Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Adlin Dasima, A.K., Nadia Hanom, I., Siti Aznida, A.K., Rusnaini, M.K., Mohd Fahmi, Z., Mohd Nazir, M.S., et al.
    MyJurnal
    This is our first experience in providing general anaesthesia for robotic-assisted thyroidectomy (RAT). It is rather a
    new experience for our anaesthetic team and few issues should be addressed. The conduct of RAT must be fully
    understood and familiarized as it may present with few challenges for the anaesthesiologists. The key point of
    success during this learning curve period is the importance of teamwork between the anaesthesiologists and the
    operating surgeons. The specific anaesthetic challenges include limited access to the patient post-docking of the
    robot, the need of extra precautions of the anaesthetic circuit and IV line connections, a vigilant anaesthesiologists
    and options for postoperative pain relief.
    MeSH terms: Anesthesia, General; Anesthetics; Humans; Pain, Postoperative; Robotics; Thyroidectomy; Learning Curve; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Surgeons; Anesthesiologists
  2. Nur Zaiti, M.A., Mohd Rushdan, M.N., Lee, S.J.
    MyJurnal
    Desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) is a very rare malignant tumour which commonly presented as an
    intraabdominal tumour. It has a distinct histological and immunophenotypic characteristic which differentiates it
    from other types of small blue cell tumour such as Ewing’s sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumour,
    neuroblastoma and malignant mesothelioma. Apart from the abdomen, it may also originate from other region of the
    body including the reproductive organs.
  3. Ikhwan Sani, M., Boo, H.S., Affirul, C., Zamri, Z., Razman, J.
    MyJurnal
    Frantz’ tumour of the pancreas is also known as solid pseudopapillary tumour (SPT) of the pancreas. It is a rare pancreatic neoplasm and represents about 3% of all the pancreatic cystic neoplasm.It occurs predominantly in young woman in 2nd to 3rd decade of life. These tumours exhibit indolent behaviour and very often reach considerable size before the first symptoms appear. Despite this presentation these tumours have low malignant potential and complete surgical resection render excellent prognosis. We reported a case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with upper abdominal mass with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction for 7 months duration. Clinical examination revealed a huge epigastric mass measuring 10 x 12 cm in size. CT scan showed presence of mass arising from the body of the pancreas which was hypervascular, well-encapsulated with mixed cystic and solid components. She then underwent successful distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy and recovered uneventfully.
  4. Lam, C.S., Mushawiahti, M., Bastion, M.L.C.
    MyJurnal
    Subluxation or dislocation of PCIOL is one of the complications of cataract operation in RP patients. This paper reports the presentation of PCIOL dislocation and subluxation and the management and outcome in 3 eyes of 2 RP patients. Two medical records of patients with RP who developed dislocated or subluxated PCIOL and subsequently underwent explantation of the dropped IOL were evaluated. Two patients had bilateral eye cataract operation done and had PCIOL implanted. Patient 1 developed left eye subluxated PCIOL inferiorly after 2 years of the cataract operation and right eye dislocated PCIOL anteriorly 4 years after cataract operation. Patient 2 develop right eye subluxated PCIOL inferiorly after 12 years of the cataract operation. Patient 1 with right eye dislocated PCIOL underwent intraocular lens (IOL) explantation and was left aphakic as her visual prognosis was poor due to advanced RP. The left IOL remained within the visual axis despite subluxation and no intervention has been done. Patient 2 with right eye subluxated PCIOL underwent IOL explantation and anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) implantation. ACIOL remained stable and visual acuity improved post-operation. Both the operations were uneventful. Post-operatively, there was no elevated intraocular pressure and no prolonged ocular inflammation, which required prolonged anti-inflammatory and no retinal detachment was seen. Both patient and surgeon should be aware of potential PCIOL subluxation or dislocation in RP. The presentation may be as late as more than a decade after the cataract operation.
    MeSH terms: Anterior Chamber; Cataract; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Intraocular Pressure; Lenses, Intraocular; Medical Records; Prognosis; Visual Acuity; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Surgeons
