IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia (IMJM)
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Differential methods of cell lysis for protein profiling of Alexandrium sp. using 2D gel electrophoresis
Get PDFIntroduction: Protein profiling of harmful algae is an ongoing study where the latest analysis was conducted on A. minutum. It is a fundamental study where the protein expression of targeted species can be used to understand the biochemical pathway of selected proteins. The Malaysia Alexandrium spp. has the potential to cause massive blooming that brings harm to the aquatic ecosystem. Methods: In this experiment three methods of cell lysis were tested against A. leei isolated from Malaysian waters. Results: The Axenic culture of the sample was established in enriched seawater media (ESDK) with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark conditions. The sample was extracted during exponential phase (day 18) where the same amount of cells was collected via centrifugation. The same buffer was used for each technique of cell lysis in order to get the best protein profiles in terms of a band or spot intensity and number. The cells of A. leei were lysed using sonication in the ice-cold water bath, sonication with probe and freeze-thawing followed by sonication in iced bath is the best method of protein extraction. Conclusions: Nevertheless, it can be concluded that the qualitative analysis using SDS-PAGE and 2D gel electrophoresis could be best method and the freeze thawing mode of cell lysis produced an excellent result among others as the protein spots produced were precise and less streaking were observed
Assessment of community disaster resilience among Kelantan flood affected community: A cross sectional study.
Get PDFIntroduction: Community disaster resilience (CDR) is the community abilities to cope, with stands and accommodate disturbances caused by hazard exposure. In 2014, the east coast Malaysia had the worst flood disaster and many lost their home, belongings and everything was uncontrolled and messy. Despite the regular flood, the status of CDR is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the Kelantan's flood victims on their CDR level, resilience factors and its association to demographic profiles. Methods: A crosssectional survey using CCRAM28 questionnaire was done in 6 areas within 6 months in 2015. Respondents recruited purposely as they meet the criteria (18 years and above, understand Malay, moved to flood shelter). Descriptive and inferential analyses were done using SPSS software. Results: 100% returns rate (n=386). CDR level (mean) were between medium (2.34- 3.66) and high (3.67- 5.00). Among the living area, marital status, age, gender, income, religion, education, only gender (p = 0.003) and education level (p = 0.001) were significantly related to CDR level. Positive and strong correlation were seen between each resilience factors namely leadership (p = 0.001), collective efficacy (p = 0.001); preparedness (p = 0.001); place attachment (p = 0.001) and social trust (p = 0.001) consecutively. Conclusions: The study shows an acceptable CDR level, strong association between each of the resilience factors and between communities’ demographic characteristics and their CDR level. To ensure high level and continuous CDR, assessment and activities to build the resilience should be introduced by the state of Kelantan or the government of Malaysia
A Retrospective Review of 25 cases of Lethal Fetal Anomalies
Get PDFIntroduction: To review the gestational age at diagnosis, method of diagnosis, pregnancy outcome and maternal complications of prenatally diagnosed lethal foetal anomalies. Methods: Retrospective review of 25 women who had aborted or delivered foetuses with lethal anomalies in a tertiary hospital in 2011 based on patient medical records. Results: There were a total of 10,088 deliveries, in which 25 (0.24%) women were found to have conceived foetuses with lethal anomalies. All of them were diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and only 7 (28.0%) had both prenatal ultrasound and genetic study done. The women’s mean age was 29.9 years old. The mean gestational age at diagnosis of lethal foetal anomalies was 25.5 weeks (SD=12.5) and mean gestational age at termination of pregnancy (TOP) or delivery was 28.5 weeks (SD=12.5). Seven (28%) women had early counseling and TOP at the gestation of < 22 weeks. Beyond 22 weeks of gestation, eight (32%) women had TOP and ten (40%) women had spontaneous delivery. Twenty (80%) women delivered or aborted vaginally, three (12%) women with assisted breech delivery and two (8%) women with abdominal delivery which were performed due to transverse foetal lie in labour and a failed induction, leading to emergency hysterotomy complicated by hysterectomy due to intraoperative finding of ruptured uterus. Overall, the associated post-partum adverse events included post-partum haemorrhage (12%), retained placenta (12%), blood transfusion (8%), uterine rupture (4%) and endometritis (4%). Mean duration of hospital stay was 6.6 days (SD 3.7 days). Conclusion: Late diagnosis of lethal foetal anomalies leads to various maternal morbidities, in this case series , which could have been prevented if they were diagnosed and terminated at early trimester. A new direction is needed in our local practice
