Browse publications by year: 2015

Fulltext Palm-based medium-and-long-chain triacylglycerol (P-MLCT): production via enzymatic interesterification and optimization using response surface methodology (RSM)

Lee YY, Tang TK, Phuah ET, Karim NA, Alwi SM, Lai OM

J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Feb;52(2):685-96.
PMID: 25694677 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-013-1065-0

Structured lipid such as medium-and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) is claimed to be able to suppress body fat accumulation and be used to manage obesity. Response surface methodology (RSM) with four factors and three levels (+1,0,-1) faced centered composite design (FCCD) was employed for optimization of the enzymatic interesterification conditions of palm-based MLCT (P-MLCT) production. The effect of the four variables namely: substrate ratio palm kernel oil: palm oil, PKO:PO (40:60-100:0 w/w), temperature (50-70 °C), reaction time (0.5-7.5 h) and enzyme load (5-15 % w/w) on the P-MLCT yield (%) and by products (%) produced were investigated. The responses were determined via acylglycerol composition obtained from high performance liquid chromatography. Well-fitted models were successfully established for both responses: P-MLCT yield (R (2) = 0.9979) and by-products (R (2) = 0.9892). The P-MLCT yield was significantly (P 0.05). Substrate ratio PKO: PO (100:0 w/w) gave the highest yield of P-MLCT (61 %). Nonetheless, substrate ratio of PKO: PO (90:10w/w) was chosen to improve the fatty acid composition of the P-MLCT. The optimized conditions for substrate ratio PKO: PO (90:10 w/w) was 7.26 h, 50 °C and 5 % (w/w) Lipozyme TLIM lipase, which managed to give 60 % yields of P-MLCT. Up scaled results in stirred tank batch reactor gave similar yields as lab scale. A 20 % increase in P-MLCT yield was obtained via RSM. The effect of enzymatic interesterification on the physicochemical properties of PKO:PO (90:10 w/w) were also studied. Thermoprofile showed that the P-MLCT oil melted below body temperature of 37 °C.

MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Glycerides; Lipase; Obesity; Plant Oils; Reaction Time; Temperature; Triglycerides; Motor Vehicles
Fulltext Effect of different pretreatments on functional properties of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) skin gelatin

See SF, Ghassem M, Mamot S, Babji AS

J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Feb;52(2):753-62.
PMID: 25694683 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-013-1043-6

Pretreatments with different types of alkali and acid were compared to determine their effects on gelatin extraction from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) skin. The study was divided into three parts. In the first part, the skins were only treated with alkaline (Ca(OH)2 or NaOH) solution or pretreated with acetic acid solution. For second part, combination of alkali and acid pretreatment was carried out. For the third part, the skins were first treated with NaOH solution, followed by the treatment with acetic acid, citric acid or sulfuric acid solution. Functional properties including the yield of protein recovery, gel strength, viscosity, pH and viscoelastic properties were determined on gelatins obtained with different pretreatment conditions. Pretreatment with alkali removed noncollagenous proteins effectively, whilst acid pretreatment induced some loss of collagenous proteins. Combination of alkali and acid pretreatment not only removed the noncollagenous proteins and caused a significant amount of swelling, but also provided the proper pH condition for extraction, during which some cross-linkages could be further destroyed but with less breakage of intramolecular peptide chains. Pretreatment of catfish skins with 0.2 N NaOH followed by 0.05 M acetic acid improved yield of protein recovery, gel strength, viscosity, melting temperature and gelling temperature of gelatin extract.

MeSH terms: Acids; Alkalies; Animals; Catfishes; Gelatin; Gels; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Plant Extracts; Proteins; Sodium Hydroxide; Sulfuric Acids; Temperature; Viscosity; Acetic Acid; Citric Acid
Fulltext Application of foam-mat drying with egg white for carrageenan: drying rate and product quality aspects

Djaeni M, Prasetyaningrum A, Sasongko SB, Widayat W, Hii CL

J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Feb;52(2):1170-5.
PMID: 25694735 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-013-1081-0

