Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Mohd Nahar Mohd Arshad
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this article is to understand the
    main components of living wage. The assessment
    of the determination of wage through the market
    mechanism is first discussed. It is argued that
    the valuation of living wage via the labor market
    mechanism alone is not sufficient. Thus, the
    estimation of living wage needs to take into account
    religious and cultural elements since living wage
    components include the normative understanding
    of such concepts as fair wage, equitable wage,
    deserving wage and decent wage. At the same time,
    the estimation of living wage requires consultation
    and feedback from employers, workers, labour
    union and policy-makers. Issues pertaining to the
    implementation of living wage are also discussed in
    this article.
  2. Nor Aina Mohd Khotib, Noor Naemah Abdul Rahman, Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen
    MyJurnal
    The concept of brain death refers to the irreversible
    loss of brain function which includes the brain stem.
    The diagnosis of brain death is a controversial
    issue among Muslim scholars and medical experts because it involves the pronouncement of death
    of a patient whose heart is still beating with the
    assistance of a ventilator (breathing apparatus).
    Many countries recognise brain death as true death.
    However, there are religious scholars and medical
    experts who disagree with the concept of brain
    death because they believe that the soul still exists in
    one’s body although the brain has been diagnosed as
    dead. From their point of view, the heartbeat shows
    that the soul is still present in the body. From the
    perspective of Islam, a person is considered dead
    when there is separation between the soul and body.
    This paper will discuss the arguments pertaining
    to the soul which have been used in rejecting the
    concept and diagnosis of brain death.
  3. Murni Wan Mohd Nor
    MyJurnal
    Incidences of blasphemy and religious defamation
    occur around the world, often provoking angry,
    and sometimes violent reactions from religious
    adherents. However, laws prohibiting blasphemy
    and religious defamation are heavily criticised as
    being against freedom of speech, despite their effect
    on race relations. This article highlights the position
    of blasphemy and religious defamation according to
    International Law, and presents counterarguments
    of the main objections to such laws. It also highlights
    the issue from the Islamic perspective, and offers an
    alternative approach to interpreting human rights.
    This article concludes by explaining the need for
    human rights and free speech to be interpreted
    according to common moral and religious values,
    and emphasising the purpose of human rights and
    free speech—which should be for the attainment of
    justice. In doing so, it is hoped that there will be a better balance in enforcing the right to free speech,
    as well as the protection of religious sensitivities.
  4. Liu S, Liu JJ, Gurung RL, Chan C, Yeo D, Ang K, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2019 Jul;48(7):217-223.
    PMID: 31495867
    INTRODUCTION: The risk for diabetes progression varies greatly in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to study the clinical determinants of diabetes progression in multiethnic Asians with T2DM.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2057 outpatients with T2DM from a secondary-level Singapore hospital were recruited for the study. Diabetes progression was defined as transition from non-insulin use to requiring sustained insulin treatment or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥8.5% when treated with 2 or more oral hypoglycaemic medications. Multivariable logistic regression (LR) was used to study the clinical and biochemical variables that were independently associated with diabetes progression. Forward LR was then used to select variables for a parsimonious model.

    RESULTS: A total of 940 participants with no insulin use or indication for insulin treatment were analysed. In 3.2 ± 0.4 (mean ± SD) years' follow-up, 163 (17%) participants experienced diabetes progression. Multivariable LR revealed that age at T2DM diagnosis (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.96 [0.94-0.98]), Malay ethnicity (1.94 [1.19-3.19]), baseline HbA1c (2.22 [1.80-2.72]), body mass index (0.96 [0.92-1.00]) and number of oral glucose-lowering medications (1.87 [1.39-2.51]) were independently associated with diabetes progression. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve of the parsimonious model selected by forward LR (age at T2DM diagnosis, Malay ethnicity, HbA1c and number of glucose-lowering medication) was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72-0.80).

