Showing papers by "University of Malaya published in 2004"
University of Amsterdam1, Columbia University2, Rush University Medical Center3, Cornell University4, University of Washington5, National Institutes of Health6, Leiden University7, Imperial College London8, Vanderbilt University9, SUNY Downstate Medical Center10, Ohio State University11, St. Vincent's Health System12, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill13, National University of Malaysia14, University of Paris15, University of Malaya16, Okayama University17, Federal University of São Paulo18, University of Tsukuba19
TL;DR: The main advantages of the current revised classification is that it provides a clear and unequivocal description of the various lesions and classes of lupus nephritis, allowing a better standardization and lending a basis for further clinicopathologic studies.
Abstract: The currently used classification reflects our understanding of the pathogenesis of the various forms of lupus nephritis, but clinicopathologic studies have revealed the need for improved categorization and terminology. Based on the 1982 classification published under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) and subsequent clinicopathologic data, we propose that class I and II be used for purely mesangial involvement (I, mesangial immune deposits without mesangial hypercellularity; II, mesangial immune deposits with mesangial hypercellularity); class III for focal glomerulonephritis (involving or = 50% of total number of glomeruli) either with segmental (class IV-S) or global (class IV-G) involvement, and also with subdivisions for active and sclerotic lesions; class V for membranous lupus nephritis; and class VI for advanced sclerosing lesions]. Combinations of membranous and proliferative glomerulonephritis (i.e., class III and V or class IV and V) should be reported individually in the diagnostic line. The diagnosis should also include entries for any concomitant vascular or tubulointerstitial lesions. One of the main advantages of the current revised classification is that it provides a clear and unequivocal description of the various lesions and classes of lupus nephritis, allowing a better standardization and lending a basis for further clinicopathologic studies. We hope that this revision, which evolved under the auspices of the International Society of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society, will contribute to further advancement of the WHO classification.
2,004 citations
University of Amsterdam1, Columbia University2, Rush University Medical Center3, Cornell University4, University of Washington5, National Institutes of Health6, Leiden University7, Imperial College London8, Vanderbilt University9, SUNY Downstate Medical Center10, Ohio State University11, St. Vincent's Health System12, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill13, National University of Malaysia14, University of Paris15, University of Malaya16, Okayama University17, Federal University of São Paulo18, University of Tsukuba19
TL;DR: The main advantages of the current revised classification is that it provides a clear and unequivocal description of the various lesions and classes of lupus nephritis, allowing a better standardization and lending a basis for further clinicopathologic studies.
1,561 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors applied the Taguchi optimization methodology to optimize cutting parameters in end milling when machining hardened steel AISI H13 with TiN coated P10 carbide insert tool under semi-finishing and finishing conditions of high speed cutting.
746 citations
TL;DR: Tissue specimens from patients with serologically or virologically confirmed dengue infections are studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), to localize viral antigen and RNA, respectively.
Abstract: Dengue viral antigens have been demonstrated in several types of naturally infected human tissues, but little is known of whether these same tissues have detectable viral RNA. We studied tissue specimens from patients with serologically or virologically confirmed dengue infections by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), to localize viral antigen and RNA, respectively. IHC was performed on specimens obtained from 5 autopsies and 24 biopsies and on 20 blood-clot samples. For ISH, antisense riboprobes to the dengue E gene were applied to tissue specimens in which IHC was positive. Viral antigens were demonstrated in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver; macrophages, multinucleated cells, and reactive lymphoid cells in the spleen; macrophages and vascular endothelium in the lung; kidney tubules; and monocytes and lymphocytes in blood-clot samples. Positive-strand viral RNA was detected in the same IHC-positive cells found in the spleen and blood-clot samples. The strong, positive ISH signal in these cells indicated a high copy number of viral RNA, suggesting replication.
548 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the antioxidant activity of two selected Malaysian honeys, as well as their ethyl acetate extracts, were evaluated, which indicated that honey has antioxidative and radical scavenging properties, which are mainly due to its phenolic content.
