E(2) to E(1) conversion in the MCF-7 cell line. Retinoic acid stimulated E(1) to E(2) conversion in the MDA-MB-231 cell line but had no effect on oestrone sulphatase activity or E(2) to E(1) conversion in this cell line. Both oestrone sulphatase and E(2)DH activity were not affected by carotenoids in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. In conclusion, retinoic acid and carotenoids may prevent the development of hormone-dependent breast cancers since they inhibit the growth of the MCF-7 cell line.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Breast Neoplasms/enzymology*; Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Carotenoids/pharmacology*; Cell Division/drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estradiol Dehydrogenases/metabolism*; Female; Humans; Plant Oils/pharmacology*; Receptors, Estrogen/physiology; Sulfatases/metabolism*; Tretinoin/pharmacology; Tumor Cells, Cultured
  2. Malaysia culls pigs as Nipah virus strikes again
    Ahmad K
    Lancet, 2000 Jul 15;356(9225):230.
    PMID: 10963210
    MeSH terms: Abattoirs*; Agriculture*; Animals; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control; Humans; Malaysia; Occupational Diseases/prevention & control; Occupational Diseases/virology*; Swine; Swine Diseases/virology*; Zoonoses/transmission; Paramyxovirinae*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control; Paramyxoviridae Infections/transmission*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/veterinary
  3. Efficacy and safety of single versus multiple daily doses of glibenclamide in type 2 diabetes mellitus
    Wan Mohamad WB, Tun Fizi A, Ismail RB, Mafauzy M
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2000 Aug;49(2-3):93-9.
    PMID: 10963819 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8227(00)00138-8
    Although long acting, glibenclamide is frequently given in split doses for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This may discourage compliance. It is thus appropriate to consider dosing it less frequently. We therefore studied glibenclamide effects when used once daily and when used in split doses. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of using once daily dosing as a regimen of choice. We measured plasma glucose, insulin, glibenclamide, lipids, HbAl and body mass index associated with the regimens. We also compared the number of hypoglycemic episodes occurring with them. Thirty type 2 diabetics on multiple daily glibenclamide were enrolled. Their regimens were changed over to once daily. Blood for glucose, insulin, lipids, HbAl and glibenclamide and body weight measurements were determined before and after the crossover period. We found no major difference in the sugar and insulin profiles with the two regimens. Fasting total cholesterol and triglyceride were also similar and so were plasma glibenclamide. The HbAl levels and body mass index and number of minor and major hypoglycemic episodes and hospital admissions for hypoglycemia also did not differ. We conclude that single daily dosing of glibenclamide was equivalent to multiple daily dose regimens. It can be used to an advantage to improve patient's compliance.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Body Weight; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Drug Administration Schedule; Feasibility Studies; Female; Glyburide/adverse effects; Glyburide/blood; Glyburide/therapeutic use*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis; Humans; Hypoglycemia/chemically induced; Hypoglycemia/epidemiology; Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents/blood; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin/blood; Male; Middle Aged; Safety; Body Mass Index; Cross-Over Studies
  4. Homeostasis model assessment in a population with mixed ethnicity: the 1992 Singapore National Health Survey
    Tai ES, Lim SC, Chew SK, Tan BY, Tan CE
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2000 Aug;49(2-3):159-68.
    PMID: 10963828 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8227(00)00152-2
    We studied insulin resistance and beta-cell function with reference to ethnic group, glucose tolerance and other coronary artery disease risk factors in a cross section of the Singapore population which comprises Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians. 3568 individuals aged 18-69 were examined. Blood pressure, anthropometric data, blood lipids, glucose and insulin were assayed in the fasting state. Glucose and serum insulin were measured 2 h after an oral glucose challenge. Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were calculated using homeostasis model assessment. Asian Indians had higher insulin resistance than Chinese or Malays. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) were associated with greater insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell function compared to normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Insulin resistance was positively correlated with blood pressure in women and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride in both men and women. It was negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol and LDL/apolipoprotein B ratio. beta-cell function showed no significant correlations with the cardiovascular risk factors studied. It appears that both impaired beta-cell function and insulin resistance are important for the development of hyperglycemia whereas insulin resistance alone seems more important in the development of coronary artery disease as it correlates with several known coronary artery disease risk factors.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Blood Pressure; China/ethnology; Coronary Disease/epidemiology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology; Ethnic Groups*; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Health Surveys*; Humans; India/ethnology; Insulin Resistance*; Islets of Langerhans/physiology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Sex Characteristics; Singapore; Glucose Intolerance/epidemiology; Continental Population Groups
  5. Anterior uveal and episcleral metastases from carcinoma of the breast
    Reddy SC, Madhavan M, Mutum SS
    Ophthalmologica, 2000 Sep-Oct;214(5):368-72.
