MyMedR

Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 170 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Systemic Candida infection in University hospital 1997-1999: the distribution of Candida biotypes and antifungal susceptibility patterns

Ng KP, Saw TL, Na SL, Soo-Hoo TS

Mycopathologia, 2001;149(3):141-6.
PMID: 11307597

A total of 102 Candida species were isolated from blood cultures from January 1997 to October 1999. Using assimilation of carbohydrate test, 52 (51.0%) of the Candida sp. were identified as C. parapsilosis, 25.5% (26) were C. tropicalis. C. albicans made up 11.8% (12), 6.9% (7) were C. rugosa, 3.8% (4) C. glabrata and 1% (1) C. guilliermondii. No C. dubliniensis was found in the study. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests showed that all Candida species were sensitive to nystatin, amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Although all isolates remained sensitive to fluconazole, intermediate susceptibility was found in 3 C. rugosa isolates. Antifungal agents with high frequency of resistance were econazole, clotrimazole, miconazole and 5-fluorocytosine. Candida species found to have resistance to these antifungal agents were non-C. albicans.
Fulltext A seroprevalence study of viral hepatitis E infection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected subjects in Malaysia

Ng KP, He J, Saw TL, Lyles CM

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Mar;55(1):58-64.
PMID: 11072492 MyJurnal

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a RNA virus transmitted enterically. A study of anti-HEV antibodies in 145 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected subjects found that 14.4% of them were reactive to anti-HEV antibodies. Anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM was detected in 10.3% and 4.1% of the subjects respectively. Prevalence of anti-HEV (either IgG or IgM) was similar across all adult ages (p = 0.154), between the three ethnic groups (p = 0.378), and across risk groups (p = 0.120). The results showed that HEV infection in subjects recruited in this study was most likely transmitted via faecal-route.
Fulltext Otitis media with effusion: an update

Pang KP, Ang AHC, Tan HKK

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):376-82; quiz 383.
PMID: 12440282

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a very common condition seen in children, and is the commonest cause of hearing loss in an infant. It is also a fairly common condition encountered by the family practitioner, and often the family practitioner is the first doctor the parents bring the child to. Otitis media with effusion is a simple condition but, if left undiagnosed or untreated, can lead to preventable long-term consequences. Hence, a high index of suspicion is necessary, early and accurate diagnosis, prompt treatment, with close follow-up is of essence. The epidemiology, aetiological factors, clinical presentations, diagnosis, various medical and surgical options, cost-effectiveness of therapy and the impact of OME on the child's development are discussed.
Fulltext Post-caesarean septicaemia in Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore, 1993-1995

Teo KP, Jacob SCM, Lim SH

Med J Malaysia, 1997 Dec;52(4):325-30.
PMID: 10968108

We reviewed all documented cases of septicaemia following caesarean deliveries in Kandang Kerbau Hospital between 1st January 1993 to 31st December 1995. There were 22 cases of septicaemia among 8201 caesarean births, and hence the incidence is 2.7:1000. There were 45,412 deliveries, and the overall caesarean section rate was 18.1%. Among the 22 documented cases of septicaemia which came under this study, the most common clinical conditions found were endomyometritis (7 cases), urinary tract infection (6 cases), and wound infection (3 cases). One of the three cases with wound infection also had pneumonia. There was one patient who had mild transient myocarditis. We could not determine with certainty any site of infection in five patients. The most common bloodstream bacterial isolates was Staphylococcus aureus (16), while the uncommon ones were Acinetobacter baumanii (2), Escherichia coli (1), Klebsiella sp. (1), Staphylococcus epidermidis (1), Streptococcus Group F (1), Peptostreptococcus species and Veillonella species (1). There was no mortality and prompt, vigorous treatment had led to uneventful recovery in all the cases.
Evaluation of a rapid test for the detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2

