Showing papers by "National University of Malaysia published in 1998"

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese: salted fish and other dietary exposures

Abstract: We interviewed 282 histologically confirmed cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Chinese residents of Selangor and the Federal Territory, Malaysia, and an equal number of Chinese age-, sex-, and length-of-residence-matched controls sampled from the general population. Consumption of 55 dietary items during childhood, and 5 years pre-diagnosis of NPC, was analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods. Four salted preserved foods (fish, leafy vegetables, egg and root), fresh pork/beef organ meats and beer and liquor consumption exhibited strong positive associations, and 4 vegetable/fruit combinations strong negative associations with NPC. Factor analysis and multivariable modeling using estimated factor scores strongly supported separate effects on NPC of vegetables/fruits, salted preserved foods, pork/beef organ meats and beer/liquor consumption. Multivariable modeling associated NPC most clearly with high consumption of salted fish, salted eggs, pork/beef liver and beer and low consumption of Chinese flowering cabbage, oranges/tangerines and shrimp. A strong residual association of social class with NPC remained after adjustment for diet, which is consistent with a substantial role for non-dietary environmental factors.

Physico‐chemical characteristics of palm‐based oil blends for the production of reduced fat spreads

Abstract: The effect of blending and interesterification on the physicochemical characteristics of fat blends containing palm oil products was studied. The characteristics of the palm-based blends were tailored to resemble oil blends extracted from commercial reduced fat spreads (RFS). The commercial products were found to contain up to 20.4% trans fatty acids, whereas the palm-based blends were free of trans fatty acids. Slip melting point of the blends varied from 26.0–32.0°C for tub, and 30.0–33.0°C for block RFS. Solid fat content at 5 and 10°C (refrigeration temperature), respectively, varied from 10.9–19.7% and 8.5–17.6% for tub, and 28.2–38.6% and 20.8–33.5% for block RFS. Melting enthalpy of the tub RFS varied from 35.0–54.3 J/g and that of block RFS varied from 58.0–75.4 J/g. To produce block RFS, 65% palm oil (PO) and 18% palm kernel olein (PKOo) could be added in a ternary blend with sunflower oil (SFO), but only 47% PO and 10% PKOo are suggested for tub RFS. Higher proportion of PO, i.e., 72% for block RFS and 65% for tub RFS, could be used after the ternary blend was interesterified. Although a ternary blend of palm olein (POo)/SFO/PKOo was not suitable for RFS formulation, after interesterification as much as 90% POo and 26% PKOo could be used in the block RFS formulation. For tub RFS a maximum of 30% POo was found suitable.

Parenting stress among mothers of Malaysian children with cerebral palsy: predictors of child- and parent-related stress

Abstract: SummaryA hospital study was carried out to compare parenting stress among 87 Malaysian mothers of children with cerebral palsy and a control group (comprising 87 mothers of children without disability who attended the walk-in paediatric clinic), using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine socio-demographic and medical factors associated with child-domain stress (CDS) and parent-domain stress (PDS). Mothers of children with cerebral palsy scored significantly higher than control subjects on all sub-scales of CDS and PDS (p < 0.01), except for the sub-scale of ‘role restriction’. The presence of cerebral palsy (p < 0.001) and activities of daily living (ADL) scores (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with CDS. Factors predictive of PDS were ADL scores (p < 0.001), number of hospitalizations over the past year (p = 0.024), level of maternal education (p = 0.018) and Chinese mothers (p < 0.001). Although this study demonstrated that Malaysian ...

An Experimental Design Approach for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Highly Contaminated Soil Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction

Abstract: An experimental design approach, based on central composite design, has been used to investigate the dependence of accelerated solvent extraction operating variables (pressure, temperature, extraction time) on the recovery of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from native, contaminated soil. At the 95% confidence interval, no significance in terms of the three operating parameters was found when considering the total PAH recovery. However, when individual PAHs were considered, some compounds were found to be dependent on operating variables. The most significant operating variable was extraction temperature. Low extraction temperature (40 °C) was found to be significant for naphthalene, chrysene, and benzo[b]fluoranthene. Using constant operating conditions (100 °C, 14 MPa and an extraction time of 5 min plus 5 min equilibriation time), the influence of extraction solvent was evaluated. No dependence on recovery was found when polar organic solvents, i.e., a dipole moment of >1.89, were used.

