1.Isolation, identification, characterization and antibiotic sensitivity profile of pathogenic Legionella pneumophila isolates from different water sources
Subbaram KANNAN ; Kannan HEMALATHA
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2017;7(5):411-415
Objective:To investigate the prevalence,isolation,identification,characterization,antibiotic profile and pathogenicity of Legionellae isolated from various set of waters.Methods:A total of 400 water samples were collected from different water sources.Water samples were pretreated using acid treatment followed by concentration and culture on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar.Parameters like ability of Legionella isolates to grow in various pH range,effect of different concentrations of chlorine and effect of different temperature optima were set up.Biochemical tests were performed to separate Legionellae into species.Antibiotic sensitivity tests and test for pathogenicity were also conducted on isolated strains.Results:The rates of isolation of Legionella pneumophila (L.pneumophila) in different water sources were found to be 20% (lakes),10% (ponds),8% (water-tanks) and 1%(rivers).Most of the isolates could grow in variable pH 6-8 and it could also survive the normal level of chlorination and even at temperature of 42 ℃.Isolated species of Legionellae resulted in identification of 5 different species,L.pneumophila being the dominant one.Strains of L.pneumophila were resistant to many antibiotics.Inoculation of Legionellae into intracerebral route of suckling mice revealed that L.pneumophila was the most virulent.Conclusions:Serious and fatal L.pneumophila infections may be transmitted through water.Legionella can survive under various conditions in various water sources.L.pneumophila is the important pathogen causing human disease.Great challenge prevails to health care professionals because these Le gionellae acquired antibiotic resistance to many routinely prescribed antibiotics.
2.Assessment of Nutrient Intake in Cleft Lip and Palate Children After Surgical Correction
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2013;20(5):61-66
This research aimed to compare the nutrient intake of children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with that of normal children (without CLP) in the same age groups. The study was conducted at the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 139 children, of both sexes, from two to six years of age, either with CLP (40 children) or without CLP (99 children), were selected. The CLP and non-CLP children were grouped according to age, which is a key determinant of nutrient intake. Children in subgroup I were between the ages of 2 and 4 years, the group comprising 48 normal children of mean age 39.85 months (SD 7.1), and 20 CLP children of mean age 37.05 months (SD 5.9). Children in subgroup II were those over 4 years and up to 6 years old, and the group comprised 51 normal children, of mean age 64.16 months (SD 7.9), and 20 CLP children of mean age 56.75 months (SD 9.9). A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake in subgroups I and II, using a 24 hours diet recall method. The nutrient intake of CLP children was shown to have no significant differences from that of normal children. A comparison of intake per day with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Malaysian children showed that the consumption of nutrients was inadequate in both the normal and CLP children, in both age sub-groups.
Cleft Lip
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Nutrition Assessment
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Cleft Palate
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Child
3.HIV transmission through breastmilk: the science behind the understanding of current trends and future research
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2012;67(6):644-651
Breastmilk protects the infant from many diseases and
many short- term and long- term benefits accrue. At the
same time it is also known that breastfeeding acts as a
vehicle for some infective agents. It is now accepted that
breastmilk transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-
1 (HIV-1) is an important mode of paediatric infection .
Despite this fact, many researchers have observed that
corresponding to the volume of milk consumed by the
infant, maternal transmission via breastmilk is still
comparatively low. Some have noted the long latency period
of breastmilk HIV transmission with evidence of numerous
anti-HIV factors in breastmilk.
Although there are accepted standard guidelines on infant
feeding in mothers who are HIV positive in many countries,
it maybe equally important to realize gaps in our knowledge
of mother- to -child HIV transmission. From an
evolutionary perspective, the role of the mammary epithelial cell (MEC) and of breastmilk , in contributing to and possibly in influencing HIV-1 transmission is intriguing. The presence of HIV-1 or of other viruses in maternal milk seem to be a requisite to spur immunological defenses to optimize necessary protection to the infant. This article reviews some aspects of the science of HIV transmission through breastmilk and reflects the concept -based understanding of current policies on HIV and breastfeeding. At the same time, it highlights uncertainties in this field and the urgency for future research in this direction. Accepting current notions of breastmilk HIV transmission, greater deliberation by research may throw more light on why breastfeeding with its abundant advantages is fraught with the hazards of transmission of a deadly disease.