Drying is a significant step in the production of carrageenan. However, current drying process still deals with too long drying time and carrageenan quality degradation. The foam mat drying is an option to speed up drying process as well as retaining carrageenan quality. In this case, the carrageenan was mixed with egg white (albumin) as foaming agent and methyl cellulose for foam stabilizer. The foam will break the carrageenan gels and creates the porous structure resulting higher surface area for water transfer. This research studied the effect of egg white and methyl cellulose on carrageenan drying at various air temperature, and thickness. As a response, the water content versus time was observed and the drying rate was estimated. Meanwhile, the carrageenan texture was verified by X-RD (X-Ray Diffraction) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). Results showed that the presence of egg white stablized by methyl cellulose can speed up drying rate as well as retaining the crystalline structure of carrageenan. The higher albumin content, the faster drying rate. However, the addition of albumin and methyl cellulose restricted not more than 30 % in the mixture for keeping carrageenan quality and purity. By adding egg white 20 % and methyl cellulose 10 %, the water diffusion and drying rate can be two fold compared with carrageenan drying without foam. The improvement can be higher at the higher temperature and thinner carrageenan sheets.

MeSH terms: Albumins; Carrageenan; Desiccation; Diffusion; Egg White; Gels; Methylcellulose; Temperature; Water; X-Ray Diffraction; Porosity; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Fulltext Effect of dietary lead on intestinal nutrient transporters mRNA expression in broiler chickens

Ebrahimi R, Faseleh Jahromi M, Liang JB, Soleimani Farjam A, Shokryazdan P, Idrus Z

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:149745.
PMID: 25695048 DOI: 10.1155/2015/149745

Lead- (Pb-) induced oxidative stress is known to suppress growth performance and feed efficiency in broiler chickens. In an attempt to describe the specific underlying mechanisms of such phenomenon we carried out the current study. Ninety-six one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatment groups of 6 pen replicates, namely, (i) basal diet containing no lead supplement (control) and (ii) basal diet containing 200 mg lead acetate/kg of diet. Following 3 weeks of experimental period, jejunum samples were collected to examine the changes in gene expression of several nutrient transporters, antioxidant enzymes, and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that addition of lead significantly decreased feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency. Moreover, with the exception of GLUT5, the expression of all sugar, peptide, and amino acid transporters was significantly downregulated in the birds under Pb induced oxidative stress. Exposure to Pb also upregulated the antioxidant enzymes gene expression together with the downregulation of glutathione S-transferase and Hsp70. In conclusion, it appears that Pb-induced oxidative stress adversely suppresses feed efficiency and growth performance in chicken and the possible underlying mechanism for such phenomenon is downregulation of major nutrient transporter genes in small intestine.

MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed; Antioxidants/metabolism; Chickens/genetics*; Chickens/metabolism; Diet/methods; Food; Gene Expression Regulation/genetics*; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism; Intestine, Small/metabolism*; Lead/metabolism*; Male; RNA, Messenger/genetics*; Weight Gain/genetics; Oxidative Stress/genetics; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism; Dietary Supplements; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*
Fulltext Electroencephalographic changes associated with antinociceptive actions of lidocaine, ketamine, meloxicam, and morphine administration in minimally anaesthetized dogs

Kaka U, Hui Cheng C, Meng GY, Fakurazi S, Kaka A, Behan AA, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:305367.
PMID: 25695060 DOI: 10.1155/2015/305367

Effects of ketamine and lidocaine on electroencephalographic (EEG) changes were evaluated in minimally anaesthetized dogs, subjected to electric stimulus. Six dogs were subjected to six treatments in a crossover design with a washout period of one week. Dogs were subjected to intravenous boluses of lidocaine 2 mg/kg, ketamine 3 mg/kg, meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg, morphine 0.2 mg/kg and loading doses of lidocaine 2 mg/kg followed by continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 50 and 100 mcg/kg/min, and ketamine 3 mg/kg followed by CRI of 10 and 50 mcg/kg/min. Electroencephalogram was recorded during electrical stimulation prior to any drug treatment (before treatment) and during electrical stimulation following treatment with the drugs (after treatment) under anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with halothane at a stable concentration between 0.85 and 0.95%. Pretreatment median frequency was evidently increased (P < 0.05) for all treatment groups. Lidocaine, ketamine, and morphine depressed the median frequency resulting from the posttreatment stimulation. The depression of median frequency suggested evident antinociceptive effects of these treatments in dogs. It is therefore concluded that lidocaine and ketamine can be used in the analgesic protocol for the postoperative pain management in dogs.

