MyMedR

Fulltext The association of the HLA class II antigens with clinical and autoantibody expression in Malaysian Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Azizah MR, Ainoi SS, Kuak SH, Kong NCT, Normaznah Y, Rahim MN

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2001 Jun;19(2):93-100.

PMID: 11699726

The frequency of the HLA class II antigens/alleles (HLA-DR, DQ and DP) were studied in 70 Malaysian Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to examine the contribution of these genes to disease susceptibility, their clinical expression and Immunological responses. This was done using modified PCR-RFLP technique. These samples were then compared with 66 ethnically matched controls. We found a strong association of the DQA1*0102 (p corr = 0.032, rr = 3.39), DQB1*0501 (p corr = 0.003, rr = 4.55), *0601 (p corr = 0.006, rr = 4.22) and DPB1* 0901(p corr = 0.02, rr = 4.58) with SLE. Clinically, we found a strong association of DR2 and DQA1*0301 with renal involvement and DQA1*0102 with alopecia. Immunologically, statistical analysis (Chi-square test ) showed a strong association of DQA1*0102 with anti-Ro/La antibodies while DQA1*0301 was observed to be strongly associated with antibodies to ds DNA. DQA1*0102 was found more frequently in those with a later disease onset (30 years of age or above). From these data we suggest that the HLA class II genes play a role in conferring disease susceptibility and clinical and immunological expression.
Study site: SLE clinics, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fulltext Risk factors for hip fracture in Asian men and women: the Asian osteoporosis study

Lau EM, Suriwongpaisal P, Lee JK, Das De S, Festin MR, Saw SM, et al.

J. Bone Miner. Res., 2001 Mar;16(3):572-80.

PMID: 11277276 DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.2001.16.3.572

The objectives of the Asian Osteoporosis Study (AOS) were to determine risk factors for hip fracture in men and women in four Asian countries, that is, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. A total of 451 men and 725 women (aged 50 years and over) with hip fractures were compared with an equal number of community controls. A standardized questionnaire was administered by interview. The following relative risks (RRs) were found in women and men by multiple logistic regression: dietary calcium intake < 498 mg/day, 2.0 for women (95% CI, 1.5-2.8) and 1.5 for men (95% CI, 1.0-2.2); no load bearing activity in the immediate past, 2.0 for women (95% CI, 1.4-2.7) and 3.4 for men (95% CI, 2.3-5.1); no vigorous sport activities in young adulthood, 7.2 for women (95% CI, 4.0-13.0) and 2.4 for men (95% CI, 1.6-3.6); cigarette smoking, 1.5 for men (95% CI, 1.0-2.1); alcohol consumption 7 days a week, 2.9 for women (95% CI, 1.0-8.6) and 1.9 for men (95% CI, 1.1-3.2); fell twice or more in the last 12 months, 3.0 for women (95% CI, 1.8-4.8) and 3.4 for men (95% CI, 1.8-6.6); a history of fractures after 50 years of age, 1.8 for women (95% CI, 1.1-2.9) and 3.0 for men (95% CI, 1.6-5.6); a history of stroke, 3.8 for women (95% CI, 2.0-7.1) and 3.6 for men (95% CI, 1.8-7.1); use of sedatives, 2.5 for women (95% CI, 1.0-6.3) and 3.0 for men (95% CI, 1.0-9.7); and use of thyroid drugs, 7.1 for women (95% CI, 2.0-25.9) and 11.8 for men (95% CI, 1.3-106.0). Women who were 1.56 m or taller had an RR of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3-3.0) for hip fracture and men who were 1.69 m or taller had an RR of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.1) for hip fracture. Based on these findings, primary preventive programs for hip fracture could be planned in Asia.

Fulltext Gender differences in the clinical and serological features of systemic lupus erythematosus in Malaysian patients

Azizah MR, Ainol SS, Kong NCT, Normaznah Y, Rahim MN

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Sep;56(3):302-7.

