1.New locality record of Isomyia paurogonita Fang & Fan, 1986 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Heo, C.C. ; Aisha, S. ; Kurahashi, H. ; Omar, B
Tropical Biomedicine 2013;30(1):159-163
Isomyia paurogonita Fang & Fan, 1986 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a rare species of
the subfamily Rhiniinae (tribe Cosminini) was recorded for the first time in Malaysia. We
collected one male and two females during a field trip conducted at Genting Highland,
Pahang, peninsular Malaysia in May 2011. A 3-day old cow liver was offered as attractant and
dipterans collected were transferred to the laboratory for specimens processing and
identification. The adults of I. paurogonita were attracted to the odour and then captured by
using a sweep net. Isomyia paurogonita was also recorded from two other localities in
Peninsular and Malaysian Borneo, namely Gombak Utara, Selangor and Sibu, Sarawak.
2.Cross-reactivity of Malaysian rat cytomegalovirus strains with its human counterpart
Camalxaman, S.N., ; Zeenathul, N.A.* ; Quah, Y.W. ; Loh, H.S. ; Zuridah, H. ; Sheikh-Omar, A.R. ; Mohd-Azmi, M.L.
Tropical Biomedicine 2011;28(3):661-667
This study probes into the prospect of cross-reactivity of HCMV with RCMV which
has not been acknowledged to date. We describe the uncovering of a protein with an estimated
size of between 61-68 kDa from local RCMV strains which reacted with HCMV positive sera.
Our findings are a first disclosure of a plausible immunological cross-reactivity between
RCMV with its human counterpart which grounds substantial interest implying existence of
conserved determinants between rat and human CMV polypeptides. The cross-reactive protein
most likely represents an enveloped glycoprotein, though the precise identification and its
degree of similarity needs to be evidently defined and further elucidated in forthcoming
experiments.
3.The Outcome of the Seminal Fluid Parameters Collected via Coitus Interruptus versus Masturbation
M Kamarul Bahyah ; Z Ahmad Murad ; I Ghazali ; R Roszaman ; A W Noraziana ; A Mokhtar ; M H Omar
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2010;65(1):23-26
A one year study was carried out to determine the outcome
of the seminal fluid parameters collected via masturbation
and coitus interruptus in 151 patients who were undergoing
intrauterine insemination (IUI) and patients who came for
seminal analysis. There were no statistically significant
differences in terms of volume, concentration, progressive
motility and normal morphology from specimens collected
via coitus interruptus compared to specimens collected via
masturbation. Pregnancy outcomes were also comparable.
4.GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist in intracytoplasmic injection cycles.
M R Zainul Rashid ; F B Ong ; M H Omar ; S P Ng ; A Nurshaireen ; N S M N Sharifah-Teh ; A H Fazilah ; M A Zamzarina
The Medical journal of Malaysia 2008;63(2):113-7
The long agonistic protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is effective and used most often, thus is considered the gold standard. Therefore any new regimen has to be compared in its results with those obtained with the long protocol. This report compares the efficacy of GnRH agonist and antagonist in a retrospective study of IVF/ICSI carried out in a tertiary teaching hospital from 2003 to 2006. Only the first COH cycle followed by IVF-ICSI from 200 couples (agonist = 120 and antagonist = 80) were analysed. The end points studied included the number of oocytes recovered, number of mature (MII) oocytes, fertilization, cleavage, morphology based embryo quality, pregnancy rate, quantity and cost of gonadotrophin. The average age of female subjects was 35.1 +/- 4.7 years with 50% being 35 years and above. Major infertility factors were tubal blockage, male factor and endometriosis altogether comprising 68%. GnRH agonist and antagonist cycle parameters were comparable except lesser amount of gonadotrophin was used with lower resultant costs (both p < 0.0005) in antagonistic regime. Antagonist regime produce somewhat more good quality embryos (p = 0.065), an insignificant difference. A clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of 16.3% in agonist and 20.6% in antagonist regime was achieved respectively. In conclusion, GnRH antagonist protocol produced a COH response, embryonic development and pregnancy rates on par to GnRH agonist regime. Moreover GnRH antagonist protocol required a shorter stimulation period plus fewer complications. Hence GnRH antagonist regime provided means for a friendlier, convenient and cost effective protocol for patients.
