Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Sim Mervyn Ian, Nor Zuraida Zainal, Aili Hanim
    MyJurnal
    Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) may occur as a consequence of a
    rapid change in serum osmolality. We report a case of a 32-year-old woman
    who presented to the hospital with symptoms suggestive of severe
    hyperemesis gravidarum. Blood investigation results showed that patient had
    severe hyponatraemia (serum sodium 109 mmol/L) and hypokalaemia
    (serum potassium 1.7 mmol/L). Active and vigorous corrections to these
    electrolyte imbalances had led to an overly increased of serum sodium levels
    within a short duration of time. Four days after the rapid correction, patient
    started exhibiting neuropsychiatric manifestations. Radiological findings
    were consistent with the diagnosis of ODS. The neuropsychiatric symptoms
    experienced by patient gradually worsened with time. Subsequently,
    intravenous methylprednisolone was administered to patient. Patient showed
    marked response to the steroid given. At the time of discharge, twenty-seven
    days later, patient had recovered from most of the neuropsychiatric sequelae;
    but still required assistance during ambulation. In conclusion, correction of
    electrolyte imbalances should be done in a more judicious manner. Prudent
    corrections of electrolyte alterations could have possibly prevented the onset
    of ODS and its’ devastating neuropsychiatric sequelae in this patient.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Demyelinating Diseases; Electrolytes; Female; Humans; Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Hypokalemia; Hyponatremia; Methylprednisolone; Osmolar Concentration; Osmosis; Potassium; Pregnancy; Sodium; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance; Walking
  2. Kanchan Thadani, Chee Kok Yoon, Hanis Aminah John Mohamad, Norzaini Rose Mohd Zain, Chan Pek Har, Noor Jannah Ariffin
    MyJurnal
    Klüver-Bucy syndrome was first diagnosed in humans in 1955, after a group
    of people who had experienced temporal lobectomy. It is a rare
    neuropsychiatry disease and of which little is understood about its
    pathophysiological processes. Here we present a 60-year-old man seen in the
    outpatient psychiatric department in a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur
    who presented to us with hyper sexuality, impulsivity, docility, amnesia and
    hyperphagia for the past 10 months. He was diagnosed with Herpes Simplex
    Virus with encephalitis 18 months ago and was shown to have bilateral
    meningoencephalitis of his temporal lobes. Thus, a diagnosis of Klüver-Bucy
    was made. We have taken a multi-disciplinary team approach to treat his
    illness and specific goals has been laid out in each discipline. A written
    consent has been taken by the patient and his family for the publication of
    this report.
    MeSH terms: Amnesia; Encephalitis; Goals; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Hyperphagia; Impulsive Behavior; Informed Consent; Male; Meningoencephalitis; Middle Aged; Outpatients; Temporal Lobe; Sexuality; Kluver-Bucy Syndrome; Neuropsychiatry; Tertiary Care Centers
  3. Md Saad SK, Ali Umar A, Ali Umar MI, Tomitori M, Abd Rahman MY, Mat Salleh M, et al.
    ACS Omega, 2018 Mar 31;3(3):2579-2587.
    PMID: 31458546 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00109
    This paper reports the synthesis of two-dimensional, hierarchical, porous, and (001)-faceted metal (Ag, Zn, and Al)-doped TiO2 nanostructures (TNSs) and the study of their photocatalytic activity. Two-dimensional metal-doped TNSs were synthesized using the hydrolysis of ammonium hexafluorotitanate in the presence of hexamethylenetetramine and metal precursors. Typical morphology of metal-doped TNSs is a hierarchical nanosheet that is composed of randomly stacked nanocubes (dimensions of up to 5 μm and 200 nm in edge length and thickness, respectively) and has dominant (001) facets exposed. Raman analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that the Ag doping, compared to Zn and Al, much improves the crystallinity degree and at the same time dramatically lowers the valence state binding energy of the TNS and provides an additional dopant oxidation state into the system for an enhanced electron-transfer process and surface reaction. These are assumed to enhance the photocatalytic of the TNS. In a model of photocatalytic reaction, that is, rhodamine B degradation, the AgTNS demonstrates a high photocatalytic activity by converting approximately 91% of rhodamine B within only 120 min, equivalent to a rate constant of 0.018 m-1 and ToN and ToF of 94 and 1.57 min-1, respectively, or 91.1 mmol mg-1 W-1 degradation when normalized to used light source intensity, which is approximately 2 times higher than the pristine TNS and several order higher when compared to Zn- and Al-doped TNSs. Improvement of the crystallinity degree, decrease in the defect density and the photogenerated electron and hole recombination, and increase of the oxygen vacancy in the AgTNS are found to be the key factors for the enhancement of the photocatalytic properties. This work provides a straightforward strategy for the preparation of high-energy (001) faceted, two-dimensional, hierarchical, and porous Ag-doped TNSs for potential use in photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical application.
    MeSH terms: Electrons; Hydrolysis; Metals; Methenamine; Oxygen; Recombination, Genetic; Rhodamines; Titanium; Zinc; Nanostructures; Photoelectron Spectroscopy; Ammonium Compounds
  4. Hemasri S, Okene IA, Goni MD
    J Adv Vet Anim Res, 2018 Dec;5(4):490-495.
    PMID: 31453163 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2018.e304
    Objective: The main aim of this case report is to present a case of feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis that occurred concurrently with bacterial cystitis following the bite.