PMID: 11732074

An analysis of the clinical and serological features of 12 male and 122 female patients with SLE was done to determine whether sex related differences exist. We found a lower incidence of mucocutaneous symptoms and arthritis but an increased incidence of discoid lesions, pleuritis and pericarditis in males at disease onset. During the disease course, there was a lower incidence of arthritis, a similar prevalence of mucocutaneous symptoms but an increased incidence of pleuritis in males with a trend towards renal involvement. These findings were however not statistically significant except for the higher incidence of thrombosis among males. Serologically, both groups showed similar frequencies of autoantibodies and hypocomplementaemia. Although the study was small, it was shown that several sex-related differences in the clinical and serological features exist in Malaysian SLE patients.
Study site: SLE Clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fulltext The effect of pesticide on the activity of serum cholinesterase and current perception threshold on the paddy farmers in the Muda agricultural development area, MADA, Kedah, Malaysia

Husin LS, Uttaman A, Hisham HJ, Hussain IHS, Jamil MRM

Med J Malaysia, 1999 Sep;54(3):320-4.

PMID: 11045057

The aim of this study was to find out the indicator as a marker of person who are exposed to pesticides (organophospate). Up to now the serum cholinesterase is used as a marker. This new method will not taking blood vein since this be the obstacle in conducting research in a rural area.

Fulltext Anticardiolipin antibody isotype profile in lupus nephritis--a cross sectional survey

Azizah MR, Loo CS, Zulkifli MN, Shahnaz M, Zaki M, Nasuruddin BA

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Sep;53(3):257-62.

PMID: 10968163

Thirty-six patients with lupus nephritis (LN) attending the Nephrology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur were studied for the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) isotypes (IgG and IgM) and other associated antibodies, antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-ds DNA antibody and to determine the possible association between serological and clinical parameters. The study population consisted of 20 (55.6%) Malays, 15 (41.7%) Chinese and 1 (2.8%) Indian with a mean age of 31.4 +/- 11.3 years, range 14 to 60 years. The female to male ratio was 11:1. The average time between diagnosis and blood sampling was 4.4 years (range 0.25 to 15 years). Increased ACA levels were found in 20 (55.6%) patients where raised IgG ACA and IgM ACA were observed in 20 (55.6%) and 2 (5.6%) cases respectively. ANA and anti-ds DNA antibodies were detected in 22 (61.1%) and 4 (11.1%) individuals respectively, with the majority (82%) showing a speckled pattern of nuclear staining. However, neither the IgM ACA nor IgG ACA showed any significant association with thrombosis or any other clinical parametres. Our preliminary study indicates that ACA is a frequent finding in lupus nephritis and that the IgG isotype is more prevalent.

Study site: nephrology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpu

2-Hydroxy-3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-ium-4-yl)benzoate monohydrate

Usman A, Nayar CR, Unnikrishnan PA, Sreeja PB, Prathapachandra Kurup MR, Fun HK

Acta Crystallogr C, 2002 Dec;58(Pt 12):o724-6.

PMID: 12466626

The title molecule, C(13)H(13)N(3)O(3).H(2)O, is in the form of a monohydrated zwitterion. The tetrahydropyridinium ring adopts an envelope conformation and is nearly coplanar with the plane of the imidazoline ring. The water solvate molecule plays an important role as a bridge between zwitterions, forming molecular chains running along the c direction, which are interconnected by N-H.O hydrogen bonds into molecular ribbons. The crystal packing is further stabilized by another N-H.O and one O-H.N hydrogen bond, which interconnect the molecular ribbons.

Bis[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanone-kappa N 4-phenylthiosemicarbazonato-kappa 2N4,S]manganese(II)

Usman A, Razak IA, Chantrapromma S, Fun HK, Sreekanth A, Sivakumar S, et al.

Acta Crystallogr C, 2002 Sep;58(Pt 9):m461-3.

PMID: 12205370

One half of the molecule of the title complex, [Mn(C(14)H(13)N(4)S)(2)], is related to the other half by a twofold axis passing through the Mn atom. This high-spin Mn atom is six-coordinated, in an octahedral geometry, by the azomethine N, the pyridyl N and the thiolate S atom of two planar 1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanone N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone ligands. In the crystal, the molecules are interconnected by N-H.S and C-H.N interactions, forming a three-dimensional network.

