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  1. Authors' Response
    Abdullah AF, Chang KH
    J Forensic Sci, 2016 09;61(5):1411-2.
    PMID: 27621078 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13166
  2. Lung abscess rather than pneumatocele following kerosene ingestion
    Abd Aziz A, Abdullah AF, Mahmud A
    Br J Hosp Med (Lond), 2007 Nov;68(11):616-7.
    PMID: 18087856 DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2007.68.11.27686
  3. Fulltext A New Technique for Solving Tightrope Cutout during Acromioclavicular Joint Fixation: A Case Report
    Ng BW, Abdullah AF, Nadarajah S
    Malays Orthop J, 2017 Mar;11(1):57-59.
    PMID: 28435576 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1703.003
    Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dissociation is one of the common injuries affecting adults. The stability of ACJ largely depends on the integrity of acromioclavicular ligament, coracoclavicular ligament, capsule, trapezius muscle and deltoid muscle. The injury has been classified by Rockwood into six types and treatment options can be guided by the classification. TightRope fixation is one of the many surgical procedures available to address acromioclavicular joint separation. It consists of tensioning of a no. 5 Fibrewire suture secured at both ends to low-profile metallic buttons. Despite various advantages of using this technique, complications such as suture cut-out, clavicle fracture and suture failure have been documented. The author presents a case of a type III acromioclavicular joint dissociation treated with TightRope which suture cutout was noted intra-operatively. Decision to amend the fixation using a cut one-third tubular plate as an additional anchor for the metallic button on the clavicle was made. Patient's progress was evaluated using the University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Score (UCLA Shoulder Score) and significant improvement was noted six months post operatively. We propose this technique as a solution to the encountered problem.
  4. Optimization of headspace solid-phase microextraction technique for extraction of volatile smokeless powder compounds in forensic applications
    Chang KH, Yew CH, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2014 Jul;59(4):1100-8.
    PMID: 24611488 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12440
    Smokeless powders are low explosives and are potentially found in cases involving firearms and improvised explosive devices. Apart from inorganic compound analysis, forensic determination of organic components of these materials appears as a promising alternative, especially the chromatographic techniques. This work describes the optimization of a solid-phase microextraction technique using an 85 μm polyacrylate fiber followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for smokeless powder. A multivariate experimental design was performed to optimize extraction-influencing parameters. A 2(4) factorial first-order design revealed that sample temperature and extraction time were the major influencing parameters. Doehlert matrix design has subsequently selected 66°C and 21 min as the compromised conditions for the two predetermined parameters. This extraction technique has successfully detected the headspace compounds of smokeless powders from different ammunition types and allowed for their differentiation. The novel technique allows more rapid sample preparation for chromatographic detection of smokeless powders.
  5. Study of the Behaviors of Gunshot Residues from Spent Cartridges by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatographic Techniques
    Chang KH, Yew CH, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2015 Jul;60(4):869-77.
    PMID: 25771708 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12745
    Gunshot residues, produced after shooting activity, have acquired their importance in analysis due to the notoriety of firearms-related crimes. In this study, solid-phase microextraction was performed to extract the headspace composition of spent cartridges using 85-μm polyacrylate fiber at 66°C for 21 min. Organic compounds, that is, naphthalene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, and dibutyl phthalate were detected and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection technique. Evaluation of chromatograms for diphenylamine, dibutyl phthalate, and naphthalene indicates the period after a gunshot was discharged, whether it was 1 days, 2-4 days, <5 days, 10 days, 20 days, or more than 30 days ago. This study revealed the potential effects of environmental factors such as occasional wind blow and direct sunlight on the estimation of time after spent cartridges were discharged. In conclusion, we proposed reliable alternative in analyzing the headspace composition of spent cartridges in a simulated crime scene.
  6. Analysis of Changes in Oil Palm Canopy Architecture From Basal Stem Rot Using Terrestrial Laser Scanner
    Azuan NH, Khairunniza-Bejo S, Abdullah AF, Kassim MSM, Ahmad D
    Plant Dis, 2019 Dec;103(12):3218-3225.
