Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Homaei MH, Salwana E, Shamshirband S
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 Jul 18;19(14).
    PMID: 31323905 DOI: 10.3390/s19143173
    "Internet of Things (IoT)" has emerged as a novel concept in the world of technology and communication. In modern network technologies, the capability of transmitting data through data communication networks (such as Internet or intranet) is provided for each organism (e.g. human beings, animals, things, and so forth). Due to the limited hardware and operational communication capability as well as small dimensions, IoT undergoes several challenges. Such inherent challenges not only cause fundamental restrictions in the efficiency of aggregation, transmission, and communication between nodes; but they also degrade routing performance. To cope with the reduced availability time and unstable communications among nodes, data aggregation, and transmission approaches in such networks are designed more intelligently. In this paper, a distributed method is proposed to set child balance among nodes. In this method, the height of the network graph increased through restricting the degree; and network congestion reduced as a result. In addition, a dynamic data aggregation approach based on Learning Automata was proposed for Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (LA-RPL). More specifically, each node was equipped with learning automata in order to perform data aggregation and transmissions. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the LA-RPL has better efficiency than the basic methods used in terms of energy consumption, network control overhead, end-to-end delay, loss packet and aggregation rates.
    MeSH terms: Child; Communication; Computer Communication Networks; Data Collection; Humans; Internet
  2. Aziz SB, Hamsan MH, Abdullah RM, Kadir MFZ
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 09;24(13).
    PMID: 31323966 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132503
    In the present work, promising proton conducting solid polymer blend electrolytes (SPBEs) composed of chitosan (CS) and methylcellulose (MC) were prepared for electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) application with a high specific capacitance and energy density. The change in intensity and the broad nature of the XRD pattern of doped samples compared to pure CS:MC system evidencedthe amorphous character of the electrolyte samples. The morphology of the samples in FESEM images supported the amorphous behavior of the solid electrolyte films. The results of impedance and Bode plotindicate that the bulk resistance decreasedwith increasing salt concentration. The highest DC conductivity was found to be 2.81 × 10-3 S/cm. The electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) model was conducted for selected samples to explain the complete picture of the electrical properties.The performance of EDLC cells was examined at room temperature by electrochemical techniques, such as impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and constant current charge-discharge techniques. It was found that the studied samples exhibit a very good performance as electrolyte for EDLC applications. Ions were found to be the dominant charge carriers in the polymer electrolyte. The ion transference number (tion) was found to be 0.84 while 0.16 for electron transference number (tel). Through investigation of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), the CS:MC:NH4SCN system was found to be electrochemically stable up to 1.8 V. The CV plot revealed no redox peak, indicating the occurrence of charge double-layer at the surface of activated carbon electrodes. Specific capacitance (Cspe) for the fabricated EDLC was calculated using CV plot and charge-discharge analyses. It was found to be 66.3 F g-1 and 69.9 F g-1 (at thefirst cycle), respectively. Equivalent series resistance (Resr) of the EDLC was also identified, ranging from 50.0 to 150.0 Ω. Finally, energy density (Ed) was stabilized to anaverage of 8.63 Wh kg-1 from the 10th cycle to the 100th cycle. The first cycle obtained power density (Pd) of 1666.6 W kg-1 and then itdropped to 747.0 W kg-1 at the 50th cycle and continued to drop to 555.5 W kg-1 as the EDLC completed 100 cycles.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Electrolytes/chemistry*; Methylcellulose/chemistry; Models, Theoretical; Polymers/chemistry*; Spectrum Analysis; Electric Capacitance; Chitosan/chemistry*; Electrochemical Techniques