    PMID: 10965254 DOI: 10.1159/000027523
    Breast carcinoma is the most common primary tumor producing intraocular metastasis. Metastases to the iris and ciliary body are relatively rare. The authors report a case of a 61-year-old lady, operated for carcinoma of the left breast 3 years back, who presented with symptoms and signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma in the right eye. A diffuse whitish plaque-like mass in the upper nasal quadrant of the iris with an episcleral nodule on the limbus in the corresponding area and all the signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma were present in the right eye. Intraocular pressure was controlled medically. Fine-needle aspiration cytology from the episcleral nodule showed malignant cells. Histopathology of the excised nodule showed metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma, and the cellular pattern was similar to the carcinoma of the breast. There was no other metastasis anywhere in the body. Fine-needle aspiration cytology from an external lesion of the eye is a less invasive and easier procedure than paracentesis to diagnose the metastatic nature of the lesions. The rare features in our case are the clinical presentation as acute glaucoma and the ocular structures being the first and only site of metastasis.
    MeSH terms: Biopsy, Needle; Breast Neoplasms/complications; Breast Neoplasms/pathology*; Breast Neoplasms/therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Eye Neoplasms/complications; Eye Neoplasms/pathology; Eye Neoplasms/secondary; Eye Neoplasms/therapy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Uveal Neoplasms/complications; Uveal Neoplasms/pathology; Uveal Neoplasms/secondary*; Uveal Neoplasms/therapy; Scleral Diseases/complications; Scleral Diseases/pathology*; Scleral Diseases/therapy; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure/etiology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/complications; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/secondary*; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/therapy
  6. Rates of hospital admissions for primary angle closure glaucoma among Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore
    Wong TY, Foster PJ, Seah SK, Chew PT
    Br J Ophthalmol, 2000 Sep;84(9):990-2.
    PMID: 10966951
    AIM: To estimate the rates of hospital admissions for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore

    METHODS: A population-wide hospital discharge database in Singapore was used to identify all hospital admissions with a primary discharge diagnosis of PACG (International Classification of Disease-CM code: 365.2). The Singapore census was used for denominator data.

    RESULTS: Between 1993 and 1997 there were 894 hospital admissions for PACG. The mean annual rate of PACG admissions was 11.1 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval (CI), 10.4, 11.8) among people aged 30 years and over. The annual rate was highest for Chinese (age and sex adjusted rate: 12.2 per 100 000), which was twice that of Malays (6.0 per 100 000) and Indians (6.3 per 100 000). Females had two times higher rates than males in all three races (age adjusted relative risk: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.7, 2.3).

    CONCLUSION: Malay and Indian people had identical rates of hospital admissions for PACG, which were only half the rates compared with Chinese.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China/ethnology; Female; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Singapore/epidemiology; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure/ethnology*; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution
  7. Research note: HLA degenerate T-cell epitopes from Plasmodium falciparum liver stage-specific antigen 1 (LSA-1) are highly conserved in isolates from geographically distinct areas
    Ravichandran M, Doolan DL, Cox-Singh J, Hoffman SL, Singh B
    Parasite Immunol., 2000 Sep;22(9):469-73.