Microbial analysis of Malaysian tempeh, and characterization of two bacteriocins produced by isolates of Enterococcus faecium

Moreno MR, Leisner JJ, Tee LK, Ley C, Radu S, Rusul G, et al.

J Appl Microbiol, 2002;92(1):147-57.

PMID: 11849339

Isolation of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the Malaysian mould-fermented product tempeh and characterization of the produced bacteriocin(s).

Di-2-pyridyl ketone N4,N4-(butane-1,4-diyl)thiosemicarbazone

Usman A, Razak IA, Chantrapromma S, Fun HK, Philip V, Sreekanth A, et al.

Acta Crystallogr C, 2002 Nov;58(Pt 11):o652-4.

PMID: 12415171

The title compound, C(16)H(17)N(5)S, is in the thione form and crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In both molecules, the pentamethyleneimine five-membered ring adopts an envelope conformation, and in one of the molecules this ring shows positional disorder. The thione S and hydrazine N atoms are in the Z configuration with respect to the C-N bond.

Fulltext Prevalence of latex hypersensitivity among health care workers in Malaysia

Shahnaz M, Azizah MR, Hasma H, Mok KL, Yip E, Ganesapillai T, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 1999 Mar;54(1):26-31.

PMID: 10972001

Health care workers have been reported to constitute one of the few high-risk groups related to IgE-mediated hypersensitivity associated with the use of latex products. This paper describes the first ever study of prevalence carried out in Malaysia among these workers. One hundred and thirty health care personnel from Hospital Kuala Lumpur were skin tested. Extracts used were prepared from seven different brands of natural rubber latex gloves with varying levels of extractable protein (EPRRIM). Out of the 130 volunteers, 4 (3.1%) had positive skin test to latex with extracts with high levels of EPRRIM (> 0.7 mg/g). The prevalence among the Malaysian health care workers can be considered to be low in comparison to that of some consumer countries as the USA which reported a prevalence of as high as 16.9%.

Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by Erwinia sp. USMI-20

Majid MI, Akmal DH, Few LL, Agustien A, Toh MS, Samian MR, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 1999 Jun-Jul;25(1-3):95-104.

PMID: 10416655

A locally isolated soil microorganism identified as Erwinia sp. USMI-20 has been found to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), from either palm oil or glucose and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), from a combination of palm oil and a second carbon source of either one of the following compounds: propionic acid, n-propanol, valeric acid and n-pentanol. It was found that Erwinia sp. USMI-20 could produce P(3HB) up to 69 wt.% polymer content with a dry cell weight of 4.4 g/l from an initial amount of 14.5 g/l of glucose followed by a feeding rate of glucose at 0.48 g/h glucose. On the other hand, the bacteria can achieve 46 wt.% of P(3HB) and a dry cell weight of 3.6 g/l from a batch fermentation in a 10-l fermentor from an initial concentration of 4.6 g/l of palm oil. Further characterisation of the polymer production was also carried out by using different types of palm oil. Among the different palm oils that were used, crude palm oil was the best lipid source for P(3HB) production as compared to palm olein and palm kernel oil. In the production of the copolymer, P(3HB-co-3HV), the highest mole fraction of 3-HV units could be as high as 47 mol% from a single feeding of valeric acid upon initial growth on palm oil.

Fulltext A report of the first three cases of diffuse panbronchiolitis in Malaysia

Zainudin BM, Roslina AM, Fadilah SA, Samad SA, Sufarlan AW, Isa MR

Med J Malaysia, 1996 Mar;51(1):136-40.

PMID: 10967994

Three cases of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) occurring in two Malaysian Chinese patients and one Malay patient are reported. They had similar clinical, radiological and physiological features which are characteristic of DPB. The diagnosis in one of the cases was confirmed histologically by transbronchial lung biopsy. These could be the first three cases identified in Malaysia.