  5. Farhana, K., Lee, Choon Yee, Thohiroh, A.R.
    MyJurnal
    This was a prospective observational study to identify the incidence and possible risk factors for maternal desaturation following neuraxial blockade for elective caesarean section (CS). Patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 at the first antenatal consultation were identified and classified into the obese group. Neuraxial blockade in the form of subarachnoid block (SAB) or combined spinal-epidural (CSE) was performed. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded at baseline and at 5-minute intervals following neuraxial blockade. Desaturation, defined as SpO2 < 94% for more than 30 seconds without artifacts, was managed with oxygen therapy and other appropriate measures. Newborn Apgar score and umbilical cord blood gases were analysed. Among a total of 254 recruited patients, 69 (27.2%) were obese and were associated with significantly higher age, parity, previous CS and pre-existing diabetes mellitus. The incidence of oxygen desaturation was 1.2%, involving three patients in the non obese group. These desaturation episodes were short-lived and associated with intraoperative hypotension. Six patients, two of whom in the obese group, received rescue oxygen therapy following intraoperative events such as deteriorating SpO2 or hypotension. The mean MAP was significantly lower at baseline and at 5 minutes post neuraxial blockade in the non obese group, which could account for the occurrence of desaturation in this group only. There were no significant inter-group differences in terms of neonatal outcome, umbilical cord blood gases and changes in mean SpO2 post neuraxial blockade. In conclusion, the current practice of not routinely giving supplementary oxygen to patient during elective CS at our institution is deemed to be safe, provided continuous SpO2 monitoring is available throughout the surgery. Further randomised clinical trials are indicated to investigate the impact of maternal obesity and of labouring patients presenting for urgent or emergency CS on intraoperative oxygen desaturation.
  6. Ab. Latip, N., Ng, P.Y.
    MyJurnal
    During the study period from January 2008 to December 2012, 177 women had transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) for vault suspension at General Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Of the 177 women, 133 (75.1%) had severe uterovaginal prolapse while 44 (24.9%) had post-hysterectomy vault prolapse. All patients with severe uterovaginal prolapse and rectocele undergone vaginal hysterectomy and posterior colporrhaphy respectively. A hundred and seventy-four patients (98.3%) had anterior repair whilst 48 (27.1%) received midurethral sling as concomitant procedure to vault suspension (SSF). The mean duration of surgery was 92.1±30.2 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 319±199.3mls. There was no surgical mortality. Two patients (1.1%) had rectal injuries. No patient had bladder injury or de novo urinary symptoms. The commonest immediate postoperative complications was fever (98; 55.4%) followed by buttock pain in 18 (10.2%) patients. Both complications were resolved with conservative measures. Seven patients (3.9%) had sutures erosion as late complications. Of the 177 women, 158 (89.3%) and 141 (79.7%) came for the 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The success rate for all three compartments ranged from 92.4% to 98.1% at 6 months and reduced to range from 85.7% to 94.4% at 12 months. The highest success rate was observed in the posterior compartment followed by apical and anterior compartment. Equally, the recurrence rate was lowest in the posterior compartment (1.9%), followed by the central (3.8%) and anterior compartment (7.5%) at 6 months’ review. This increased to 5.7% for rectocele, 7.8% for vault prolapse and 14.2% for cystocele at 12 months’ follow-up. None had repeated surgery for prolapse recurrence during the study period. In conclusion, SSF remains a high priority in our therapeutic regime for the treatment of severe uterovaginal and vault prolapse as it has a reasonably good success rate with lower serious complications in the skillful hands.
  7. Lee D, Weinberg M, Benoit S
    Am J Public Health, 2017 05;107(5):684-686.
    PMID: 28323479 DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303698
    OBJECTIVES: To assess US availability and use of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination documentation for refugees vaccinated overseas.

    METHODS: We selected 1500 refugee records from 14 states from March 2013 through July 2015 to determine whether overseas vaccination records were available at the US postarrival health assessment and integrated into the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices schedule. We assessed number of doses, dosing interval, and contraindications.

    RESULTS: Twelve of 14 (85.7%) states provided data on 1118 (74.5%) refugees. Overseas records for 972 (86.9%) refugees were available, most from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Electronic Disease Notification system (66.9%). Most refugees (829; 85.3%) were assessed appropriately for MMR vaccination; 37 (3.8%) should have received MMR vaccine but did not; 106 (10.9%) did not need the MMR vaccine but were vaccinated.

    CONCLUSIONS: Overseas documentation was available at most clinics, and MMR vaccinations typically were given when needed. Further collaboration between refugee health clinics and state immunization information systems would improve accessibility of vaccination documentation.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Documentation*; Ethiopia/ethnology; Female; Humans; Kenya/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Nepal/ethnology; Refugees*; Thailand/epidemiology; United States; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine/administration & dosage*
  8. Whitton C, Ho JCY, Tay Z, Rebello SA, Lu Y, Ong CN, et al.
    Nutrients, 2017 Sep 25;9(10).
