Synthesis and biological evaluation of Schizandrin derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

A series of oxime ester-derivatives were prepared by utilizing the schizandrin (1), a major compound isolated from Schisandra grandiflora, which is deployed in different traditional system of medicine. The in vitro antiproliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were assessed against a selected panel of human cancer cell lines (A549, RKO P3, DU145 and Hela) and normal cell (HEK293). Several of these derivatives were found more potent in comparison to parent compound, schizandrin (1).

Cigarette Smoking on Severity of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma in Malay Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between cigarette smoking and the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in Malay patients residing in Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 Malay PACG patients between April 2014 and August 2016. Ocular examination was performed including Humphrey visual field (HVF) 24-2 analysis assessment.

Tay-Sach disease with "cherry-red spot"--first reported case in Malaysia.

We present a rare case of Tay-Sachs disease with retinal 'cherry-red spots' in a 19-month-old Malay child. Molecular genetic studies confirmed the diagnosis. The case highlights that 'cherry-red spot' is a useful clinical clue in Tay-Sachs disease and several other lysosomal storage disorders.

Extraction and reconstruction of retinal vasculature.

Information about retinal vasculature morphology is used in grading the severity and progression of diabetic retinopathy. An image analysis system can help ophthalmologists make accurate and efficient diagnoses. This paper presents the development of an image processing algorithm for detecting and reconstructing retinal vasculature.

Cost efficiency and cost effectiveness of cataract surgery at the Malaysian Ministry of Health ophthalmic services.

Purpose: To determine the cost efficiency and to compare the cost effectiveness of conventional extracapsular cataract surgery (ECCE) and phacoemulsification at three hospitals of the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH).

Methods: Patient demography, pre-operative visual acuity, intra-operative complications, post-operative complications and post-operative visual acuity were recorded for two hundred and forty seven of the 400 patients who underwent cataract surgery during a 2-week period. The cost of surgery, which included capital, staff and overhead, and patient care consumable costs were assessed prospectively in 8 randomly sampled patients over a 3-month period.