Diagnosis of malaria using a plate hybridization method for the detection of polymerase chain reaction products

Hakim SL, Furuta T, Rain AN, Normaznah Y, Zamri MR, Kojima S, et al.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1995 5 1;89(3):271-2.

PMID: 7660430

Campylobacter pylori, non-ulcer dyspepsia, and race in Malaysia

Nafeeza MI, Shahimi MM, Kudva MV, Mazlam MZ, Isa MR

Lancet, 1989 May 6;1(8645):1018.

PMID: 2565493 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(89)92660-3

Fulltext The effect of Ramadan fasting on fasting serum glucose in healthy adults

Larijani B, Zahedi F, Sanjari M, Amini MR, Jalili RB, Adibi H, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Dec;58(5):678-80.

PMID: 15190653

The effect of Ramadan fasting on fasting serum glucose (FPG) is still a matter of controversy. One hundred and fifteen healthy volunteers fasted for > or = 25 days during Ramadan. Blood samples were taken 1 week before Ramadan and on the 14th and 28th day of Ramadan. Serum glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method. FPG decreased from 88.4 + 9.0 mg/dl to 62.9 +/- 7.7 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Men and women both experienced a significant drop in FPG. Calorie intake decreased in all groups (p < 0.001) and was positively correlated with decreasing FPG. FPG decreases with Ramadan fasting and has no serious adverse effect on fasting adults.

Association of p53 tumor suppressor gene with paraclinical and clinical modalities of gliomas patients in Malaysia

Yusoff AA, Abdullah J, Abdullah MR, Mohd Ariff AR, Isa MN

Acta Neurochir (Wien), 2004 Jun;146(6):595-601.

PMID: 15168228

Alteration of the tumor suppressor gene p53 is considered to be a critical step in the development of human cancer. Changes in this gene have been detected in a wide range of human tumours, including gliomas. In glioma, the presence of p53 gene alterations has been associated with worse prognosis.

Fulltext Properties and Characterization of New Approach Organic Nanoparticle-Based Biocomposite Board

Ismail I, Arliyani, Jalil Z, Mursal, Olaiya NG, Abdullah CK, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Sep 28;12(10).

PMID: 32998404 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102236

Conventionally, panel boards are produced with material flex or microparticle with P.U. or U.F. as adhesives. However, in this study, nanoparticle with epoxy resin as an adhesive was used to produce nanoboard. Coconut shell nanoparticle composite with epoxy resin as an adhesive was prepared using a compression molding technique. The coconut shell particles were originally 200 mesh size and then milled mechanically with a ball mill for the duration of 10, 20, 30, and 40 h (milling times) to produce nanoparticles. The composition ratio of the composite is 85 vol.% of coconut shell and 15 vol.% of epoxy resin. The formation of nanoparticles was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical, physical, and microstructure properties of the composite were examined with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and universal testing machine. The results established that the properties of the composite (microstructures, mechanical, and physical) are influenced by the duration of milling of coconut shell particles. The modulus and flexural strength of the composite improved with an increase in the milling time. The density, thickness swelling, and porosity of the composite were also influenced by the milling times. The result suggested that the composite properties were influenced by the particle size of the coconut shell. The coconut shell nanoparticle composite can be used in the manufacturing of hybrid panels and board.

The use of magnetic resonance phase-contrast cine in Chiari malformation with syringomyelia

Goh CH, Hamzah MR, Kandasamy R, Ghani ARI, Wong SH, Idris Z, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):666-671.

PMID: 33219175

INTRODUCTION: Chiari malformation (CM) is a disorder of mesodermal origin and is commonly associated with syringomyelia. Foramen magnum decompression is the first-line of standard treatment in symptomatic patients with a confirmed radiographic diagnosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) cine allows accurate evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology at the craniovertebral junction but often this is under-utilised in Malaysia.

METHODS: In this series, we looked into nine cases of CM with syringomyelia from clinical and radiological perspective before and after surgery. The radiological parameters were herniated tonsillar length, syrinx: cord ratio, syrinx length and diameter. Flow velocity and morphologic changes in Chiari were illustrated.

