17 research outputs found
Correlation of initial blast and minimal residual disease with biological characteristics of acute leukaemia.
No full textIntroduction: Acute leukaemias (AL) are highly malignant neoplasms and responsible for a large number of haemopoietic cancerrelated deaths. Prognosis of AL is dependent upon various biological and clinical factors. There is growing body of evidence that supports minimal residual disease (MRD) values and initial blast count (IBC) at diagnosis in predicting treatment outcome and relapse risk in AL. However, there is scarcity of data on the relationship of IBC and MRD with biological characteristics [gender, age groups, AL types and immunophenotypic aberrancy (IA)]. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the
correlation of IBC, MRD (post-induction chemotherapy) and biological characteristics of AL. Materials & Methods: This
was a retrospective study involving all the 493 AL patients diagnosed at the Flow Cytometry Laboratory of UNIMAS from
2006 to 2014. Results & Discussion: The AL patients comprised 44.2% children and 55.8% adults with a male predominance (55.6%). The mean ages for children and adults were 5 and 45 years old, respectively. There were more AML (55.2%) than ALL (44.8%) cases. B-ALL and AML-M2 predominated the AL subtypes in children and adults, respectively. ALL patients showed significantly higher IBC (p£0.001) and MRD (p£0.001) levels than AML. Significantly higher IBC (p£0.001) and lower MRD (p=0.014) levels were observed in children, indicating a better response to treatment, as compared to adults. However, there was no significant difference in IBC and MRD found between genders. In addition, expression of IA was more common in AML than ALL (p=0.037). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report of a significant negative
correlation between IBC and MRD (r=-0.24, p=0.001), whereas IBC and MRD did not correlate significantly with IA. As MRD
studies were more routinely performed in ALL, these findings reflected the successful management of ALL patients in our local clinical settings. Future studies should be embarked to further assess the value of IBC, MRD and IA in prognosticating the disease outcome among the local AL patients
The role of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma chromosome rearrangement
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Patterns of Seminal Fluid Analysis In A Tertiary Centre In Sarawak
No full textIntroduction: Routine seminal fluid analysis is a prominent and globally used laboratory investigation for the evaluation of male infertility. However, limited studies have been conducted to identify the pattern of seminal fluid parameters, especially in Malaysia. This study aimed to study the seminal fluid analysis (total seminal fluid volume, total sperm count, sperm motility and viability)
pattern and determine the association of age, cigarette smoking and body mass index (BMI) with the seminal fluid analysis. Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in an infertility centre in UNIMAS [Ethical Approval: UNIMAS/TNC(PI)/09-65/01(26)] for a year (1 October 2021 – 30 September 2022). A total of 127 patients’ data were included in this study. The patients' data were recorded using a predesigned form and analysed using IBM SPSS version 28.0. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 35.26±5.61 years old. Overall, non-smokers were found to have lower seminal fluid volume and reduced sperm
motility compared to non-smokers. A statistically significant correlation between age and the total sperm count (p=0.028) and between BMI and sperm viability (p=0.037) was observed in this study. However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between BMI and seminal fluid volume, total sperm count and total sperm motility. Similarly, no statistically significant
correlation was noted between smoking and the seminal fluid analysis. Discussion/Conclusion: Our findings suggest a significant association between age and total sperm count, BMI and sperm viability, which in turn may affect the fertility statu
Antioxidant capacities and in vitro anti-microbial activities of rice (Oryza sativa var Bajong) from Borneo
No full textRice contains antioxidants and phenolic components that exert anti-infammatory and anticancer properties. Different geographical areas produce rice with various chemical constituents and phytochemicals, in turn these confer
diferential protective efects including antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Sarawak rice, Oryza sativa var Bajong
(Bajong), a fragrant dark purple rice grain harvested from two locations in Sarawak, namely interior Lubok Nibong
(LN) and coastal Sri Aman (SA), was assessed for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities. The rice
was extracted using methanol solvent and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total favonoid contents (TFC),
as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities based on the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, the aluminium calorimetric
method, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and disk difusion assay, respectively.
