Role of schools of public health on maternal and child health programmes in the Asia-Pacific region

This paper assessed the role of public health schools on maternal and child health programmes in the Asia Pacific region. Economic development and its associated effects, particularly in the ASEAN countries, for example, migrant labour, ageing, environmental health, turbulence and social climate, has a tremendous impact on maternal and child health. Based on these current issues, it is evident that public health schools can play a major role in maternal and child health in terms of policy formulation and programme development. Several areas were proposed as to what schools of public health can do, namely, through networking, communication, research and training.     

Strategies for the preparation of non-amplified and amplified genomic dengue gene samples for electrochemical DNA biosensing applications

The application of electrochemical DNA biosensors in real genomic sample detection is challenging due to the existence of complex structures and low genomic concentrations, resulting in inconsistent and low current signals. This work highlights strategies for the treatment of non-amplified and amplified genomic dengue virus gene samples based on real samples before they can be used directly in our DNA electrochemical sensing system, using methylene blue (MB) as a redox indicator. The main steps in this study for preparing non-amplified cDNA were cDNA conversion, heat denaturation, and sonication. To prepare amplified cDNA dengue virus genomic samples using an RT-PCR approach, we optimized a few parameters, such as the annealing temperature, sonication time, and reverse to forward (R/F) primer concentration ratio. We discovered that the generated methylene blue (MB) signals during the electrochemical sensing of non-amplified and amplified samples differ due to the different MB binding affinities based on the sequence length and base composition. The findings show that our developed electrochemical DNA biosensor successfully discriminates MB current signals in the presence and absence of the target genomic dengue virus, indicating that both samples were successfully treated. This work also provides interesting information about the critical factors in the preparation of genomic gene samples for developing miniaturized PCR-based electrochemical sensing applications in the future. We also discuss the limitations and provide suggestions related to using redox-indicator-based electrochemical biosensors to detect real genomic nucleic acid genes.

The application of electrochemical DNA biosensors in real genomic sample detection is challenging due to the existence of complex structures and low genomic concentrations, resulting in inconsistent and low current signals.     

Antioxidant modulation in restoring mitochondrial function in neurodegeneration

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the leading causes of disability associated with neurodegeneration worldwide. These diseases are influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors and share similar mechanisms as both are characterized by accumulation and aggregation of misfolded proteins – amyloid-beta (Aβ) in AD and α-synuclein in PD. Over the past decade, increasing evidence has shown that mitochondrial dysfunction and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathology of these diseases, and the contributions of these defects to the cellular and molecular changes that eventually cause neuronal death have been explored. Using mitochondrial protective agents, such as antioxidants, to combat ROS provides a new strategy for neurodegenerative treatment. In this review, we highlight the potential of multiple types of antioxidants, including vitamins, phytochemicals, fatty acids and minerals, as well as synthetic antioxidants specifically targeting the mitochondria, which can restore mitochondrial function, in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders at both the pre-clinical and clinical stages by focusing on AD and PD.     

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome--a case report

A 30 year old Malay male developed bilateral choroiditis followed by vitiligo, poliosis and canities. CT scan showed nodular thickening of the optic nerves. Characteristic abnormalities were seen in visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials and fluorescein angiography. These findings were in keeping with the diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Treatment with dexamethasone resulted in complete recovery of vision and partial improvement in skin and hair lesions.     

Comparative evaluations of the processed bovine tunica vaginalis implant in a rat model

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the lyophilized and glycerolized bovine parietal tunica vaginalis for repair of a full-thickness abdominal wall defect and to compare their effectiveness with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) Mycro Mesh (Gore-Tex MYCRO MESH; Gore and Designs, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) in a rat model. Fresh bovine parietal tunica vaginalis sacs collected from an abattoir were processed and preserved by freeze-drying and by using 99.5% glycerol. Full-thickness abdominal wall defects (3 x 2.5 cm) created surgically in 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400 g) were repaired with the same size of lyophilized, glycerolized or ePTFE Mycro Mesh with 30 rats in each group. Six rats from each group were killed at post-implantation intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 18 weeks for macroscopic, microscopic and tensiometric evaluations. All rats survived the procedure, except for one rat in the ePTFE Mycro Mesh group. Implants of bovine origin were gradually resorbed and replaced with recipient fibrous tissue, whereas the mesh implant was encapsulated with fibrous tissue and remained without any marked changes throughout the study period. Adhesions between the implant and underlying visceral organs were encountered in 10, 6.6 and 3.3% of rats implanted with lyophilized, glycerolized or ePTFE Mycro Mesh, respectively. Foreign body giant cells and calcification were demonstrated in fibrous capsule and mesh matrix, respectively, in rats implanted with ePTFE Mycro Mesh. Neither of these characteristics were observed in rats implanted with processed bovine tunica vaginalis. Macrophages engorged with lipofuchsin pigments were observed in the recipient tissue that replaced the implants of bovine origin at 3-18 weeks post-implantation. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in total mean values of healing tensile strength, load at break and Young's modulus of elasticity between the three implant groups. The results of the present study encourage further investigation into the use of processed bovine parietal tunica vaginalis in clinical practice.     

