Showing papers by "University of Malaya published in 1997"

Trans (Elaidic) Fatty Acids Adversely Affect the Lipoprotein Profile Relative to Specific Saturated Fatty Acids in Humans

Abstract: Although dietary trans fatty acids can affect plasma lipoproteins negatively in humans, no direct comparison with specific saturated fatty acids has been reported, even though trans fatty acids were designed to replace saturates in foods and food processing. In this study, dietary trans 18:1 [elaidic acid at 5.5% energy (en)] was specifically exchanged for cis 18:1, 16:0 or 12:0 + 14:0 in 27 male and female subjects consuming moderate fat (31% en), low cholesterol (<225 mg/d) whole food diets during 4-wk diet periods in a crossover design. The trans-rich fat significantly elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol relative to the 16:0-rich and 18:1-rich fats and uniquely depressed HDL cholesterol relative to all of the fats tested. Trans fatty acids also elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] values relative to all dietary treatments. Furthermore, identical effects on lipoproteins were elicited by 16:0 and cis 18:1 in these subjects. The current results suggest that elaidic acid, one of the principal trans isomers produced during industrial hydrogenation of edible oils, adversely affects plasma lipoproteins. Thus, the negative effect of elaidic acid on the lipoprotein profile of humans appears to be unmatched by any other natural fatty acid(s).

A national epidemiological survey of oral mucosal lesions in Malaysia.

Abstract: The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in Malaysia was determined by examining a representative sample of 11 707 subjects aged 25 years and above throughout the 14 states over a period of 5 months during 1993/1994. A two-stage stratified random sampling was undertaken. A predetermined number of enumeration blocks, the smallest population unit in the census publication was selected from each state. With the selected enumeration block, a systematic sample of living quarters was chosen with a random start. The survey instrument included a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and a clinical examination. The clinical examination was carried out by 16 specially trained dental public health officers and the diagnosis calibrated with a final concordance rate of 92. The age in the sample ranged from 25 to 115 years with a mean of 44.5+14.0. The sample comprised 40.2 males and 59.8 females; 55.8. were Malays, 29.4 Chinese,10.0 Indians and 1.2 other ethnic groups. Oral mucosal lesions were detected in 1131 (9.7.) subjects. 5 (0.04) had oral cancer, 165 (1.4) had lesions or conditions that may be precancerous (leukoplakia. erythroplakia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus) and 187 (1.6) had betel chewer's mucosa. The prevalence of oral precancer was highest amongst Indians (4.0) and other Bumiputras (the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak) (2.5) while the lowest prevalence was amongst the Chinese (0.5).

Vertical transmission of dengue.

Abstract: Dengue, an important mosquito-borne flavivirus infection, is endemic in Southeast Asia. We describe two mothers who had acute dengue 4 and 8 days before the births of their infants. One mother had worsening of her proteinuric pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver dysfunction, and coagulopathy and required multiple transfusions of whole blood, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. Her male infant was ill at birth, developed respiratory distress and a large uncontrollable left intracerebral hemorrhage, and died of multiorgan failure on day 6 of life. Dengue virus type 2 was isolated from the infant's blood, and IgM antibody specific to dengue virus was detected in the mother's blood. The second mother had a milder clinical course; she gave birth to a female infant who was thrombocytopenic at birth and had an uneventful hospitalization. Dengue virus type 2 was recovered from the mother's blood, and IgM antibody specific to dengue virus was detected in the infant's blood. This report highlights not only the apparently rare occurrence of vertical transmission of dengue virus in humans but also the potential risk of death for infected neonates.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in Malaysia: a study of 539 patients and comparison of prevalence and disease expression in different racial and gender groups

Abstract: The aims of this study were to examine the clinical and laboratory features of Malaysian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify any difference in disease expression between the different genders and among the three major ethnic groups of Malaysia. Retrospective analysis of all patients with SLE admitted to and followed-up at University Hospital Kuala Lumpur from 1974-90 was undertaken. Ethnic Chinese had the highest prevalence of SLE compared to other ethnic groups. There was a high incidence of renal disease, 74% of patient had significant proteinuria and half of these had associated nephrotic syndrome. Indian patients had significantly less incidence of skin manifestation compared to other racial groups. No difference in disease expression was detected between the ethnic Chinese and Indians and between the male and female patients. The overall 5 y and 10 y survival rates were 82% and 70% respectively. Indian patients had the poorest survival rates. Survival rates are similar among the Chinese and Malay patients. Our findings are in broad agreement with those previously reported.