Chromosomal instability in fibroblasts and mesenchymal tumors from 2 sibs with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.

Abstract: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis associated with increased risk of mesenchymal tumors The putative gene has been provisionally assigned to chromosome 8 Using a cytogenetic-molecular approach, we studied lymphocytes, fibroblasts, osteosarcoma (OS) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) from 2 affected fraternal twins, looking for constitutive markers of chromosome instability and tumor chromosomal changes which might reflect the common genetic background The rate of spontaneous chromosome aberrations was not increased in lymphocytes Conversely, karyotyping of primary fibroblasts from one sib evidenced chromosome breaks and both numerical and structural chromosome changes in 24% and 17% of the metaphases respectively FISH of a 8q213 cosmid allowed us to detect trisomy of the target region on 7% of fibroblast nuclei from both sibs, 47% and 12% of OS and MFH cells Pronounced chromosomal instability and clonal rearrangements leading to different chromosome-8 derivatives were detected in both tumors CGH experiments showed multiple gains/losses, among which del(6q), also revealed by cytogenetics, and 7p gain were common, whereas 8q amplification was present only in OS Chromosomal instability, observed in fibroblasts from the RTS patients studied, accounts for the increased risk of mesenchymal tumors in these patients

Food habits of Cynopterus brachyotis (Muller) (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract: Information on the feeding habits of the lesser dog-faced fruit bat, Cynopterus brachyotis, was obtained by the collection of food remains directly beneath daytime and feeding roosts. The bats were found to feed on the fruits of 54 plant species, the leaves of 14 species and the flower parts of four species. The seasonal phenological differences among congeneric plant species led to a steady production of fruit throughout the year and the data suggest that Ficus spp. are a key compon- ent in the diet. Judging from its wide selection of fruits, C. brachyotis, is considered to be an important seed disperser. Folivory in C. brachyotis appears to be more common than previously thought. Of the leaves consumed by the bats, seven spe- cies belonged to the family Leguminosae, followed by Myrtaceae, Moraceae, Rhizo- phoraceae and Euphorbiaceae. Fruits, in general, provide an energy-rich diet for phytophagous bats but most are low in protein. In contrast, leaves consumed by bats have a relatively high protein content. We suggest that folivory (by leaf fractionation) should be energetically more advantageous than the ingestion of large amounts of low protein fruit or the active pursuit of mobile insects.

Non-steroid receptor-mediated antiproliferative activity of styrylpyrone derivative in human breast cancer cell lines.

Abstract: The antiproliferative activity of a styrylpyrone derivative (SPD) plant extract, was studied in three different human breast cancer cell lines in culture, and was compared with tamoxifen. The number of living cells was evaluated by Methylene Blue staining technique. SPD showed strong antiproliferative activity in estrogen receptor (ER) and progestin receptor (PgR) positive MCF-7 cells (EC50 = 6.30 x 10(-7) M) and receptor-negative MDA-MB-231 (EC50 = 5.62 x 10(-7) M), but it partially inhibited the high progestin receptor positive T47D cells (EC50 = 1.58 x 10(-6) M). Whereas tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen exhibited strong inhibition on MCF-7 cells (EC50 = 1.41 x 10(-6) M) and partial inhibition on T47D cells (EC50 = 2.5 x 10(-6) M), but did not affect the MDA-MB-231 cells in the concentration range 0.1 nM-1 microM (EC50 = 5.01 microM). At the same concentration range SPD and tamoxifen did not inhibit the proliferation of normal human liver cell line CCL 13 and normal bovine kidney MDBK; whereas adriamycin, a common chemotherapy drug for the treatment of advance cancer, caused 95% inhibition at 10(-6) M. Competitive binding studies showed SPD had no ability to inhibit the binding of [3H]estradiol and [3H]progesterone to ER and PgR, respectively but, tamoxifen exhibited affinity for ER. Therefore, it can be concluded that the antiproliferative activity of SPD was selective towards breast cancer cell lines and not mediated by ER or PgR.