    PMID: 10972854
    Considerable effort is directed at the development of a malaria vaccine that elicits antigen-specific T-cell responses against pre-erythrocytic antigens of Plasmodium falciparum. Genetic restriction of host T-cell responses and polymorphism of target epitopes on parasite antigens pose obstacles to the development of such a vaccine. Liver stage-specific antigen-1 (LSA-1) is a prime candidate vaccine antigen and five T-cell epitopes that are degenerately restricted by HLA molecules common in most populations have been identified on LSA-1. To define the extent of polymorphism within these T-cell epitopes, the N-terminal non-repetitive region of the LSA-1 gene from Malaysian P. falciparum field isolates was sequenced and compared with data of isolates from Brazil, Kenya and Papua New Guinea. Three of the T-cell epitopes were completely conserved while the remaining two were highly conserved in the isolates examined. Our findings underscore the potential of including these HLA-degenerate T-cell epitopes of LSA-1 in a subunit vaccine.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan/genetics*; Antigens, Protozoan/immunology; Base Sequence; HLA Antigens/immunology*; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Plasmodium falciparum/immunology*; Plasmodium falciparum/isolation & purification; Polymorphism, Genetic; Malaria, Falciparum/immunology; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology; Conserved Sequence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Malaria Vaccines; Epitope Mapping; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics*; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology*
  8. Evaluation of a capture screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for combined determination of immunoglobulin M and G antibodies produced during Dengue infection
    Kit Lam S, Lan Ew C, Mitchell JL, Cuzzubbo AJ, Devine PL
    Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 2000 Sep;7(5):850-2.
    PMID: 10973469
    A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (PanBio Dengue Screening ELISA) that utilized both immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG capture in the same microtiter well for the diagnosis of dengue infection was evaluated. Sensitivity in primary and secondary dengue was 95%, while specificity was 94%.
    MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Antibodies, Viral/immunology; Dengue/blood; Dengue/diagnosis*; Dengue/immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Immunoglobulin G/blood*; Immunoglobulin G/immunology; Immunoglobulin M/blood*; Immunoglobulin M/immunology; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity
  9. Antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi and spotted fever group rickettsiae among febrile patients in rural areas of Malaysia
    Tay ST, Ho TM, Rohani MY, Devi S
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2000 9 7;94(3):280-4.
    PMID: 10974999
    A serosurvey was conducted in 1995-97 among 1596 febrile patients from 8 health centres in Malaysia for antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT), Rickettsia typhi (RT) and TT118 spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) by using an indirect immunoperoxidase assay. A total of 51.4% patients had antibody against at least 1 of those rickettsiae. Antibody to SFGR was most prevalent (42.5%), followed by RT (28.1%) and OT (24.9%). The seroprevalences of antibodies to SFGR, RT or OT alone were 12.4, 3.6 and 4.3%, respectively. Antibodies against more than 1 species of rickettsiae were presence in 31.1% of the patients, suggesting the possibility of co-infection, previous exposures or serological cross-reactivities. Seroprevalence of the various rickettsiae varied according to locality, with SFGR antibodies being the most prevalent in most areas. There was no significant association of prevalence of rickettsial antibody with gender. The seroprevalence of OT, SFGR and RT increased with patient age but an increase of antibody titre with age was not significant. Those working in the agricultural sectors had significantly higher seroprevalence of OT, SFGR and RT than those not related with agricultural activities. Scrub typhus remains a public health problem with an estimated annual attack rate of 18.5%. Tick typhus and murine typhus as shown in this serosurvey appear much more widespread than scrub typhus in this country.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis; Child; Female; Fever/microbiology; Fever/epidemiology; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Rickettsia Infections/diagnosis; Rickettsia Infections/immunology; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology*; Orientia tsutsugamushi/immunology*; Rickettsia typhi/immunology*; Rural Health/statistics & numerical data; Scrub Typhus/diagnosis; Scrub Typhus/immunology; Scrub Typhus/epidemiology*; Prevalence
  10. Prevalence of glucose intolerance among Malays in Brunei
    van Eekelen A, Stokvis-Brantsma H, Frölich M, Smelt AH, Stokvis H
    Diabetes Care, 2000 Sep;23(9):1435-6.
    PMID: 10977050
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Brunei/epidemiology; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Glucose Intolerance/epidemiology*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
  11. Four new clerodane diterpenoids from Callicarpa pentandra
    Xu J, Harrison LJ, Vittal JJ, Xu YJ, Goh SH
    J Nat Prod, 2000 Aug;63(8):1062-5.