460 citations
Chonnam National University1, Samsung Medical Center2, Boston Children's Hospital3, Chulalongkorn University4, Christian Medical College & Hospital5, University of Colombo6, National University of Singapore7, Universiti Putra Malaysia8, University of Malaya9, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine10, King Saud University11
TL;DR: Multilocus sequence typing showed that the spread of the Taiwan19F clone and the Spain23F clone could be one of the major reasons for the rapid increases in antimicrobial resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in Asia.
Abstract: A total of 685 clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from patients with pneumococcal diseases were collected from 14 centers in 11 Asian countries from January 2000 to June 2001. The in vitro susceptibilities of the isolates to 14 antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution test. Among the isolates tested, 483 (52.4%) were not susceptible to penicillin, 23% were intermediate, and 29.4% were penicillin resistant (MICs ≥ 2 mg/liter). Isolates from Vietnam showed the highest prevalence of penicillin resistance (71.4%), followed by those from Korea (54.8%), Hong Kong (43.2%), and Taiwan (38.6%). The penicillin MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited (MIC90s) were 4 mg/liter among isolates from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. The prevalence of erythromycin resistance was also very high in Vietnam (92.1%), Taiwan (86%), Korea (80.6%), Hong Kong (76.8%), and China (73.9%). The MIC90s of erythromycin were >32 mg/liter among isolates from Korea, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Isolates from Hong Kong showed the highest rate of ciprofloxacin resistance (11.8%), followed by isolates from Sri Lanka (9.5%), the Philippines (9.1%), and Korea (6.5%). Multilocus sequence typing showed that the spread of the Taiwan19F clone and the Spain23F clone could be one of the major reasons for the rapid increases in antimicrobial resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in Asia. Data from the multinational surveillance study clearly documented distinctive increases in the prevalence rates and the levels of antimicrobial resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in many Asian countries, which are among the highest in the world published to date.
355 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, seven species of brown, green, and red seaweeds were examined for their abilities to sequester cadmium ions from aqueous solution, and all the seaweed types investigated were capable of binding appreciable amounts of Cadmium, considerable variability in their biosorption performance was observed.
333 citations
TL;DR: A series of experiments were conducted to compare the pore development in palm-shell and coconut-shell-based activated carbons produced under identical experimental conditions, finding that at any burn-off studied, the micropore and mesopore volumes created in palms- shell-basedactivated carbon were always higher than those of coconut-Shell-based activation carbon.
320 citations
Bradley University1, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile2, University of Tartu3, University of Louisville4, University of Latvia5, University of New Mexico6, Slovak Academy of Sciences7, University of San Carlos8, University of Malta9, Ghent University10, Clemson University11, University of Buenos Aires12, Osaka University13, Illinois State University14, National Autonomous University of Mexico15, University of Brasília16, University of Western Australia17, University of Lima18, Boğaziçi University19, University of Kassel20, University of York21, University of Queensland22, Åbo Akademi University23, Al Akhawayn University24, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur25, University of Hawaii at Manoa26, University of Catania27, University of Otago28, University of Dhaka29, Chemnitz University of Technology30, Knox College31, Comenius University in Bratislava32, University of Rijeka33, University of Malaya34, Vilnius University35, American University of Beirut36, Kwangju Health College37, University of Salzburg38, Utrecht University39, National Computerization Agency40, City University of Hong Kong41, University of Idaho42, University of Zimbabwe43, University of Lisbon44, University of Central Lancashire45, Loyola Marymount University46, University of Natal47, University of Granada48, University of Botswana49, University of Jordan50, Babeș-Bolyai