    PMID: 31596688 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1721-RE
    Basal stem rot (BSR), caused by the Ganoderma fungus, is an infectious disease that affects oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations. BSR leads to a significant economic loss and reductions in yields of up to Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 1.5 billion (US$400 million) yearly. By 2020, the disease may affect ∼1.7 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches. The plants appear symptomless in the early stages of infection, although most plants die after they are infected. Thus, early, accurate, and nondestructive disease detection is crucial to control the impact of the disease on yields. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is an active remote-sensing, noncontact, cost-effective, precise, and user-friendly method. Through high-resolution scanning of a tree's dimension and morphology, TLS offers an accurate indicator for health and development. This study proposes an efficient image processing technique using point clouds obtained from TLS ground input data. A total of 40 samples (10 samples for each severity level) of oil palm trees were collected from 9-year-old trees using a ground-based laser scanner. Each tree was scanned four times at a distance of 1.5 m. The recorded laser scans were synched and merged to create a cluster of point clouds. An overhead two-dimensional image of the oil palm tree canopy was used to analyze three canopy architectures in terms of the number of pixels inside the crown (crown pixel), the degree of angle between fronds (frond angle), and the number of fronds (frond number). The results show that the crown pixel, frond angle, and frond number are significantly related and that the BSR severity levels are highly correlated (R2 = 0.76, P < 0.0001; R2 = 0.96, P < 0.0001; and R2 = 0.97, P < 0.0001, respectively). Analysis of variance followed post hoc tests by Student-Newman-Keuls (Newman-Keuls) and Dunnett for frond number presented the best results and showed that all levels were significantly different at a 5% significance level. Therefore, the earliest stage that a Ganoderma infection could be detected was mildly infected (T1). For frond angle, all post hoc tests showed consistent results, and all levels were significantly separated except for T0 and T1. By using the crown pixel parameter, healthy trees (T0) were separated from unhealthy trees (moderate infection [T2] and severe infection [T3]), although there was still some overlap with T1. Thus, Ganoderma infection could be detected as early as the T2 level by using the crown pixel and the frond angle parameters. It is hard to differentiate between T0 and T1, because during mild infection, the symptoms are highly similar. Meanwhile, T2 and T3 were placed in the same group, because they showed the same trend. This study demonstrates that the TLS is useful for detecting low-level infection as early as T1 (mild severity). TLS proved beneficial in managing oil palm plantation disease.
  7. Contactless Visualization of Latent Fingerprints on Nonporous Curved Surfaces of Circular Cross Section
    Low WZ, Khoo BE, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2016 07;61(4):1093-9.
    PMID: 27364293 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13063
    Nondestructive techniques for gathering evidence are important in the field of forensics. Due to the geometry of the substrates, nondestructive visualization of fingermarks on curved surfaces remains challenging. A novel contactless technique was developed for visualizing and recording fingermark patterns on nonporous curved surfaces of circular cross section. The technique utilizes a plane mirror to transmit rays from a light source to illuminate the area of interest for fingermark visualization. The fingermark acquisition system consists of a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, a plane mirror, and a white light source. Mathematical equations are used to calculate the mirror size. Experiments were performed on various curved surfaces to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the technique. Spectral Image Validation and Verification (SIVV) was used to analyze the captured images. The results of this study indicate that the technique described here is able to reveal fingermark patterns on curved surfaces of circular cross section.
  8. Fulltext Two cases of congenital vallecular cyst: a reminder of the potentially fatal cause of upper airway obstruction in infants
    Abd Aziz A, Abdullah AF, Ahmad RA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jul;17(3):68-73.
    PMID: 22135553 MyJurnal
    Vallecular cyst, a benign yet rare laryngeal lesion, may cause stridor and even life-threatening upper airway obstruction in infants. It can cause apnoea and poor feeding habits, thus reducing the chance of survival. Although laryngomalacia remains the most common cause of stridor in this age group, awareness and a high level of suspicion for this condition can help lead to early management and intervention. Direct laryngoscopy is accepted as the gold standard for diagnostic purposes, and marsupialisation of the cyst is the preferred treatment. We describe 2 cases of vallecular cysts in infants admitted to our hospital where timely diagnoses led to appropriate treatment.