    PMID: 28946670 DOI: 10.3390/nu9101059
    The assessment of diets in multi-ethnic cosmopolitan settings is challenging. A semi-quantitative 163-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed for the adult Singapore population, and this study aimed to assess its reproducibility and relative validity against 24-h dietary recalls (24 h DR) and biomarkers. The FFQ was administered twice within a six-month interval in 161 adults (59 Chinese, 46 Malay, and 56 Indian). Fasting plasma, overnight urine, and 24 h DR were collected after one month and five months. Intra-class correlation coefficients between the two FFQ were above 0.70 for most foods and nutrients. The median correlation coefficient between energy-adjusted deattenuated FFQ and 24 h DR nutrient intakes was 0.40 for FFQ1 and 0.39 for FFQ2, highest for calcium and iron, and lowest for energy and carbohydrates. Significant associations were observed between urinary isoflavones and soy protein intake (r = 0.46), serum carotenoids and fruit and vegetable intake (r = 0.34), plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) and fish/seafood intake (r = 0.36), and plasma odd chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) and dairy fat intake (r = 0.25). Associations between plasma EPA + DHA and fish/seafood intake were consistent across ethnic groups (r = 0.28-0.49), while differences were observed for other associations. FFQ assessment of dietary intakes in modern cosmopolitan populations remains feasible for the purpose of ranking individuals' dietary exposures in epidemiological studies.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; China/ethnology; Diet/ethnology*; Feeding Behavior/ethnology*; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status/ethnology*; Predictive Value of Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires*; Singapore/epidemiology; Time Factors; Reproducibility of Results; Biomarkers/blood; Biomarkers/urine; Nutrition Assessment*; Diet Records*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*; Young Adult
  9. Dheeb Albashish, Shahnorbanun Sahran, Azizi Abdullah, Nordashima Abd Shukor, Suria Hayati Md Pauzi
    MyJurnal
    The Gleason grading system assists in evaluating the prognosis of men with prostate cancer. Cancers with a higher score are more aggressive and have a worse prognosis. The pathologists observe the tissue components (e.g. lumen, nuclei) of the histopathological image to grade it. The differentiation between Grade 3 and Grade 4 is the most challenging, and receives the most consideration from scholars. However, since the grading is subjective and time-consuming, a reliable computer-aided prostate cancer diagnosing techniques are in high demand. This study proposed an ensemble computer-added system (CAD) consisting of two single classifiers: a) a specialist, trained specifically for texture features of the lumen and the other for nuclei tissue component; b) a fusion method to aggregate the decision of the single classifiers. Experimental results show promising results that the proposed ensemble system (area under the ROC curve (Az) of 88.9% for Grade 3 versus Grad 4 classification task) impressively outperforms the single classifier of nuclei (Az=87.7) and lumen (Az=86.6).
    MeSH terms: Cell Nucleus; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; Humans; Male; Prognosis; Prostatic Neoplasms; ROC Curve; Neoplasm Grading; Pathologists
  10. Chang Sim Vui, Chin Kim On, Gan Kim Soon, Rayner Alfred, Patricia Anthony
    MyJurnal
    This paper investigates the accuracy of Feedforward Neural Network (FFNN) with different external parameters in predicting the closing price of a particular stock. Specifically, the feedforward neural network was trained using Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation algorithm to forecast the CIMB stock’s closing price in the Kuala Lumpur Stock exchange (KLSE). The results indicate that the use of external parameters can improve the accuracy of the stock’s closing price.
  11. Rohaida Mat Akir, Kalaivani Chellappan, Mardina Abdullah
    MyJurnal
    Space weather forecasting and its importance for the power and communication industry have inspired research related to TEC forecasting lately. Research has attempted to establish an empirical model approach for TEC prediction. In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been applied in total electron content using GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitor (GISTM) data from UKM Station. The TEC prediction will be useful in improving the quality of current GNSS applications, such as in automobiles, road mapping, location-based advertising, personal navigation or logistics. Hence, a neural network model was designed with relevant features and customised parameters. Various types of input data and data representations from the ionospheric activity were used for the chosen network structure, which was a three-layer perceptron trained by feed forward back propagation method and tested on the chosen test data. We found that the optimum RMSE occurred with 10 nodes as the best NN for GISTM UKM station for the studied period with RMSE 1.3457 TECU. An analysis was made to compare the TEC from the measured TEC with neural network prediction and from IRI-corr model. The results showed that the NN model forecast the TEC values close to the measured TEC values with 9.96% of relative error. Thus, the forecasting of total electron content has the potential to be implemented successfully with larger data set from multi-centred environment.