Gonadorelin
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Protocols documentation
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Pregnancy
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Encounter due to In vitro fertilization
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Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
5.Haemoglobin Sickle D Punjab: - A Case Report
Rahimah Ahmad ; Syahira Lazira Omar ; Siti Hida H M Arif ; Faidatul Syazlin A Hamid ; Nur Aisyah Aziz ; Nik Hafidzah N Mustapha ; Zubaidah Zakaria
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2014;69(1):42-43
Haemoglobin S D-Punjab is a rare compound heterozygous
haemoglobinopathy characterised by the presence of two β
globin gene variants: β6(GAG→GTG) and β121(GAA→CAA).
These patients’ clinical and haematological features mimic
haemoglobin S disease. We describe the first case of doubly
heterozygous HbSD-Punjab from Malaysia managed with
regular blood transfusion at the age of one. This case
highlights the propensity for occurrence of rare phenotypes
within our multi-ethnic population and emphasises the
importance of accurate genotyping to avoid erroneous
counselling, and to plan an effective patient management
strategy before complication evolves.
6.Mesosomes are a definite event in antibiotic-treated Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923.
L Santhana Raj ; H L Hing ; Omar Baharudin ; Z Teh Hamidah ; R Aida Suhana ; C P Nor Asiha ; B Vimala ; S Paramsarvaran ; G Sumarni ; K Hanjeet
Tropical biomedicine 2007;24(1):105-9
Mesosomes of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 treated with antibiotics were examined morphologically under the electron microscope. The Transmission Electron Microscope Rapid Method was used to eliminate the artifacts due to sample processing. Mesosomes were seen in all the antibiotic treated bacteria and not in the control group. The main factor that contributes to the formation of mesosomes in the bacteria was the mode of action of the antibiotics. The continuous cytoplasmic membrane with infolding (mesosomes) as in the S. aureus ATCC 25923 is therefore confirmed as a definite pattern of membrane organization in gram positive bacteria assaulted by amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and oxacillin antibiotics. Our preliminary results show oxacillin and vancomycin treated bacteria seemed to have deeper and more mesosomes than those treated with amikacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the deep invagination and the number of mesosomes formed is associated with the types of antibiotic used.
Antibiotics
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seconds
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Mesosome
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Staphylococcus aureus
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Bacterial
7.Hexon and fiber gene changes in an attenuated fowl adenovirus isolate from Malaysia in embryonated chicken eggs and its infectivity in chickens
Norfitriah M SOHAIMI ; Mohd H BEJO ; Abdul R OMAR ; Aini IDERIS ; Nurulfiza M ISA
Journal of Veterinary Science 2018;19(6):759-770
Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) is distributed worldwide and causes economic losses in the poultry industry. The objectives of this study were to determine the hexon and fiber gene changes in an attenuated FAdV isolate from Malaysia in specific pathogen-free chicken embryonated eggs (SPF CEE) and its infectivity in commercial broiler chickens. SPF CEE were inoculated with 0.1 mL FAdV inoculum via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) for 20 consecutive passages. The isolate at passage 20 (E20), with a virus titer of 10(8.7)TCID₅₀/mL (TCID₅₀, 50% tissue culture infective dose), was inoculated (0.5 mL) into one-day-old commercial broiler chicks either via oral or intraperitoneal routes. The study demonstrated that 100% embryonic mortality was recorded from E2 to E20 with a delayed pattern at E17 onwards. The lesions were confined to the liver and CAM. Substitutions of amino acids in the L1 loop of hexon at positions 49 and 66, and in the knob of fiber at positions 318 and 322 were recorded in the E20 isolate. The isolate belongs to serotype 8b and is non-pathogenic to broiler chickens, but it is able to induce a FAdV antibody titer. It appears that molecular changes in the L1 loop of hexon and the knob of fiber are markers for FAdV infectivity.
