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Allele frequencies for the 13 CODIS (Combined DNA Index System, USA) STR loci included in the AmpFISTR Profiler Plus and AmpFISTR Cofiler kits (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA) were determined in a sample of 197 unrelated Malays in Singapore.
In this study of 212 unrelated Singapore Chinese males, allelic frequencies and gene diversities of 11 Y-chromosome specific STR loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS438 and DYS439) were established. A total of 184 haplotypes were observed in the 212 individuals studied, of which 165 (89.67%) were unique. The most common haplotype was observed in five (2.35%) individuals. The overall haplotype diversity for the 11 Y-STR loci was 99.81%, and the discrimination capacity was 86.79%.
In this study, 12 Y-STR loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439) were genotyped in the three major ethnic populations in Singapore, namely the Chinese, Malay and Indian. Allele frequency distribution, locus diversity, haplotype diversity and discrimination capacity were estimated. Analysis of molecular variance between the three ethnic populations indicated that 87.71% of the haplotypic variation is found within population and 12.29% is between populations (Fixation Index FST=0.123, p=0.000). Population pairwise comparisons showed significant Phist values between all population pairs, with the lowest (RST=0.05) for Chinese-Malay and the highest (RST=0.19) for Chinese-Indian.
MiniSTR loci has demonstrated to be an effective approach to recover genetic information from degraded sample, due to the improved PCR efficiency of their reduced PCR product sizes. This study investigated the allele frequency of six miniSTR loci, D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434 and D22S1045, in three Singapore populations. All loci showed a moderate degree of polymorphism with observed heterozygosity >0.6 for all three populations. The allele frequencies, forensic parameters and heterozygosity comparison with other CODIS STR in similar populations are presented.
BACKGROUND: An outbreak of dengue occurred among Chinese migrant workers at a construction site in Singapore that was characterized by a number of unusual features. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data were prospectively collected from workers who were hospitalized with fever. We compared the frequency of disease manifestations in these patients with historical data from other cases of dengue admitted to the same centre. A serological survey was performed at the construction site one month after the onset of the outbreak. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were admitted from the affected construction site with confirmed acute dengue infection in March and April 2002. Fever, headache and rash were common and occurred at similar frequency in outbreak patients and historical controls. Gastrointestinal manifestations were significantly more common in the outbreak patients compared with controls (nausea 68%, diarrhea 41%, hyponatremia 47% and elevated urea 20%). Of the 274 studied in the serological survey, 27 had serological evidence of acute dengue, of whom 24 (89%) had experienced a febrile illness in the previous month. The virus was cultured and identified as Dengue-2. Few patients had a positive IgG for dengue indicating that this was likely a primary infection. CONCLUSION: This outbreak of primary dengue infection was characterized by unusually prominent gastrointestinal symptoms and a high proportion of symptomatic transmission. Manifestations of dengue may be altered when outbreaks involve immunologically naïve adults who have migrated to dengue endemic areas.
Outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of raw imported half-shelled frozen oysters occurred in Singapore between 16 Dec 2003 and 04 Jan 2004. A total of 305 cases were reported with clinical symptoms of diarrhoea (94%), abdominal cramps (72%), vomiting (69%) and fever (54%). The median incubation period was 30.8h and the duration of illness was 2-3 days. The overall relative risk of oyster consumption was 14.1 (95% CI: 8.3-24.0, P<0.001). Stool and oyster samples tested negative for common bacterial pathogens, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus. However, stool samples were positive for the presence of Norovirus group II RNA via RT PCR while oyster samples indicated the presence of Norovirus particles by electron microscopy. The clinical and epidemiological features were suggestive of Norovirus gastroenteritis and were subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests of stools and implicated oysters. Steps have been taken to ensure that food outlets do not thaw frozen oysters and serve them raw.
A DNA probe of 531 base pairs for Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) was generated by polymerase chain reaction and labeled with nonradioactive digoxigenin. An in situ hybridization based method was developed to detect SGIV in formalin-fixed tissues from maricultured Malabar grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus Bloch and Schneider. The in situ hybridization detected SGIV in the kidney, spleen, liver, intestine, stomach and gills from naturally infected fish. Strong hybridization signals were obtained from the kidney and spleen tissues, while intermediate intensity signals were observed in the intestine and liver tissues. The weakest signals were obtained from the stomach and gills. The signals were located specifically within epithelial, endothelial and sub-endothelial hypertrophic cells in all tested tissues. The in situ hybridization procedure will provide an important diagnostic tool to complement histopathological methods, and contribute to epidemiological studies on the origin and distribution of iridovirus in mariculture.