  3. Aziz SB, Hamsan MH, Kadir MFZ, Karim WO, Abdullah RM
    Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 09;20(13).
    PMID: 31323971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133369
    Solid polymer blend electrolyte membranes (SPBEM) composed of chitosan and dextran with the incorporation of various amounts of lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) were synthesized. The complexation of the polymer blend electrolytes with the salt was examined using FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of the SPBEs was also investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The ion transport behavior of the membrane films was measured using impedance spectroscopy. The membrane with highest LiClO4 content was found to exhibit the highest conductivity of 5.16 × 10-3 S/cm. Ionic (ti) and electronic (te) transference numbers for the highest conducting electrolyte were found to be 0.98 and 0.02, respectively. Electrochemical stability was estimated from linear sweep voltammetry and found to be up to ~2.3V for the Li+ ion conducting electrolyte. The only existence of electrical double charging at the surface of electrodes was evidenced from the absence of peaks in cyclic voltammetry (CV) plot. The discharge slope was observed to be almost linear, confirming the capacitive behavior of the EDLC. The performance of synthesized EDLC was studied using CV and charge-discharge techniques. The highest specific capacitance was achieved to be 8.7 F·g-1 at 20th cycle. The efficiency (η) was observed to be at 92.8% and remained constant at 92.0% up to 100 cycles. The EDLC was considered to have a reasonable electrode-electrolyte contact, in which η exceeds 90.0%. It was determined that equivalent series resistance (Resr) is quite low and varies from 150 to 180 Ω over the 100 cycles. Energy density (Ed) was found to be 1.21 Wh·kg-1 at the 1st cycle and then remained stable at 0.86 Wh·kg-1 up to 100 cycles. The interesting observation is that the value of Pd increases back to 685 W·kg-1 up to 80 cycles.
    MeSH terms: Electrochemistry; Electrolytes/chemistry*; Ions/chemistry; Polymers/chemistry*; X-Ray Diffraction; Chitosan/chemistry*
  4. Manogaran G, Shakeel PM, Fouad H, Nam Y, Baskar S, Chilamkurti N, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 Jul 09;19(13).
    PMID: 31324070 DOI: 10.3390/s19133030
    According to the survey on various health centres, smart log-based multi access physical monitoring system determines the health conditions of humans and their associated problems present in their lifestyle. At present, deficiency in significant nutrients leads to deterioration of organs, which creates various health problems, particularly for infants, children, and adults. Due to the importance of a multi access physical monitoring system, children and adolescents' physical activities should be continuously monitored for eliminating difficulties in their life using a smart environment system. Nowadays, in real-time necessity on multi access physical monitoring systems, information requirements and the effective diagnosis of health condition is the challenging task in practice. In this research, wearable smart-log patch with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors has been designed and developed with multimedia technology. Further, the data computation in that smart-log patch has been analysed using edge computing on Bayesian deep learning network (EC-BDLN), which helps to infer and identify various physical data collected from the humans in an accurate manner to monitor their physical activities. Then, the efficiency of this wearable IoT system with multimedia technology is evaluated using experimental results and discussed in terms of accuracy, efficiency, mean residual error, delay, and less energy consumption. This state-of-the-art smart-log patch is considered as one of evolutionary research in health checking of multi access physical monitoring systems with multimedia technology.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Bayes Theorem; Blood Pressure; Body Temperature; Electrocardiography; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Humans; Monitoring, Physiologic/instrumentation*; Monitoring, Physiologic/methods*; Neural Networks (Computer); Multimedia
  5. Ruslan R, Saidi S
    Enferm Clin, 2019 09;29 Suppl 2:665-673.
    PMID: 31324543 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.102
    OBJECTIVE: To identify the existing simulation session and the impact of simulation on novice nurse.