Transparent conducting lithium-doped nickel oxide thin films by spray pyrolysis technique

Abstract: Nickel oxide (NiO) and lithium-doped nickel oxide films were deposited by the spray pyrolysis technique using NiCl2 and LiCl as starting materials. All the films were greenish-grey in colour and confirmed by X-ray analysis. The best NiO films were obtained when the substrate temperature, Ts=480 °C where a conductivity of 2.1×10-1Ω-1 cm-1 and transparency above 80% in the visible region are achieved. High transparency (above 80%) and highly conducting NiO films were obtained when doped with lithium.

Saponified palm kernel oil and its major free fatty acids as carbon substrates for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in Pseudomonas putida PGA1

Abstract: The synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by Pseudomonas putida PGA1, using saponified palm kernel oil (SPKO), was investigated. The PHA produced from SPKO was compared with those produced by the major free fatty acids found in the palm kernel oil. Owing to the absence of lipase activity in P.␣putida, palm kernel oil did not support cell growth. However, SPKO could support cell growth and produced relatively high yield of both dry cells and PHA. The polyester produced was similar in properties to those derived from lauric (C12:0) and myristic (C14:0) acids, while oleic acid (C18:1) gave rise to PHA that was sticky and of broader molecular mass distribution. Nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography showed that these PHA were copolymers consisting mainly of n-alkanoate monomers ranging from C6 to C14, with C8 as the predominant component. PHA derived from SPKO and oleic acid also contained a small amount of unsaturated monomers.

Prevalence of and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in a multi-racial dyspeptic Malaysian population undergoing endoscopy.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine the risk factors for Helicobacter pylori in a dyspeptic Malaysian population. A cross-sectional survey of 1060 consecutive patients presenting with dyspepsia at the Endoscopic Unit, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from January 1994 to July 1995 was undertaken. All patients answered a detailed questionnaire and underwent endoscopy, with two antral biopsies taken for diagnosis of H. pylori using a rapid urease test. An overall H. pylori prevalence of 49.0% was recorded. Helicobacter pylori prevalence in relation to the major endoscopic diagnoses were as follows: non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) 31.2%; duodenal ulcer (DU) 91.4%; and gastric ulcer (GU) 74.1%. The prevalence among the races were as follows: Malay 16.4%; Chinese 48.5%; and Indians 61.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the following as independent risk factors: >45 years old 1.5 (1.1,2.0); male gender 1.6 (1.2,2.1); ethnic group: Chinese 2.5 (1.7,3.7); Indians 4.9 (3.2,7.5); level of education: low 2.3 (1.5,3.5); middle 1.7 (1.1,2.6); and smoking 1.6 (1.2,2.3). Analysis was also performed on DU, GU and non-UD patients separately; in both DU and GU patients, H. pylori prevalence was high regardless of age, sex, race or level of education. However, in DU patients, Indian race had an independent risk factor (Odds ratio = 7.8 (1.2,48.4)). The findings in the NUD group reflected the findings in the 'all patients' group; > 45 years old, male gender, Indian and Chinese race, and low level of education were also significant, independent risk factors. The overall differences in H. pylori prevalence between the different subgroups were mainly due to differences in the NUD group. The increased risk of H. pylori infection in Chinese and Indians points to either an inherent ethnic genetic predisposition or to socio-cultural practices peculiar to the particular race which may be responsible for transmission of the infection.

Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients attending a university teaching hospital.

Abstract: The authors investigated patient and doctor delays in diagnosing and treating pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) based upon interviews conducted with 97 patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary TB at University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The time intervals between disease onset first medical consultation and the final diagnosis and commencement of anti-TB treatment were determined. Demographic and clinical features were also considered for their effect upon the time intervals. 36 patients were sputum smear-positive and 61 were smear-negative with TB eventually confirmed in 32 of the smear-negative cases. The medians of patient delay doctor delay and total delay were 2 weeks 7 weeks and 12.5 weeks respectively. 81.9% of the 94 symptomatic patients first sought medical advice from a private general practitioner but only 10 of the 161 practitioners consulted by the patients suspected TB. Chest X-ray and sputum examinations were underutilized. With the goal of shortening patient delay the public should be taught about the symptoms of TB and the importance of early medical consultation. At the same time private general practitioners should watch more closely for the possibility that a patient is presenting with TB. Such patients should then be referred promptly to government hospitals for more thorough assessment and care.