MeSH terms: Analgesics/pharmacology*; Anesthesia/methods; Animals; Dogs; Electroencephalography/methods; Female; Ketamine/pharmacology*; Lidocaine/pharmacology*; Morphine/pharmacology*; Thiazines/pharmacology*; Thiazoles/pharmacology*; Propofol/pharmacology
Fulltext Examining behavioural coping strategies as mediators between work-family conflict and psychological distress

Aazami S, Shamsuddin K, Akmal S

ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:343075.
PMID: 25695097 DOI: 10.1155/2015/343075

We examined the mediating role of behavioral coping strategies in the association between work-family conflict and psychological distress. In particular, we examined the two directions of work-family conflict, namely, work interference into family and family interference into work. Furthermore, two coping styles in this study were adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 429 Malaysian working women using self-reported data. The results of mediational analysis in the present study showed that adaptive coping strategy does not significantly mediate the effect of work-family conflict on psychological distress. However, maladaptive coping strategies significantly mediate the effect of work-family conflict on psychological distress. These results show that adaptive coping strategies, which aimed to improve the stressful situation, are not effective in managing stressor such as work-family conflict. We found that experiencing interrole conflict steers employees toward frequent use of maladaptive coping strategies which in turn lead to psychological distress. Interventions targeted at improvement of coping skills which are according to individual's needs and expectation may help working women to balance work and family demands. The important issue is to keep in mind that effective coping strategies are to control the situations not to eliminate work-family conflict.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological/physiology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological/prevention & control*; Work/psychology*; Family Conflict/psychology*; Self Report
Fulltext Rickettsial infections in monkeys, Malaysia

Tay ST, Koh FX, Kho KL, Sitam FT

Emerg Infect Dis, 2015 Mar;21(3):545-7.
PMID: 25695615 DOI: 10.3201/eid2103.141457
MeSH terms: Animals; Macaca fascicularis; Malaysia/epidemiology; Monkey Diseases/microbiology*; Monkey Diseases/epidemiology*; Phylogeny; Rickettsia/classification; Rickettsia/genetics*; Rickettsia Infections/veterinary*; Molecular Typing
Effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention program for stress management among medical students: the Mindful-Gym randomized controlled study

Phang CK, Mukhtar F, Ibrahim N, Keng SL, Mohd Sidik S

Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract, 2015 Dec;20(5):1115-34.
PMID: 25697124 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-015-9591-3

Pursuing undergraduate medical training can be very stressful and academically challenging experience. A 5-week mindfulness-based stress management (MBSM/Mindful-Gym) program was developed to help medical students cope with stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing stress among students in a medical school in Malaysia. Seventy-five medical students participated in the program. They were stratified according to years of studies and randomly allocated to intervention (N = 37) and control groups (N = 38). The following outcome variables were measured at pre- and post-intervention: mindfulness (with Mindful Awareness Attention Scale); perceived stress (with Perceived Stress Scale); mental distress (with General Health Questionnaire), and self-efficacy (with General Self-efficacy Scale). Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to analyse the effect of group (intervention vs. control) on changes in the outcome variables. There were significant improvements at one week post-intervention in all outcome variables: mindfulness (β = 0.19, ΔR2 = 0.04, p = .040, f (2) = 0.05), perceived stress (β = -0.26, ΔR2 = 0.07, p = .009, f (2) = 0.10); mental distress (β = -0.28, ΔR2 = 0.10, p = .003, f (2) = 0.15); and self-efficacy (β = 0.30, ΔR2 = 0.09, p < .001, f (2) = 0.21). Six months after the intervention, those who had joined the program reported higher self-efficacy compared to those in the control group (β = 0.24, ΔR2 = 0.06, p = .020, f (2) = 0.08); but there was no difference in other outcome measures. More than 90% of the participants found the program applicable in helping patients and all reported that they would recommend it to others. This study indicates that the program is potentially an effective stress management program for medical students in Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Stress, Psychological/prevention & control*; Stress, Psychological/therapy*; Students, Medical/psychology*; Cognitive Therapy/methods*; Self Efficacy; Young Adult; Mindfulness/methods*
Fulltext Students' performance in the different clinical skills assessed in OSCE: what does it reveal?