    METHOD: The articles were searched through CINAHL, Scopus, Proquest, and OVID online database. Articles published from 2000, in English and among novice nurses were selected for review. Then, a narrative review was conducted guided by what are the existing simulation session been used and the impact on novice nurse.

    RESULT: Total of 19 articles been selected for review out of 272 articles. The findings of the reviewed were divided into 3 main themes. The themes are the existing simulation session, simulation as a support tool in the transition program and the impact of simulation on novice nurses.

    CONCLUSION: In summary, each simulation type has its learning domain. The effectiveness of the simulation will much depend on the appropriate simulation type selection.

    MeSH terms: Simulation Training*; Education, Nursing/methods*
  6. Lee SP, Haycock-Stuart E, Tisdall K
    Enferm Clin, 2019 09;29 Suppl 2:715-719.
    PMID: 31324547 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.109
    OBJECTIVE: The study was to examine the role of children in communication and decisions regarding their nursing care in a paediatric oncology ward in Malaysia.

    METHODS: The principles of focused ethnography underpinned the study design. Fieldwork took place over six months in one 32-bedded paediatric oncology ward. Twenty-one children, ranging in ages from 7 to 12 years diagnosed with leukaemia, their parents and 19 nurses participated. Data collection consisted of participant observation and semi-structured interview.

    RESULTS: Hospitalized children employed different roles of passive or active participants during the communication and decisions about their nursing care. Importantly, children are more likely to become active participants in the communication process when nurses interact directly with them, listening to them and giving them opportunities to ask questions in either the presence or absence of their parents. Equally, children are likely to be more passive participants when nurses do not communicate directly with them, choosing instead to directly interact with the child's parents. This study highlighted that the role of children as active and passive participants is not permanently engaged by individual children, rather their role fluctuates throughout the hospitalization journey. The fluctuations of a child's role are highly dependent on their preferences: how and when they want to be included in the communication and decisions process. Children's roles in communication and decisions are also varied and dependent on their particular contexts. A child's participation in one situation does not consistently reflect their participation with their role in other situations. The ways in which the children participate were oscillated throughout their hospitalization.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical insight into children's experiences of triadic (child-nurse-parent) interaction during the decisions about their nursing care in paediatric oncological setting. A key recommendation calls for the development of assessment strategies to determine the 'ideal' position children would like to occupy, at any given point in time, throughout their hospitalization.

    MeSH terms: Child; Child, Hospitalized/psychology*; Communication*; Decision Making*; Humans; Leukemia/psychology*; Patient Participation*
  7. Odhah MN, Abdullah Jesse FF, Teik Chung EL, Mahmood Z, Haron AW, Mohd Lila MA, et al.
    Microb Pathog, 2019 Oct;135:103628.
    PMID: 31325572 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103628
    Caseous lymphadenitis is an infectious disease of almost all animals, particularly small ruminants that are caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The organism causes the formation of suppurative abscesses in superficial and visceral lymph nodes and in visceral organs. This current study was designed to elucidate the clinicopathological responses and PCR detection of the aetiological agent in the vital organs of goats challenged with C. pseudotuberculosis and its immunogenic mycolic acid extract. A total of twelve clinically healthy crossbred Boer female goats were divided into three groups: A, B, and C (four goats per group). Group A was inoculated intradermally with 2 ml of sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7 as a control group. Group B was inoculated intradermally with 2 ml of mycolic acid extract (1 g/ml), while group C was inoculated intradermally with 2 ml of 10⁹ colony-forming unit (cfu) of live C. pseudotuberculosis. The experimental animals were observed for clinical responses for 90 days post-inoculation and the clinical signs were scored according to the severity. The clinical signs observed in this study were temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, rumen motility, enlargement of lymph nodes, and body condition score. The experimental animals were euthanised and tissue samples from different anatomical regions of the vital organs were collected in 10% buffered formalin, processed, sectioned, and stained with H&E. Results of both C. pseudotuberculosis and mycolic acid treated groups indicated a significant difference (p 
    MeSH terms: Abscess/microbiology; Animals; Body Temperature; Corynebacterium Infections/diagnosis*; Corynebacterium Infections/microbiology*; Corynebacterium Infections/pathology; Corynebacterium Infections/physiopathology; Female; Goats; Heart; Heart Rate; Kidney/pathology; Leukocyte Count; Liver/pathology; Lung/pathology; Lymph Nodes/microbiology; Lymphadenitis/diagnosis; Lymphadenitis/immunology; Lymphadenitis/microbiology; Lymphadenitis/physiopathology; Mycolic Acids/immunology*; Mycolic Acids/metabolism*; Spleen/pathology; Goat Diseases/diagnosis*; Goat Diseases/microbiology*; Goat Diseases/pathology; Goat Diseases/physiopathology; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis/genetics; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis/isolation & purification*; Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis/metabolism*; Respiratory Rate
  8. Qamar Z, Haji Abdul Rahim ZB, Neon GS, Chew HP, Zeeshan T
    Arch Oral Biol, 2019 Oct;106:104482.
    PMID: 31325718 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.104482
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine demineralisation inhibition and remineralisation potential of poly-γ-glutamic acid with its possible mechanism of action on human dental enamel.