    Material and methods: A 3-year-old intact male domestic shorthair cat weighing 3.7 kg was referred to the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Veterinary Clinic with clinical signs of hematuria and dysuria. History revealed that it was managed outdoor, fed with kibbles and wet food, but with no vaccination and deworming. Upon physical examination, the cat had a dull appearance, pale mucous membrane, normal respiratory rate, hypothermia, and bradycardia. Upon the examination of the urogenital system, there were urine burns at the anal region, necrotized penile tip, and presence of bite wound observed at the perineal region. Turgid and enlarged urinary bladder was identified upon palpation.

    Results: Diagnostic investigation revealed the hemotropic mycoplasmosis via microscopy, while urine culture was positive for Escherichia coli infection. The cat was successfully treated symptomatically.

    Conclusion: However, the prognosis of this cat was guarded given that the anemia was unresolved at the point of discharge.

    MeSH terms: Anemia; Animals; Bradycardia; Burns; Cats; Cystitis; Escherichia coli Infections; Hematuria; Hospitals, Animal; Hypothermia; Malaysia; Male; Microscopy; Mucous Membrane; Pallor; Palpation; Physical Examination; Prognosis; Felis; Dysuria; Respiratory Rate
  5. Ghazali MF, Abd Razak NA, Abu Osman NA, Gholizadeh H
    Turk J Phys Med Rehabil, 2018 Sep;64(3):268-276.
    PMID: 31453521 DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2018.1668
    Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of awareness of transtibial amputee patients on stump contractures and their compliance with efforts implemented to prevent the condition.

    Patients and methods: This study included 50 unilateral transtibial amputees (26 males, 24 females; mean age 55.4±14.7 years; range, 18 to 78 years) who met the respondent criteria of the study. The respondents were randomly selected and were issued with a questionnaire.

    Results: The majority of the transtibial amputees were aware of stump contracture complications. It was found that they also preferred methods of prevention which required less effort, was cost-effective, and were also practical.