Adenoviridae
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Amino Acids
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Chickens
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Chorioallantoic Membrane
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Eggs
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Fowl adenovirus A
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Liver
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Malaysia
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Mortality
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Ovum
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Poultry
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Serogroup
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Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
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Viral Load
8.Prevalence and risk factors of developmental disabilities among preschool children in the Arab world: a narrative literature review
Omar H. ALMAHMOUD ; Lubna ABUSHAIKHA
Child Health Nursing Research 2023;29(2):101-110
Purpose:
Developmental disabilities (DDs) are a global childhood problem whose prevalence is rising, with a disproportionate impact on individuals in low-and middle-income countries. However, data on the prevalence of DDs in the Arab world are limited. This review highlights what is currently known about the prevalence and risk factors of DDs in preschool children in the Arab world.
Methods:
PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched for publications on DDs among preschool children in the Arab world. Only 14 studies were identified in the literature, from 12 Arab countries.
Results:
The overall estimated prevalence of DDs among preschool children in the Arab world is 27.5%. An analysis of risk factors for DDs showed that child-related, maternal, and family-related factors account for a significant cumulative risk of developing DDs in preschool children. Maternal factors, such as antenatal and perinatal complications, were the most common risk factors.
Conclusion
The prevalence of DDs among preschoolers is significantly high in the Arab world, which emphasizes the importance of the early detection and diagnosis of DD, as well as its associated risk factors.
9. Antitumor effect of thymoquinone combined with resveratrol on mice transplanted with breast cancer
Omar H. ALOBAEDI ; Wamidh H. TALIB ; Iman A. BASHETI
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2017;10(4):400-408
Objective To test the anticancer potential activity of the combination of thymoquinone (TQ) and resveratrol (RES) against breast cancer in mice. Methods The antiproliferative activity of TQ, RES and their combination was assessed against three breast cancer cell lines and one normal cells using MTT assay. The combination index was calculated using isobolographic method. Balb/C mice were inoculated with EMT6/P cells and in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated. Results The combination therapy also caused significant decrease in tumor size with a percentage cure of 60%. The combination therapy induced geographic necrosis, enhanced apoptosis, and decreased VEGF expression. Serum levels of IFN-γ were elevated in mice treated with combination therapy with no liver or kidney toxicity. Conclusions The combination of TQ and RES against breast cancer in mice can work synergistically. The anticancer effect of this combination is mediated by apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition and immune modulation.
10.Serum Sclerostin Levels in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Their Association with Bone Turnover Markers and Bone Mineral Densitometry.
Abdulrahman Y ALMANSOURI ; Mohammed E ABDULFATAH ; Omar H BAAQIL ; Alaa A BAKHEET ; Sarah A TURKI ; Mamdouh M KOTB ; Alaa ALTHUBAITI ; Majed M ALMAGHRABI ; Abdulrahman M ALTHUBAITI ; Badr M MADANI ; Ali S M JAWAD
Journal of Bone Metabolism 2016;23(1):16-22
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare serum sclerostin levels in human im-munodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and healthy controls, and to evaluate their relationship with bone turnover markers (BTM) and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We prospectively studied 33 HIV treatment-naive patients and 63 healthy individuals; matched for age and sex. Serum sclerostin levels, BTM, BMD were measured. Viral load and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) levels were also assessed in HIV-infected patients. RESULTS: The mean+/-standard deviation (SD) age of sample was 37.6+/-10.3 years (range, 19 to 59 years). Of the 96 subjects, 58 (60.4%) were male and 38 (39.6%) were female. Infection with HIV is associated with significant reduction in serum sclerostin levels (HIV-infected: 39.4+/-28.3 vs. non HIV: 76.6+/-15.7 pmol/L; P<0.001) and a decrease in BMD at femoral neck and lumbar spine compared to healthy controls. Sclerostin however was not correlated with BMD and was not related to age, generally a strong correlation. There were no significant correlations between sclerostin and BTM (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that untreated HIV and the resulting immune deficiency and/or systemic inflammation could be an important regulator of serum sclerostin in this population.
Bone Density
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Densitometry*
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Female
;
Femur Neck
;
Glycoproteins
;
HIV*
;
Humans
;
Humans*
;
Inflammation
;
Male
;
Osteoporosis
;
Prospective Studies
;
Saudi Arabia
;
Spine
;
Viral Load