    MeSH terms: Advertising as Topic; Automobiles; Electrons; Forecasting; Industry; Weather; Neural Networks (Computer)
  12. Nur Atikah Arbain, Mohd Sanusi Azmi, Sharifah Sakinah Syed Ahmad, Azah Kamilah Muda, Intan Ermahami A. Jalil, King Ming Tiang
    MyJurnal
    In recent years, many classification models have been developed and applied to increase their accuracy. The concept of distance between two samples or two variables is a fundamental concept in multivariate analysis. This paper proposed a tool that used different similarity distance approaches with ranking method based on Mean Average Precision (MAP). In this study, several similarity distance methods were used, such as Euclidean, Manhattan, Chebyshev, Sorenson and Cosine. The most suitable distance measure was based on the smallest value of distance between the samples. However, the real solution showed that the results were not accurate as and thus, MAP was considered the best approach to overcome current limitations.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Paper; Time; Multivariate Analysis
  13. Nor Ashikin Rahman, Noor Azilah Muda, Norashikin Ahmad
    MyJurnal
    Combining Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient with wavelet transform for feature extraction is not new. This paper proposes a new architecture to help in increasing the accuracy of speaker recognition compared with conventional architecture. In conventional speaker model, the voice will undergo noise elimination first before feature extraction. The proposed architecture however, will extract the features and eliminate noise simultaneously. The MFCC is used to extract the voice features while wavelet de-noising technique is used to eliminate the noise contained in the speech signals. Thus, the new architecture achieves two outcomes in one single process: ex-tracting voice feature and elimination of noise.
    MeSH terms: Noise; Speech; Voice; Wavelet Analysis
  14. Zaidatul Salwa Mahmud, Siti Nor Hafiza Mohd Yusoff, Nur Hamizah Mohd Zaki, Mohamad Fariz Mohamad Taib, Mohamad Kamil Yaakob, Oskar Hasdinor Hassan, et al.
    MyJurnal
    A free-standing film consisting of 49% PMMA grafted-natural rubber electrolytes was prepared. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and propylene carbonate (PC) was added to the preparation and the properties of the electrolytes measured using complex impedance analysis at various temperatures. The addition of plasticiser in alkaline polymer electrolyte gives rise to the ionic conductivity up to 2.647 x 10-6 S cm-1 at composition consisting of 50wt.% of PC. The dielectric properties of the GPEs were studied and the relaxations at higher frequencies appear in both imaginary and real part of the permittivity. These relaxations are related with the interface ion polarisations at the polymer-electrode interface and segmental motion of the polymer electrolyte molecular chains. The influence of the impedance spectra on temperature was studied. Results showed rising temperature increased conductivity, top frequency (f*), relative dielectric constant (εr) and geometrical capacitance (Cg) due to the mobility of free ion carriers.
  15. Aimi Iznina Ahameed Tarmizi, Roslina Mohamad, Saiful Izwan Suliman, Murizah Kassim
    MyJurnal
    Distributed generator is one of the most common sources of electric power as it has many advantages. However, it might cause negative effects to the distribution system if appropriate conditions are undermined. Thus, this paper describes ways to optimise the use of distributed generator in a distribution system in order to reduce total power losses and to improve system performance by increasing stability of the voltage profile. This study focuses on the installation of distributed generator that is installed on 69-bus radial distribution system. Optimisation are done through Particle Swarm Optimization and Voltage Stability Indicator. The findings show that total power loss was reduced by 44.6%, and there was improvement in voltage profile stability.
    MeSH terms: Electricity; Electric Power Supplies
  16. Nor Nasriah Zaini, Mardiana Saaid, Hafizan Juahir, Rozita Osman
    MyJurnal
    Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is one of the most popular tropical herbal plants as it is believed to enhance virility and sexual prowess. This study looked examined chromatographic fingerprint of Tongkat Ali roots and its products generated using online solid phase-extraction liquid chromatography (SPE-LC) combined with chemometric approaches. The aim was to determine its quality. Pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) technique was used prior to online SPE-LC using polystyrene divinyl benzene (PSDVB) and C18 columns. Seventeen Tongkat Ali roots and 10 products (capsules) were analysed. Chromatographic dataset was subjected to chemometric techniques, namely cluster analysis (CA), discriminant analysis (DA) and principal component analysis (PCA) using 37 selected peaks. The samples were grouped into three clusters based on their quality. The PCA resulted in 11 latent factors describing 90.8% of the whole variance. Pattern matching analysis showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the roots and products within the same CA grouping. The findings showed the combination of chromatographic fingerprint and chemometric techniques provided comprehensive evaluation for efficient quality control of Tongkat Ali formulation.