Risk factors of tuberculosis among health care workers in Sabah, Malaysia

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main public health problems in Sabah; 30% of the total number of TB cases reported in Malaysia every year occur in Sabah. The average incidence of TB among health care workers over the past 5 years is 280.4 per 100,000 population (1, Annual Report of Sabah State TB Control Programme, 1998). At present, there are no specific measures for the prevention of TB transmission in health care facilities. A case-control study was conducted among health care workers in Sabah in 2000-2001. Cases were health care workers with TB diagnosed between January 1990 and June 2000. Controls were health care workers without TB and working in the same facility as cases during the disease episode. The study attempted to identify risk factors for TB among the study population. Data were collected through structured interviews and review of patients' records. The notification rate of TB among health care workers was significantly higher than that to the general population (Z=4.893, p<0.01). The average notification rate of TB among health care workers over the last 5 years was two times higher than in the general population (280.4/100,000 compared to 153.9/100,000). Regression results showed that ethnicity, designation, family contact and TB related knowledge did not significantly contribute to the risk of contracting TB in this study. However, after controlling for the above factors, age, gender, history of TB contact outside the workplace (other than family contact), duration of service and failure to use respiratory protection when performing high-risk procedures, were the main risk factors of TB among health care workers. This study succeeded in identifying some of the risk factors of TB among health care workers. We managed to include the large ratio of controls to case (3:1) and those cases spanned over a period of 10 years. However, the findings from the study have to be applied with caution due to the limitations of this study, which include recall bias, dropouts, and small sample size. Based on the study findings, we recommend that health care workers in the first 10 years of service should take extra precautions, such as using respiratory protection when performing procedures that are considered to be of high risk with respect to TB infection. They should also undergo TB screening at least once every 2 years and, if symptomatic, offered prophylactic treatment. The Respiratory Protection Programme should be fully implemented to help reduce the risk of TB among health care workers in Sabah.     

Assessment of an in situ temporal calibration method for time-resolved optical tomography

A 32-channel time-resolved optical imaging device is developed at University College London to produce functional images of the neonatal brain and the female breast. Reconstruction of images using time-resolved measurements of transmitted light requires careful calibration of the temporal characteristics of the measurement system. Since they can often vary over a period of time, it is desirable to evaluate these characteristics immediately after, or prior to, the acquisition of image data. A calibration technique is investigated that is based on the measurement of light back-reflected from the surface of the object being imaged. This is facilitated by coupling each detector channel with an individual source fiber. A Monte Carlo model is employed to investigate the influence of the optical properties of the object on the back-reflected signal. The results of simulations indicate that their influence may be small enough to be ignored in some cases, or could be largely accounted for by a small adjustment to the calibrated data. The effectiveness of the method is briefly demonstrated by imaging a solid object with tissue-equivalent optical properties.     

Slow release metronidazole and a simplified mechanical oral hygiene regimen in the control of chronic periodontitis

Abstract The present study is one of a series aimed at devising practical methods of control of chronic periodontitis that do not depend upon stringent interdental cleaning by the patient. The regime consists of professional and home care components thought to be realistic for general practice. Patients with chronic periodontitis, but without any complicating factor, such as systemic disease, recent antimicrobial therapy or occlusal traumatism were selected. They received an initial thorough scaling, root planing and an instruction in Bass brushing, using a multituft brush and a sodium fluoride toothpaste, but without emphasis on inter-dental cleaning. They were then assigned to one of two groups, one of which received, in addition to the above mechanical oral hygiene regime, low (0.5 %) and the other high (40 %) dose metronidazole locally in periodontal pockets once a week for 4 weeks. The low dose was supplied in the form of solution inside fine dialysis tubing. The high dose was in the form of metronidazole powder incorporated in acrylic resin. Plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probeable pocket depth and gingival shrinkage were monitored during this period and for a further 8 weeks. Both groups showed highly significant reductions in (supragingival) plaque and periodontal inflammation, maintained at least 8 weeks after the end of the 4-week chemotherapy period. Reductions in SBI were greatest for the 40% metronidazole group. It was concluded that local metronidazole, even in the form of 0.5% metronidazole in a small portion of dialysis tubing, has a positive role in the control of chronic periodontitis.