Ng KP, Saw TL, Baki A, He J, Singh N, Lyles CM

Int J STD AIDS, 1999 Jun;10(6):401-4.
PMID: 10414883

Hema-Strip HIV-1/2 is a one-step rapid test for the detection of anti-HIV-1/2 antibodies in whole blood. The test requires no expensive equipment and the results are available within 10-15 min. Using 72 known HIV-1 positive samples and 780 high-risk prisoners, the sensitivity and specificity of Hema-Strip HIV-1/2 was found to be comparable to microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). The data also indicated that Hema-Strip HIV-1/2 is an effective alternate testing system to conventional ELISA where the use of ELISA is not suitable and the result of the HIV testing is needed urgently.
Population based standards for pulmonary function in non-smoking adults in Singapore

Chin NK, Ng TP, Hui KP, Tan WC

Respirology, 1997 Jun;2(2):143-9.
PMID: 9441128 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.1997.tb00070.x

Ethnic differences in lung function are well recognized, hence the use of normative data should therefore be based on reference equations that are derived specifically for different ethnic groups. We have collected data (n = 406) for population-based reference values of lung function from randomly selected samples of healthy non-smoking adults of both gender (aged 20-79 years) for each of the three major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay and Indians) in Singapore. Lung function forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, diffusion capacity (transfer factor) for carbon monoxide (DLCO), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), RV/TLC and functional residual capacity (FRC) was measured using standardization procedures and acceptability criteria recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Lung function values were predicted from age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and transformed variables of these anthropometric measures, using multiple regression techniques. Ethnic differences were demonstrated, with Chinese having the largest lung volumes and flow rates, and Indians the smallest. These prediction equations provide improved and additional (TLC, RV, RV/TLC, FRC) population-based reference values for assessment of pulmonary health and disease in Singapore.
Acute respiratory tract infection: a community-based intervention study in Malaysia

Lye MS, Nair RC, Choo KE, Kaur H, Lai KP

J Trop Pediatr, 1996 06;42(3):138-43.
PMID: 8699578 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/42.3.138

A community-based intervention trial was conducted in Kelantan, Malaysia with the aim of reducing severe acute respiratory tract (ARI) infection in children. Interventions included health education of mothers on childhood pneumonia and training of health staff on case management. In a house-to-house survey 1382 and 1107 children less than 5 years of age in the intervention and control areas, respectively, were followed up every 2 weeks over a 62-week period. The reduction in the incidence of severe ARI cases in the intervention area was significantly greater than in the control area (P < 0.05). The ARI mortality rates were low in both the intervention and control areas ( < 0.1%). Our results indicate that with relatively inexpensive methods and simple interventions, reduction of severe ARI may be effectively achieved. This has important implications for an ARI control programme in Malaysia and other developing countries.
Fulltext Disseminated Geotrichum infection

Ng KP, Soo-Hoo TS, Koh MT, Kwan PW

Med J Malaysia, 1994 Dec;49(4):424-6.
PMID: 7674982

Intensive chemotherapy has prolonged survival in cancer patients. Unfortunately it has also predisposed them to unusual infections because of their immunocompromised state. We report a case of fungal septicaemia caused by Geotrichum candidum, an imperfect yeast of low virulence in a young girl with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It was successfully treated with amphotericin B. The morphological characteristics of this fungus leading to its identification are described.
Periventricular haemorrhage in very low birth weight Malaysian neonates