    Conclusion: More focus should be placed on contracture prevention methods which were most complied with by the patients. This is because the effectiveness of a prevention method is highly influenced by patients' compliance with the method. Patients with a higher risk of developing stump contractures should be also given more attention in post-amputation care.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amputation; Amputation Stumps; Amputees; Attention; Awareness; Contracture; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
  6. Lim CL, Ling KH, Cheah PS
    J Biol Methods, 2018;5(1):e87.
    PMID: 31453240 DOI: 10.14440/jbm.2018.219
    Satellite cells are myogenic cells responsible for muscle growth shortly after birth and muscle repair/regeneration during adulthood. Therapies based on satellite cells hold promise for treating muscular dysfunctions. Studying satellite cells is technically challenging owing to their low abundance, small size and anatomical dispersed location between the basal lamina and the sarcolemma of myofibers. In this article, we present three improved protocol strategies for studying the properties of satellite cells of the mouse during the different stages of muscle regeneration: (1) immunostaining of freshly isolated single myofibers to facilitate the study of quiescent satellite cells, (2) cultivation of single myofibers on Matrigel®-coated dish to study the myogenesis programs initiated by satellite cell activation, and (3) cultivation of single myofibers in floating conditions to analyze activated satellite cells or the doubling time of satellite cells in myofibers. In brief, when compared to previously published protocols, this article presented an improved protocol that requires shorter experimental time and less laborious approach for higher yield of intact single myofibers for downstream analyses.
  7. Ong CC, Sundera Murthe S, Mohamed NM, Perumal V, Mohamed Saheed MS
    ACS Omega, 2018 Nov 30;3(11):15907-15915.
    PMID: 31458235 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01566
    This article demonstrates a novel nanoscale surface modification method to enhance the selectivity of porous poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) in removing oil from water. The surface modification method is simple and low cost by using sugar as a sacrificial template for temporal adhering of carbon nanotubes (CNT) before addition of PDMS prepolymer to encapsulate the CNT on its surface once polymerized. The PDMS-CNT demonstrated a tremendous increase in absorption capacity up to 3-fold compared to previously reported absorbents composed solely of PDMS. Besides showcasing excellent absorption capacity, the PDMS-CNT also shows a faster absorption rate (25 s) as compared to that of pure PDMS (40 s). The enhanced absorption rate is due to the incorporation of CNT, which roughens the surface of the polymer at the nanoscale and lowers the surface energy of porous PDMS while at the same time increasing the absorbent hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. This property makes the absorbent unique in absorbing only oil but repelling water at the same time. The PDMS-CNT is an excellent absorbent material with outstanding recyclability and selectivity for removing oil from water.
    MeSH terms: Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Polymers; Water; Porosity; Nanotubes, Carbon; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Polymerization
  8. Mustafa NS, Yahya MS, Sazelee N, Ali NA, Ismail M
    ACS Omega, 2018 Dec 31;3(12):17100-17107.
    PMID: 31458330 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02281
    The K2NiF6 catalytic effect on the NaAlH4 dehydrogenation properties was studied in this work. The desorption temperature was studied using temperature-programmed desorption and exhibited a lower onset hydrogen release after doped with different wt % of K2NiF6 (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt %). It was found that the NaAlH4 doped with 5 wt % K2NiF6 showed the optimal value that can reduce the onset desorption temperature of about 160 °C compared to 190 °C for the milled NaAlH4. The NaAlH4 + 5 wt % K2NiF6 sample showed faster desorption kinetics where 1.5 wt % of hydrogen was released in 30 min at 150 °C. In contrast, the milled NaAlH4 only released about 0.2 wt % within the same time and temperature. From the Kissinger analysis, the apparent activation energy was 114.7 kJ/mol for the milled NaAlH4 and 89.9 kJ/mol for the NaAlH4-doped 5 wt % K2NiF6, indicating that the addition of K2NiF6 reduced the activation energy for hydrogen desorption of NaAlH4. It is deduced that the new phases of AlNi, NaF, and KH that were formed in situ during the dehydrogenation process are the key factors for the improvement of dehydrogenation properties of NaAlH4.
    MeSH terms: Catalysis; Hydrogen; Kinetics; Temperature; Aluminum Compounds; Sodium Compounds; Physical Phenomena
  9. Sim S, Andou Y, Bashid HAA, Lim H, Altarawneh M, Jiang Z, et al.
    ACS Omega, 2018 Dec 31;3(12):18124-18131.
    PMID: 31458398 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02478
    Graphene has attracted lots of researchers attention because of its remarkable conductivity in both electrically and thermally. However, it has poor dispersibility in organic solvents which limited its applications. Polymers with aromatic end group which act as an intercalator were prepared by ring-opening polymerization with ε-caprolactone by utilizing 1-naphthalene methanol (1-NM) as an initiator. These intercalators will exist between graphene oxide (GO) sheets to prevent aggregation via interactions. The attachment of 1-NM on polymer chains was supported by ultraviolet-visible spectra, size exclusion chromatography profiles, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Exfoliated structured functionalized GO (fGO)/polycaprolactone (PCL) (synthesized fGO) nanocomposites that dispersed well in acetone, chloroform, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, and toluene were successfully synthesized. This agreed well with the enlarged interlayer spacing in the optimized fGO as compared to that of GO from density functional theory simulations using the DMol3 module that implemented in the Materials Studio 6.0. Furthermore, its potential to be applied as green electronics in electronics, aerospace, and automotive industries was presented, by trailering the thermal conductivity enhancement from the incorporation of fGO/PCL with commercialized biodegradable polymers, PCL, and poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid].
  10. Mawarnis ER, Ali Umar A, Tomitori M, Balouch A, Nurdin M, Muzakkar MZ, et al.
    ACS Omega, 2018 Sep 30;3(9):11526-11536.
    PMID: 31459253 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01268
    A combinative effect of two or more individual material properties, such as lattice parameters and chemical properties, has been well-known to generate novel nanomaterials with special crystal growth behavior and physico-chemical performance. This paper reports unusually high catalytic performance of AgPt nanoferns in the hydrogenation reaction of acetone conversion to isopropanol, which is several orders higher compared to the performance shown by pristine Pt nanocatalysts or other metals and metal-metal oxide hybrid catalyst systems. It has been demonstrated that the combinative effect during the bimetallisation of Ag and Pt produced nanostructures with a highly anisotropic morphology, i.e., hierarchical nanofern structures, which provide high-density active sites on the catalyst surface for an efficient catalytic reaction. The extent of the effect of structural growth on the catalytic performance of hierarchical AgPt nanoferns is discussed.