Using dual-wavelength measurement, Bajong LN showed 2.16% higher amylose content than Bajong SA. Furthermore, 24-h extract of Bajong LN and 48-h extract of Bajong SA exhibited high antioxidant properties (34–70 µg/mL)
and were rich in phenolic (46.54±2.62 mg GAE/g; 25.28±3.91 mg GAE/g) and favonoid contents (5.53±0.36 mg
QCE/g; 7.7±2.19 mg QCE/g) respectively. It is interesting to note that 72-h Bajong extract exhibited the largest zone
of inhibition (9–9.3 mm) against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa), which correlated to the high
TPC and TFC despite a reduction of antioxidant activity due to prolonged extraction hours. These signifcant results
conferred added value to a staple, health-promoting Bajong had warranted it to be further investigated as a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical crop
Prevalence of normal population harbouring BCR-ABL1 fusion gene in Southern Sarawak, Borneo Island
No full textHigher prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in first-degree relatives of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients compared to normal population
No full textAbstract Background The role of familial influence in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) occurrence is less defined. Previously, we conducted a study to determine the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in our local adult normal population (designated as StudyN). We present our current study, which investigated the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the normal first-degree relatives of local CML patients (designated as StudyR). We compared and discussed the prevalence of StudyR and StudyN to assess the familial influence in CML occurrence. Methods StudyR was a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling, recruiting first-degree relatives of local CML patients aged ≥ 18 years old without a history of haematological tumour. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction standardised at the International Scale (BCR::ABL1-qPCRIS) was performed according to standard laboratory practice and the manufacturer’s protocol. Results A total of 96 first-degree relatives from 41 families, with a mean age of 39 and a male-to-female ratio of 0.88, were enrolled and analysed. The median number of relatives per family was 2 (range 1 to 5). Among them, 18 (19%) were parents, 39 (41%) were siblings, and 39 (41%) were offspring of the CML patients. StudyR revealed that the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the first-degree relatives was 4% (4/96), which was higher than the prevalence in the local normal population from StudyN, 0.5% (1/190). All four positive relatives were Chinese, with three of them being female (p > 0.05). Their mean age was 39, compared to 45 in StudyN. The BCR::ABL1–qPCRIS levels ranged between 0.0017%IS and 0.0071%IS, similar to StudyN (0.0023%IS to 0.0032%IS) and another study (0.006%IS to 0.016%IS). Conclusion Our study showed that the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the first-degree relatives of known CML patients was higher than the prevalence observed in the normal population. This suggests that familial influence in CML occurrence might exist but could be surpassed by other more dominant influences, such as genetic dilutional effects and protective genetic factors. The gender and ethnic association were inconsistent with CML epidemiology, suggestive of a higher familial influence in female and Chinese. Further investigation into this topic is warranted, ideally through larger studies with longer follow-up periods
Higher prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in first-degree relatives of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients compared to normal population
No full textBACKGROUND: The role of familial influence in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) occurrence is less defined. Previously, we conducted a study to determine the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in our local adult normal population (designated as Study(N)). We present our current study, which investigated the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the normal first-degree relatives of local CML patients (designated as Study(R)). We compared and discussed the prevalence of Study(R) and Study(N) to assess the familial influence in CML occurrence. METHODS: Study(R) was a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling, recruiting first-degree relatives of local CML patients aged >/= 18 years old without a history of haematological tumour. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction standardised at the International Scale (BCR::ABL1-qPCR(IS)) was performed according to standard laboratory practice and the manufacturer's protocol. RESULTS: A total of 96 first-degree relatives from 41 families, with a mean age of 39 and a male-to-female ratio of 0.88, were enrolled and analysed. The median number of relatives per family was 2 (range 1 to 5). Among them, 18 (19%) were parents, 39 (41%) were siblings, and 39 (41%) were offspring of the CML patients. Study(R) revealed that the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the first-degree relatives was 4% (4/96), which was higher than the prevalence in the local normal population from Study(N), 0.5% (1/190). All four positive relatives were Chinese, with three of them being female (p > 0.05). Their mean age was 39, compared to 45 in Study(N). The BCR::ABL1-qPCR(IS) levels ranged between 0.0017%(IS) and 0.0071%(IS), similar to Study(N) (0.0023%(IS) to 0.0032%(IS)) and another study (0.006%(IS) to 0.016%(IS)). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the prevalence of harbouring BCR::ABL1 in the first-degree relatives of known CML patients was higher than the prevalence observed in the normal population. This suggests that familial influence in CML occurrence might exist but could be surpassed by other more dominant influences, such as genetic dilutional effects and protective genetic factors. The gender and ethnic association were inconsistent with CML epidemiology, suggestive of a higher familial influence in female and Chinese. Further investigation into this topic is warranted, ideally through larger studies with longer follow-up periods
Prevalence of Transfusion-transmissible Infections in Blood Donors: A Private Hospital Experience
No full textIntroduction: Blood transfusion, a vital component of established medical protocols, has the potential to save lives and enhance well-being. Nonetheless, it carries inherent risks, with transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) remaining a global public health concern. Vigilant monitoring of TTI prevalence among blood donors and understanding of evolving patterns are crucial safety endeavours. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of TTIs and their patterns among blood donors within a private hospital’s transfusion service. Methods: This retrospective study involved TTI testing results of blood donations at Normah Medical Specialist Centre (NMSC) in Kuching, Sarawak, spanning a decade from 2010 to 2019. Results: A total of 7329 blood donors contributed 16,085 blood units (2010 – 2019). Among them, 353 donors exhibited reactivity to TTIs, resulting in a prevalence of 4.81%. The majority of reactive donors were male (87.3%), of Malay ethnicity (62.6%), and first-time donors (73.9%). The prevalence rates were highest for HCV (2.69%), followed by HBV (1.41%), HIV (0.42%), and syphilis (0.39%). Both HBV and
HCV demonstrated declining prevalence trends, while the prevalence of HIV and syphilis remained consistently low. The response to notification of positivity among reactive donors stood at a mere 4.0%, and the seroconversion
rate among repeat donors was 4.6%. No significant disparities in prevalence or response rates were observed
between first-time and repeat donors. Conclusions: The prevalence of TTIs within NMSC’s blood donor populace
remains relatively low, though not negligible. The responsiveness of reactive donors to notifications displayed considerable deficiencies
Antioxidant capacities and in vitro anti-microbial activities of rice (Oryza sativa var Bajong) from Borneo
No full textAbstract Rice contains antioxidants and phenolic components that exert anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Different geographical areas produce rice with various chemical constituents and phytochemicals, in turn these confer differential protective effects including antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Sarawak rice, Oryza sativa var Bajong (Bajong), a fragrant dark purple rice grain harvested from two locations in Sarawak, namely interior Lubok Nibong (LN) and coastal Sri Aman (SA), was assessed for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities. The rice was extracted using methanol solvent and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities based on the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, the aluminium calorimetric method, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and disk diffusion assay, respectively. Using dual-wavelength measurement, Bajong LN showed 2.16% higher amylose content than Bajong SA. Furthermore, 24-h extract of Bajong LN and 48-h extract of Bajong SA exhibited high antioxidant properties (34–70 µg/mL) and were rich in phenolic (46.54 ± 2.62 mg GAE/g; 25.28 ± 3.91 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (5.53 ± 0.36 mg QCE/g; 7.7 ± 2.19 mg QCE/g) respectively. It is interesting to note that 72-h Bajong extract exhibited the largest zone of inhibition (9–9.3 mm) against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa), which correlated to the high TPC and TFC despite a reduction of antioxidant activity due to prolonged extraction hours. These significant results conferred added value to a staple, health-promoting Bajong had warranted it to be further investigated as a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical crop