Boo NY, Ong LC, Lye MS, Wong KP, Mastura M

J Trop Pediatr, 1993 Aug;39(4):224-9.
PMID: 8411316

A prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence, clinical presentation, early outcome, and risk factors associated with periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) in 88 (84 per cent) of the 105 consecutive very low birth weight (VLBW) (< 1500 g) Malaysian neonates born in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Based on the cranial ultrasound findings, PVH was detected in 86 of the 88 neonates (98 per cent, 95 per cent confidence intervals: 95 to 101). Seventeen (20 per cent) of them had grade I, 52 (61 per cent) had grade II, 7 (8 per cent) had grade III and 10 (12 per cent) had grade IV PVH. PVH was detected in all the affected neonates by the fifth day of life. Sixty-four neonates (74 per cent) were symptomatic when PVH was first detected. Shock (P < 0.01), pallor (P = 0.028), low haematocrit of less than 40 per cent (P < 0.01), convulsion (P < 0.001), and bulging of anterior fontanelle (P = 0.019) were significantly more common in the neonates with severe PVH (grades III or IV). Death occurred in 43/86 (50 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval: 39-61 per cent) of the neonates with PVH before their first discharge from the hospital. Ventriculomegaly developed in 29/43 (67 per cent, 95 per cent confidence intervals: 54.4-81.4) of the survivors with PVH. Our study suggests that PVH is a common problem in the Malaysian VLBW neonates. To reduce the incidence and severity of this condition, prevention of preterm delivery and improvement in the basic facilities for neonatal care would help.
The influence of sex, race and dialect on peptic ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia in Singapore

Kang JY, Guan R, LaBrooy SJ, Lim KP, Yap I

Ann Acad Med Singap, 1983 Oct;12(4):527-31.
PMID: 6611105

A consecutive series of 2,277 patients presenting for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was analysed. The following groups of patients were studied with reference to sex, race and dialect groups: those presenting with dyspepsia but no haemorrhage, those presenting with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, those with non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Males out-numbered females in all diagnostic groups. Male and female Malays were under-represented in all diagnostic groups when compared to the Singapore population. Amongst female Chinese, there was an excess of Cantonese patients and an under-representation of Teochew patients in most diagnostic groups. These dialect differences were not remarkable amongst male Chinese. The possible reasons for these differences and their significance are discussed.
Fulltext Nine fatal cases of puffer fish poisoning in Sabah, Malaysia

Kan SKP, Chan MKC, David P

Med J Malaysia, 1987 Sep;42(3):199-200.
PMID: 3506645

The puffer fish belongs to the family Tetraodontidae and has one identifying characteristic which is the ability to inflate itself by gulping in large quantities of air or water. They are commonly found in estuarine and inshore water. The viscera (ovaries, testes and liver) of puffer fish contain varying amounts of extremely potent toxins [tetraodontoxin). The most violent form of fish poisoning is produced by ingestion of tetraodontoid or puffer-like fishes and this has been reported. The putftoad, Tetradon maculatum, has caused fatal poisoning? Despite the high toxicity of this group of fish, the meat is commonly consumed by some fisherman in Sabah without much morbidity. In Japan, puffer fish, called "fuqu" commands the highest prices in food fish and are prepared and sold in special restaurants where specially trained cooks are employed to prepare the "fuqu". Nevertheless it is still the primary cause of food poisoning in Japan especially among the lower socio-economic classes who fail to take the necessary precautions. In Sabah, four cases of puffer fish poisoning resulting in one death have been documented." We report herewith another incidence of puffer fish poisoning in which 18 persons from seven families were affected with nine deaths from two families.
Fulltext Bipolar clavicular injury

Pang KP, Yung SW, Lee TS, Pang CE

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Oct;58(4):621-4.
PMID: 15190643

While clavicular injuries are fairly common, bipolar clavicular injuries are not. They may involve dislocations at both ends of the clavicle, or a fracture at one end and a dislocation at the other. We present two cases; a patient with a bipolar clavicular dislocation, and another with a fracture in both medial and lateral ends of the clavicle with anterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. Both were treated conservatively, with fairly good range of motion and return to normal activity.
Andrographolide attenuates complete freund's adjuvant induced arthritis via suppression of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Gupta S, Mishra KP, Kumar B, Singh SB, Ganju L

J Ethnopharmacol, 2020 Oct 28;261:113022.
PMID: 32569719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113022