    CONCLUSION: Young age at T2DM diagnosis, high baseline HbA1c and Malay ethnicity are independent determinants of diabetes progression in Asians with T2DM. Further mechanistic studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology underpinning progressive loss of glycaemic control in patients with T2DM.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; China; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ethnic Groups; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism*; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; India; Insulin/therapeutic use*; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia; Male; Metformin/therapeutic use*; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Singapore; Sulfonylurea Compounds/therapeutic use*; Cohort Studies; Multivariate Analysis; Logistic Models; Age of Onset; Disease Progression; Area Under Curve; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*; Thiazolidinediones/therapeutic use; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/therapeutic use
  5. Yang SC, Mustafar R, Kamaruzaman L, Wei Yen K, Mohd R, Cader R
    Acta Med Indones, 2019 Oct;51(4):338-343.
    PMID: 32041918
    A 59-year-old lady with underlying hypothyroidism presented with acute contact dermatitis progressed to cellulitis with superimposed bacterial infection and acute kidney injury. She responded to initial management with antibiotics, but a week later, she had cutaneous and systemic vasculitis. Her skin biopsy consistent with immune-mediated leuko-cytoclastic vasculitis and her blood test was positive for cytoplasmic-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA). A diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis was made and she was treated with immunosuppressant with plasmapheresis and hemodialysis support for her kidney failure. Despite aggressive measures, the patient succumbed to her illness. This case report demonstrates that soft tissue infection could trigger the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis whilst a background of hypothyroidism serves as a predisposing factor as both condition were reported separately in a couple of case studies before.
    MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*; Bacterial Infections/pathology; Cellulitis/diagnosis*; Cellulitis/pathology; Dermatitis, Contact/diagnosis; Dermatitis, Contact/pathology; Female; Renal Dialysis; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Middle Aged; Plasmapheresis; Skin/pathology*; Fatal Outcome; Disease Progression; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic/blood; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/complications; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/diagnosis*; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/drug therapy; Acute Kidney Injury/etiology*; Acute Kidney Injury/therapy
  6. Rahim MFA, Payus AO
    Acta Med Indones, 2019 Oct;51(4):344-347.
    PMID: 32041919
    Drug induced cholestatic liver injury can posed a great diagnostic difficulty as a result of its long non-exhaustive list of potential offending causes which can be either prescribed or over-the-counter medications, such as medicinal herbs and remedies. Phaleria macrocarpa, or more commonly known as the 'God's crown' by the local people of South East Asia, is not listed as one of the causes. This medicinal plant extract has been increasingly used for traditional treatment for various ailments. Here, we report a case of a young man who has no known medical illness presented with cholestatic pattern of liver injury which caused by chronic ingestion of Phaleria macrocarpa. The objective of this case report is to share the uncommon side effect of taking this traditional product which may have been under-reported due to the unknown effect.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Liver/pathology*; Male; Plant Extracts/adverse effects*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Thymelaeaceae/adverse effects; Jaundice, Obstructive/chemically induced*; Jaundice, Obstructive/diagnosis*
  7. Doi K, Sem SH, Hattori Y, Sakamoto S, Hayashi K, De la Red-Gallego MA
    JB JS Open Access, 2019 10 24;4(4):e0030.
    PMID: 32043059 DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.19.00030
    Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a debilitating illness that is defined by the sudden onset of flaccid paralysis in the extremities with spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrating a longitudinal lesion confined to the gray matter. The purpose of this study was to report the types of upper-extremity palsy and outcomes of surgical reconstruction in patients with AFM.

    Methods: Eight patients with a median age at onset of 3.8 years (range, 2.3 to 9.9 years) were identified. There was loss of shoulder abduction and external rotation in all patients, loss of elbow flexion in 5 patients, complete or partial loss of hand function in 3 patients, and spinal accessory nerve palsy in 2 patients. All patients underwent surgical reconstruction, which was categorized into 3 main groups: nerve transfer, secondary muscle transfer, and free muscle transfer.

    Results: The median follow-up period was 39 months (range, 30 to 94 months). Four patients obtained ≥90° of shoulder abduction whereas the other 4 patients had shoulder abduction of ≤70°. The 5 patients who received free muscle transfer or nerve transfer to restore elbow function obtained ≥140° of elbow flexion. Two patients treated with free muscle transfer to restore finger function obtained satisfactory total active motion of the fingers (180°).