    METHODOLOGY: Three sodium-fluoride(NaF) concentration(0.01%w/v,0.1%w/v and 0.5%w/v respectively)and two poly-γ-glutamic acid(PGGA)concentration(1%w/v and 2%w/v respectively)were prepared in 0.1 M acetic acid(pH4.0)and deionized distilled water.For de/re-mineralisation study, tooth samples (18 teeth varnished, leaving a 2 mm2 window on the mid-buccal surfaces) were immersed in respective acidified NaF and PGGA solutions. The Ca2+ release/uptake was monitored with ISE over 72-hr with increasing pH every 24-h from 4.0 to 6.0.These teeth were later subjected to cross-sectional microhardness to determine integrated mineral recovery of enamel on increasing pH of respective acidified solution.In order to determine mechanism of PGGA,two concentrations of PGGA in deionized-water-solutions were used for tooth samples immersion followed by overnight drying then later subjected to Fourier Transform Infra-Red(FT-IR) analysis.The FT-IR analysis was also carried out on PGGA powder.For control,the experiment was repeated using hydroxyapatite(HAp)pellets.The density of PGGA solutions(1%and2%)was also measured to determine their dynamic viscosities.

    RESULTS: The ISE and microhardness testing revealed statistically significant (ρ ≤ 0.05) dissolution inhibition and remineralisation potential for tooth sample treated with acidified 2%PGGA. From the FT-IR spectra, it was observed that the profiles of the enamel and HAp surfaces treated with 1%-and 2%-PGGA solutions were similar to those of PGGA powder.It was found that the viscosity of PGGA increases with increasing concentration.

    CONCLUSION: The study implies that 2% PGGA is more effective than NaF as forms a coating layer to protect from demineralisation and promote remineralisation of the tooth surface.

    MeSH terms: Cariostatic Agents; Dental Enamel/drug effects*; Humans; Polyglutamic Acid/pharmacology*; Sodium Fluoride/pharmacology; Tooth Remineralization*; Tooth Demineralization; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; In Vitro Techniques
  9. Lai ST, Tan WY, Wo MC, Lim KS, Ahmad SB, Tan CT
    Seizure, 2019 Oct;71:132-139.
    PMID: 31325820 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.07.008
    PURPOSE: The literature on caregiver burden tends to focus on children and teenagers with epilepsy and less on adults. As caregiving is a dynamic, complex process across the trajectories, this study aims to examine the factors associated with caregiving burden in those caring for adults with epilepsy.

    METHOD: This is a cross-sectional, survey-based study in which participants responded to questionnairesregarding perceived burden (ZBI), quality of life (IEQoL), psychological distress (DASS-21), family functioning (FAD) and perceived social support (MSPSS). Additional measures include socio-demographics and clinical characteristics of the care-recipient.

    RESULTS: A total of 111 caregivers participated, of whom 72.1% were females, 55% parents, 59.5% Chinese, 51.4% unemployed and 46.0% with tertiary education.Approximately half (42.3%) reported mild-to-moderate levels of burden (mean ZBI score 29.93, SD 16.09).Furthermore, multiple regression analysisidentified10 predictors of caregiver burden, namely family functioning, weekly caregiving hours, number of caregivers per family, attitude towards epilepsy, family support, caregivers' gender, personal income and as well as care-recipients' age of onset, seizure frequency and ADL dependency (F(10, 85) = 11.37, p 