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional plant-derived medicines have enabled the mankind in curing the wide spectrum of diseases throughout the ages. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, is one of the traditional plant used as a folk medicine for the management of inflammation, arthritis, viral-bacterial infections and other ailments in India, China, Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries. Its major bioactive compound; andrographolide, a diterpenoid, also exerts cytoprotective properties and is reported to be effective in neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. AIM: The study is aimed to explore the role of andrographolide in treatment of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The influx of immune cells, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent accumulation of synovial fluid (swelling) and pain manifest into the disease. The present study used CFA induced Balb/c mice model and treated them intraperitoneally with andrographolide and dexamethasone (used as a positive control) on alternate days for six days. After 6 days, blood and peritoneal macrophages were collected to evaluate the expression of various arthritic markers and paw edema was measured on all days.
RESULTS: The in vitro and ex vivo experiments showed that andrographolide treated animal group had reduced paw edema, cell cytotoxicity and nitric oxide production than dexamethasone treated animal group. Further, the study revealed the mechanistic role of andrographolide in treatment of arthritis by suppressing battery of molecules like COX-2, NF-κB, p-p38, CD40, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 involved in arthritis.
CONCLUSION: The study showed the potent anti-arthritic effects of andrographolide and warrants further investigations on andrographolide for the development of safe and effective anti-arthritic drug.
On the taxonomic status of Asthenodipsas vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900) (Squamata: Pareidae) in Borneo with the description of a new species

Quah ESH, Lim KKP, Grismer LL

Zootaxa, 2021 Mar 24;4949(1):zootaxa.4949.1.2.
PMID: 33756993 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4949.1.2

The taxonomic status of Asthenodipsas vertebralis in Borneo has been plagued with uncertainty over the last eighty years. An examination of museum collections resulted in the discovery of a voucher specimen of A. vertebralis from Sarawak, East Malaysia that confirms the presence of the species in Borneo and a previously unrecognised species, Asthenodipsas ingeri sp. nov. from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. Asthenodipsas ingeri sp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the combination of an absence of preoculars and suboculars, 1st and 3rd pair of infralabials in contact, two pairs of posterior inframaxillaries, supralabials 3-5 (sometimes 3 4) in contact with orbit, 15/15/15 rows of dorsal scales, presence of sharp vertebral keel, and divided subcaudals. This study highlights the importance of careful re-examination of museum collections that could potentially harbour new species hiding in plain sight. These discoveries also add to the growing number of reptile and amphibian species being described from Borneo that shows no signs of abating but are already potentially threatened by the continued deforestation and developments on the island.
Impact of the Expanded Program of Immunization against hepatitis B infection in school children in Malaysia

Ng KP, Saw TL, Baki A, Rozainah K, Pang KW, Ramanathan M

Med Microbiol Immunol, 2005 May;194(3):163-8.
PMID: 15834754

The implementation of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) in 1989 has dramatic impact on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in school children in Malaysia. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of HBV infection in 190,077 school children aged 7-12 years from 1997 to 2003 showed a steady decline of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence rate from 2.5% for children born in 1985 to 0.4% among school children born in 1996. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 0.6%, 0.7% in males and 0.6% in females. Over 92.7% of school children had been vaccinated with HBV vaccine, in which 93.7% were vaccinated under the EPI and 6.3% on voluntary basis. The school children vaccinated under EPI had a 0.4% HBsAg carrier rate, which was significantly lower than school children vaccinated on a voluntary basis (HBsAg carrier rate 1.3%) and non-vaccinated school children (HBsAg carrier rate 2.7%), suggesting that HBV vaccination of infants was the most effective measure in preventing vertical transmission of HBV in the hyperendemic region.
Filariasis in Negri Sembilan--a follow-up study

Cheah WC, Cheong WH, Mahadevan S, Lai KP, Sivanandam S

Med J Malaysia, 1977 Dec;32(2):103-10.
PMID: 614475
Acute myocarditis mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A diagnostic challenge for frontline clinicians

Ang KP, Quek ZQ, Lee CY, Lu HT

Med J Malaysia, 2019 12;74(6):561-563.
PMID: 31929492

The clinical presentation of acute myocarditis is highly variable ranging from no symptoms to cardiogenic shock. Despite considerable progress, it remains a challenge for frontline physicians to discriminate between acute myocarditis and myocardial infarction, especially in the early phase. Our case serves as a reminder that acute presentation of myocarditis could resemble ST elevation myocardial infarction potentially misdirecting the therapeutic decision. The clinical presentation, electrocardiographic and laboratory findings of the patient are not specific enough to distinguish acute myocarditis from myocardial infarction. The gold standard tests such coronary angiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can reliably differentiate the two entities.
Fulltext Vitamin A reserve of liver in health and coronary heart disease among ethnic groups in Singapore

