Showing papers by "National University of Malaysia published in 1983"

Lead concentrations in breast milk of Malaysian urban and rural mothers.

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine lead concentrations in breast milk among urban and rural mothers in Malaysia, and to determine if lead absorption among urban maternal populations in Malaysia poses a potential health hazard to infants through breastfeeding. Milk samples, which were collected from 89 urban and 91 rural mothers, were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean lead level in urban samples was 0.0253 μg/ml, which was significantly higher than that of the rural samples (0.0211 μg/ml). The estimated daily lead intake of breast-fed infants in Malaysia was well below proposed tolerable levels. There also appeared to be no specific pattern in the milk lead levels at different periods of lactation. The significance of the higher milk lead concentrations in urban mothers is also discussed.

Using T-unit Measures to Assess Writing Proficiency of University ESL Students

Abstract: A few studies' to date have used T-unit measures in the assess ment of writing proficiency of ESL students, particularly in the assessment of free writing and rewriting output of ESL students. In this study the investigator used T-unit measures to assess both free writing and rewriting abilities of ESL students pursuing undergraduate level work. The findings demonstrate that measures used in evalua ting writing will have to be error-free if they are to discriminate among compositions written by ESL students.

Parents, friends, siblings, and adults: unfolding referent other importance data for adolescents*

Abstract: Few studies have yet examined the importance of referent others. One reason for avoiding this topic may be ignorance of appropriate methods for analyzing data. This paper reports two comparative studies of referent others for adolescents. (One study compared four Western countries, the other a Western country with the major ethnic groups in Malaysia.) Data were analyzed by means of the unfolding method. Adolescents were found to rank parents first in importance, followed by friends, adults, and then siblings. Parents were perceived as less similar to friends than they were to siblings or adults. Rankings of referent others varied more by question content than by nationality. Techniques and advantages of the unfolding method are spelled out.

Effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (ICI 63 197) on cyclic AMP and GMP levels in bovine splenic nerve.

Abstract: 1. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels were determined in bovine splenic nerve segments in the absence and presence of (+/-)-isoprenaline, (-)-phenylephrine, clonidine and ICI 63 197 (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor). The chosen concentrations of adrenoceptor agonists were those which are known to affect stimulation-induced overflow of noradrenaline from nerve terminals. 2. The mean levels of cyclic AMP ranged from 229 to 555 pmol/g of microwave irradiated tissue. Mean cyclic GMP levels ranged from 27.9 to 42.2 pmol/g. 3. Isoprenaline enhanced cyclic AMP levels but did not affect cyclic GMP levels. The effect was blocked with (+/-)-propranolol. ICI 63 197 increased cyclic AMP levels but did not change cyclic GMP. Phenylephrine and clonidine caused no consistent changes in cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP levels or in the concentration ratio between these two nucleotides. 4. The results support the involvement of cyclic AMP in the enhancing effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors on stimulation-induced release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to dengue virus in mice: effect of route of sensitization and splenectomy.

Abstract: This study was designed to determine the role of the sensitization route and the spleen in the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to dengue virus in mice. DTH was measured by footpad swelling response. Strong but transient DTH was produced in cyclophosphamide (CY) pretreated mice sensitized subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.) with dengue virus type 4. Subcutaneous inoculation of virus in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) further enhanced the DTH elicited. The time course of DTH generated by s.c. and i.v. sensitization were similar with the peak reactivity seen on day 6 after sensitization. Poor DTH was observed in mice given an i.p. inoculation even when CY and/or IFA were used. Intracerebral (i.c.) inoculation also sensitized mice poorly. Splenectomized mice showed enhanced DTH response when compared to intact mice. In contrast to intact mice, pretreatment of splenectomized mice with CY did not alter the DTH level. Splenectomized mice inoculated s.c. with virus in IFA showed poorer DTH than mice sensitized with virus alone.

The bacteriology of perforated appendix.

Abstract: SUMMARY Perforated appendix is a serious .surgical condition that carries a high morbidity. Antibiotic treatment is often started before the availability of bacteriological reports. The choice of antibiotics would depend on the bacteriology associated with perforated appendix. In a retrospective survey of the bacteriology of peritoneal pus obtained from cases of perforated appendix at the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, E. coli was found to be the most commonly encountered organism. This was followed in order of decreasing frequency by streptococci, Bacteroides species, Klebsiella­ Enterobacter group and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. From the results of the antibiotic sensitivities an antibiotic regimen comprising of a combination of gentamicin, metronidazole and penicillin is recommended as appropriate chemotherapy in perforatedappendix.

Pattern of answer changes to multiple choice questions in physiology.

Abstract: Summary The belief that it is unwise to alter the initial response to a multiple choice question is questioned. Among 39 380 MCQ responses, there were 1818 changes (4.62%) of which 21.9% were correct to incorrect responses, 46.3% incorrect to correct responses and 31.8% incorrect to incorrect. This effect was very much more marked among the better students, incorrect to correct changes accounting for 61% of the responses in the upper group, 42% in the middle group and 34% in the lower group.

The difference in the instar composition of immature mosquitoes sampled by three sampling techniques.

Abstract: Three techniques, namely a ladle, a metal quadrat and a D-shaped aquatic net, were used for comparison to sample immature stages of mosquitoes in woodland pools in northern England. The quadrat proved to be more reliable in giving a more accurate representation of the different instar proportions in the ponds than the ladle and aquatic net. The ladle showed bias of undersampling the earlier instars. Similar but not so severe bias also occurred for the D-net.

Acute nonspecific carditis with advanced heart block in Malaysians.

Abstract: Acute nonspecific carditis with advanced heart block is rare. We observed nine cases with complete heart block and one with Mobitz type II block over an eight and a half year period. Temporary cardiac pacing was instituted in all while permanent pacing was required in six patients. No death was recorded.