Isolation, characterization and significance of papaya β‐galactanases to cell wall modification and fruit softening during ripening

Abstract: β-Galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) from ripe papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Eksotika) fruits having galactanase activities were fractionated by a combination of cation exchange and gel-filtration chromatography into three isoforms, viz., β-galactosidase I, II and III. The native proteins of the respective isoforms have apparent molecular masses of 67, 67 and 55 kDa, each showing one predominant polypeptide upon SDS-PAGE of about 31 and 33 kDa for β-galactosidases I and III, respectively, and of 67 kDa for β-galactosidase II. The β-galactosidase I protein, which was undetectable in immature fruits, appeared to be specifically accumulated during ripening. The β-galactosidase II protein was present in developing fruits, but its level seemed to decrease with ripening. β-Galactosidase I seemed to be an important softening enzyme: its activity increased dramatically (4- to 8-fold) to a peak early during ripening and correlated closely with differential softening as related to position in the fruit tissue. The inner mesocarp tissue was softer, and its wall pectins were modified earlier and firmness decreased more rapidly during ripening compared to the outer mesocarp tissue. β-Galactosidase II also may contribute significantly to softening because of its ability to catalyse increased solubility and depolymerization of pectins as well as through its ability to modify the alkali-soluble hemicellulose fraction of the cell wall. The physiological significance of both β-galactosidase isoforms may partly be attributed to their functional capacity as β-(1,4)-galactanases.

Effects of metsulfuron-methyl on amylase, urease, and protease activities in two soils

Abstract: Effects of metsulfuron-methyl on the activities of amylase, urease, and protease in loamy sand (Sungai Buluh series) and clay loam soil (Lating series) were evaluated for up to 28 days. Metsulfuron-methyl at 5· 0 µg/g caused a reduction in amylase and urease activities for the entire period of study, especially at 28 days of incubation. A similar trend was observed in Lating series soil where the lowest activities of amylase and urease were attained at Day 28 in the presence of 5 ·0 µg/g of metsulfuron-methyl. The protease activity in either Sungai Buluh or Lating series soil decreased during the 7 days of incubation compared with that of the control, but a recovery trend was obvious at all concentrations from Day 14 onwards.

The determinants of infant mortality in Malaysia: a graphical chain modelling approach.

Abstract: A graphical chain modelling approach is used to study the determinants of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in Malaysia. This approach provides an easily interpretable empirical description and illustrates explicitly the conditional independence structure between each pair of variables. The interpretation can be read directly from a mathematical graph. Besides examining the direct association of each determinant on mortality, we also examine the effects of socioeconomic determinants on intermediate determinants to understand the pathways through which the socioeconomic determinants affect the chance of mortality. The data analysed come from the second Malaysian Family Life Survey, fielded between August 1988 and January 1989.

Prevalence and some risk factors of Giardia duodenalis infection in a rural community in Malaysia.

Abstract: A study on prevalence and risk factors of Giardia duodenalis infection was conducted in rural communities of Malaysia. A total of 917 individuals between 2-70 years old (431 males and 486 females), participated in this study. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis infection was 19.2%. The prevalence was significantly different between different age groups, but not genders. Our study indicated that age < or = 12 years old and the presence of family members infected with G. duodenalis were the risk factors of infection. Person-to-person contact within the family members was the possible mode of transmission. Health education on personal hygiene, together with the treatment of the infected people, may help in reducing and controlling this infection in these communities.