Saha N, Ng TB, Tan PY, Wee KP

Br J Nutr, 1988 Nov;60(3):407-12.
PMID: 3219311 DOI: 10.1079/bjn19880112

1. The vitamin A content of human liver tissue was determined in 363 autopsy samples. The sample comprised a total of 181 subjects dying after accidents and 182 dying from coronary heart disease among Singapore ethnic groups of both sexes. 2. The medium vitamin A reserve was 146 mg/kg in accident victims and 141 mg/kg in those who had died of coronary heart disease. Of all the samples 16% contained less than 40 mg/kg, 45% had 100-300 mg/kg, while 9% contained more than 500 mg/kg liver. 3. Among the accident victims, Indians had the lowest median liver vitamin A reserve (118 mg/kg) compared with that in other ethnic groups (137 mg/kg in Chinese, 191 mg/kg in Malays, 155 mg/kg in Caucasians). 4. The ethnic distribution of vitamin A reserve in coronary deaths was similar to that in accident victims. 5. There was no significant difference between the sexes in hepatic vitamin A reserve. 6. The distribution of vitamin A reserve in all the groups was skewed to the right.
Fulltext Exploring the mediating role of flexible working hours in the relationship of supervisor support, job and life satisfaction: A study of female nurses in China

Dousin O, Wei CX, Balakrishnan BKPD, Lee MCC

Nurs Open, 2021 11;8(6):2962-2972.
PMID: 34390214 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1008

AIMS: To examine the mediating role of flexible working hours on the relationship between supervisor support, job and life satisfaction among female nurses in China.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with online survey questionnaires.
METHODS: Convenience sampling was implemented with 171 female nurses from two tertiary public hospitals in 2019.
RESULTS: The mediation analysis demonstrates that flexible working hours significantly and positively mediate the relationship between supervisor support to job (β = 0.775, p p p p p p p
Construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Malay version of the 21-item depression anxiety stress scale (Malay-DASS-21) among male outpatient clinic attendees in Johor

Rusli BN, Amrina K, Trived S, Loh KP, Shashi M

Med J Malaysia, 2017 10;72(5):264-270.
PMID: 29197880 MyJurnal

BACKGROUND: The 21-item English version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) has been proposed as a method for assessing self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress over the past week in various clinical and nonclinical populations. Several Malay versions of the DASS-21 have been validated in various populations with varying success. One particular Malay version has been validated in various occupational groups (such as nurses and automotive workers) but not among male clinic outpatient attendees in Malaysia.
OBJECTIVE: To validate the Malay version of the DASS-21 (Malay-DASS-21) among male outpatient clinic attendees in Johor.
METHODS: A validation study with a random sample of 402 male respondents attending the outpatient clinic of a major public outpatient clinic in Johor Bahru and Segamat was carried out from January to March 2016. Construct validity of the Malay-DASS-21 was examined using Exploratory Factor Analysis (KMO = 0.947; Bartlett's test of sphericity is significant, p<0.001) through Principal Component Analysis and orthogonal (varimax) rotation with Kaiser Normalization to confirm the psychometric properties of the Malay-DASS- 21 and the internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha.
RESULTS: Construct validity of the Malay-DASS-21 based on eigenvalues and factor loadings to confirm the three factor structure (depression, anxiety, and stress) was acceptable. The internal consistency reliability of the factor construct was very impressive with Cronbach's alpha values in the range of 0.837 to 0.863.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the Malay- DASS-21 has acceptable psychometric construct and high internal consistency reliability to measure self-perceived depression, anxiety and stress over the past week in male outpatient clinic attendees in Johor. Further studies are necessary to revalidate the Malay-DASS-21 across different populations and cultures, and using confirmatory factor analyses.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator ([email protected])

External Links