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Tham ML, Mahmud A, Abdullah M, Md Saleh R, Mohammad Razali A, Cheah YK, Mohd Taib N, Ho KL, Mahmud M, Mohd Isa M. Correction: Tear Samples for Protein Extraction: Comparative Analysis of Schirmer's Test Strip and Microcapillary Tube Methods. Cureus 2024; 16:c173. [PMID: 38736763 PMCID: PMC11087660 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.c173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50972.].
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Affiliation(s)
- May Ling Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Aidalina Mahmud
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Maha Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Rafidah Md Saleh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Amirah Mohammad Razali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Yoke Kqueen Cheah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Niazlin Mohd Taib
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Kok Lian Ho
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Mazaya Mahmud
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Muhammad Mohd Isa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
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Tham ML, Mahmud A, Abdullah M, Md Saleh R, Mohammad Razali A, Cheah YK, Mohd Taib N, Ho KL, Mahmud M, Mohd Isa M. Tear Samples for Protein Extraction: Comparative Analysis of Schirmer's Test Strip and Microcapillary Tube Methods. Cureus 2023; 15:e50972. [PMID: 38259376 PMCID: PMC10800704 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tear sampling is an attractive option for collecting biological samples in ophthalmology clinics, as it offers a non-invasive alternative to other invasive techniques. However, there are many tear sampling methods still in consideration. This study explores the suitability of Schirmer's test strip and microcapillary tube as reliable and satisfactory methods for tear sampling. METHODS Tear samples were collected from eight healthy volunteers using the standard Schirmer's test strip method with or without anesthesia and microcapillary tubes. The total tear protein concentrations were analyzed via spectrophotometry and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay. The protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimal wetting length of Schirmer's strip and suitable buffer solutions were compared. Discomfort levels reported by participants and the ease of execution for ophthalmologists were also evaluated. RESULTS Tear samples exhibited typical protein profiles as shown by SDS-PAGE. The mean total protein obtained from an optimum wetting length of 20 mm using Schirmer's strip without anesthesia in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) yielded substantial quantities of protein as measured by nanophotometer (220.20 ± 67.43 µg) and the BCA protein assay (210.34 ± 59.46 µg). This method collected a significantly higher quantity of protein compared to the microcapillary tube method (p=0.004) which was much more difficult to standardize. The clinician found it harder to utilize microcapillary tubes, while participants experienced higher insecurity and less discomfort with the microcapillary tube method. PBS used during the tear protein extraction process eluted higher tear protein concentration than ammonium bicarbonate, although the difference was not statistically significant. Using anaesthesia did not ease the sampling procedure substantially and protein quantity was maintained. CONCLUSION Good quality and quantity of protein from tear samples were extracted with the optimized procedure. Schirmer's strip test in the absence of local anesthesia provided a standard, convenient, and non-invasive method for tear collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Ling Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Aidalina Mahmud
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Maha Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Rafidah Md Saleh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Amirah Mohammad Razali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Yoke Kqueen Cheah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Niazlin Mohd Taib
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Kok Lian Ho
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Mazaya Mahmud
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
| | - Muhammad Mohd Isa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MYS
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Kamala Nathan M, Jasni AS, Zakariah SZ, Tengku Jamaluddin TZM, Mohd Isa M, Ibrahim R. Hidden bugs in a newly opened hospital: the distribution of skin microbiota among healthcare workers in a newly opened teaching hospital. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 37432079 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Skin is a reservoir for millions of micro-organisms, all of which make up the skin microbiota. Hospitals have been identified as a favourable environment for transmitting micro-organisms and thus, it is important to know the distribution of skin microbiota among healthcare workers (HCWs), as such findings may provide baseline information for the distribution of skin microbiota in hospitals.Hypothesis. There is no significant association between the factors (age, gender, type of skin microenvironment, hand hygiene practices, usage of skin care products, current healthcare practices and previous workplace) and the distribution of the skin microbiota among HCWs.Aim. The study aims to identify type of skin microbiota and associated factors (age, gender, type of skin microenvironment, hand hygiene practices, use of skincare products, current healthcare practice, and previous workplace) that influence the growth of skin microbiota.Method. About 102 bacterial isolates were obtained from the skin of 63 healthcare workers in a newly opened teaching hospital, namely Hospital Pengajar Universiti Putra Malaysia (HPUPM). All isolated bacteria were subjected to phenotypic identification according to standard microbiological procedures.Results. The most common isolated skin microbiota were Gram-positive bacteria (84.3%), followed by Gram-negative bacteria (15.7%). A Chi-square test of independence was used to analyse the above factors and there was a significant association between the type of skin microenvironment and the distribution of skin microbiota (P=0.03) (type of skin microenvironment influences the distribution of skin microbiota).Conclusion. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. was the most common bacteria isolated from the skin of the healthcare workers. Even though coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are low pathogenic bacteria, but it may cause serious infection in high risk group of patients. Therefore, it is important to emphasize on the good hand hygiene practices and implement strict infection control measures to minimize the risk of HAI in newly opened hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azmiza Syawani Jasni
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Siti Zulaikha Zakariah
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia
| | | | - Muhammad Mohd Isa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Rosni Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia
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Abubakar SA, Isa MM, Omar N, Tan SW. Relative quantification of human β‑defensins gene expression in pterygium and normal conjunctiva samples. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:4931-4937. [PMID: 33174018 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The human ocular surface produces highly conserved cationic peptides. Human β‑defensins (HBDs) serve an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. They are primarily expressed in epithelial cells in response to infection and provide the first line of defence against invading microbes. Defensin β1 (DEFB1) is constitutively expressed and regulated by inflammatory mediators including interferon‑γ, lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycans. DEFB4A is locally induced in response to microbial infection while DEFB109 is induced via Toll‑like receptor 2. The present study examined the expression of the HBD DEFB1, DEFB4A and DEFB109 genes in pterygium. The pterygium tissues and normal conjunctiva samples were obtained from 18 patients undergoing pterygium surgery. The reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was employed to determine the expression of DEFB1, DEFB4A and DEFB109 genes. The results revealed that the expression of DEFB1 and DEFB4A was significantly higher and upregulated in pterygium samples when compared with normal conjunctiva samples from each patient (P<0.05), while the expression of DEFB109 was observed to be lower in pterygium samples when compared with normal samples from the same patient. Previous studies have revealed that DEFB1 and DEFB4A genes are present in low concentrations inside the human eye, and they are upregulated during the maturation of keratinocytes, suggesting a possible role in cell differentiation. The DEFB109 gene is present in higher concentrations inside the human eye, though it is newly discovered. It has also been reported that DEFB1 may be involved in carcinogenesis epithelial tumours. Collectively, the current data suggests that HBDs may serve a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of pterygia, and thus may be considered as novel molecular targets in understanding pterygia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa'adatu Aliyu Abubakar
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Mohd Isa
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
| | - Nazri Omar
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
| | - Sheau Wei Tan
- Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
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Rizky M, Isa MM, Kamarlis RK. Comparison of Barium Enema and frozen section results in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease in a tertiary care hospital at Aceh, Indonesia. Med J Malaysia 2020; 75:37-40. [PMID: 32471967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) also called congenital aganglionic megacolon is a disorder caused by undeveloped distal to proximal intestinal nerve ganglion cells. Diagnosis includes determining the aganglionic segment through barium enema radiology examination and histopathology of frozen section with permanent section as gold standard. Determining the diagnostic value of this modality is important for operative management decision. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was a retrospective, cross-sectional study with diagnostic test design. Patient data were obtained in the form of clinical symptoms, barium enema, and frozen section expertise were assessed for the suitability of the diagnostic value by referring to the permanent section as the gold standard. RESULT Thirty-four patient data were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of barium enemas were 95%, 69.2%, and 82%, respectively. The values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of frozen section were 95%, 92.8%, and 88%, respectively. The Cohen-Kappa statistic value was 0.62 (good agreement). CONCLUSION Accuracy of FS is better than barium enema in diagnosing HD. In health care center with limitation of histopathological facility, BE could be used as the alternative procedure as interrater comparisons showed good agreement. Therefore, either frozen section or barium enema can be carried out in common or in separate term.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rizky
- Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - M M Isa
- Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - R K Kamarlis
- Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology Anatomy, Aceh, Indonesia
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Sahani M, Parashar UD, Ali R, Das P, Lye MS, Isa MM, Arif MT, Ksiazek TG, Sivamoorthy M. Nipah virus infection among abattoir workers in Malaysia, 1998-1999. Int J Epidemiol 2001; 30:1017-20. [PMID: 11689513 DOI: 10.1093/ije/30.5.1017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An outbreak of encephalitis primarily affecting pig farmers occurred during 1998-1999 in Malaysia and was linked to a new paramyxovirus, Nipah virus, which infected pigs, humans, dogs, and cats. Because five abattoir workers were also affected, a survey was conducted to assess the risk of Nipah infection among abattoir workers. METHODS Workers from all 143 registered abattoirs in 11 of 13 states in Malaysia were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants were interviewed to ascertain information on illness and activities performed at the abattoir. A serum sample was obtained to test for Nipah virus antibody. RESULTS Seven (1.6 %) of 435 abattoir workers who slaughtered pigs versus zero (0%) of 233 workers who slaughtered ruminants showed antibody to Nipah virus (P = 0.05). All antibody-positive workers were from abattoirs in the three states that reported outbreak cases among pig farmers. Workers in these three states were more likely than those in other states to have Nipah antibody (7/144 [4.86%] versus 0/291 [0%], P < 0.001) and report symptoms suggestive of Nipah disease in pigs admitted to the abattoirs (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Nipah infection was not widespread among abattoir workers in Malaysia and was linked to exposure to pigs. Since it may be difficult to identify Nipah-infected pigs capable of transmitting virus by clinical symptoms, using personal protective equipment, conducting surveillance for Nipah infection on pig farms which supply abattoirs, and avoiding handling and processing of potentially infected pigs are presently the best strategies to prevent transmission of Nipah virus in abattoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sahani
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ali R, Mounts AW, Parashar UD, Sahani M, Lye MS, Isa MM, Balathevan K, Arif MT, Ksiazek TG. Nipah virus among military personnel involved in pig culling during an outbreak of encephalitis in Malaysia, 1998-1999. Emerg Infect Dis 2001; 7:759-61. [PMID: 11592256 PMCID: PMC2631760 DOI: 10.3201/eid0704.010433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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