Sim JH, Abdul Aziz YF, Mansor A, Vijayananthan A, Foong CC, Vadivelu J

Med Educ Online, 2015;20:26185.
PMID: 25697602 DOI: 10.3402/meo.v20.26185

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare students' performance in the different clinical skills (CSs) assessed in the objective structured clinical examination.
METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from final year medical students' exit examination (n=185). Retrospective analysis of data was conducted using SPSS. Means for the six CSs assessed across the 16 stations were computed and compared.
RESULTS: Means for history taking, physical examination, communication skills, clinical reasoning skills (CRSs), procedural skills (PSs), and professionalism were 6.25±1.29, 6.39±1.36, 6.34±0.98, 5.86±0.99, 6.59±1.08, and 6.28±1.02, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA showed there was a significant difference in the means of the six CSs assessed [F(2.980, 548.332)=20.253, p<0.001]. Pairwise multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between the means of the eight pairs of CSs assessed, at p<0.05.
CONCLUSIONS: CRSs appeared to be the weakest while PSs were the strongest, among the six CSs assessed. Students' unsatisfactory performance in CRS needs to be addressed as CRS is one of the core competencies in medical education and a critical skill to be acquired by medical students before entering the workplace. Despite its challenges, students must learn the skills of clinical reasoning, while clinical teachers should facilitate the clinical reasoning process and guide students' clinical reasoning development.

MeSH terms: Clinical Competence*; Communication; Education, Medical/methods*; Educational Measurement/methods*; Humans; Physician's Role; Retrospective Studies; Students, Medical*; Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Antioxidant effects of pineapple vinegar in reversing of paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice

Mohamad NE, Yeap SK, Lim KL, Yusof HM, Beh BK, Tan SW, et al.

Chin Med, 2015;10:3.
PMID: 25699088 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-015-0030-4

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) was demonstrated to be hepatoprotective. This study aims to investigate the reversing effects of pineapple vinegar on paracetamol-induced liver damage in murine model.
Fulltext Examination of the factor structure of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire among British and Trinidadian adults

Barron D, Swami V, Towell T, Hutchinson G, Morgan KD

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:258275.
PMID: 25699263 DOI: 10.1155/2015/258275

Much debate in schizotypal research has centred on the factor structure of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), with research variously showing higher-order dimensionality consisting of two to seven dimensions. In addition, cross-cultural support for the stability of those factors remains limited. Here, we examined the factor structure of the SPQ among British and Trinidadian adults. Participants from a White British subsample (n = 351) resident in the UK and from an African Caribbean subsample (n = 284) resident in Trinidad completed the SPQ. The higher-order factor structure of the SPQ was analysed through confirmatory factor analysis, followed by multiple-group analysis for the model of best fit. Between-group differences for sex and ethnicity were investigated using multivariate analysis of variance in relation to the higher-order domains. The model of best-fit was the four-factor structure, which demonstrated measurement invariance across groups. Additionally, these data had an adequate fit for two alternative models: (a) 3-factor and (b) modified 4-factor model. The British subsample had significantly higher scores across all domains than the Trinidadian group, and men scored significantly higher on the disorganised domain than women. The four-factor structure received confirmatory support and, importantly, support for use with populations varying in ethnicity and culture.

MeSH terms: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Ethnic Groups; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Great Britain; Humans; Male; Personality/physiology*; Psychometrics/methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Schizotypal Personality Disorder/psychology*; Trinidad and Tobago; Reproducibility of Results
Study of vector boson scattering and search for new physics in events with two same-sign leptons and two jets

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Feb 6;114(5):051801.
PMID: 25699433

A study of vector boson scattering in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.4 fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector. Candidate events are selected with exactly two leptons of the same charge, two jets with large rapidity separation and high dijet mass, and moderate missing transverse energy. The signal region is expected to be dominated by electroweak same-sign W-boson pair production. The observation agrees with the standard model prediction. The observed significance is 2.0 standard deviations, where a significance of 3.1 standard deviations is expected based on the standard model. Cross section measurements for W(±)W(±) and WZ processes in the fiducial region are reported. Bounds on the structure of quartic vector-boson interactions are given in the framework of dimension-eight effective field theory operators, as well as limits on the production of doubly charged Higgs bosons.

