Issue: IeJSME 2010 4(2)
Bacillus Thuringiensis Parasporal Proteins And Their Effect On Human Cancer Cells : An Overview
Author: Shin Yee Rebecca Wong
ABSTRACT
Bacillus thuringiensis is an anaerobic, spore forming bacterium that produces various toxic proteins both during its vegetative stage and sporulative stage. During its sporulative stage, it produces parasporal proteins that have long been used in the agriculture fields as insecticides. Although anticancer effect of Bacillus thuringiensis parasporal proteins can be dated back to the 1970s, research in this area went through a giant leap in the late 1990s, with much of the work being done in Japan. It has been found that some strains of non-insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis produce parasporal proteins that exhibit anticancer activity. Due to their selectivity against human cancer cells but not normal cells, some of these proteins have been extensively studied for their anticancer effect and the mechanism of action by which these proteins kill cancer cells have also been widely explored in Japan and Malaysia with sporadic reports from other parts of the world. The abundance of these bacilli in nature and their selectivity have made them potential candidates for cancer treatment. However, literature on the in vivo effect of these proteins is scarce. Since different Bacillus thuringiensis strains produce different cytotoxic proteins with wide variations in their anticancer effect and mechanism of action, further investigations are necessary and their effect in vivo must be well established before they can be used in human subjects.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Non-insecticidal, Non-haemolytic, Parasporal proteins, parasporin, Anticancer activity.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 3-9
Severe Respiratory Sequelae Of H1N1: Clinical Features, Management And Outcome – A Review
Authors: Ismail A Hamid, Marzida Mansor, Gracie Siok Yan Ong, N M Kumar.
ABSTRACT
Since the outbreak of the novel influenza H1N1 in April 2009 in Mexico, more then half a million cases have been recorded with more then 6000 deaths. In contrast to seasonal flu, this virus appears to have a predilection for the young, obese and pregnant. It’s most important and almost fatal complication is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Intensive care units (ICU) around the world have scrambled to upgrade various treatment modalities including high frequency oscillation ventilation, inotropes, antivirals and antibiotics in an effort to reduce the mortality arising out of this complication. More importantly, this complication appears reversible if adequate and early therapy is instituted. In particular, rescue therapies that allow the lung to rest appear to have brought success in some clinical settings. This article describes the experiences of seven centers that have used various modalities as rescue therapy in patients having Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The experiences in 13 patients at the University of Michigan, 58 in Mexico, 168 in Canada, 180 patients at Leicester UK, 194 in Australia and New Zealand and case reports from Hong Kong and Singapore are described.
Keywords: H1N1, ARDS, ventilation, ECMO.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 10-17
The Lack Of Effective Hand Washing Practice Despite High Level Of Knowledge And Awareness In Medical Students Of Clinical Years
Authors: S Sulaiha S A, Wee Yun Ling, Lie Joo Chin, Wei-Liang Eow, Muhamad Faiz S, Noris Chien Fook Tan.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nosocomial infection is among the leading problem in many major hospitals resulting in soaring cost expenditure in managing its affect. Hand washing practice is a crucial preventive way to contain such mischief but many ignored its importance. This is perhaps due to lack of appropriate role modeling from senior practitioners.
Subjects and methods: Our study examined the prevalence of hand washing practice among medical students from year 3 to 5 and compared it to their knowledge and level of awareness on its importance in clinical practice. 142 students were randomly observed during their clinical work in the wards on this practice and questionnaires were later distributed to 268 students from all semesters on their knowledge on the technique and awareness on its importance.
Results: Out of 142, almost 80% washed their hands but only 41.6% performed effective hand washing. In contrary, 80 to 90% showed good level of knowledge and awareness as well as perception about its importance in clinical practice.
Conclusions: The contradictory findings between the actual practice of hand washing and knowledge as well as awareness suggest that enforcement on the practice is necessary. This requires motivation and cooperation from all health alliances and higher authority in the health system. Remedial measures are much needed in order to contain high incidence of nosocomial infection in our local practice.
Keywords: Effective hand washing, Nosocomial infection, Practice of hand washing.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 18-26
The Prevalence Of Hypertension And Its Associated Risk Factors In Two Rural Communities In Penang, Malaysia
Authors: Syer Ree Tee, Xin Yun Teoh, Wan Abdul Rahman Wan Mohd Aiman, Ahmad Aiful, Calvin Siu Yee Har, Zi Fu Tan, Abdul Rashid Khan.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is estimated to cause 4.5% of the global disease burden. The prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia is 32.2%.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors in two rural communities in Penang, Malaysia.