    MeSH terms: Acetone; Catalysis; Crystallization; Hydrogenation; Oxides; Silver; Anisotropy; 2-Propanol; Catalytic Domain; Nanostructures
  11. Seed Hon Fei, Thong Kai Shin
    MyJurnal
    Dextromethorphan, an over the counter cough suppressant is gaining
    popularity among teenagers and young adults because of its easy availability,
    relatively low price and most importantly the feeling good effects that it
    brought when used in megadoses. We are reporting three cases of
    dextromethorphan abuse and its clinical presentations. We discussed about
    the factors that contribute to the current situation of uncontrolled usage of
    dextromethorphan in our population especially in Sarawak. We also looked
    into some of the steps that we can take in order to prevent the situation from
    becoming worse.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Antitussive Agents; Dextromethorphan; Nonprescription Drugs; Emotions; Humans; Malaysia; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult
  12. Chan Lai Fong, Nurashikin Ibrahim, Nur Ajjrina Abdul Rahman, Sara Bartlett, Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin, Yin, Ping Ng
    MyJurnal
    The media can be a double-edged sword in suicide prevention
    with the Werther and Papageno effect as risk and protective factors
    respectively. Objective: This article provides a brief overview of the impact
    of media suicide reporting on suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention.
    Results: In the Malaysian context, current practices of media suicide
    reporting, advocacy strategies for responsible media suicide reporting as
    well as challenges in stakeholder awareness and engagement are highlighted.
    A review of the literature suggested limited implementaton and adherence of
    media guidelines locally. Conclusions: Future research is warranted to
    establish the evidence base for effective strategies to improve stakeholder
    awareness, engagement and implementation of responsible media reporting
    of suicide.
    MeSH terms: Communications Media; Suicide; Suicidal Ideation; Protective Factors
  13. Hamira Farahana Hamdan, Syahrir Zaini
    MyJurnal
    Majority people with schizophrenia who smoke cigarettes, tend to be heavy smokers than other psychiatric patients and general population. Nicotine is one of the main components of cigarettes that can produce nicotinic interactions with antipsychotic drugs. Nicotine can also alleviate psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Aim: The objective for this systematic review is to examine the effects of nicotine and nicotine-based products in the treatment of schizophrenia, in comparison with placebo, no treatment or antipsychotic medication. Results: All studies comparing nicotine or other related products as the only treatment or adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia patients excluding the animal studies and case studies are reviewed. The use of traditional or known as typical antipsychotics may cause the patients to smoke frequently while patients taking atypical antipsychotics may smoke less. Patients who smoke may metabolize antipsychotics faster than non-smoking patients. There is less report related to smoking cessation among the schizophrenia patients. Conclusion: Neurobiological and psychosocial factors reinforce the high use of nicotine by patients with schizophrenia. Prior to smoking cessation implementation, it is crucial to understand on the ways and reasons for schizophrenia patients to consume nicotine for self-medicate symptoms which may lead to the development of new treatments for schizophrenia and nicotine dependence.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Nicotine; Psychotic Disorders; Reinforcement (Psychology); Schizophrenia; Tobacco Use Disorder; Antipsychotic Agents; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Products
  14. Syed Nabil, Ng, Chong Guan, Rusdi Abd Rashid
    MyJurnal
    Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant that is prescribed mainly for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorder. There have been scattered reported cases of tianeptine dependence and abuse in the literature. We report the case of a 32-year-old gentleman with resistant major depressive disorder that was initially successfully treated with Tianeptine. When his depression relapse due to work-related issue, he step-up his dosages without supervision. He developed tolerance and withdrawal to tianeptine making it difficult for him to stop without help. This case highlights the possibility of tianeptine abuse to its high tolerability and easy access for purchase.
    MeSH terms: Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Male; Recurrence; Thiazepines
  15. Khairani Yahya, Azizah Saie
    MyJurnal
    In recent years, more cases of manic switches on Mirtazapine have been reported. In this report, we discuss a case of manic switch in a gentleman who was treated as unipolar depression. A 66-year-old man presented to psychiatry 8 months following a nephrectomy for symptoms of depression. Treatment with Sertraline 50mg daily was initiated and titrated to 150mg, along with Zolpidem and Clonazepam to aid his sleep. Despite these medications he never achieved remission and continued to have persistent anxiety and insomnia. Due to suboptimal control, treatment was changed to Mirtazapine 15mg daily. At day 20 he showed symptoms of mania which included talkativeness, increased goal directed activities, reduced need for sleep and socially disinhibited behavior. Mirtazapine was discontinued, and treatment was changed to Sodium Valproate, optimized to 1000mg daily, augmented with Quetiapine 150mg daily. Remission was achieved after 4 months and he has remained asymptomatic for 2 months. This was his first episode of mania, and a diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder was made. In conclusion, antidepressant induced manic switches are common, they are relatively under-appreciated and under-reported, especially with the use of sleep-promoting antidepressants. All antidepressants should be considered to be a potential mediator of a switch in view of its pharmacological properties.
    MeSH terms: Quetiapine Fumarate; Aged; Antidepressive Agents; Anxiety; Bipolar Disorder; Clonazepam; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Goals; Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Male; Mianserin; Nephrectomy; Psychiatry; Pyridines; Valproic Acid; Sertraline
  16. Andrew Chin RW, Chua YY, Chu MN, Mahadi NF, Wong MS, Yusoff MSB, et al.
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Feb;13(1):1-9.
    PMID: 31435296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2017.06.003
    Introduction: The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) is a recent burnout measure with a focus on fatigue and exhaustion. It has three factors: personal burnout, work-related burnout, and client-related burnout. This study aimed to translate the CBI into the Malay language and to validate the translated version among a group of medical students.