Patternable polymer microstructure for optical biosensing
Get PDFIntroduction: Applications of rapid sensing and detection of biological analytes are growing due to the significant environmental monitoring, health screening, cell growth and bio/chemical sensors. These factors influence the research and development on simple, cheap and sensitive functional biomolecular device. The interest in the label-free optical detection has been increased as the optical waveguide has a direct light interaction with surrounding analytes, easy integration with microfluidic system and the capability to provide specific interaction. Methods: In this work, we demonstrate the potential of microstructure as an optical biosensor. Visible wavelength is utilized because it is commonly used in biological and chemical sensing for both label and label-free sensing. The SU8 polymer microstructures waveguides were fabricated on 3.5 µm oxide. The microstructures are simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. Simulation was recorded based on refractive index that mimic the bioanalytes solution and biological binding. Then the experimental setup is developed to control the optical component and manipulate the liquid samples. The fabricated devices were characterized by using the end-facet technique. Meanwhile, microfluidic channel system was also constructed in order to inject the liquid sample into the sensor surface. Results: The wavelength shift for microresonator structure approximately 41.2 nm for 0.1 increments of surrounding refractive index. The experiments demonstrate that the shift occurred approximately 22.5 nm. In other hand, simulated Bragg grating structure gained the shift at 63.2 nm. Meanwhile, the experimental results achieve approximately 20.3 nm. Conclusions: Thus, both simulation and experimental results strongly indicate that patternable polymer microstructure has a huge potential for optical biosensing applications at visible region
Persistence of chloramphenicol in the fish flesh patin (Pangasius Hypothalamus) and tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)
Get PDFIntroduction: Increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a serious global problem. This study was aimed to extract the antibiotic Chloramphenicol (CAP) from different parts of the fish flesh. Methods: Fish fleshes were excised from two commercially important fishes: Oreochromatis niloticus.(Red Tilapia) and Pangasius hypothalamus (Patin). The fleshes were chosen form head and tail region where generally antibiotics are spiked to avoid bacterial contamination while kept in cold storages of supermarkets. Each fish fleshes were weighed and spiked with 20,40,80 and 160ppm of CAP and stored at 4°C. The CAP residue from the flesh was extracted immediately after the first spiking was considered as Day-1. The whole extraction processes were done for 1,7,14 and 28 days. HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was used to determine the presence of CAP residue in the tested fish flesh. Results: The results showed variations on the percentage of antibiotic residue recoveries at different concentration. In this study, CAP did not degrade and showed variations on the presence of antibiotic residue in the fish flesh. The recoveries of the entire CAP spiking samples ranged from 4.0% -100%. It also revealed the presence of antibiotic residue in Malaysian freshwater cultured fishes. Thus, the relevant authorities should take immediate action regarding this issue in order to prevent the harmful effects especially to human. Conclusions: Nevertheless, the study portrays that antibiotic residues can be sustained long time in the food products under storage conditions, which might have harmful effects on human when they consumed these frozen fishes
Antibacterial activities of Protein Extracts From Andrographis Paniculata, Tinospora Crispa and Centella Asiatica
