The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis has been well documented. We report two cases of juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis and correlated these cases with presence of HPV, p53 and c-erbB-2 proteins. The first case was a one-year-old male patient and the second a six-year-old female patient. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens were tested for the presence of HPV genome by the technique of in situ hybridisation using wide spectrum and type specific biotinylated probes while the immunohistochemical expression of p53 (D07, 1:50) and c-erbB-2 (DAKO A0485, 1:300) proteins were evaluated with commercially available antibodies. Histologically the tumours in both cases showed papillary configuration of squamous papilloma. The first case detected HPV type 6, HPV type 11 and p53 protein expression while the second case showed only HPV type 6. Both cases of HPV showed positive signals confined to the nuclei in the superficial squamous epithelium. The first case showed p53 positivity seen from the basal region up to one third of the epithelium of laryngeal papillomas and the subsequent recent repeat biopsy showed the positivity of p53 had extended throughout the upper layers of the epithelium. Expression of c-erbB-2 protein was not detected in both cases. These findings were similar as in other studies where follow-up of the cases was recommended since they tend to recur.
The reciprocal translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11) which gives rise to the Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome and BCR/ABL fusion gene, plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this study, we evaluated the role of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) in detecting the BCR/ABL rearrangement in CML patients. The sensitivity, specificity and detection rate of BCR/ABL gene using FISH, PCR and conventional cytogenetics (karyotyping) methods were also compared. 18 bone marrow samples of patients with clinically diagnosed CML and suspected of CML were collected. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values of FISH were altogether 100% while the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values for conventional cytogenetics (karyotyping) were 85%, 100% and 100% respectively. Convetional cytogenetics (karyotyping) detected an additional chromosomal aberration in addition to the Ph1 chromosome. In conclusion, FISH is a highly sensitive method in detecting the BCR/ABL gene. Conventional cytogenetics (karyotyping) remains an important investigation in the work up of suspected CML patients since there is a possibility of detecting chromosomal aberrations in addition to the Ph1 translocation. Therefore, conventional cytogenetics (karyotyping) and FISH are complementary techniques and their results should be interpreted together with clinical information.
In line with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia’s (USIM) tagline ‘Exploring Islamic Science, Spearheading Knowledge’, we embarked on a new paradigm of teaching by integrating naqli components into the microbiology and immunology curriculum. The main objective of this integration was to enhance students’ appreciation towards Islam and Science, so that they would become good Muslim doctors. The naqli components were delivered through various teaching and learning techniques such as lectures, seminars, and online assignments
Introduction: Children in pre-schools are at high risk of getting infections due to overcrowding, minimal awareness of basic hygiene and lack of immunity against microorganisms. Hand hygiene practice should be started at home where parents set good example, followed by formal education in pre- schools, primary and secondary school. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive program on hand hygiene practice in pre-schools. This paper presents the developmental aspects of the program material and the results of its evaluation process in a selected pre-school. Methods: Stage of development involved preparation of song, lyric, video clip, infographic and tablet application. The module was introduced during an intervention day called ‘Healthy Hands’ day. The acceptance of the module was evaluated before and after the intervention day. Evaluation was done by assessing pre-school children by face- to-face interview about knowledge on hand hygiene techniques and routine, such as before or after certain activities. Results: We managed to compose a song in three languages (Malay, English & Arabic), produced a video clip, an infographic and tablet application. A total of 227 children participated. Post intervention evaluation showed signif- icant (p