University51, University of Cyprus52, University of Belgrade53, KPMG54, University of Montpellier55, University of Zurich56, University of Alabama57, Baylor University58, Queen's University Belfast59, University of Ljubljana60, University of Haifa61, University of La Serena62, Florida Atlantic University63, University of California, Davis64, University of Dar es Salaam65, Ramapo College66, Cyprus College67, Middle East Technical University68, University of the South Pacific69, VU University Amsterdam70, State University of New York System71, University of the Aegean72, Vrije Universiteit Brussel73, University of Lethbridge74, University of Vienna75, University of Hong Kong76, Yuan Ze University77, Charles University in Prague78, Chonnam National University79
TL;DR: In the International Sexuality Description Project, a total of 17,804 participants from 62 cultural regions completed the RelationshipQuestionnaire (RQ), a self-report measure of adult romantic attachment as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: As part of the International Sexuality Description Project, a total of 17,804 participants from 62 cultural regions completedthe RelationshipQuestionnaire(RQ), a self-reportmeasure of adult romanticattachment. Correlational analyses within each culture suggested that the Model of Self and the Model of Other scales of the RQ were psychometrically valid within most cultures. Contrary to expectations, the Model of Self and Model of Other dimensions of the RQ did not underlie the four-category model of attachment in the same way across all cultures. Analyses of specific attachment styles revealed that secure romantic attachment was normative in 79% of cultures and that preoccupied romantic attachment was particularly prevalent in East Asian cultures. Finally, the romantic attachment profiles of individual nations were correlated with sociocultural indicators in ways that supported evolutionary theories of romantic attachment and basic human mating strategies.
314 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the Geneva stellar evolution code was used to model the pre-supernova evolution of rotating massive stars, and it was shown that the effects of rotation on pre-Supernova structures are significant between 15 and 30 M�.
Abstract: We describe the latest developments of the Geneva stellar evolution code in order to model the pre-supernova evolution of rotating massive stars. Rotating and non-rotating stellar models at solar metallicity with masses equal to 12, 15, 20, 25, 40 and 60 Mwere computed from the ZAMS until the end of the core silicon burning phase. We took into account meridional circulation, secular shear instabilities, horizontal turbulence and dynamical shear instabilities. We find that dynamical shear instabilities mainly smoothen the sharp angular velocity gradients but do not transport angular momentum or chemical species over long distances. Most of the differences between the pre-supernova structures obtained from rotating and non-rotating stellar models have their origin in the effects of rotation during the core hydrogen and helium burning phases. The advanced stellar evolutionary stages appear too short in time to allow the rotational instabilities considered in this work to have a significant impact during the late stages. In particular, the internal angular momentum does not change significantly during the advanced stages of the evolution. We can therefore have a good estimate of the final angular momentum at the end of the core helium burning phase. The effects of rotation on pre-supernova models are significant between 15 and 30 M� . Indeed, rotation increases the core sizes (and the yields) by a factor ∼1.5. Above 20 M� , rotation may change the radius or colour of the supernova progenitors (blue instead of red supergiant) and the supernova type (IIb or Ib instead of II). Rotation affects the lower mass limits for radiative core carbon burning, for iron core collapse and for black hole formation. For Wolf-Rayet stars (M > 30 M� ), the pre-supernova structures are mostly affected by the intensities of the stellar winds and less by rotational mixing.
286 citations
TL;DR: A method based on single-allele base extension reaction and MS, which allows for the reliable detection of fetal-specific alleles, including point mutations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms, in maternal plasma, was developed and noninvasive prenatal diagnosis in a mother and father carrying identical beta-thalassemia mutations was accomplished.