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety/etiology; Anxiety/psychology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression/etiology; Depression/psychology*; Epilepsy/nursing*; Family/psychology*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life/psychology*; Stress, Psychological/etiology; Stress, Psychological/psychology*; Caregivers/psychology*; Cost of Illness*; Young Adult
  10. Shekhawat KS, Chauhan A
    Indian J Dent Res, 2019 3 23;30(1):125-126.
    PMID: 30900670 DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_27_17
    Counting citations have been the usual norm to determine the impact of any research and/or scholar. However, with majority of the scholarly activities happening on the World Wide Web, traditional counting of citations is now being termed "slower." The recent explosion of online data storage for many articles may serve as a pool which uses social media sites to navigate. Altmetrics has been proposed as the new entity which aims to change the focus of the scholarly reward system to value and encourage web-native scholarship. This paper makes an attempt to understand altmetrics.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Research; Research Personnel; Reward; Information Storage and Retrieval; Internet; Social Media
  11. Balasubramaniam SD, Balakrishnan V, Oon CE, Kaur G
    Medicina (Kaunas), 2019 Jul 17;55(7).
    PMID: 31319555 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55070384
    Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. Infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main aetiology for the development of cervical cancer. Infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and the integration of the HPV genome into the host chromosome of cervical epithelial cells are key early events in the neoplastic progression of cervical lesions. The viral oncoproteins, mainly E6 and E7, are responsible for the initial changes in epithelial cells. The viral proteins inactivate two main tumour suppressor proteins, p53, and retinoblastoma (pRb). Inactivation of these host proteins disrupts both the DNA repair mechanisms and apoptosis, leading to rapid cell proliferation. Multiple genes involved in DNA repair, cell proliferation, growth factor activity, angiogenesis, as well as mitogenesis genes become highly expressed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer. This genomic instability encourages HPV-infected cells to progress towards invasive carcinoma. The key molecular events involved in cervical carcinogenesis will be discussed in this review.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/etiology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/physiopathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/virology*; DNA, Viral/adverse effects; Epithelial Cells/pathology*; Epithelial Cells/virology; Female; Humans; Papillomavirus Infections/complications; Papillomavirus Infections/physiopathology; Human papillomavirus 18/growth & development; Human papillomavirus 18/pathogenicity; Human papillomavirus 16/growth & development; Human papillomavirus 16/pathogenicity
  12. Talib N, Mohamad NE, Yeap SK, Hussin Y, Aziz MNM, Masarudin MJ, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 17;24(14).
    PMID: 31319614 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142606
    Kefir is a homemade, natural fermented product comprised of a probiotic bacteria and yeast complex. Kefir consumption has been associated with many advantageous properties to general health, including as an antioxidative, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor moiety. This beverage is commonly found and consumed by people in the United States of America, China, France, Brazil, and Japan. Recently, the consumption of kefir has been popularized in other countries including Malaysia. The microflora in kefir from different countries differs due to variations in culture conditions and the starter media. Thus, this study was aimed at isolating and characterizing the lactic acid bacteria that are predominant in Malaysian kefir grains via macroscopic examination and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The results revealed that the Malaysian kefir grains are dominated by three different strains of Lactobacillus strains, which are Lactobacillus harbinensis, Lactobacillusparacasei, and Lactobacillus plantarum. The probiotic properties of these strains, such as acid and bile salt tolerances, adherence ability to the intestinal mucosa, antibiotic resistance, and hemolytic test, were subsequently conducted and extensively studied. The isolated Lactobacillus spp. from kefir H maintained its survival rate within 3 h of incubation at pH 3 and pH 4 at 98.0 ± 3.3% and 96.1 ± 1.7% of bacteria growth and exhibited the highest survival at bile salt condition at 0.3% and 0.5%. The same isolate also showed high adherence ability to intestinal cells at 96.3 ± 0.01%, has antibiotic resistance towards ampicillin, penicillin, and tetracycline, and showed no hemolytic activity. In addition, the results of antioxidant activity tests demonstrated that isolated Lactobacillus spp. from kefir G possessed high antioxidant activities for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazine (DPPH) assay compared to other isolates. From these data, all Lactobacillus spp. isolated from Malaysian kefir serve as promising candidates for probiotics foods and beverage since they exhibit potential probiotic properties and antioxidant activities.