    MeSH terms: Capsules; Chromatography, Liquid; Factor XI; Polystyrenes; Quality Control; Vinyl Compounds; Cluster Analysis; Discriminant Analysis; Principal Component Analysis; Eurycoma
  17. Julia Andrew, Alawi Sulaiman, Mohd Noriznan Mokhtar, Azhari Samsu Baharuddin, Norzaidi Mohd Daud
    MyJurnal
    This study proposes a new method to evaluate the performance of palm oil extraction based on Predictive Scoring Index methodology. The variables, Oil Extraction Rate (OER) and Oil Loss (OL), were identified as important to develop a new extraction index based on three different steriliser systems. There were six performance categories: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Average, Poor and Very Poor. Based on 75 selected palm oil mills data from 2009-2013, Continuous Sterilizer (CS) system and Conventional Sterilizer (CV) system recorded 2.7% and 1.3% respectively under the Excellent category. The Compact Modular Concept (CMC) system only recorded ‘Very Good’ (20%) and ‘Good’ (13.3%). This study showed that EPI could be used to monitor palm oil extraction performance to ensure maximum oil extraction and minimum losses.
  18. Nor Yusliza Kamaruddin, Shamsiah Abdullah
    MyJurnal
    This study looked at mutagenic effectiveness of gamma rays d on two varieties of Zingiber officinale Roscoe: Bentong and Tanjung Sepat. The rhizomes were exposed to different doses (0, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 Gy) using Caesium-137 as source of the gamma rays. The effect of different gamma doses on the crude fibre composition of irradiated ginger was studied and genetic variability was assessed using molecular marker technique, RAPD. Findings showed different doses of gamma rays could induce variability in these two ginger varieties and the effect was found to be variety-dependent. Bentong variety irradiated with 9 Gy recorded 8.53% of crude fibre composition while Tanjung Sepat irradiated ginger with 5 Gy recorded 8.70% of crude fibre which gave the lowest composition compared with other irradiated ginger. A total of nine different arbitrary decamers were used as primers to amplify DNA from mutant plant material to assess their polymorphism level of ginger mutant lines. Polymorphism of all mutant lines was 97.62% indicating that there were significant changes in genetic sequences in irradiated ginger genotypes.
    MeSH terms: Cesium Radioisotopes; DNA; Gamma Rays; Genotype; Mutagens; Mutagenesis; DNA Primers; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Ginger; Rhizome
  19. Syaidah Athirah Dzolin, Yusairie Mohd, Hadariah Bahron, Nurul Huda Abdul Halim
    MyJurnal
    The syntheses of salicylideneaniline (L1a) and 4-hydroxybenzalaniline (L1b) was carried out via condensation reaction giving yields of 80.74% and 81.65% respectively. The compounds were characterised by physical and spectroscopic techniques, namely melting point, micro elemental analysis (C, H and N), 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The characteristic n(C=N) peaks were observed at 1615 cm-1 and 1575 cm-1 respectively. Chronoamperometry (CA) was employed to electrodeposit both compounds on mild steel at 0.1 M inhibitor concentration in 0.3 M NaOH at three different potentials, +0.8 V, +1.05 V and +1.7 V. Formation of yellow imine films was observed on the mild steel. The corrosion behaviour of coated and uncoated mild steel was studied using Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) in 0.5 M NaCl. Coated mild steel showed better corrosion resistance and with the highest inhibition efficiency of 90.34%, L1a provides a better protection against corrosion for mild steel than L1b.
    MeSH terms: Aniline Compounds; Corrosion; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Schiff Bases; Steel
  20. Hadariah Bahron, Siti Solihah Khaidir, Amalina Mohd Tajuddin, Syed Abdul Illah Alyahya Syed Abd Kadir
    MyJurnal
    A mononuclear and new tetranuclear metal complexes of Zn(II) with Schiff base ligands L1 and L2 respectively, were synthesised. L1 was obtained through the condensation of salicylaldehyde with ortho-phenylenediamine while L2 was the product of reaction between of ortho-vanillin with 2,4,6-trimethyl-m-phenylenediamine. The ligands and complexes were characterised via elemental analysis, melting point, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The shifting of v(C=N), v(C-OH) and v(O-CH3) infrared peaks upon coordination with Zn(II) indicated that these three moieties play a significant role in the complexation. It was found that L1 acted as tetradentate ligand, coordinating with Zn(II) centres through phenolic oxygen and imine nitrogen. The ligand L2 acted as a hexadentate ligand, bonded to metal via phenolic oxygen, imine nitrogen and methoxy oxygen, where four Zn(II) centres formed bridges to connect two ligands.
    MeSH terms: Aldehydes; Benzaldehydes; Imines; Ligands; Nitrogen; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Oxygen; Phenylenediamines; Schiff Bases; Zinc; Coordination Complexes
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