Abstract: The analysis of circulating nucleic acids has revealed applications in the noninvasive diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of many clinical conditions. Circulating fetal-specific sequences have been detected and constitute a fraction of the total DNA in maternal plasma. The diagnostic reliability of circulating DNA analysis depends on the fractional concentration of the targeted sequence, the analytical sensitivity, and the specificity. The robust discrimination of single-nucleotide differences between circulating DNA species is technically challenging and demands the adoption of highly sensitive and specific analytical systems. We have developed a method based on single-allele base extension reaction and MS, which allows for the reliable detection of fetal-specific alleles, including point mutations and single-nucleotide polymorphisms, in maternal plasma. The approach was applied to exclude the fetal inheritance of the four most common Southeast Asian β-thalassemia mutations in at-risk pregnancies between weeks 7 and 21 of gestation. Fetal genotypes were correctly predicted in all cases studied. Fetal haplotype analysis based on a single-nucleotide polymorphism linked to the β-globin locus, HBB, in maternal plasma also was achieved. Consequently, noninvasive prenatal diagnosis in a mother and father carrying identical β-thalassemia mutations was accomplished. These advances will help in catalyzing the clinical applications of fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma. This analytical approach also will have implications for many other applications of circulating nucleic acids in areas such as oncology and transplantation.
TL;DR: In almost all areas, injury rates are especially high in the most vulnerable sections of the community, including those of low socioeconomic status, and injury control activities should, therefore, be undertaken in a context of attention to human rights and other broad social issues.
TL;DR: In this article, sediment accumulation and organic matter decomposition in mangrove forests of different ages were examined at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in peninsular Malaysia.
TL;DR: Reflux Oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus were not as uncommon as previously thought in a multiracial Asian population and a significant proportion of patients had severe grades of reflux oesphagitis.
Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of and risk factors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), reflux oesophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) amongst Malaysian patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination.DesignA cross-sectional study on consecutive patients w
TL;DR: In this article, an experimental result carried out to evaluate exhaust gas emissions and deposit characteristics of a small diesel engine when operated on preheated crude palm oil (CPO) and its emulsions with 1%, 2% and 3% water was presented.
Abstract: This paper presents an experimental result carried out to evaluate exhaust gas emissions and deposit characteristics of a small diesel engine when operated on preheated crude palm oil (CPO) and its emulsions with 1%, 2% and 3% water. The test was conducted for 100 h using each of the test fuels with a constant speed of 2700 rpm and 5.50 Nm load. The engine was disassembled after the test to scrape carbon deposits from piston and cylinder heads. Ordinary diesel fuel (OD) scrape was used for comparison purposes. It was observed that preheated CPO reduced exhaust emissions such as containing less CO, HC and PM as compared to OD and CPO emulsified fuels. This is mainly attributed to the fact that preheating of CPO reduces its viscosity to the level of OD that improves the fuel spray and atomization characteristics and produces complete combustion. However, preheated CPO increased NOx emission as compared to OD and CPO emulsified fuels. This is mainly attributed from the deposit characteristic result, and shows that preheated CPO increased the highest fraction of ash deposit as compared to OD and CPO emulsified fuels, which is the reason for increasing NOx emissions. This programme will give useful information for further research and development in selecting the materials for engine parts and compatible lubricants if preheated CPO is used as an alternative to OD.
TL;DR: This paper introduces a new set of translation and scale invariants of Legendre moments based on Legendre polynomials, which remain unchanged for translated, elongated, contracted and reflected non-symmetrical as well as symmetrical images.
TL;DR: Polar organic compounds in aerosol particulate matter from Malaysia are converted to their trimethylsilyl derivatives and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to better assess the contribution of the biomass burning component during the haze episodes.
TL;DR: The protein content of the Antarctic algae was markedly affected by culture temperature, and all except Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 contained higher amount of proteins when grown at low temperatures (6–9 ∘C), while the percentage of PUFA decreased with increasing culture temperature.