    Conclusions: The patterns of paralysis and the strategy and outcomes of surgical reconstruction for patients with AFM differed from those for traumatic and obstetric brachial plexus palsy. All patients had loss of shoulder abduction, and 2 had spinal accessory nerve palsy. Restoration of shoulder function was unpredictable and depended on the quality of the donor nerves and recovery of synergistic muscles. Restoration of elbow and hand function was more consistent and satisfactory.

    Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete list of levels of evidence.

  8. Subahir MN, Jeffree MS, Hassan MR, Razak MFA, Mohamad SNG, Fong SY, et al.
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2019 04 30;13(4):274-277.
    PMID: 32045370 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.11199
    INTRODUCTION: Norovirus (NoV) is a contagious virus causing acute gastroenteritis and is mainly responsible for diarrheal outbreak in closed settings. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiological characteristic of an outbreak in a boarding school, to assess the extent of the outbreak and to implement appropriate control measures.

    METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was conducted to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak. Data on demographic details, onset of abdominal symptoms, food intake history and contact with ill person three days prior to illness were obtained.

    RESULTS: Twelve fresh stool and 14 food samples were tested for NoV and enteric pathogens, respectively. Out of 745 students, 42 (5.6%) were infected during this outbreak. Predominant clinical features were diarrhea (76.1%), vomiting (71.4%) and abdominal pain (67%). Eight (67%) stool samples and six (43.9%)food samples were positive for NoV and total coliforms, respectively. The dissemination of the disease was due to poor hygiene practices among students. Quarantine was imposed until the last case on September 28, 2016. The outbreak was declared over on September 30, 2016.