    Methods: The forward-backward translation was performed as per standard guidelines. The Malay version of CBI (CBI-M) was distributed to 32 medical students to assess face validity and later to 452 medical students to assess construct validity. The data analysis was performed by Microsoft Excel, SPSS and AMOS.

    Results: The face validity index of CBI-M was more than 0.8. The three factors of CBI-M achieved good levels of goodness-of-fit indices (Cmin/df = 2.99, RMSEA = 0.066, GFI = 0.906, CFI = 0.938, NFI = 0.910, TLI = 0.925). The composite reliability values of the three factors ranged from 0.84 to 0.87. The Cronbach's alpha values of the three factors ranged from 0.83 to 0.87.

    Conclusions: This study supports the face and construct validity of the CBI-M with a high internal consistency.
    MeSH terms: Burnout, Professional; Fatigue; Language; Malaysia; Students, Medical; Translating; Translations; Reproducibility of Results
  17. Latiff AA, Muhamad J, Rahman RA
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Feb;13(1):34-41.
    PMID: 31435300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2017.07.003
    Objectives: Awareness of body image perception among children and adolescents has been rising during recent years. The objectives of this study were to identify body image dissatisfaction and its associated factors among primary-school students.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven randomly selected primary schools, involving students aged 11 to 12. A guided self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic data, body mass index (BMI) parameters, and body image perception (Childress Contour Drawing Rating Scale), was used.