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry*; Humans; Lactobacillus/growth & development; Lactobacillus/isolation & purification*; Lactobacillus/chemistry; Malaysia; Probiotics/isolation & purification; Probiotics/chemistry; Lactobacillus plantarum/growth & development; Lactobacillus plantarum/isolation & purification*; Lactobacillus plantarum/chemistry; Kefir/microbiology*
  13. Shafiq N, Kumar R, Zahid M, Tufail RF
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Jul 17;12(14).
    PMID: 31319615 DOI: 10.3390/ma12142291
    This paper discussed the effects of modified metakaolin (MK) with nano-silica (NS) on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. In the first phase, trial mixes of concrete were prepared for achieving the desired value of the 28 days compressive strength, and the charge passed in rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). In the second phase, statistical analysis was performed on the experimental results using the response surface method (RSM). The RSM was applied for optimizing the mix proportions for the required performance by exploiting the relationship between the mix characteristics and the corresponding test results. A blend of 10% MK + 1% NS as part of cement replacement exhibited the highest mechanical properties and durability characteristics of concrete; concrete mix showed that the 28-days compressive strength (CS) was 103 MPa, which was 15% greater than the CS of the control mix without MK or NS. The same mix showed more than 40% higher flexural and split-tensile strength than the control mix; also it resulted in a reduction of 73% in the rapid chloride permeability value. ANOVA technique was used for optimizing the nano-silica and metakaolin content for achieving maximum compressive strength and minimum RCPT value. Statistical analysis using ANOVA technique showed that the maximum compressive strength and lowest RCPT value could be achieved with a blend of 10% MK and 1.55% NS.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Construction Materials; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Permeability; Silicon Dioxide; Tensile Strength; RNA-Binding Proteins; Compressive Strength
  14. Ahmad G, Rasool N, Rizwan K, Altaf AA, Rashid U, Mahmood T, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 17;24(14).
    PMID: 31319634 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142609
    In the present study, 4-methylpyridin-2-amine was reacted with 3-bromothiophene-2-carbaldehyde and the Schiff base (E)-1-(3-bromothiophen-2-yl)-N-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)methanimine was obtained in a 79% yield. Coupling of the Schiff base with aryl/het-aryl boronic acids under Suzuki coupling reaction conditions, using Pd(PPh3)4 as catalyst, yielded products with the hydrolysis of the imine linkages (5a-5k, 6a-6h) in good to moderate yields. To gain mechanistic insight into the transition metal-catalyzed hydrolysis of the compounds, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. The theoretical calculations strongly supported the experiment and provided an insight into the transition metal-catalyzed hydrolysis of imines.
    MeSH terms: Catalysis; Hydrolysis; Imines/chemical synthesis; Imines/chemistry*; Models, Molecular; Nitrogen/chemistry; Palladium/chemistry; Pyridines/chemical synthesis; Pyridines/chemistry*; Schiff Bases/chemistry; Molecular Structure
  15. Balami AD, Said SM, Zulkefli NAM, Bachok N, Balami EL
    BMC Med Res Methodol, 2019 07 18;19(1):157.
    PMID: 31319810 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-019-0803-z
    BACKGROUND: Sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) is recommended for all pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high prevalence of malaria infection and its associated complications in the region. Despite this, LLIN use has still remained sub-optimal among pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Understanding the interplay of factors influencing this important health behaviour would guide the development of interventions to promote its adoption.