RESULTS: Seven patients showed either reduction in syrinx length, syrinx: cord ratio or both postoperatively. Clinical recovery somewhat varied in motor and sensory symptoms. Four patients gained better functional grade in modified Rankin scale (MRS) while the rest remained similar. The study highlighted the advantage of CSF flow dynamics information over MR anatomical radiographic improvement in addressing the neurologic and functional recovery. We also discussed the practicality of cine sequence in preoperative patient selection, syrinx analysis and postoperative flow evaluation in anticipation of clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION: Phase-contrast cine MRI is a useful tool dictated by resource availability. We recommend its routine use in preoperative analysis and subsequent observational follow-up after surgery.

Fulltext Assessment of Nano-Indentation Method in Mechanical Characterization of Heterogeneous Nanocomposite Materials Using Experimental and Computational Approaches

Karimzadeh A, R Koloor SS, Ayatollahi MR, Bushroa AR, Yahya MY

Sci Rep, 2019 10 31;9(1):15763.

PMID: 31673118 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51904-4

This study investigates the capacity of the nano-indentation method in the mechanical characterization of a heterogeneous dental restorative nanocomposite using experimental and computational approaches. In this respect, Filtek Z350 XT was selected as a nano-particle reinforced polymer nanocomposite with a specific range of the particle size (50 nm to 4 µm), within the range of indenter contact area of the nano-indentation experiment. A Sufficient number of nano-indentation tests were performed in various locations of the nanocomposite to extract the hardness and elastic modulus properties. A hybrid computational-experimental approach was developed to examine the extracted properties by linking the internal behaviour and the global response of the nanocomposite. In the computational part, several representative models of the nanocomposite were created in a finite element environment to simulate the mechanism of elastic-plastic deformation of the nanocomposite under Berkovich indenter. Dispersed values of hardness and elastic modulus were obtained through the experiment with 26.8 and 48.5 percent average errors, respectively, in comparison to the nanocomposite properties, respectively. A disordered shape was predicted for plastic deformation of the equilateral indentation mark, representing the interaction of the particles and matrix, which caused the experiment results reflect the local behaviour of the nanocomposite instead of the real material properties.

Amino acid and fatty acid composition of an aqueous extract of Channa striatus (Haruan) that exhibits antinociceptive activity

Zakaria ZA, Mat Jais AM, Goh YM, Sulaiman MR, Somchit MN

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 2007 Mar;34(3):198-204.

PMID: 17250639

1. The present study was performed in order to determine the amino acid and fatty acid composition of an aqueous extract of the freshwater fish Channa striatus, obtained by soaking (1:2, w/v) fresh fillets overnight in a chloroform:methanol (2:1, v/v) solvent, to elucidate the mechanism responsible for its antinociceptive activity and to clarify the relationship between the presence of the amino and fatty acids and the expected activity. 2. The aqueous extract was found to contain all amino acids with the major amino acids glycine, alanine, lysine, aspartic acid and proline making up 35.77 +/- 0.58, 10.19 +/- 1.27, 9.44 +/- 0.56, 8.53 +/- 1.15 and 6.86 +/- 0.78% of the total protein, respectively. 3. In addition, the aqueous extract was found to have a high palmitic acid (C16:0) content, which contributed approximately 35.93 +/- 0.63% to total fatty acids. The other major fatty acids in the aqueous extract were oleic acid (C18:1), stearic acid (C18:0), linoleic acid (C18:2) and arachidonic acid (C20:4), contributing 22.96 +/- 0.40, 15.31 +/- 0.33, 11.45 +/- 0.31 and 7.44 +/- 0.83% of total fatty acids, respectively. 4. Furthermore, the aqueous extract was demonstrated to possess concentration-dependent antinociceptive activity, as expected, when assessed using the abdominal constriction test in mice. 5. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of C. striatus contains all the important amino acids, but only some of the important fatty acids, which are suggested to play a key role in the observed antinociceptive activity of the extract, as well as in the traditionally claimed wound healing properties of the extract.

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