Chemical and physical characteristics of cocoa butter substitutes, milk fat and Malaysian cocoa butter blends

Abstract: Two ternary systems of confectionery fats were studied. In the first system, lauric cocoa butter substitutes (CBS), anhydrous milk fat (AMF), and Malaysian cocoa butter (MCB) were blended. In the second system, high-melting fraction of milk fat (HMF42) was used to replace AMF and also was blended with CBS and MCB. CBS contained high concentrations of lauric (C12:0) and myristic (C14:0) acids, whereas palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), and oleic (C18:1) acid concentrations were higher in MCB. In addition, AMF and HMF42 contained appreciable amounts of short-chain fatty acids. CBS showed the highest melting enthalpy (143.1 J/g), followed by MCB (138.8 J/g), HMF42 (97.1 J/g), and AMF (72.9 J/g). The partial melting enthalpies at 20 and 30°C demonstrated formation of a eutectic along the binary blends of CBS/MCB, AMF/MCB, and HMF42/MCB. However, no eutectic effect was observed along the binary lines of AMF/CBS and HMF42/CBS. Characteristics of CBS included two strong spacings at 4.20 and 3.8 A. MCB showed a strong spacing at 4.60 A and a weak short-spacing at 4.20 A. On the other hand, AMF exhibited a very weak short-spacing at 4.60 A and two strong spacings at 4.20 and 3.8 A, while HMF42 showed an intermediate short-spacing at 4.60 A and also two strong short-spacings at 4.20 and 3.8 A. Solid fat content (SFC) analyses at 20°C showed that CBS possessed the highest solid fat (91%), followed by MCB (82.4%), HMF42 (41.4%), and AMF (15.6%). However, at 30°C, MCB showed the highest SFC compared to the other fats. Results showed that a higher SFC in blends that contain HMF does not necessarily correlate with a stronger tendency to form the β polymorph.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, CMV and HIV in multiply transfused thalassemia patients: results from a thalassemia day care center in Malaysia.

Abstract: Regular blood transfusions for patients with thalassemia have improved their overall survival although these transfusions carry a definite risk of the transmission of certain viruses. Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to complications which contribute to the morbidity and mortality of patients with thalassemia. We analyzed the blood samples taken from 85 transfusion dependent thalassemics receiving treatment at the day care center in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and found that the seroprevalence rates for HBV, HCV and CMV were 2.4%, 22.4% and 91.8% respectively. None of the patients tested positive for HIV. Those positive for HBV and HCV will require further tests and treatment if chronic hepatitis is confirmed.

Quality of mechanically deboned chicken meat frankfurter incorporated with chicken skin

Abstract: Four formulations were processed into frankfurters with different ratios of mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) and cooked chicken skin (CCS) i.e. 80/0, 70/10, 60/20 and 50/30. The products were evaluated for proximate composition, cholesterol content, colour; 'L' value (lightness) and 'a' value (redness), percentage of cooking loss, physical measurements (shearforce-kgf and folding test), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA) and taste panel evaluation. The increment of CCS in the frankfurters increased the contents of moisture, ash, protein, fat, cholesterol, the lightness ('L' value) and redness ('a' value). After 3 months of frozen storage, the increment continued except for the moisture contents for formulations with 20 and 30% CCS. The lipid oxidation (TBA value) and cooking loss were lowered in formulations with CCS. After 3 months of frozen storage, TBA value decreased, while the cooking loss increased for all the formulations. The addition of CCS increased hardness of the frankfurters but affected folding ability, with formulation with 10% CCS scoring better grade. Sensory evaluation was carried out using 30 untrained panelists to evaluate aroma, colour, appearance, hardness, juiciness, chicken taste, oily taste, rancid taste and overall acceptance of the products. The addition of CCS in the frankfurters at 10 and 20% resulted in products with taste and texture that were acceptable after 3 months of frozen storage.

Profile of a low vision clinic population.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Causes of low vision and types of low vision devices (LVDs) prescribed in other low vision clinics have been studied extensively. Similar studies have not been conducted in Malaysia. This paper reports the results of a retrospective study of 573 patients seen at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia-Malaysian Association for the Blind (UKM-MAB) low vision clinic in Kuala Lumpur. METHODS: The record cards of 573 patients seen at the UKM-MAB clinic over 10 years were examined and the following information extracted: date of first consultation, age, sex, cause of visual impairment as diagnosed by an ophthalmologist and types of low vision devices (LVDs) prescribed. RESULTS: The majority of patients were from the younger age groups with 423 (73.8 per cent) less than 50 years of age. Three hundred and ninety-five (68.9 per cent) of the subjects were males and 178 (31.1 per cent) female. The main causes of low vision were congenital structural defects including nystagmus among patients in the zero to 29 years age group, retinitis pigmentosa among the 30 to 59 years age group and age-related macular degeneration (ARM) among those over 60 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Since the majority of the patients were from the younger age group the main causes of low vision were congenital and hereditary diseases. Three hundred and forty-one (59.5 per cent) patients seen at the low vision clinic accepted the use of LVDs.