    CONCLUSIONS: A NoV outbreak was determined first time in Malaysia. Environmental assessment showed poor hygienic conditions in the school's kitchen. The number of infected students increased considerably despite the implementation of preventive and control measures. Quarantine was effective to stop the outbreak which is characteristics of NoV outbreak.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Demography; Disease Outbreaks*; Feces/virology; Female; Gastroenteritis/epidemiology*; Gastroenteritis/pathology; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Schools; Students; Infection Control/methods; Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology*; Caliciviridae Infections/pathology; Norovirus/isolation & purification*
  9. Nik Mohamed Kamal NNSB, Shahidan WNS
    Front Pharmacol, 2019;10:1500.
    PMID: 32038230 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01500
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs with approximately 19-25 nucleotides that are involved in regulating a range of developmental and physiological processes. Non-exosomal circulating and exosomal miRNAs have also been proposed to be useful in diagnostics as biomarkers for diseases and different types of cancer. In this review, the quantity of miRNAs and of reliable experimental data analyses of miRNAs that come from exosomal and non-exosomal sources are discussed from the perspective of their use as biomarkers for cancer and other diseases, including viral infections, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes. We summarize other research findings regarding the use of miRNA from these two sources as biomarkers in diagnostics and clinical use. The challenges in using miRNA from these two sources in cancer and disease diagnostics are evaluated and discussed. Validation of specific miRNA signatures as biomarkers is a critical milestone in diagnostics.
    MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Nucleotides; Physiological Phenomena; Biomarkers; MicroRNAs
  10. Tian W, Xiang X, Ma L, Evers S, Wang R, Qiu X, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2019;10:3138.
    PMID: 32038572 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03138
    Sphagnum-associated microbiomes are crucial to Sphagnum growth and peatland ecological functions. However, roles of rare species in bacterial communities across Sphagnum compartments are poorly understood. Here the structures of rare taxa (RT) and conditionally abundant and rare taxa (CART) from Sphagnum palustre peat (SP), S. palustre ectosphere (Ecto) and S. palustre endosphere (Endo) were investigated in the Dajiuhu Peatland, central China. Our results showed that plant compartment effects significantly altered the diversities and structures of bacterial communities. The Observed species and Simpson indices of RT and CART in alpha diversity significantly increased from Endo to SP, with those of Ecto in-between. The variations of community dissimilarities of RT and CART among compartments were consistent with those of whole bacterial communities (WBC). Network analysis indicated a non-random co-occurrence pattern of WBC and all keystone species are affiliated with RT and CART, indicating their important role in sustaining the WBC. Furthermore, the community structures of RT and CART in SP were significantly shaped by water table and total nitrogen content, which coincided with the correlations between WBC and environmental factors. Collectively, our results for the first time confirm the importance of rare species to bacterial communities through structural and predicted functional analyses, which expands our understanding of rare species in Sphagnum-associated microbial communities in subalpine peatlands.
  11. Kumar N, Kumar P, Nayak B S, Aithal P A, Guru A
    J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2019 Dec;12(12):21-24.
    PMID: 32038760
    Background: Stretching force on the skin leads to the widening of scars and/or hypertrophy. The uneven distribution profile of collagen and elastic fibers in the human dermis (evaluated based on their topographic areas) might determine the direction of incision for a more pleasing aesthetic result. Materials and methods: Full-thickness skin samples were collected in the horizontal and vertical directions from 15 areas of 32 human cadavers. The histological preparation of the skin samples was performed using special Verhoeff-van Gieson staining. Image analysis in the TissueQuant software was performed using photomicrographs. Quantitative fraction measures for collagen and elastic fibers were completed. From the data obtained, various ratios between collagen in the horizontal (CH) and vertical (CV) directions and elastic fibers in the horizontal (EH) and vertical (EV) directions were established and expressed as CH:CV and EH:EV. Results: In the areas where CV:CH was less than 1 (low ratio of significance), the collagen content was significantly higher in the horizontal direction than the vertical direction (CH>CV). However, this finding is reversed (CV>CH) in areas where CV:CH is greater than 1 (high ratio of significance). Similarly, in areas where EV:EH is less than 1 (low ratio of significance), the elastic fiber content was significantly higher in the horizontal direction than the vertical direction (EH>EV), whereas such is reversed (EV>EH) where EV:EH is greater than 1 (high ratio of significance). Conclusion: The evaluation of ratios of dermal collagen and elastic fibers in different directions together with the data of asymmetric distribution provide a useful guideline for aesthetic surgeons looking to place elective incisions in the direction that will ensure an improved aesthetically pleasing result.
  12. Jayasingam SD, Citartan M, Thang TH, Mat Zin AA, Ang KC, Ch'ng ES
    Front Oncol, 2019;9:1512.
    PMID: 32039007 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01512
    Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as immune cells within the tumor microenvironment have gained much interests as basic science regarding their roles in tumor progression unfolds. Better understanding of their polarization into pro-tumoral phenotype to promote tumor growth, tumor angiogenesis, immune evasion, and tumor metastasis has prompted various studies to investigate their clinical significance as a biomarker of predictive and prognostic value across different cancer types. Yet, the methodologies to investigate the polarization phenomena in solid tumor tissue vary. Nonetheless, quantifying the ratio of M1 to M2 TAMs has emerged to be a prevailing parameter to evaluate this polarization phenomena for clinical application. This mini-review focuses on recent studies exploring clinical significance of M1/M2 TAM ratio in human cancer tissue and critically evaluates the technicalities and challenges in quantifying this parameter for routine clinical practice. Immunohistochemistry appears to be the preferred methodology for M1/M2 TAM evaluation as it is readily available in clinical laboratories, albeit with certain limitations. Recommendations are made to standardize the quantification of TAMs for better transition into clinical practice and for better comparison among studies in various populations of patients and cancer types.
  13. Moothedath M, Moothedath M, Jairaj A, Harshitha B, Baba SM, Khateeb SU
    J Int Soc Prev Community Dent, 2019 11 04;9(6):535-541.
    PMID: 32039072 DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_223_19
    Aim: This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of role of nanotechnology in dentistry and to evaluate its applicability in prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

    Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in 2 electronic databases - PMC and Cochrane. The search was restricted to the articles published during the last 5 years. First-level screening was done to select articles for the review on the basis of title and abstract. Then, full texts of selected articles were studied, and relevant articles were selected to be included in this review. Articles selected were critically appraised to evaluate their quality.