4.Breastfeeding counsel against cancers
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2016;6(5):422-428
The anticancer potential by breastfeeding is not fully tapped in the light of the present knowledge of the subject. Literature indicates that breastmilk has anticancer action but may underestimate its full capacity. The protective spectrum within breastmilk hints on the need for a more comprehensive understanding of it as an anticancer tool. Exclusive breastfeeding could confer protection from carcinogenesis with a greater impact than realised. A literature review was conducted using four electronic databases. Selected areas were extracted after thorough perusal of the articles. The uninitiated would take exclusive breastfeeding seriously if actively counselled as an anticancer tool. Advice on details of the breastfeeding process and holistic information on breastfeeding may endow a greater impact among the skeptics. Counselling the breastfeeding mother on information sometimes not imparted, such as on maternal nutrition, details of the process of breast-feeding, benefits of direct breastfeeding versus milk expression and her psychosocial well being may make a difference in optimising anticancer action that exists in breastmilk. Additionally, its anticancer potential provides a platform to universally improve physical and psychosocial well being of women who breastfeed. Statistics of protection by breastfeeding in some maternal and childhood cancers are evident. “Bio-geno-immuno-nutrition” of breastmilk may shield the mother and infant from carcinogenesis in more ways than appreciated. The molecular basis of mother-to-infant signals and their “en-ergies” need to be researched. Breastfeeding as a modifiable behaviour provides cost effective nutrition with potential for both cancer immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy.
5.Screening of herbal extracts influencing hematopoiesis and their chemical genetic effects in embryonic zebrafish
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2012;(z2):1002-1009
Objective: To screen the herbal extracts influencing the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in zebrafish embryos and their chemical genetic effects. Methods: The herbals used in this study had been widely applicable in Siddha medicines in South India. Herbal extracts were treated in zebrafish embryos at 4 d post fertilization and the extracts inducing the HSC were enumerated in hemocytometer. The biocompatibility and the organogenesis of the screened extracts were assessed in the zebrafish embryos for their chemical genetic effects. The LC50 values were calculated with their parallel control. The blood cells were enumerated. Results: The level of RBC was found increased in the Bergera koenigii (B. koenigii) at 15 μg/mL (P<0.05), Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) at 20 μg/mL (P<0.05) and Solanum trilobatum (S. trilobatum) at 25 μg/mL (P<0.05) and decreased RBC level was found in Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) at 30 μg/mL (P<0.05). The WBC count was found increased in S. trilobatum at 20 μg/mL (P<0.05) and Annona muricata (Annona muricata) at 15 μg/mL (P<0.05) and the Vitis quadrangularis (V. quadrangularis) at 20 μg/mL (P<0.05) decreased the WBC level. There were no notable effects in heart beats and the chemical genetic effects were observed at higher concentration of the extract resulting in Pericardial bulging, trunk tail flexure with heart edema, fin fold deformities etc. Conclusions: This in vivo based screening of Hematopoiesis is an inexpensive assay to screen herbal compounds and found that S. trilobatum extract influenced embryonic HSC in zebrafish, which could be a therapeutic for blood related disorders.
6.Statistical optimization and anticancer activity of a red pigment isolated from Streptomyces sp. PM4
Valliappan KARUPPIAH ; Chandramohan AARTHI ; Kannan SIVAKUMAR ; Lakshmanan KANNAN
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2013;(8):650-656
Objective: To enhance the pigment production by Streptomyces sp. PM4 for evaluating its anticancer activity.
Methods:Response surface methodology was employed to enhance the production of red pigment from Streptomyces sp. PM4. Optimized pigment was purified and evaluated for the anticancer activity against HT1080, Hep2, HeLa and MCF7 cell lines by MTT assay.