MeSH terms: Animals; Data Collection; Disease Vectors; United States; Physical Phenomena; Biophysical Phenomena
Macrophage and colon tumor cells as targets for a binuclear silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complex, an anti-inflammatory and apoptosis mediator

Iqbal MA, Umar MI, Haque RA, Khadeer Ahamed MB, Asmawi MZ, Majid AM

J Inorg Biochem, 2015 May;146:1-13.
PMID: 25699476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2015.02.001

Chronic inflammation intensifies the risk for malignant neoplasm, indicating that curbing inflammation could be a valid strategy to prevent or cure cancer. Cancer and inflammation are inter-related diseases and many anti-inflammatory agents are also used in chemotherapy. Earlier, we have reported a series of novel ligands and respective binuclear Ag(I)-NHC complexes (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) with potential anticancer activity. In the present study, a newly synthesized salt (II) and respective Ag(I)-NHC complex (III) of comparable molecular framework were prepared for a further detailed study. Preliminarily, II and III were screened against HCT-116 and PC-3 cells, wherein III showed better results than II. Both the compounds showed negligible toxicity against normal CCD-18Co cells. In FAM-FLICA caspase assay, III remarkably induced caspase-3/7 in HCT-116 cells most probably by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) independent intrinsic pathway and significantly inhibited in vitro synthesis of cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and TNF-α in human macrophages (U937 cells). In a cell-free system, both the compounds inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX) activities, with III being more selective towards COX-2. The results revealed that III has strong antiproliferative property selectively against colorectal tumor cells which could be attributed to its pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory abilities.

MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemical synthesis*; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology; Humans; Interleukin-1/genetics; Interleukin-1/metabolism; Macrophages/drug effects*; Organometallic Compounds/chemical synthesis*; Organometallic Compounds/pharmacology*; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism; Apoptosis/drug effects*; U937 Cells; HCT116 Cells; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/chemical synthesis*; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology
Fulltext Determinants of academics' job satisfaction: empirical evidence from private universities in Bangladesh

Masum AK, Azad MA, Beh LS

PLoS One, 2015;10(2):e0117834.
PMID: 25699518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117834

The job satisfaction of academics is related to a number of variables of complex function such as demographic characters, the work itself, pay, work responsibilities, variety of tasks, promotional opportunities, relationship with co-workers and others. Academics may be simultaneously satisfied with some facets of the job and dissatisfied with others. This paper aims at determining the influential factors that contribute to the enhancement or reduction of academics' job satisfaction among private universities in Bangladesh with special reference to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. A total of 346 respondents are considered from ten private universities using non-probability sampling. A pre-tested and closed-ended questionnaire using a seven-point Likert scale is used for data collection. In this study, descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, multiple regression, and factor analysis are exercised as statistical tools. A conceptual model of job satisfaction is developed and applied for academics' job satisfaction. The results reveal that compensation package, supervisory support, job security, training and development opportunities, team cohesion, career growth, working conditions, and organizational culture and policies are positively associated with the academics' job satisfaction. Amongst them, three factors stood out as significant contributors for job satisfaction of academics i.e. compensation package, job security, and working conditions. Therefore, the management of private universities should focus their effort on these areas of human resource management for maintaining academics' job satisfaction and employee retention. The study will be useful for university management in improving overall job satisfaction as it suggests some strategies for employee satisfaction practices.

MeSH terms: Bangladesh; Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction*; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Regression Analysis; Universities/statistics & numerical data*; Workplace/standards; Principal Component Analysis; Compensation and Redress
Fulltext Analysis of Quorum-Sensing Pantoea stewartii Strain M073A through Whole-Genome Sequencing

Izzati Mohamad N, Tan WS, Chang CY, Keng Tee K, Yin WF, Chan KG

Genome Announc, 2015 Feb 19;3(1).
PMID: 25700398 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00022-15

Pantoea stewartii strain M073a is a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from a tropical waterfall. This strain exhibits quorum-sensing activity. Here, the assembly and annotation of its genome are presented.
Fulltext Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of Quorum-Sensing Aeromonas hydrophila Strain M023 from Freshwater

Tan WS, Yin WF, Chang CY, Chan KG

Genome Announc, 2015;3(1).
PMID: 25700404 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01548-14

Aeromonas hydrophila is a well-known waterborne pathogen that recently was found to infect humans. Here, we report the draft genome of a freshwater isolate from a Malaysian waterfall, A. hydrophila strain M023, which portrays N-acylhomoserine lactone-dependent quorum sensing.