    PMID: 10978198
    Leaf extracts of Callicarpa pentandra provided four new clerodane-type diterpenoids (1-4), of which 1, 2, and 4 have ring-A-contracted structures. Their structures and stereochemistry were established by spectral data interpretation, and for 3 also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Diterpenes/isolation & purification*; Diterpenes/chemistry; Malaysia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Phytotherapy; Medicine, Traditional; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Optical Rotation; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Crystallography, X-Ray; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Lamiaceae/chemistry*
  12. Structure-activity relationship of polyisoprenyl benzophenones from Garcinia pyrifera on the tubulin/microtubule system
    Roux D, Hadi HA, Thoret S, Guénard D, Thoison O, Païs M, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2000 Aug;63(8):1070-6.
    PMID: 10978200
    Microtubule disassembly inhibitory properties have been established for the known polyisoprenylated benzophenones xanthochymol (1a) and guttiferone E (1b). The compounds were isolated from the fruits of Garcinia pyrifera collected in Malaysia. A structure-activity relationship study, including natural and semisynthetic derivatives, delineated some structural features necessary for the interaction with tubulin within this compound class.
    MeSH terms: Benzophenones/pharmacology*; Benzophenones/chemistry; Butadienes/pharmacology*; Butadienes/chemistry; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fruit/chemistry*; Humans; KB Cells/drug effects; Malaysia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Microtubules/drug effects*; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Optical Rotation; Pentanes*; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tubulin/analysis; Tubulin/biosynthesis; Rosales/chemistry*; Hemiterpenes*
  13. Evaluation of semen collected by electroejaculation from captive lesser Malay chevrotain (Tragulus javanicus)
    Haron AW, Ming Y, Zainuddin ZZ
    J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 2000 Jun;31(2):164-7.
    PMID: 10982126
    Thirteen sexually mature captive male lesser Malay chevrotains (Tragulus javanicus) were each anesthetized twice with tiletamine-zolazepam for electroejaculation. Viable spermatozoa were collected from all animals. The semen was creamy, milky, pale yellowish, or watery. The mean values for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and percentages of sperm motility, normality and viability were 23.7 +/- 2.5 microl, 366.9 +/- 127.8 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, 40.0% +/- 3.1%, 71.4% +/- 1.6%, and 59.6% +/- 2.1%, respectively. Semen pH was 7-8. No adverse effects of electroejaculation were noted. These are the first reported values for semen of lesser Malay chevrotain. Electroejaculation should be usable for routine semen collection in this species.
    MeSH terms: Anesthetics, Dissociative/administration & dosage; Animals; Animals, Zoo/physiology*; Benzodiazepines; Ejaculation; Electric Stimulation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Malaysia; Male; Ruminants/physiology*; Semen/physiology*; Sperm Count/veterinary; Sperm Motility; Tiletamine/administration & dosage; Anti-Anxiety Agents/administration & dosage; Zolazepam/administration & dosage
  14. Quaternized wood as sorbent for reactive dyes
    Low KS, Lee CK, Tan BF
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2000 Jun;87(3):233-45.
    PMID: 10982232
    Various species of local wood modified with N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)-trimethylammonium chloride showed sorption enhancement for hydrolyzed Reactive Blue 2 (HRB) compared to the untreated samples. The enthalpy of sorption of HRB on Simpoh (Dillenia suffruticosa) was found to be endothermic. Maximum sorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 250.0 mg/g. Under continuous flow conditions HRB could be successfully removed. Dye removal was a function of bed depth and flow rate. However, the bed depth service time model of Bohart and Adams was not applicable in the HRB-quaternized wood system. The modified wood was applied to a sample of industrial textile effluent, and it was found to be able to remove the color successfully under batch conditions.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption*; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/chemistry; Chromatography; Coloring Agents/chemistry*; Kinetics; Spectrophotometry; Temperature; Time Factors; Triazines/chemistry; Water Pollution, Chemical/prevention & control; Wood*
  15. Influence of sublethal exposure to abamectin on the biological performance of Neoseiulus longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
    Ibrahim YB, Yee TS
    J Econ Entomol, 2000 Aug;93(4):1085-9.