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among all consenting residents aged 18 years and above from two villages in Penang. Besides the baseline demographic information, blood pressure was measured using a manual sphygmomanometer according to the American Heart Association Guidelines.
Results: 50 out of 168 people were hypertensive, giving a prevalence rate of 29.8%. 50.0% of those found with hypertension were undiagnosed and 48.0% of those who were diagnosed with hypertension had uncontrolled blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, history of alcohol consumption and BMI were found to be independently associated with hypertension.
Conclusions: Age, education level, alcohol consumption and BMI are important risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension among the villagers. These risk factors are comparable to those reported in National Health and Morbidity Survery 2006 in Malaysia.
Keywords: Blood pressure, Hypertension, Penang, Prevalence, Risk factor, Rural.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 27-40
Evaluating The Deciding Factors For Termination Of Pregnancy With Fetal Anomaly – Experience From Two Centers In Malaysia
Authors: Nazimah I, Noor Sham Y L, Khairun Niza C N, Mohd Ikhsan S, Nadzratulaiman N, Juliana Y.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the factors that contributes to the decision for termination of pregnancy in prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly cases.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly who delivered between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2009 in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia.
Results: A total of seventy-two (72) prenatally diagnosed pregnancies with fetal anomalies were identified. Mean maternal age was 29.8 ± 5.5 years and mean parity 1.47 ± 1.8. 70.8% of patients were ethnic Malay, 15.3% Chinese and 12.5% ethnic Indian. 22 (30.6%) fetuses were lethally abnormal. The overall pregnancy termination rate was 29.2%. 50% of pregnancies with lethally abnormal fetuses were terminated compared to 20% of pregnancies with non-lethal abnormality (p<0.05). There were no significant differences seen in the decision for pregnancy termination with regards to mean maternal age, parity and between mothers of different ethnic backgrounds.
Conclusion: Severity of fetal anomaly is the main determinant in the decision for pregnancy termination. Maternal age, parity and ethnic background did not significantly influence the decision.
Keywords: Prenatal diagnosis, Fetal anomaly, Termination of pregnancy, Determining factors.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 41-46
Pre And Post PBL Meetings In Ensuring The Quality Of Facilitators In Problem Based Learning
Authors: Amirthalingam Sasikala Devi, Gnanajothy Ponnudurai, Su Yui Chen.
ABSTRACT
Background: Problem based learning (PBL) is a student – centered curriculum delivery tool believed to promote active student participation. Though the PBL is student – centered, the facilitator plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of this system by providing balance in group interaction and discussion of learning issues. In International Medical University (IMU) one of the strategies to ensure the quality of the facilitators was the pre and post PBL meetings. This study aimed to gauge its usefulness in ensuring the quality of PBL facilitation.
Method: The questionnaire to study the perceptions of PBL facilitators on the pre and post PBL meetings included close ended questions on pre and post PBL meeting’s attendance and their scored opinion in improving PBL facilitation skills, open ended questions inviting suggestions to improve these meetings and PBL facilitation in IMU as a whole and self-evaluation as an effective PBL facilitator using a six point Likert scale to a list of statements.
Results: 84.2% of facilitators agreed the meetings were beneficial. Self-evaluation of their facilitator effectiveness showed on average ratings of seven out of ten indicating strong confidence in facilitating skills. Suggestions ensuring facilitator quality included content expert briefing in pre PBL meetings and student appraisals of facilitators given weightage in staff appraisal.
Conclusion: Pre and post PBL meetings enhanced facilitator comfort with the triggers, adding to their confidence and provided a venue to obtain feedback on the triggers.
Keywords: Problem based learning, PBL facilitator, Pre and post PBL meeting.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 47-53
Idiopathic Gingival Fibromatosis With Aggressive Periodontitis – A Rare Case Report
Author: Rizwan M Sanadi
ABSTRACT
Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis is a rare benign oral condition characterized by a slowly progressive, non-hemorrhagic, fibrous enlargement of maxillary and mandibular attached and non-attached gingivae. A 14 year old female patient suffered from unusual gingival enlargement, more on the left side along with generalized aggressive periodontitis. The enlarged gingiva covered more than two-thirds of the clinical crowns. Marked inflammatory hyperplasia of epithelium and connective tissue of the gingiva was observed histopathologically. Perioscan test was performed, the results of which were negative. The diagnosis of Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis with aggressive periodontitis was made. Conventional periodontal therapy was performed followed by excision of the enlargement using gingivectomy procedure.
Keywords: Aggressive periodontitis, Bleeding gums, Gingival enlargement, Gingival fibromatosis, Mobility, Pocket formation
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 54-58