Evidence of lithium-nitrogen interaction in chitosan-based films from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract: X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected a signal due to lithium in the wide scan spectrum of a chitosan–LiCF3SO3 film This signal can be deconvoluted into two peaks with one peak between 516 and 522 eV and the second between 540 and 558 eV The first peak has a larger area under the curve and is attributed to the lithium salt, LiCF3SO3 while the area under the curve for the second component is smaller and is attributed to the binding energy of the Li 1s electron in the Li–N bonding

Some risk factors of Ascaris and Trichuris infection in Malaysian aborigine (Orang Asli) children.

Abstract: A study on risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths was conducted in a highly endemic area. In all 205 children (95 boys and 110 girls) participated in this study. The overall prevalences of Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm infection were 62.5%, 91.7% and 28.8% respectively. Only 22.4% of the children had a single infection either by Ascaris or Trichuris; 69.3% had mixed infection and the most prevalent of mixed infection was a combination of Ascaris and Trichuris. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that low level mother's education was a risk factor for moderate and severe infection of Ascaris and age < or = 6-year-old was a protective factor. In Trichuris infection logistic regression analysis confirmed that usage of well-water and age < or = 6-year-old were the risk factors. Logistic regression analysis on worm scores confirmed that usage of well-water and non-usage of toilets were the risk factors from getting severe worm scores and age < or = 6-year-old was a protective factor. Our finding suggest that socio-behavioural (related to mother's education), demographic (children age) and environmental-factors (usage of well-water and non-usage of toilets) are the elements to be considered in the design of long term soil-transmitted helminths (STH) control in an endemic areas.

Salvage of patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia with residual disease following ABMT performed in second CR using all-trans retinoic acid

Abstract: Detection of residual disease after completion of therapy or following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) predicts relapse and is associated with a poor prognosis. Here we describe the successful treatment of residual disease post-transplant in APL using prolonged all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy in two children in whom autologous BMT (ABMT) had been performed in second complete remission (CR). ATRA treatment was well tolerated and found to be beneficial despite its prior use as a component of the initial induction protocol. ATRA therapy post-transplant led to molecular remission as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as well as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses and remission now exceeds 3.5 years in both patients. Overall, this study not only demonstrates that ATRA may successfully salvage APL patients with residual disease post-transplant, but also suggests a potential role for retinoids post-consolidation as a means of eliminating residual disease which could be beneficial even in patients previously exposed to ATRA as a component of the induction protocol.

Progressive septal and palatal perforation secondary to intranasal cocaine abuse.

Abstract: Septal perforation from intranasal cocaine abuse is well recognised. We present a case of progressive septal as well as palatal perforation. Progression from septal perforation to palatal perforation occurred after cessation of intranasal cocaine abuse. This patient had a weakly positive cytoplasmic antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA) but no histologic evidence of Wegener's Granulomatosis. The differential diagnosis for septal and palatal perforation is reviewed. This case represents the fifth reported case of palatal perforation secondary to cocaine abuse in the literature, and the second associated with positive C-ANCA.

Constituents of the essential oil of Baeckea frutescens L. from Malaysia

Abstract: The leaf oils of Baeckea frutescens L., water-distilled from samples obtained from four different sites, were analysed by capillary GC and GC–MS. The oils were found to possess some compositional differences and considerable variation in the levels of each component, suggesting the existence of chemical varieties. The oils were rich in pinenes (39.9–55.5%), with the exception of one sample which contained γ-terpinene at 34.1% as the dominant component. 1,8-Cineole, which was present in appreciable amounts in three samples, was conspicuously absent in one sample. Other compounds that were found as the main components of most of the samples were p-cymene, limonene, linalol, α-terpineol, β-caryophyllene and α-humulene. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.