    PMID: 10985016
    Effects of sublethal exposure to abamectin on the biological performance of Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) were studied under ambient laboratory conditions of 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 80 +/- 15% RH with 24 h light. The red form of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, complex (Acari: Tetranychidae), was offered as prey. The LC50 obtained from the contact bioassay at 48 h after treatment was 0.015 ppm (AI). A big change in kill for a given variation in dosage for the regression slope probably indicated that abamectin was unlikely selective. Sublethal exposure to abamectin caused a reduction in survival with the female reaching 50% mortality by the sixth day and the male 4 d later. The mean preoviposition period was extended by almost 1 d, whereas the mean oviposition period was shortened by almost 5 d causing a reduction in the mean fecundity female-1 to almost half that of the untreated females. The net reproductive rate (Ro), the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and the finite rate of increase (lambda) of the treated females were markedly inferior. Treated males were seriously affected; the mean life span was almost half that of the untreated.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Assay; Female; Insecticides/pharmacology*; Ivermectin/analogs & derivatives*; Ivermectin/pharmacology; Male; Mites/drug effects*; Life Tables
  16. 2-(Nitromethylene)-1,3-dithietane
    Shanmuga Sundara Raj S, Surya Prakash Rao H, Sakthikumar L, Fun HK
    Acta Crystallogr C, 2000 Sep;56 (Pt 9):1113-4.
    PMID: 10986500
    In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(3)H(3)NO(2)S(2), the four-membered C(2)S(2) ring is planar, as is the whole molecule. The short intramolecular S.O distance of 2.687 (2) A shows the five-atom system to be conjugated. The molecules pack as a two-dimensional network in the (010) plane through short intermolecular S.O [2.900 (2) and 3.077 (2) A] interactions.
    MeSH terms: Bandages; Hydrogen Bonding
  17. Rating the quality of the family environment in different cultures
    Rey JM, Peng R, Morales-Blanquez C, Widyawati I, Peralta V, Walter G
    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2000 Sep;39(9):1168-74.
    PMID: 10986814 DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200009000-00017
    OBJECTIVE:
    To examine the extent to which clinicians from different cultures agree when rating the quality of a child's family environment and the effect of country, language, and training factors on these ratings.

    METHOD:
    Eighty-seven health professionals from Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Indonesia, the United States, Denmark, and Singapore rated 7 case vignettes using the Global Family Environment Scale. Half (54%) were psychiatrists. One quarter (26%) performed the ratings after attending a training session, the rest (n = 64, 74%) after reading a training manual.

    RESULTS:
    Overall, interrater agreement (intraclass r) was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.96). There were no significant differences in agreement according to country, language, training, or professional group, although there were country differences in the ratings given to 2 vignettes. The majority of raters found the description of the anchor points (86%), training manual (95%), and case vignettes (97%) clear.

    CONCLUSIONS:
    Clinicians from different cultures seem to be able to make global ratings of the quality of the family environment that are reliable and consistent when using case vignettes. This can be achieved with little training. Global ratings of the quality of the family environment may be a useful tool in mental health research and clinical work.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Australia; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Cultural Characteristics*; Denmark; Family*; Female; Humans; Indonesia; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Quality of Life*; Singapore; Spain; United States; Reproducibility of Results; Observer Variation
  18. In vivo effects of stress, ACTH and corticosterone on testicular 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase oxidative activity in rats and the possible mechanism of actions
    Nwe KH, Norhazlina AW, Hamid A, Morat PB, Khalid BA
    Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes, 2000;108(5):369-77.