    METHODS: Data was collected from 380 randomly selected antenatal care attendees of a hospital in Maiduguri, using structured questionnaires. This data was then used to test the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model, for model fit, and interrelations among the constructs, using the structural equation modelling analysis with Smart-PLS.

    RESULTS: Information and motivation were significantly related to behavioural skills (r = 0.29, p 

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Malaria/prevention & control*; Middle Aged; Motivation*; Nigeria; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Behavior*; Insecticide-Treated Bednets*
  16. Bala JA, Balakrishnan KN, Abdullah AA, Adamu L, Noorzahari MSB, May LK, et al.
    BMC Vet Res, 2019 Jul 18;15(1):250.
    PMID: 31319873 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-1999-1
    BACKGROUND: Orf virus causes a scabby skin lesions which decreases productivity in small ruminants. The unknown status of this disease in the eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia warrants a study to determine sero-prevalence of orf with regards to farmers' compliance level towards the Herd Health Program (HHP) programme.

    RESULTS: Out of 504 animals, 115 were positive for Orf-virus antibodies. An overall prevalence rate of 22.8% indicated a high prevalence of orf disease in this region. It was observed that 25.1% (92/367) of goats were positive and 16.8% (23/137) of sheep sero-converted for Orf virus antibody. Several factors were measured for their possible association with prevalence of Orf virus infection. The prevalence was higher in LY farm, JC breed, kid and female animals, and in the presence of disease lesion. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association of three risk factors which are species, age and sex of the animals (P  0.05). Farms surveyed usually practised intensive management system, keeping animals in the shade at all time, due to limited availability of suitable land as a free-range grazing area. An interview with small holder farmers revealed a lack of awareness of the main goals of herd health programme. An overall compliance level of 42.7% was observed for all HHP parameters. Among the 14 main components of HHP modules, animal identification had recorded highest compliance level (84.62%) while milking management recorded the least compliance (- 82.69%). That explained why there was a high sporadic prevalence of Orf infection in this region.

    CONCLUSION: Good herd health supervision is a rehearsal target to prevent an outbreak and the spread of diseases thus reduces economic losses among farmers. Therefore, a good herd health programme should be in place, in order to prevent and control disease transmission as well as to improve herd immunity.

    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Animals; Animal Husbandry/methods*; Antibodies, Viral; Ecthyma, Contagious/epidemiology*; Female; Goats; Malaysia; Male; Orf virus; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Sheep; Goat Diseases/epidemiology*; Goat Diseases/virology; Prevalence; Seroepidemiologic Studies
  17. Zaw MT, Lin Z
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2019 Oct;52(5):679-684.
    PMID: 31320238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2019.05.012
    Plasmodium knowlesi is now regarded as the fifth malaria parasite causing human malaria as it is widely distributed in South-East Asian countries especially east Malaysia where two Malaysian states namely Sabah and Sarawak are situated. In 2004, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was applied for diagnosing knowlesi malaria in the Kapit Division of Sarawak, Malaysia, so that human P. knowlesi infections could be detected correctly while blood film microscopy diagnosed incorrectly as Plasmodium malariae. This parasite is transmitted from simian hosts to humans via Anopheles vectors. Indonesia is the another country in South East Asia where knowlesi malaria is moderately prevalent. In the last decade, Sarawak and Sabah, the two states of east Malaysia became the target of P. knowlesi research due to prevalence of cases with occasional fatal infections. The host species of P. knowlesi are three macaque species namely Macaca fascicularis, Macaca nemestrina and Macaca leonina while the vector species are the Leucosphyrus Complex and the Dirus Complex of the Leucophyrus Group of Anopheles mosquitoes. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are non-existent for knowlesi malaria although timely treatment is necessary for preventing complications, fatality and drug resistance. Development of RDT is essential in dealing with P. knowlesi infections in poor rural healthcare services. Genetic studies of the parasite on possibility of human-to-human transmission of P. knowlesi were recommended for further studies.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anopheles; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Insect Vectors; Macaca fascicularis/parasitology; Malaria/epidemiology*; Malaria/parasitology; Malaria/transmission; Malaria/veterinary; Malaysia/epidemiology; Monkey Diseases/epidemiology; Monkey Diseases/parasitology; Rural Health; Prevalence; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Plasmodium knowlesi/genetics; Plasmodium knowlesi/isolation & purification*
  18. Ismail FS, Mansor S
    J Med Imaging Radiat Sci, 2019 09;50(3):449-453.
    PMID: 31320272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2019.05.007
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to validate the quantitative accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images in cardiac phantom studies. The study was performed by assessing the effect of resolution recovery (RR) when using half-time of imaging acquisition in cardiac phantom.