Get PDFIntroduction: Andrographis paniculata, Tinospora crispa and Centella asiatica are known to have various pharmacological functions. This research was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activities of protein extracts from A. paniculata, T. crispa and C. asiatica. Methods: Total soluble proteins from these herbs were extracted using a modified TCA/acetone method. The protein extracts were then quantified using the Bradford assay and separated using SDS-PAGE. The antibacterial activities were determined by disc diffusion method. Results: T. crispa had a significantly higher amount of proteins (83.86 ± 0.4 µg/µl) compared to A. paniculata (81.57 ± 0.4 µg/µl) and C. asiatica (78.93 ± 0.5 µg/µl). The proteins separated by SDS-PAGE were ranged from 30kDa to 260kDa, 25kDa to 110kDa and 25kDa to 160kDa for A. paniculata, T. crispa and C. Asiatic, respectively. The high abundance proteins were observed in A. paniculata and T. crispa but not in C. asitica. Protein extracts from C. asiatica have demonstrated antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria with the diameter of inhibition zone of 11.0 ± 0.5 mm, 12.3 ± 0.6 mm, 10.7 ± 0.7 mm and 20.0 ± 0.8 mm against B. cereus, S. aureus, K. pneumonia and S. typhimurium respectively. Meanwhile, protein extracts of A. paniculata showed a positive antibacterial activity only against B.cereus (13.7 ± 0.4 mm), S. aureus (7.0 ± 0.8 mm) and S. typhimurium (11.5 ± 0.3 mm). Protein extracts from T. crispa only showed a positive antibacterial activity against B. cereus (9.7 ± 0.5 mm). Conclusions: There is a constant need in the discovery of new antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases
Integrating islamic input in undergraduate psychiatry teaching: IIUM experience
Get PDFIntroduction: Since the recognition of psychiatry as a medical specialty back in the 19th century, many theories, therapies and treatment were much influenced by Western findings and practice. In general, spirituality and religion had little input or mentioning. Recently in 2012, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (London) affirmed the value of considering spirituality and religion as a part of good clinical practice which would benefit both the patient and the psychiatrist throughout the treatment period. In the Malaysian context, the general postgraduate training of psychiatrists in Malaysia does not specifically integrate religious or spiritual values in the curriculum. Methods: At IIUM, the undergraduate students are exposed to basic and essential psychology during the first year. During their fourth year they are introduced to subject of psychiatry for a short two weeks. Later in their final year, they exposed to an extensive and comprehensive 7 weeks posting covering all major topics and disorders in psychiatry. Results: In this paper, we would like to share our experience throughout the 15 years, this program has been running and discuss the challenges, limitations and future expectation in order to realize the objective of integrating Islamic input into the psychiatry curriculum in IIUM hence producing doctors who are may then treat and heal patients holistically; physically, psychologically and spiritually. Conclusions: Studies on the outcome of the integrated Islamic input in the psychiatry curriculum among the clinical students and graduates are to be carried out further in the future
Prevalence, clinical features and factors associated with psychosis among Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD) patients in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC)
Get PDFIntroduction: This was a cross sectional study of the prevalence of psychosis and its characteristic in patients with Idiopathic PD (IPD) attending the neurology clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM). Methods: The assessment was using a structured demographic data and clinical information questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 6.0.0, Starkstein’s Apathy Scale (AS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Movement Disorder Society – Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Q1-Q6, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stages of PD and Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale. Results: 112 patients were studied. Psychosis was identified in 39 (34.8 %) patients (33 patients with hallucination only, 6 with hallucination and delusion (psychotic disorder) and none with delusions only). Among patients experiencing hallucinations, 14 (35.9%) had a visual hallucination only, 12 (30.8%) had auditory hallucinations only, and 13 (33.3%) had both visual and auditory hallucinations. Psychosis were more common in IPD patients with cognitive impairment using MDSQ1 scoring (OR 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.63; P = p‹0.05) while others variables were not significant. The analysis, among patients with psychotic symptoms only and patients with psychotic disorder showed education level (p<0.05), duration of illness (OR 1.8; 95% CI, (-10.7 - -3.5; p <0.01), cognitive impairment score - MDSQ1 (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9; p<0.01), H&Y score (OR 0.4; 95% CI, -2.1- -0.6; p<0.01) and ADL score (OR 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3 – 2.6; p<0.05) were significant. Conclusions: Lower education level, longer duration of illness, more advance stage of Parkinson disease and less functioning in ADL were significant in psychotic disorder in IPD