    Results: This study involved 776 primary-school students. Approximately 60.1% of students had body image dissatisfaction, which was significantly (p 
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Body Image; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools; Students; Body Mass Index; Prevalence; Overweight
  18. Muhamad R, Draman N, Aziz AA, Abdullah S, Jaeb MZM
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Feb;13(1):42-50.
    PMID: 31435301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2017.05.014
    Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a 6-months regime of honey supplementation in improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial on 34 patients with COPD was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups, including honey (n = 22) and standard care (n = 12). St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to assess the QoL. The QoL total score was analysed using repeated measure ANOVA.

    Result: There were no significant differences between the honey and standard care groups for socio-demographic and QoL variables. The within-time analysis showed statistically significant differences between baseline and post 2, 4 and 6-months in the total QoL score in the honey group. Otherwise, only marginally significant difference was detected between baseline and post 2-months in the standard care group. A comparison of total QoL score between the two groups, based on time (between and within), favoured the honey group. The honey group demonstrated a significantly lower mean total QoL score compared with the standard group at 4-months (28.89; 95% CI: 21.19, 36.59 vs 42.38; 95% CI: 31.95, 52.81) and 6 months (22.91; 95% CI: 14.94, 30.87 vs 41.95; 95% CI: 31.17, 52.73).

    Conclusion: Supplementation of honey in patients with COPD results in better intermediate and long-term changes in the overall QoL.

    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Honey; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Single-Blind Method; RNA-Binding Proteins; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
  19. Mohammad JAM, Yusoff MSB
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Feb;13(1):58-63.
    PMID: 31435303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2017.04.005
    Objectives: To determine the psychometric properties of the Mentor Behaviour Scale (MBS), a 15-item inventory that evaluates four supportive mentor behaviours in terms of construct validity and internal consistency.

    Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of medical students in their final year at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using AMOS 22 to assess construct validity. Reliability analysis was performed using SPSS 22 to assess internal consistency.

    Results: A total of 159 final year medical students participated. CFA showed that the original four-factor model with 15 items achieved acceptable values for the goodness of fit indices, suggesting a good model fit (X2 = 198.295, ChiSq/df = 2.418, RMSEA = 0.095, GFI = 0.867, CFI = 0.953, NFI = 0.923, TLI = 0.940). The Cronbach's alpha values of the mentoring relationship structure, engagement, and competency support domains were 0.96, 0.90 and 0.88, respectively. For autonomy support, the Cronbach's alpha value was 0.62.

    Conclusion: MBS demonstrates a satisfactory level of construct validity and a high level of internal consistency in measuring supportive mentor behaviours in a medical school setting. This result suggests that MBS can be used as a mentorship evaluation tool for feedback in the context of a Malaysian medical school.

    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Feedback; Malaysia; Mentors; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools, Medical; Students, Medical; Reproducibility of Results; Mentoring
  20. Ahmad A, Bahri Yusoff MS, Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad WM, Mat Nor MZ
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Apr;13(2):113-122.
    PMID: 31435313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2017.12.001
    Objectives: Community-based education (CBE) has an impact on the types of medical students produced at the end of medical training. However, its impact on professional identity development (PID) has not been clearly understood. This study thus explores the effect of the CBE program on PID.

    Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted on a group of Universiti Sains Malaysia medical students who had finished the Community and Family Case Study (CFCS) program. Data were gathered through focused group discussions and student reflective journals. Participants were sampled using the maximal variation technique of purposive sampling. Three steps of thematic analysis using the Atlasti software were employed to identify categories, subthemes, and themes.

    Results: Personal, role, social, and research identities were generated that contribute to the PID of medical students through the CFCS program. The results indicate that the CFCS program nurtured personal identity through the development of professional skills, soft skills, and personal values. Pertaining to role identity, this is related to patient care in terms of primary care and interprofessional awareness. Pertaining to social identity, the obvious feature was community awareness related to culture, society, and politics. A positive outcome of the CFCS program was found to be its fostering of research skills, which is related to the use of epidemiology and research methods.

    Conclusion: The findings indicate that the CFCS program promotes PID among medical students. The current data highlight and provide insights into the importance of integrating CBE into medical curricula to prepare future doctors for their entry into the profession.

    MeSH terms: Curriculum; Patient Care; Humans; Malaysia; Politics; Primary Health Care; Social Identification; Software; Students, Medical; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research
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