Abstract: The growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae cultured at different temperatures, ranging from 4, 6, 9, 14, 20 to 30 ∘C, were compared. The algae were isolated from seawater, freshwater, soil and snow samples collected during our recent expeditions to Casey, Antarctica, and are currently deposited in the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). The algae chosen for the study were Chlamydomonas UMACC 229, Chlorella UMACC 234, Chlorella UMACC 237, Klebsormidium UMACC 227, Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238. All the isolates could grow at temperatures up to 20 ∘C; three isolates, namely Navicula UMACC 231 and the two Chlorella isolates (UMACC 234 and UMACC 237) grew even at 30 ∘C. Both Chlorella UMACC 234 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 had broad optimal temperatures for growth, ranging from 6 to 20 ∘C (μ = 0.19 – 0.22 day–1) and 4 to 14 ∘C (μ = 0.13 – 0.16 day–1), respectively. In contrast, optimal growth temperatures for NaviculaUMACC 231 and Chlamydomonas UMACC 229 were 4 ∘C (μ = 0.34 day–1) and 6–9 ∘C (μ = 0.39 – 0.40 day–1), respectively. The protein content of the Antarctic algae was markedly affected by culture temperature. All except Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 contained higher amount of proteins when grown at low temperatures (6–9 ∘C). The percentage of PUFA, especially 20:5 in Navicula UMACC 231 decreased with increasing culture temperature. However, the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids did not show consistent trend with culture temperature for the other algae studied.
TL;DR: Safe and effective treatments for endocrinologic sexual medicine disorders examined by prospective, placebo-controlled, multi-institutional clinical trials are needed.
TL;DR: An HPLC-fluorescence method using a C30 silica stationary phase was developed to separate and analyze the vitamin E isomers present in palm oil and an α-tocomonoenol (α−T1) isomer was quantified and characterized by MS and NMR.
Abstract: Previous reports showed that vitamin E in palm oil consists of various isomers of tocopherols and tocotrienols [alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T), alpha-tocotrienol, gamma-tocopherol, gamma-tocotrienol, and delta-tocotrienol), and this is normally analyzed using silica column HPLC with fluorescence detection. In this study, an HPLC-fluorescence method using a C30 silica stationary phase was developed to separate and analyze the vitamin E isomers present in palm oil. In addition, an alpha-tocomonoenol (alpha-T1) isomer was quantified and characterized by MS and NMR. (alpha-T1 constitutes about 3-4% (40+/-5 ppm) of vitamin E in crude palm oil (CPO) and is found in the phytonutrient concentrate (350+/-10 ppm) from palm oil, whereas its concentration in palm fiber oil (PFO) is about 11% (430+/-6 ppm). The relative content of each individual vitamin E isomer before and after interesterification/transesterification of CPO to CPO methyl esters, followed by vacuum distillation of CPO methyl esters to yield the residue, remained the same except for alpha-T and gamma-T3. Whereas alpha-T constitutes about 36% of the total vitamin E in CPO, it is present at a level of 10% in the phytonutrient concentrate. On the other hand, the composition of gamma-T3 increases from 31% in CPO to 60% in the phytonutrient concentrate. Vitamin is present at 1160+/-43 ppm, and its concentrations in PFO and the phytonutrient concentrate are 4,040+/-41 and 13,780+/-65 ppm, respectively. The separation and quantification of alpha-T1 in palm oil will lead to more in-depth knowledge of the occurrence of vitamin E in palm oil.
30 Apr 2004
TL;DR: It is shown that the focus measure is monotonic and unimodal with respect to image blurring and invariant to contrast changes due to the differences in the intensities of illumination.
Abstract: A new measure of image focus based on the discrete orthogonal Chebyshev moments is introduced. The low- and high-spatial-frequency components of an image can be represented as the low- and high-order Chebyshev moments, respectively. The focus measure is defined as the ratio of the norm of the high-order moments to that of low-order moments. It is shown that the focus measure is monotonic and unimodal with respect to image blurring. Additionally, it is invariant to contrast changes due to the differences in the intensities of illumination. The focus measure is tested for its discriminating power of images blurred to various degrees. Noise studies show that the focus measure is robust under Gaussian and salt-and-pepper noise. The performance of the proposed focus measure is compared with the existing focus measures.
TL;DR: Cysts were detected in 20.5% of positive samples, but only following Ficoll-Paque concentration of formol-ether concentrates, and infection was more prevalent in summer than in winter/spring.