MeSH terms: Fresh Water; Humans; Lactones; Aeromonas hydrophila; Quorum Sensing
Fulltext Integrating health belief model and technology acceptance model: an investigation of health-related internet use

Ahadzadeh AS, Pahlevan Sharif S, Ong FS, Khong KW

J Med Internet Res, 2015;17(2):e45.
PMID: 25700481 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3564

Today, people use the Internet to satisfy health-related information and communication needs. In Malaysia, Internet use for health management has become increasingly significant due to the increase in the incidence of chronic diseases, in particular among urban women and their desire to stay healthy. Past studies adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Health Belief Model (HBM) independently to explain Internet use for health-related purposes. Although both the TAM and HBM have their own merits, independently they lack the ability to explain the cognition and the related mechanism in which individuals use the Internet for health purposes.

MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude to Health*; Consumer Participation; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological*; Risk Factors; Internet*; Biomedical Technology/methods*; Young Adult
Fulltext The Malay version of the brief questionnaire on smoking urge: translation and psychometric properties of the questionnaire

Blebil AQ, Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA, Dujaili JA, Zin AM

J Epidemiol Glob Health, 2015 Mar;5(1):15-22.
PMID: 25700919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2014.10.006

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of Malay translated version of the brief questionnaire of smoking urges (QSU-Brief). The translation procedure was done following the standard guidelines. The reliability and validity of the Malaysian version scale were evaluated based on the data collected from 133 Malaysian smokers. The internal consistency was calculated to assess the reliability. Factor analysis and construct validity were performed to validate psychometric properties of the scale. Total Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.806. The exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors that accounted for 66.15% of the explained total variance. The first component consisted of items 1, 3, 6, 7, and 10, while the second component included the rest. The QSU-Brief total score had a significant positive relationship with exhaled CO level (r=0.24; P=0.005), number of cigarettes smoked per day (r=0.30; P<0.001) and other clinical factors. Items 2 and 5 loaded strongly on factor 2, whereas both items loaded ambivalently on two factors in the previous studies. This discrepancy might be clarified by language differences. The Malaysian QSU-Brief is a good candidate for evaluating urge to smoke in both clinical practice and clinical trials.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Language*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires/standards*; Smoking; Tobacco Use Disorder/psychology*; Translations*; Reproducibility of Results; Smoking Cessation/psychology*; Young Adult; Craving*
Seeking social support on Facebook for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Mohd Roffeei SH, Abdullah N, Basar SK

Int J Med Inform, 2015 May;84(5):375-85.
PMID: 25701266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2015.01.015

PURPOSE: This study examined the types of social support messages exchanged between parents and/or caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) who communicate via Facebook (FB); it studies two autism support groups: Autism Malaysia (AM) and Autism Children Club (ACA).
METHOD: A total of 3637 messages including both postings (381) and comments (3256) were gathered from August to November 2013. The study employed a deductive content-analysis approach. The qualitative data were analyzed for social support themes adapted from the Social Support Behavior Code (SSBC). Before collecting the data, email was sent to the FB groups' moderators to gain formal consent from the members.
RESULT: The finding indicated that the highest percentage of messages offered dealt with Informational support (30.7%) followed by Emotional support (27.8%). Network and Esteem support messages were responsible for 20.97% and 20.2%, respectively. Tangible Assistance was the least frequent category (0.4%). A majority of these messages discussed and addressed challenges and difficulties associated with caring and raising ASD children, as well as issues such as children's social lives and self-care routines.
CONCLUSION: Understandings of how FB is used to seek social support could impact supporting and maintaining effective communication among parents and/or caregivers of children with ASDs. This information could also improve approaches used by health professionals in developing, improving and evaluating social support systems for parents/caregivers.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS: ASD; Autism; Facebook; Social support; Support group

MeSH terms: Autism Spectrum Disorder/epidemiology*; Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology; Child; Family/psychology; Humans; Social Support*; Caregivers/statistics & numerical data; Telemedicine/utilization*; Consumer Health Information/utilization; Social Networking*; Social Media/utilization*
Acute kidney injury in a Malaysian intensive care unit: Assessment of incidence, risk factors, and outcome

Md Ralib A, Mat Nor MB

J Crit Care, 2015 Jun;30(3):636-42.
PMID: 25701354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2015.01.018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common and carries a high mortality rate. Most epidemiological studies were retrospective and were done in Western populations. We aim to assess its incidence using both urine output and creatinine criteria and its association with risk factors and outcome.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Creatinine/blood; Critical Care; Female; Renal Dialysis; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Urine; Cohort Studies; Incidence; Proportional Hazards Models; Odds Ratio; Hospital Mortality; Acute Kidney Injury/mortality; Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology*; Acute Kidney Injury/therapy

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