    Results: Literature search revealed 837 articles in PMC, 15 in Clinical trial register of US National library, and 43 in Cochrane. Additional 6 articles were identified by hand search. Eleven clinical trials were included in this review.

    Conclusion: Advancement in nanotechnology has greatly influenced dental disease prevention and therapy significantly.

    MeSH terms: Dentistry; Libraries; Stomatognathic Diseases; Publications; Research; Nanotechnology
  14. Ahmad S, Ismail AI, Zim MAM, Ismail NE
    Front Public Health, 2019;7:420.
    PMID: 32039131 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00420
    Purpose: The elusive goal of asthma management guidelines is to achieve and maintain good asthma control in asthmatic patients. Against a background of long-term respiratory limitations when living with asthma, stigma and low self-esteem have also been identified as the social phenomenon among adult asthmatics. This study aimed to assess the levels of self-stigma, self-esteem, and asthma control, and to investigate the impact of self-stigma and self-esteem as psychosocial factors on asthma control in Malaysian adults living with asthma.
    Materials and Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, post-ethics approval and patients' consents, 152 stable asthmatic patients (aged > 18 years old; nil cognitive disability; not diagnosed with other respiratory diseases) were recruited from four respiratory clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. The patients' socio-demographic, medical, and psychosocial (self-stigma and self-esteem) data were recorded in a pre-validated, self-designed questionnaire. All data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially (independent t-test/one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression) using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®).
    Results: The enrolled patients showed moderate levels of self-stigma (62.12 ± 6.44) and self-esteem (29.31 ± 3.29), and not well-controlled asthma (17.58 ± 3.99). The number of patients' visits to emergency rooms because of asthma [CI (-1.199, 0.317), p < 0.001] was the significant predictor to asthma control among all selected study variables from socio-demographic and medical data. Moreover, from psychosocial factors both self-stigma [CI (-0.367, 0.190), p < 0.001], and self-esteem [CI (-0.007, 0.033), p = 0.041] found to be the significant predictors of asthma control.
    Conclusion: The preliminary evidences presented in this study found that frequent emergency room visits, high self-stigma and low self-esteem in asthma patients becomes more apparent with poor asthma control. Educational interventions to reduce patients' self-stigma and improve self-esteem are needed to achieve optimal control of asthma.
    Study site: Four respiratory clinics in Selangor, Malaysia (UiTM Respiratory specialist Clinic, Hospital Selayang and Hospital Sungai Buloh)
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asthma*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Malaysia; Self Concept*; Social Stigma*
  15. Sha'arani S, Azizan SNF, Md Akhir FN, Muhammad Yuzir MA, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Water Sci Technol, 2019 Nov;80(9):1787-1795.
    PMID: 32039910 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.433
    Staphylococcus sp. as Gram-positive and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative are bacterial pathogens and can cause primary bloodstream infections and food poisoning. Coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes could be a reliable treatment for bacterial removal because suspended, colloidal, and soluble particles can be removed. Chemical coagulants, such as alum, are commonly used. However, these chemical coagulants are not environmentally friendly. This present study evaluated the effectiveness of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes for removing Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli using diatomite with standard jar test equipment at different pH values. Staphylococcus sp. demonstrated 85.61% and 77.23% significant removal in diatomite and alum, respectively, at pH 5. At pH 7, the removal efficiency decreased to 79.41% and 64.13% for Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli, respectively. At pH 9, there was a decrease in Staphylococcus sp. after adding diatomite or alum compared with that of E. coli. The different removal efficiencies of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria could be owing to the membrane composition and different structures in the bacteria. This study indicates that diatomite has higher efficiency in removing bacteria at pH 5 and can be considered as a potential coagulant to replace alum for removing bacteria by the coagulation process.
    MeSH terms: Alum Compounds; Anti-Bacterial Agents*; Escherichia coli; Flocculation; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Water Purification*
  16. Jackson AA, Lai PSM, Alias AM, Atiya N, Ramdzan SN, Abdul Malik TF, et al.
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2019 03 31;13(3):219-226.
    PMID: 32040451 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.11089
    INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection (UTI) are complex, and do not always follow guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine adherence to the 2014 Malaysian Ministry of Health guidelines for managing suspected UTI in a Malaysian primary care setting.

    METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed computerized medical records of adults with suspected UTI between July-December 2016. Excluded were consultations misclassified by the search engine, duplicated records of the same patient, consultations for follow-up of suspected UTI, patients who were pregnant, catheterised, or who had a renal transplant. Records were reviewed by two primary care physicians and a clinical microbiologist.

    RESULTS: From 852 records, 366 consultations were a fresh episode of possible UTI. Most subjects were female (78.2%) with median age of 61.5 years. The major co-morbidities were hypertension (37.1%), prostatic enlargement in males (35.5%) and impaired renal function (31.1%). Symptoms were reported in 349 (95.4%) consultations. Antibiotics were prescribed in 307 (83.9%) consultations, which was appropriate in 227/307 (73.9%), where the subject had at least one symptom, and leucocytes were raised in urine full examination and microscopic examination (UFEME). In 73 (23.8%) consultations antibiotics were prescribed inappropriately, as the subjects were asymptomatic (14,4.6%), urine was clear (17,5.5%), or UFEME did not show raised leucocytes (42,13.7%). In 7 (2.3%) consultations appropriateness of antibiotics could not be determined as UFEME was not available.

    CONCLUSION: Several pitfalls contributed to suboptimal adherence to guidelines for diagnosis and management of suspected UTI. This illustrates the complexity of managing suspected UTI in older subjects with multiple co-morbidities.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use*; Diagnostic Tests, Routine/methods*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Primary Health Care/methods*; Retrospective Studies; Urban Population; Urinary Tract Infections/diagnosis*; Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy*; Disease Management*; Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data; Catheter-Related Infections; Young Adult
  17. Jamil Aiman Mohd Baharuddin, Ahmad Zaeem Hanef Mohd Salleh, Fahisham Taib
    MyJurnal
    We describe a case of nephrotic syndrome case who defaulted treatment but presented with acute medical complication due to non-compliance to treatment. He subsequently developed neurological sequalae following definitive hemodialysis. Due to disease severity and its complication, active dialysis has been abandoned. There are many factors leading to this decision, but are palliative care physician right to follow the primary team’s decision, in palliating a patient with chronic kidney disease with potential hyperkalaemia consequences? The article focuses on potential ethical dilemma faced by the palliative care team in the subsequent management of this scenario.
  18. Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff
    MyJurnal
    There are five sources of validity evidence that are content, response process, internal structure, relation to other variables, and consequences. Content validity is the extent of a measurement tool represents the measured construct and it is considered as an essential evidence to support the validity of a measurement tool such as a questionnaire for research. Since content validity is vital to ensure the overall validity, therefore content validation should be performed systematically based on the evidence and best practice. This paper describes a systematic approach to quantify content validity in the form of content validity index based on the evidence and best practice.
  19. Mohd Zarawi Mat Nor, Jamilah Al-Muhammady Mohammad, Najib Majdi Yaacob
    MyJurnal
    One of the challenges in mentoring relationships is to understand the real issues faced by the mentees. A mechanism has been established to offer a credible mentoring inventory. The aim of the study was to determine the construct validity and reliability index of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Mentoring Inventory (USM-MT-i) among early phase medical students in a Malaysian public medical school. A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2017 among 208 early phase of the medical students of School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. USM-MT-i is a self-administered inventory and was established based on the information gained from the mentors and mentees. The prevalidated inventory entailed 44 primary items. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s alpha reliability analysis were utilised to determine the construct validity and reliability of such inventory. The result revealed three potential constructs with 39 items extracted from the USMMT- i; academic leadership (19 items), communication skills (12 items) and examination competence (8 items) with factor loading ranges from 0.50–0.77, 0.51–0.80 and 0.65–0.87, respectively. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) for each domain were 0.95, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.96. The present study promoted that the three factors with 39 items of the USM-MT-i has a good validity and reliability value to survey for mentoring needs among medical students in their early phase.
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