Mitochondrial DNA sequences of the hypervariable regions HV1 and HV2 were analyzed in 205 unrelated ethnic Malays residing in Singapore as an initial effort to generate a database for forensic identification purposes. Sequence polymorphism was detected using PCR and direct sequencing analysis. A total of 152 haplotypes was found containing 152 polymorphisms. Out of the 152 haplotypes, 115 were observed only once and 37 types were seen in multiple individuals. The most common haplotype (16223T, 16295T, 16362C, 73G, 146C, 199C, 263G, and 315.1C) was shared by 7 (3.41%) individuals, two haplotypes were shared by 4 individuals, seven haplotypes were shared by 3 individuals, and 27 haplotypes by 2 individuals. Haplotype diversity and random match probability were estimated to be 0.9961% and 0.87%, respectively.
In this study the concentrations of total bacteria, enterobacteria, Vibrio spp., and E. coli have been compared for ballast water samples taken from ships in Singapore Harbour. The cell concentrations were enumerated using FISH and flow cytometry. The data were highly variable, reflecting the many influences upon ballast water as it is utilized in the shipping industry. The concentration of bacterial species was determined as a proportion of the total concentration of cells for the ballast water sampled. For the ballast water sampled these concentrations were 0.67-39.55% for eubacteria, 0-2.46% for enterobacteria, 0.18-35.82% for Vibrio spp., and 0-2.46% for E. coli. Using FISH and flow cytometry, an informative determination of the bacterial hazards of ship ballast water can be made.
To investigate the prevalence of Essential Tremor (ET) in Singapore and compare the rates between Singaporean Chinese, Malays, and Indians, a community-based survey among a disproportionate random sample of 15,000 individuals (9000 Chinese, 3000 Malays, 3000 Indians) aged 50 years and above was conducted. In phase 1, trained interviewers conducted a door-to-door survey using a screening questionnaire for Parkinson's disease. In phase 2, medical specialists examined participants who screened positive to evaluate for the presence of postural or kinetic tremor of the upper limbs, or head tremor. Participants with suspected ET had their diagnosis confirmed in phase 3 by a movement disorders specialist and fellow based on the latest core diagnostic criteria. Forty participants with classic ET were identified. The prevalence rate (PR) of ET was 2.37 per 1000 (95% CI: 1.65-3.32), age-adjusted to UICC world standard population. The PR was significantly higher in males (p=0.01) and increased significantly with age (p<0.001). Indians (PR=4.94 per 1000, 95% CI: 2.63-9.04) were 1.8 times more likely to have ET than Chinese (PR=2.77 per 1000, 95% CI: 1.78-4.17) (p=0.08). No Malays with ET were identified. The data suggest that the prevalence of ET increases with age, is higher in males and may be higher amongst Indians.
In 1994, all emergency medical services (EMS) ambulance officers in Singapore were trained to perform pre-hospital defibrillation with semi-automated external defibrillators (AED). All non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients over 10 years old were included, excluding those who were obviously dead and children below 36 kg. The data were collected by the ambulance officers according to the Utstein guidelines. From 1 February 1994 to 31 January 1999; resuscitation was attempted in 968 non-trauma cardiac arrests. Fifteen percent of the cases were of non-cardiac origin. The overall survival rate was 40/968 (4.1%, 95% CI 2.9-5.6%). Of 968 patients, 22/136 (16.2%, 95% CI 10.4-23.5%), 18/622 (2.9%, 95% CI 1.7-4.5%) and 0/210 (0%, 95% CI 0-1.7%) survived in the EMS witnessed, bystander witnessed and un-witnessed groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Within the EMS witnessed group, those with an initial rhythm of VF/VT had a higher survival rate (30.6%) than those without VF/VT (4.1%). P < 0.001, OR = 10.3, 95% CI 2.9-36.9. Similarly, the VF/VT survival rate in the bystander witnessed group (4.5%) was higher than the non-VF/VT (1.0%) (P = 0.011, OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-15.4). The survival rate of patients with bystander witnessed VF/VT arrest who received bystander CPR was 9.4% compared to 1.0% in those who did not (P = 0.037, OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.01-20.1). Our survival rate of bystander witnessed VF/VT arrest is comparable to large metropolitan cities in the USA. The determinants of survival include EMS witnessed arrest and VF/VT arrest. Increased quantity and quality of bystander CPR rate may improve the outcome in bystander witnessed cardiac arrest.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence, pathologic findings, and follow-up of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) in a series of prostate core biopsies from Singaporean men. METHODS: We studied isolated HGPIN diagnosed on prostate core biopsies and the incidence of cancer discovered in men who had undergone repeat biopsies from 1999 to 2003 at the Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital. RESULTS: Of 1219 men undergoing prostate needle biopsy, 56 (4.6%) had isolated HGPIN. Most cases affected a single prostate core (44 cases, 78.6%). Twenty-nine men (51.8%) underwent repeat biopsies. Cancer was discovered in 7 (24.1%) of the 29 men within two repeat biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of isolated HGPIN on prostate needle core biopsies in Asian men, as well as the likelihood of subsequent cancer detection, are comparable to the rates reported for Western populations. The relatively low yield of cancer detection on repeat biopsy supports the need to re-evaluate recommendations for rebiopsy strategies.