    METHODS: The SPECT/CT images of the anthropomorphic phantom with a cardiac insert, liver, lung, and spine were acquired using the GE Discovery (NM/CT 670) SPECT/CT system. Different concentration activity ratios for different organ (10:10:1:0, cardiac:liver:background:lung) regions were acquired by using full- and half-time protocols for 643 and 1283 voxel sizes that were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) method and 3D ordered subset expectation maximization (3D-OSEM). Attenuation correction and scatter correction were applied to both reconstructions, whereas the RR only can be applied for 3D-OSEM. The data were analyzed and reported in terms of absolute recovery coefficient percentage between the cardiac insert and background activity concentration. Another parameter used to assess the quantitative accuracy for defect region was the relative error percentage.

    RESULTS: The result of recovery coefficient percentage shows that the 3D-OSEM reconstruction with the RR gives the highest percentage estimation accuracy of 70% of activity recovery in the cardiac phantom wall compared with FBP (10.6%). The relative error percentage for reconstructed SPECT/CT images using 3D-OSEM reconstruction with RR shows the least error compared with FBP (21% vs. 45.1%) both in the full-and half-time acquisition of images with a larger number of matrix size used.

    CONCLUSIONS: 3D-OSEM reconstruction with the RR is beneficial in giving better quantitative evaluation with a good resolution myocardial perfusion image. To accomplish this, a larger matrix size is required for 3D-OSEM reconstruction with the RR and it demonstrated an improvement in image resolution and increased quantitative accuracy of the final reconstructed SPECT/CT images.

  19. Tengku Mohd TAM, Yunus RM, Hairi F, Hairi NN, Choo WY
    BMJ Open, 2019 07 17;9(7):e026667.
    PMID: 31320348 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026667
    OBJECTIVES: This review aims to: (1) explore the social support measures in studies examining the association between social support and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia and (2) the evidence of association.

    DESIGN: A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases of CINAHL, PubMed, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, SocINDEX and Web of Science for articles published until the 11th of January 2018.

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All observational studies investigating the association between social support and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia were included.

    PARTICIPANTS: Older adults aged 60 years and more who are living in the community.

    EXPOSURE MEASURES: Social support.

    OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression.

    RESULTS: We retrieved16 356 records and screened 66 full-text articles. Twenty-four observational studies were included in the review. They consisted of five cohort studies and 19 cross-sectional studies. Social support was found to be measured by multiple components, most commonly through a combination of structural and functional constructs. Perceived social support is more commonly measured compared with received social support. Good overall social support, having a spouse or partner, living with family, having a large social network, having more contact with family and friends, having emotional and instrumental support, good support from family and satisfaction with social support are associated with less depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Asia.

    CONCLUSIONS: There were 20 different social support measures and we applied a framework to allow for better comparability. Our findings emphasised the association between good social support and decrease depression among older adults. Compared with western populations, family support has a greater influence on depression among community-dwelling older adults in Asia. This indicates that the family institution needs to be incorporated into designed programmes and interventions when addressing depression in the Asian context. TRIAL : registration number : CRD42017074897.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asia; Depression/prevention & control*; Depression/psychology*; Humans; Social Support*; Independent Living; Protective Factors
  20. Mehrolhassani MH, Yazdi-Feyzabadi V, Hajebi A, Mirzaei S
    Addict Health, 2019 Apr;11(2):81-92.
    PMID: 31321005 DOI: 10.22122/ahj.v11i2.233
    BACKGROUND: Drug abuse is one of the main problems of human's life; thus communities have been thinking about the solution of this problem. The present study aimed to compare the general features of drug abuse treatment policies, war on drugs (WOD), and harm reduction (HR), in the selected countries.

    METHODS: The present study was a comparative and desk research that sought to compare context, stewardship, financing, type of substance abuse treatment services, reasons of paradigm shift, and executive challenges of treatment policies in the selected countries (China, Malaysia, Germany, Netherland, and Iran). The necessary data for comparison of the countries were collected through valid databases, review of documents, and reports of international organizations.

    FINDINGS: Context conditions were better in the HR countries. In most countries, the central government played a key role in the stewardship, financing, and service providing. In WOD countries, the presence of judicial structure was higher in the treatment of drug abuse. The policy-making approach was ideological in WOD countries, but evidence-based in HR countries.

    CONCLUSION: It seems that performance of HR countries is better than WOD countries.

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