Abstract: In order to determine the comparative sensitivity of two methods of detecting Blastocystis hominis and to investigate the seasonality of infection with this enteric protozoan parasite, the present study was conducted. In each of two 3-month periods representing winter, spring (February-April) and summer (July-September), 500 routine stool submissions were examined for B. hominis using microscopy following either formol-ether concentration or in vitro culture using Jones' medium. The organism was detected in 39 of the 1,000 samples investigated using the in vitro culture technique and in none of the samples using the formol-ether concentration technique. In 82% of the B. hominis-positive samples, no concurrent bacterial or parasitic pathogens were found, and diarrhoea was the most commonly recorded symptom among patients. Infection was more prevalent in summer than in winter/spring, occurring primarily in the 71-80-year age group. Cysts were detected in 20.5% of positive samples, but only following Ficoll-Paque concentration of formol-ether concentrates. Cyst excretion was more prevalent in summer than in winter/spring.
TL;DR: In this paper, an alternate route for the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2, based on thermodynamic viability of the process, has been suggested, which is observed that the formation of methanol from CO 2 is a reversible process.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among 505 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients was 226, and it was found that a CD4 count of less than 100 cells/cumm was significantly associated with development of TE (P <0.05).
Abstract: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among 505 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients was 226 (44.8%; 95% CI 42.64-51.76): 27 (47.4%) and 199 (44.4%) showed Toxoplasma seropositivity with and without toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE), respectively (P <0.05). The majority of these patients were in the 25-34 age group (44 versus 39%), male (86 versus 76%), and Chinese (49 versus 53%), though no statistical significance was found between the two. Significant differences between these two groups were noted, however, in terms of marital status, occupation, and present address. The heterosexual exhibited the most frequent behavior at risk for HIV infection, and accounted for 51 and 59% of patients with and without TE, respectively. Only 17/260 (6.5%) and 1/137 (0.7%) of them later acquired TE after receiving primary chemoprophylaxis (cotrimoxazole) and antiretroviral therapy including HAART (P <0.05). Fifty-seven (11.3%) out of those 505 patients were diagnosed with AIDS-related TE. The most common clinical manifestation was headache (56%). The computed tomography scan findings showed most lesions to be multiple (96.4%), hypodense (66.7%), and in the parietal region (39.3%). Twenty-seven (47.4%) patients had chronic (latent) Toxoplasma infection as evidenced by seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma (IgG) antibody. At the time of diagnosis, the range of CD4 cell count was from 0-239 with a median of 25 cells/cumm. We also found that a CD4 count of less than 100 cells/cumm was significantly associated with development of TE (P <0.05). Clinical outcomes showed that among those who survived, 21 (36.8%), 16 (28.1%), and 2 (3.5%) of patients had completed treatment, transferred out, and were lost to follow up, respectively. Unfortunately, 18 (31.6%) of the cases were officially pronounced dead. Overall, 7 (12.3%) patients were detected as recurrent TE in this study.
TL;DR: Nipah viruses from pigs from a Malaysian 1998 outbreak were isolated and sequenced and at least two different Nipah virus strains were identified, including a previously unreported strain.
Abstract: Nipah viruses from pigs from a Malaysian 1998 outbreak were isolated and sequenced. At least two different Nipah virus strains, including a previously unreported strain, were identified. The findings highlight the possibility that the Malaysia outbreaks had two origins of Nipah virus infections.
Samsung Medical Center1, Chonnam National University2, Sungkyunkwan University3, Chungbuk National University4, Dong-a University5, Chungnam National University6, Chulalongkorn University7, Christian Medical College & Hospital8, University of Colombo9, National University of Singapore10, Universiti Putra Malaysia11, University of Malaya12, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine13
TL;DR: Clinical severity of pneumococcal pneumonia was not significantly different between antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-susceptible groups, and current antimicrobial regimens are mostly effective in the treatment of pneumitiscal pneumonia, despite the widespread emergence of in vitro resistance.