    PMID: 10989957
    The effects of stress and corticosterone on testicular 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) oxidative activity have been controversial, whilst that of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) have not been investigated before. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo effects of stress due to injection and sham operation, ACTH and corticosterone on testicular and hepatic 11beta-HSD oxidative activity and plasma testosterone levels in normal and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats and their possible mechanism of actions. Adrenalectomy reduced both testicular 11beta-HSD oxidative activity and plasma testosterone levels. The effects of injection and sham operation significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels with decreased testicular 11beta-HSD oxidative activity and plasma testosterone levels in normal but not in ADX rats. Likewise. ACTH or corticosterone treatment for 7 days decreased both testicular 11beta-HSD oxidative activity in a dose dependent manner and plasma testosterone levels in normal rats; but the values in ADX rats remained unchanged. However, none of the above values were significantly lower than that of the ADX levels. Corticosterone seems to maintain testicular 11beta-HSD oxidative activity within the range between normal and ADX rats. These changes are not attributable to diurnal rhythms, as the time of sacrifice has been fixed between 8:30 and 10:30 am. In the liver, no significant change in 11beta-HSD oxidative activity was observed with sham operation, ACTH or corticosterone treatment; but adrenalectomy significantly decreased it. In conclusion, in the intact normal rats, stress, ACTH or corticosterone modulates testicular (but not hepatic) 11beta-HSD oxidative activity indirectly through the adrenal glands and the physiological level of corticosterone is ideal for normal reproductive functions.
    MeSH terms: Adrenalectomy; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/pharmacology*; Animals; Body Weight/drug effects; Corticosterone/pharmacology*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/metabolism*; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Stress, Psychological/enzymology*; Testis/enzymology*; Testosterone/blood; Rats, Wistar; 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; Rats
  19. Growth and anthraquinone production of Morinda elliptica cell suspension cultures in a stirred-tank bioreactor
    Abdullah MA, Ariff AB, Marziah M, Ali AM, Lajis NH
    J Agric Food Chem, 2000 Sep;48(9):4432-8.
    PMID: 10995375
    The effects of medium strategy, number of impellers, aeration mode, and mode of operation on Morinda elliptica cell suspension cultures in a stirred-tank bioreactor are described. A lower number of impellers and continuous aeration contributed toward high cell growth rate, whereas a higher number of impellers reduced cell growth rate, although not anthraquinone yield. The semicontinuous mode could indirectly imitate the larger scale version of production medium strategy and improved anthraquinone production even with 0. 012% (v/v) antifoam addition. Production medium promoted both growth (maximum dry cell weight of 24.6 g/L) and anthraquinone formation (maximum content of 19.5 mg/g of dry cell weight), without any necessity for antifoam addition. Cultures in production medium or with higher growth rate and anthraquinone production were less acidic than cultures in growth medium or with lower growth rate and anthraquinone production. Using the best operating variables, growth of M. elliptica cells (24.6 g/L) and anthraquinone yield (0.25 g/L) were 45% and 140%, respectively, lower than those using a shake flask culture after 12 days of cultivation.
    MeSH terms: Anthraquinones/metabolism*; Plants/metabolism*; Cell Culture Techniques; Bioreactors; Plant Cells
  20. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumour-promoting and cytotoxic activities of different plant part extracts of Garcinia atroviridis griff. ex T. anders
    Mackeen MM, Ali AM, Lajis NH, Kawazu K, Hassan Z, Amran M, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2000 Oct;72(3):395-402.
    PMID: 10996278
    Crude extracts (methanol) of various parts, viz. the leaves, fruits, roots, stem and trunk bark, of Garcinia atroviridis were screened for antimicrobial, cytotoxic, brine shrimp toxic, antitumour-promoting and antioxidant activities. The crude extracts exhibited predominantly antibacterial activity with the root extract showing the strongest inhibition against the test bacteria at a minimum inhibitory dose (MID) of 15.6 microg/disc. Although all the extracts failed to inhibit the growth of most of the test fungi, significant antifungal activity against Cladosporium herbarum was exhibited by most notably the fruit (MID: 100 microg), and the leaf (MID: 400 microg) extracts. None of the extracts were significantly cytotoxic, and lethal towards brine shrimps. The root, leaf, trunk and stem bark extracts (except for the fruits) showed strong antioxidant activity exceeding that of the standard antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol. Antitumour-promoting activity (>95% inhibition) was shown by the fruit, leaf, stem and trunk bark extracts.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Cell Line; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacology*; Toxicity Tests; Rosales/chemistry*; Decapoda (Crustacea)
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