Does malaria during pregnancy affect the newborn?

Objective: To investigate the effect of malarial infection during pregnancy on the newborn.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, using in-patient hospital records over an 11-year period from 1988 to 1999. The incidence of preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in 29 pregnant women with malaria, was compared with that in 66 selected pregnant women without malaria, who delivered at the AKUH during the same time period.Results: Pregnant women with malaria had a 3.1 times greater risk of preterm labor (p=0.14). They were more likely to be anaemic compared to women without malaria (RR=2.9, 95% CI=1.6-5.4) and had a significantly lower mean haemoglobin level (p=0.0001). Maternal malaria was significantly associated with LBW babies (p=0.001). The mean birth weight of infants born to pregnant women with malaria was 461 g less (p=0.0005). No significant association was, however, found between malarial infection during pregnancy and IUGR (p=0.33).CONCLUSION: Malarial infection during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal and fetal outcome. It is significantly associated with maternal anaemia and LBW infants. Appropriate measures must, therefore, be taken to prevent malaria during pregnancy, especially in endemic areas

Integration model for multiple types of spatial and non spatial databases

Integration process of a various information in various database types requires a thorough understanding to carry out data extraction process in terms of its scheme and the structure. Due to this, a new model should be developed to resolve the integration process of this heterogeneous information in various database types and in various scattered and distributed locations. SIDIM is a model which covered processes such as pre-integration, scheme comparison, algorithm and intermediary software (middleware) development process and as well as post-integration. Emphasis are administered in algorithm development by using hybrid approach based on CLARANS approach's combination, abstract visualization and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) to enable to achieve the required processed data or information in a quick, trusted and reliable manner. SIDIM will become a new engine to process information in various database types without changing any of the existing (legacy) organization system. To verify this model credibility, the case study related to fishing industry in Malaysia and artificial reef project are being made as a foundation for SIDIM efficiency testing. © 201

The Genetic Variation A > G at 3' UTR of Nuclear Factor Kappa B 1 A (NFkB1A) Influences Susceptibility of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Malaysian Population

Colorectal Cancer (CRC), represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its incidence is increasing in developed and developing countries including Malaysia. Multiple disease pathways including Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFkB) signaling pathways, have been implicated in Colorectal carcinogenesis. Given the important role of NFkB pathway in Colorectal carcinogenesis, genes and genetic variations influencing NFkB signaling pathway could be candidate CRC predisposition factors. We hypothesized that an A to G variation in the 3' UTR of NFkB1A may be associated with CRC susceptibility risk in Malaysian population. Design: A Case - Control study was designed to investigate the genotype frequencies of A to G polymorphism at 3' UTR of NFkB1A in Malaysian CRC patients and normal Controls and to determine the genetic risk association of the variant genotype on CRC susceptibility. Objectives: To investigate the genotype frequencies of A to G polymorphism at 3' UTR of NFkBIA in Malaysian sporadic CRC patients and healthy controls and to determine the association risk of the variant genotype on CRC susceptibility. Materials and Methods: This study involved 510 subjects with 211 histopathologically confirmed CRC patients as Cases and 299 healthy individuals as Controls. Blood samples from study subjects were collected, DNA extracted and genotyped employing PCR-RFLP technique. Risk associations of specific genotypes with CRC susceptibility were determined by computing Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: The frequency of homozygous major (AA) genotype was significantly higher (p = 0.001) among Controls (44.8%) compared to CRC patients (31.8%) but heterozygous genotype (AG) showed no significant difference between cases and controls. However, the frequency of homozygous variant (GG) genotype was significantly higher in CRC cases (40.7%) compared to controls (24.4%). On investigating the risk, the variant genotype GG showed significant risk association with CRC susceptibility (OR = 2.356, CI: 1.536 - 3.615, p = 0.001). Conclusion: From the results, it is reasonable to suggest that the A to G variation in the 3' UTR of NFkB1A could be a predisposition risk factor in colorectal carcinogenesis, mediating through NFkB signaling pathway

Genetic Polymorphism of Inflammation Response Genes TNF-α -308G > A and IL-8 -251 T>A and their Influence on Colorectal Cancer Predisposition Risk in Malaysian Population.

Introduction Genes encoding xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes especially CYP1A2 play an important role in determining the out come of carcinogen exposure and Colorectal Cancer susceptibility risk. Functional polymorphisms of G3860A, T739G and C729T of CYP1A2 gene have been identified

Glutathione S tranferase PI, MI and TI genotypes and risk for colorectal cancer development in Malaysian population

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease with factors including dietary and lifestyle habits and genetic predisposition contributing to its etiopathogenesis. Even though the genetic predisposing factors are still unclear, genetic polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolic pathways that activate or inactivate dietary carcinogens have been proposed as candidate genes. Three members of the Gluthathione S-Transferase (GSTs) family GSTPI, GSTT1 and GSTM1 have been analyzed in Malaysian population for polymorphic variants, and to elucidate their role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Objective: To determine the frequencies of GSTPI, GSTTI and GSTMI genotypes in 111 histopathologically confirmed CRC patients and 128 healthy controls and to evaluate the association risk of GSTPI, GSTTI and GSTMI genotypes on CRC predisposition. Material and Methods: Peripheral blood from the study subjects were collected in EDTA tubes and genomic DNA extracted using QIAGEN kit. The GSTPI IlelO5Val polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP technique using BsmAl restriction enzyme. The presence or absence of GSTM1 and GSTT1, genes were determined using a multiplex PCR protocol with albumin as the housekeeping gene. The resulting PCR fragments were separated on 2.0% agarose gel for GSTPI and 3.0% agarose gel electrophoresis for the GSTT1 and GSTM1. Results and Conclusion: On evaluating the CRC risk association with variant genotypes singly, GSTTI null genotype was associated significantly with an elevated risk (OR 1.804, 95%CI: 1.065-3.361, p=0027). When the polymorphic genotypes were analyzed in combination, the combination genotypes of GSTPI Val/Val/GSTM+/GSTTI÷ (OR 4.000), Val/Val/GSTMI-/GSTTI- (OR 3.000), and GSTPI Ile/Ile/GSTMI+/GSTTI- (OR 2.833) showed higher associated risk for CRC susceptibility, however the risk values were not statistically significant. Further studies involving larger sample size may help to identify the more specific risk groups and to determine factors of importance in CRC development