Composition and accumulation of secondary carotenoids in Chlorococcum sp.

Abstract: A locally isolated Chlorococcum sp. could accumulate astaxanthin and its esters as secondary carotenoids. The secondary carotenoids could reach a concentration of 5.2 mg g−1 d. wt, and were located in the cytoplasm and chloroplast as globules. Cells grew best at pH 8.0 and 30 °C, at which the growth rate was about 0.066 h−1. Acidic condition (pH 5.5 and 6.5) and slightly elevated temperature (35 °C) enhanced the cellular accumulation of astaxanthin. Outdoor studies indicated that Chlorococcum sp. grew well in a tubular photobioreactor. In medium containing 2 mM and 10 mM NH4CI, the cellular contents of total secondary carotenoids and astaxanthin reached similar levels (5.0 mg g−1 d. wt and 2.0 mg g−1 d. wt, respectively) in the 15 days of cultivation, while the yield of total secondary carotenoids and astaxanthin in 10 mM NH4CI were higher (45 mg L−1 and 18 mg L−1, respectively). The advantages of tolerance to high temperature and extreme pH values, relative fast growth rate and ease of cultivation in outdoor system suggest that Chlorococcum sp. could be a potential candidate for mass production of secondary carotenoids in particular astaxanthin.

Laccase, cellulase and xylanase activities during growth of Pleurotus sajor-caju on sago hampas

Abstract: Sagohampas, the fibrous pith residue left after starch extraction from sago palm, is abundant at sago-processing factories and can be used as a substrate for the production of laccase by solid substrate fermentation (SSF) withPleurotus sajorcaju, an edible mushroom. The fungus grown onhampas with an adjusted carbon : nitrogen ratio of 35:1, exhibited high laccase activity together with variable cellulase (0.3-2.8 U/g) and xylanase (0.9-10.1 U/g) activity. The maximum amount of laccase produced was approximately 17.7 U/g after 6 days of SSF using 4-week-old inoculum at a density of 10%. With the mature four-week inoculum, laccase activity increased 12-fold compared to that achieved with two-week-old inoculum. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude laccase were 6.0 and 50‡C, respectively. The apparent Km and Vmax values obtained were 0.073 mM and 0.962 U/min, respectively. The maximum laccase activity could be almost doubled after 6 days of fermentation by addition of 0.2 mM vanillin or ferulic acid; the cellulose to lignin ratio increased significantly during the 12 days of SSF, from 2.74 in the control to 3.3, when 0.2 mM of either vanillin or ferulic acid was added to the substrate.

Designing a prehospital system for a developing country: Estimated cost and benefits

Abstract: Many of the costs associated with prehospital care in developed countries are covered in budgets for fire suppression, police services, and the like. Determining these costs is therefore difficult. The costs and benefits of developing a prehospital care system for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which now has essentially no emergency medical services (EMS) system, were estimated. Prehospital therapies that have been suggested to decrease mortality were identified. A minimal prehospital system was designed to deliver these treatments in Kuala Lumpur. The potential benefit of these therapies was calculated by using statistics from the United States corrected for demographic differences between the United States and Malaysia. Costs were extrapolated from the current operating budget of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. Primary dysrhythmias are responsible for almost all potentially survivable cardiac arrests. A system designed to deliver a defibrillator to 85% of arrests within 6 minutes would require an estimated 48 ambulances. Kuala Lumpur has approximately 120 prehospital arrhythmic deaths per year. A 6% resuscitation rate was chosen for the denominator, resulting in seven survivors. Half of these would be expected to have significant neurological damage. Ambulances cost $53,000 (US dollars) to operate per year in Kuala Lumpur; 48 ambulances would cost a total of $2.5 million. Demographic factors and traffic problems would significantly increase the cost per patient. Other therapies, including medications, airway management, and trauma care, were discounted because both their additional cost and their benefit are small. Transport of patients (including trauma) is now performed by police or private vehicle and would probably take longer by ambulance. A prehospital system for Kuala Lumpur would cost approximately $2.5 million per year. It might save seven lives, three of which would be marred by significant neurological injury. Developing countries would do well to consider alternatives to a North American EMS model.