This paper uses regression models to investigate the efficacy of the seat belt regulation as well as the circuit training and testing system in reducing traffic related fatalities in Singapore. The effectiveness of alcohol breathalysers was also studied. Results suggest that the seat belt regulation does not have any impact on traffic fatalities. The use of breathalysers was found to be effective in reducing occupant fatalities. The circuit training and testing system, which aims to equip new pools of motorists with appropriate driving or riding skills, was found to be effective in reducing non-occupant fatalities and total fatalities.
This paper examines the effectiveness of the 'ride-bright' legislation implemented in Singapore in November 1995. The odds ratio test is used to investigate if there is any significant difference in the number of daytime motorcycle accidents by severity before and after the implementation of the legislation. The findings indicate that although there is insignificant change in the number of slight injury accidents, the legislation is effective in reducing the number of fatal and serious injury accidents.
A study was conducted to determine the presence of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in wild pigs on an offshore island in Singapore. Blood samples were collected from 28 wild pigs on the island. All the sera tested with HI assay and plaque reduction neutralization tests were found to be positive for antibodies against JEV. Our results indicate that the wild pigs have been infected with JEV on the offshore island and there is JEV transmission.
Understanding different patterns of fish consumption is an important component of the assessment of risk from contaminants in fish. While there have been extensive studies of fish consumption in Western cultures, less attention has been devoted to the role of fish and meat in the diets of people in other cultures. A survey of 212 people living in Singapore was conducted to examine the relative importance of fish, shellfish, and other meat in their diets and to ascertain whether there were differences as a function of age, income, education or gender. As expected, fish and shellfish played an important role in their daily diets. On average, people ate fish in about 10 meals a week, chicken for eight meals, and shrimp and pork for about six meals each. While nearly 8% never ate fish, 18% ate fish at all 21 meals a week and over 20% ate shellfish for all 21 meals. Income explained about 14% of the variation in the number of fish meals consumed, and age explained about 8% of the variation in number of chicken meals per week. There were no gender differences in the number of meals of each type. People less than 26 years old ate significantly more pork, chicken, and other meat meals and fewer shellfish meals than older people. People with higher incomes ate significantly more fish meals than those with lower incomes. Chinese individuals ate significantly more meals of pork, chicken, and other meat than other ethnic groups, and they ate only 26% of their meals at home, while others ate 33% of their meals at home. The data indicate a great deal of variation in the number of meals of fish, shellfish, and other meats eaten by the people interviewed, making dietary and risk assessments challenging.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the attitude, knowledge, and expectations of Asian pregnant women toward cesarean and vaginal deliveries. METHODS: Written questionnaires were given to pregnant women attending the National University Hospital antenatal clinics, and 160 responses were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The participation rate was 65% and 50% of the respondents were Chinese, 20% Indian, 21% Malay, 2% White, and 9.2% Other. The median age was 31 years, and approximately 43% were primiparas. Only 3.7% of them would prefer an elective cesarean delivery, and although 50% had friends or relatives who requested one, only 3% felt that this influenced their preference. The most common reasons for choosing a cesarean delivery were avoiding labor pains and lowering the risk of fetal distress. When asked which modality they would recommend to their friends, only 2% expressed that they would recommend cesarean delivery; however, 71% stated that women should have the right to request a cesarean delivery. Awareness of complications arising from vaginal and cesarean deliveries was generally low and related to the frequency of these complications. There was no significant correlation between demographic characteristics and maternal preference for mode of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Asian women largely prefer a vaginal delivery, and their attitude toward cesarean delivery on demand is comparable with that of Western women. Cultural or ethnic differences are unlikely to affect maternal preference for cesarean delivery in Singapore women.
Cardiovascular risk factors were compared between 126 people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 530 non-diabetics (controls), in a random sample of people (Chinese, Malays, and Asian Indians) aged 40-69 years from the general population of Singapore. Data were adjusted for age and ethnicity. For both genders, people with NIDDM had higher mean body mass indices, waist-hip ratios and abdominal diameters. They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension, higher mean levels of fasting serum triglyceride, slightly lower mean levels of serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher mean levels of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (antigen). These factors are components of syndrome X (metabolic syndrome) and increase the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. In contrast, there were no important differences for cigarette smoking, serum total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, serum apolipoproteins A1 and B, plasma factor VIIc and plasma prothrombin fragment 1 + 2. Females with NIDDM, but not males, had a higher mean serum fibrinogen level than non-diabetics, which could explain why NIDDM has a greater cardiovascular effect in females than males. Serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations were lower in people with NIDDM. Mean levels of serum ferritin, a pro-oxidant, were higher in people with NIDDM than controls, but there were no important differences for plasma vitamins A, C and E, and serum selenium, which are anti-oxidants.