Results: Based on the response surface methodology, it could be concluded that maltose (4.06 g), peptone (7.34 g), yeast extract (4.34 g) and tyrosine (2.89 g) were required for the maximum production of pigment (1.68 g/L) by the Streptomyces sp. PM4. Optimization of the medium with the above tested features increased the pigment yield by 4.6 fold. Pigment showed the potential anticancer activity against HT1080, HEp-2, HeLa and MCF-7cell lines with the IC50 value of 18.5, 15.3, 9.6 and 8.5 respectively.
Conclusions:The study revealed that the maximum amount of pigment could be produced to treat cancer.
7.Effects of hydroxyethyl starch and gelatine on phagocytic activity of human neutrophils and monocytes
Zhenling HUANG ; Shanjuan WANG ; Kannan HANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 1995;0(12):-
Objective To assess the effects of gelatine and 6% hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 (HES 200 / 0.5) on phagocytic activity of human neutrophils and monocytes using flow cytometry.Methods Thirty-three ASA Ⅰ - Ⅱ patients aged 18-70 years scheduled for urological minor surgery were randomly divided into three equal groups of eleven patients :group I gelatine;group II HES 200 / 0.5 and group Ⅲ lactated Ringer's solution (LR) . 10 ml?kg-1 of gelatine, HES or LR was infused over 60 min and venous blood samples were taken before infusion and 1 h after the start of infusion for determination of phagocytes with ingested FITC-labeled E coli by flow cytometry. Results In gelatine group the percentage of neutrophils and monocytes with phagocytic activity decreased significantly after infusion ( P
8.Cytogenetics: Past, Present And Future
Thirumulu Ponnuraj Kannan ; Zilfalil Bin Alwi
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2009;16(2):4-9
Fifty years have elapsed since the discovery of the number of human chromosomes in 1956. Newer
techniques have been developed since then, ranging from the initial conventional banding techniques
to the currently used molecular array comparative genomic hybridisation. With a combination of
these conventional and molecular techniques, cytogenetics has become an indispensable tool for the
diagnosis of various genetic disorders, paving the way for possible treatment and management. This
paper traces the history and evolution of cytogenetics leading up to the current state of technology.
9.Individualised second line anti-tuberculous therapy for anextensively resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (XDR PTB) in East Malaysia
Muhammad Redzwan S Rashid Ali ; Anna P Ralph ; Kunji Kannan Sivaraman Kannan ; Timothy William
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(3):200-204
Clinical experience with extensively Drug Resistant
tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has not been reported in Malaysia
before. We describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors,
progress and therapeutic regimen for a healthcare worker
with XDR-TB, who had failed therapy for multidrug resistant
TB (MDR TB) in our institution. This case illustrates the risk
of TB among healthcare workers in high TB-burden settings,
the importance of obtaining upfront culture and
susceptibility results in all new TB cases, the problem of
acquired drug resistance developing during MDR-TB
treatment, the challenges associated with XDR-TB treatment
regimens, the value of surgical resection in refractory cases,
and the major quality of life impact this disease can have on
young, economically productive individuals.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
10. Breastfeeding and risk of parasitic infection-A review
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2014;4(11):847-858
Breastfeeding, as exclusive nutrition in the first six months of life, is a necessary nutritional requisite in infants. Except for very few maternal diseases that contraindicate breastfeeding, some of which still controversial, breastfeeding mothers must continue exclusive and sustained lactation to provide maximum overall benefits through breastfeeding. Parasitic infections is a global disease and children remain a significant proportion of the affected population. The complex and mandatory life cycles of some parasites, particularly the helminths may partly explain their geographical distribution. The world-wide prevalence of parasitic infections as well as the largely asymptomatic nature of most infections, make many of these infections to likely remain under-recognized. Breast milk, the prime infant nutrition must be recognized to be more than a rare vehicle of parasite transmission, but also a general and focused immune defensive tool against some important parasites. The possibility and influence of small quantities of parasite antigens in breast milk have not been adequately explored. It is believed that useful immunological responses both direct and indirect in breast milk that occur due to the presence of parasite antigens, must be further studied in the light of both immediate and long term benefits. Within this context, and prompted by a spectrum of existing uncertainties, researched and hypothetical roles of parasites and associated immunological responses in the lactating mammary gland are proposed and reviewed.