Abstract: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of pneumococcal pneumonia caused by antibiotic-resistant strains in Asian countries, we performed a prospective observational study of 233 cases of adult pneumococcal pneumonia in 9 Asian countries from January 2000 to June 2001. Among 233 isolates, 128 (55%) were not susceptible to penicillin (25.3% were intermediately susceptible, and 29.6% were resistant). Clinical severity of pneumococcal pneumonia was not significantly different between antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-susceptible groups. Mortality rates among patients with pneumococcal pneumonia caused by penicillin-, cephalosporin-, or macrolide-resistant strains were not higher than those with antibiotic-susceptible pneumococcal pneumonia. Bacteremia and mechanical ventilation were significant risk factors for death, but any kind of antibiotic resistance was not associated with increased mortality due to pneumococcal pneumonia. Outcome of pneumococcal pneumonia was not significantly affected by drug resistance, and current antimicrobial regimens are mostly effective in the treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia, despite the widespread emergence of in vitro resistance.
TL;DR: This report summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of a panel of gastroenterologists practising in the Asia–Pacific region that although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less common and milder in endoscopic severity in Asia than in the West, there is nevertheless data to suggest an increasing frequency of the disease.
Abstract: This report summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of a panel of gastroenterologists practising in the Asia-Pacific region. The group recognized that although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less common and milder in endoscopic severity in Asia than in the West, there is nevertheless data to suggest an increasing frequency of the disease. During a 2-day workshop, the evidence for key issues in the diagnosis and clinical strategies for the management of the disease was evaluated, following which the recommendations were made and debated. The consensus report was presented at the Asia-Pacific Digestive Week 2003 in Singapore for ratification. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of erosive GERD. There is no gold standard for the diagnosis of non-erosive GERD (NERD). Diagnosis therefore relies on symptoms, a positive 24-h pH study or a response to a course of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The goals of treatment for GERD are to heal esophagitis, relieve symptoms, maintain the patient free of symptoms, improve quality of life and prevent complications. The PPI are the most effective medical treatment. Following initial treatment, on-demand therapy may be effective in some patients with NERD or mild (GI) erosive esophagitis. Anti-reflux surgery by a competent surgeon could achieve a similar outcome, although there is an operative mortality of 0.1-0.8%. The decision is dependent on the patient's preference and the availability of surgical expertise. Currently, endoscopic treatment should be performed only in the context of a clinical trial. Treatment of patients with typical GERD symptoms without alarm features in primary care could begin with PPI for 2 weeks followed by a further 4 weeks before going to on-demand therapy.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The high prevalence of inadequate levels of serum vitamin D found in the Malaysian population may have important public health consequences and warrants the development of a strategy to correct this problem in the older adult Malaysian population.
Abstract: Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) were determined in 276 (103 Malays and 173 Chinese) postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 65 years. The level of 25 (OH) D was significantly lower in the postmenopausal Malay women (44.4 +/-10.6 nmol/L) compared to the Chinese women (68.8 +/- 15.7 nmol/L) (P<0.05). There were 27% Malay women with serum 25 (OH) D in the range of 50 - 100 nmol/L (defined as lowered vitamin D status, or hypovitaminosis D) and 71% with levels in the range of 25 - 50 nmol/L (defined as vitamin D insufficiency) compared to 87% and 11% Chinese women respectively. Serum 25 (OH) D was found to significantly correlate with BMI, fat mass and PTH level. Multivariate analyses showed that race has a strong association with vitamin D status. The high prevalence of inadequate levels of serum vitamin D found in our study may have important public health consequences and warrants the development of a strategy to correct this problem in the older adult Malaysian population.
TL;DR: In this paper, the wear mechanism of TiN-coated carbide and uncoated cermets tools was investigated at various combinations of cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut for end milling of hardened AISI H13 tool steel.
TL;DR: In this paper, solvent extractable compounds of urban airborne particulate matter were analyzed to determine the distributions of homologous and biomarker tracers, and the results showed that the samples contain n-alkanes, nalkan-2-ones, n -alkanols, methyl n-kanoates, n-inkanoates and n-logs.