Genetic variation within and relationships among populations of Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract: Genetic variation at 53 protein-coding loci (25 polymorphic) was analysed for 17 water buffalo populations-12 swamp, three Lankan and two of the Murrah breed (river type), to determine the magnitude of genetic differentiation and the genetic relationships among the populations. In accord with previous cytological studies, the Lankan buffalo clearly are river type. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were shown for a number of locus-population combinations, with all populations but one showing significant heterogeneity in these deviations among loci. By contrast, heterogeneity among populations for each locus was much less, indicating locus-specific deviations, which suggest selection affecting allele frequencies at some loci. There was significant genetic differentiation among populations of both the swamp and river types. The differentiation among the swamp populations may reflect the geography of south-east Asia and the presumed spread of the swamp buffalo through this region. Phylogenies derived from pairwise genetic distance estimates show the clear separation of swamp and river types, but the topology of the swamp populations shows rather poor consistency with their geographic locations. For at least one population (Australia), it is clear that bottleneck effects have distorted the phylogenetic topology. Average genetic distances for both the swamp and river types, as compared with previous studies of livestock breeds, show that the genetic differentiation of each of these sets of populations is of the same order of magnitude as that among well-recognized and established breeds of other species.

Indirect injection diesel engine operation on palm oil methyl esters and its emulsions

Abstract: Results of exhaust emissions and lube oil analysis of a diesel engine fuelled with Malaysian palm oil diesel (POD or palm oil methyl esters) and ordinary diesel (OD) emulsions containing 5 and 10 per cent of water by volume are compared with those obtained when 100 per cent POD and OD fuel were used. Very promising results have been obtained. Neither the lower cetane number of POD fuel nor its emulsification with water presented any obstacle to the operation of a diesel engine during steady state engine tests and the 20 hour endurance tests. Polymerization and carbon deposits on fuel injector nozzles were monitored. Engine performance and fuel consumption for POD and its emulsions are comparable with those of OD fuel. Accumulations of wear metal debris in crank-case oil samples were lower with POD and emulsified fuels compared with baseline OD fuel. Both OD and POD emulsions with 10 per cent water by volume show a promising tendency for wear resistance. The exhaust emissions for POD and emulsified...

Ecotoxicology of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem

Abstract: In tropical countries rice has been identified as one of the crops that is particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of pesticide use In addition to the physicochemical nature of the pesticide, tropical climatic conditions and agricultural practices play important roles in determining the fate and distribution of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem The assessment of ecotoxicological effects of pesticides in the tropical paddy field ecosystem has been based primarily on acute lethality tests conducted on fish species commonly found in paddy fields The effects of pesticides in the paddy field ecosystem on other nontarget organisms ranging from microalgae and cyanobacteria to paddy field crabs have also been investigated, although such studies are limited As a means to promote a more judicious use of pesticides in the paddy field, the adoption of integrated pest management strategies have resulted in varying degrees of success The most widely accepted form of control measure is the integration of multiresistant cultivars with reduced use of pesticides Effective training of the paddy farmer has been identified as the key to successful implementation of integrated pest management strategies

Money demand amid financial sector developments in Malaysia

Abstract: Both long and short run real money demand functions of Malaysia with money variously defined as M0, M1 and M2 have been estimated using the Johansen cointegration technique and the general-to-specific approach respectively. The period under review is 1973Q1–1991Q4. While liberalization and innovation in the Malaysian financial system have not ruled out the existence of stable long run money demand relationships as attested to by the presence of cointegrating vectors, they have rendered short run relationships unstable. Hence, it may not be appropriate for one to conclude that monetary policy efficacies have been sacrosanct to the financial liberalization and innovation process on the basis of cointegrating relationships. This is especially true as monetary policy is essentially a short run stabilization policy aimed at ironing out undue macroeconomic fluctuations. This prompted us to re-estimate short run money demand functions over more recent periods in order to boost the policy relevance of the estimat...

Botulinum toxin for the temporary treatment of involutional lower lid entropion: a clinical and morphological study.

Abstract: Purpose: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the use of botulinum toxin as a temporary treatment in patients awaiting surgical repair for involutional entropion and to compare its use with lid taping. Methods: Botulinum toxin was administered to 30 patients with involutional entropion (35 eyelids). These patients had all previously been using lid taping and lubricant ointment as a temporary measure whilst awaiting lid surgery. Patients' symptoms and signs were assessed before and after toxin injection. The date of entropion recurrence was recorded. Eyelid tissue from 8 patients treated with toxin and 3 control patients who had not been given toxin was obtained after surgical entropion repair and examined histologically to ensure the botulinum toxin had no potential detrimental effects on the results of surgery. Results: The toxin was simple and quick to administer. Anatomical success was achieved in 33 of the 35 eyelids with significant improvements in symptoms and signs. The mean duration of action of the toxin was 12.5 weeks. Lower lid laxity was inversely correlated with duration of toxin action. There were no consistent changes in orbicularis oculi morphology after toxin injection. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin is a highly effective temporary treatment for involutional entropion with few complications and no adverse effects on the results of surgical entropion repair.

Sarcoid-like foreign body reaction in body piercing: a report of two cases.

Abstract: We report two cases of body piercing as a religious practice that subsequently led to the development of granulomatous nodules at previously punctured sites of the skin and oral mucosa. These lesions were diagnosed as sarcoid-like foreign body reaction after other possible causes including sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, tuberculoid leprosy, fungal infections, viral infections, and Crohn's disease were excluded.

Some observations on the issues of quality cost in construction

Abstract: Looks at how the construction industry’s demand for better management of quality in construction projects is becoming increasingly important for every project participant. Says that one important aspect of a quality improvement programme is the cost of quality which is relatively new to participants of construction projects. Describes the results of a survey among professionals in the construction industry on the issues relating to the management of quality and especially its cost. Shows that results of the investigation indicate, among others, the importance of client role in determining the quality of the end product; the usefulness of information on non‐conformances in preventing failures and improving a process; problems with ground conditions; how most failure costs can be eliminated; how the contractor’s role should include anticipating of problems; and how information on the cost of failures can be an indicator of weaknesses and assist in preventing the same failure in the future.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin's disease in a multi-ethnic population in Malaysia.

Abstract: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated as a contributing factor in the development of Hodgkin's disease. Western cases of Hodgkin's disease have shown the presence of EBV in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in approximately 50%. We studied a total of 100 consecutive cases of Hodgkin's disease from Malaysia, with the aim to elucidate its association with EBV in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Of 34 patients (34%) less than 15 years of age (childhood), 25 had classical Hodgkin's disease (eight nodular sclerosis, 16 mixed cellularity, one lymphocyte depleted) and nine had lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease. Of the 66 from patients aged 15 years and above, 3 3 had nodular sclerosis, 24 mixed cellularity, two lymphocyte depleted, one unclassifiable and six lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease. The ethnic distribution of classical Hodgkin's disease was: Malay 23, Chinese 32 and Indian 30 (Malay:Chinese:Indian = 1:1.4:1.3), and the ethnic distribution in the 15 cases of lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease was: Malay four, Chinese 10 and Indian one. Taking into account the ethnic distribution of the general population and of hospital admissions, there appears to be a significant predilection of classical Hodgkin's disease cases in ethnic Indian compared to non-Indian patients (chi-squared test, 0.025 > P > 0.01). Eighty-one cases were tested for the presence of EBV by in situ hybridization for EBV encoded RNA, and 57 cases by immunostaining for EBV latent membrane protein 1. In the younger age group, all except one of the 15 cases (nine mixed cellularity, six nodular sclerosis) showed the presence of EBV (93%). In the older age group, EBV was detected (52%) in the following proportion: 6/27 nodular sclerosis, 19/22 mixed cellularity, 1/2 lymphocyte depleted, 1/1 unclassifiable. None of the 14 cases of lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease showed the presence of EBV in the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. The findings suggest a strong association of EBV with Hodgkin's disease in Malaysians (41/67, 6l%), in particular childhood cases (93%). In adults, the association with EBV is significantly higher in the mixed cellularity subtype (86%) compared with the nodular sclerosis subtype (22%).