  9. Fulltext Sleep disturbances among medical students: a global perspective
    Azad MC, Fraser K, Rumana N, Abdullah AF, Shahana N, Hanly PJ, et al.
    J Clin Sleep Med, 2015 Jan 15;11(1):69-74.
    PMID: 25515274 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.4370
    Medical students carry a large academic load which could potentially contribute to poor sleep quality above and beyond that already experienced by modern society. In this global literature review of the medical students' sleep experience, we find that poor sleep is not only common among medical students, but its prevalence is also higher than in non-medical students and the general population. Several factors including medical students' attitudes, knowledge of sleep, and academic demands have been identified as causative factors, but other potential mechanisms are incompletely understood. A better understanding about the etiology of sleep problems in medical trainees is essential if we hope to improve the overall quality of medical students' lives, including their academic performance. Sleep self-awareness and general knowledge appear insufficient in many studied cohorts, so increasing education for students might be one beneficial intervention. We conclude that there is ample evidence for a high prevalence of the problem, and research in this area should now expand towards initiatives to improve general sleep education for medical students, identify students at risk, and target them with programs to improve sleep.
  10. Statistical evaluation of alternative light sources for bloodstain photography
    Lee WC, Khoo BE, Bin Abdullah AF, Abdul Aziz ZB
    J Forensic Sci, 2013 May;58(3):658-63.
    PMID: 23488634 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12103
    Bloodstain photography is important in forensic applications, especially for bloodstain pattern analysis. This study compares the enhancement effect of bloodstain photography using three different types of light source: fluorescent white light, near-ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) light, and 410 nm LED light. Randomized complete block designs were implemented to identify the lighting that would statistically produce the best enhancement results for bloodstains on different types of surfaces. Bloodstain samples were prepared on white cotton, brown carpet, tar road, and wood. These samples were photographed in darkroom conditions using a Canon EOS 50D digital SLR camera, with Canon EFS 60 mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. Two-way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test were used to analyze the contrast of the images. The statistical analysis showed that 410 nm light is the best among the tested lights for enhancing bloodstains on the tested surfaces, where the contrast of bloodstain to background was the highest.
  11. Fulltext Application of Ground-Based LiDAR for Analysing Oil Palm Canopy Properties on the Occurrence of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) Disease
    Husin NA, Khairunniza-Bejo S, Abdullah AF, Kassim MSM, Ahmad D, Azmi ANN
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 15;10(1):6464.
    PMID: 32296108 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62275-6
    Ground-based LiDAR also known as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology is an active remote sensing imaging method said to be one of the latest advances and innovations for plant phenotyping. Basal Stem Rot (BSR) is the most destructive disease of oil palm in Malaysia that is caused by white-rot fungus Ganoderma boninense, the symptoms of which include flattening and hanging-down of the canopy, shorter leaves, wilting green fronds and smaller crown size. Therefore, until now there is no critical investigation on the characterisation of canopy architecture related to this disease using TLS method was carried out. This study proposed a novel technique of BSR classification at the oil palm canopy analysis using the point clouds data taken from the TLS. A total of 40 samples of oil palm trees at the age of nine-years-old were selected and 10 trees for each health level were randomly taken from the same plot. The trees were categorised into four health levels - T0, T1, T2 and T3, which represents the healthy, mildly infected, moderately infected and severely infected, respectively. The TLS scanner was mounted at a height of 1 m and each palm was scanned at four scan positions around the tree to get a full 3D image. Five parameters were analysed: S200 (canopy strata at 200 cm from the top), S850 (canopy strata at 850 cm from the top), crown pixel (number of pixels inside the crown), frond angle (degree of angle between fronds) and frond number. The results taken from statistical analysis revealed that frond number was the best single parameter to detect BSR disease as early as T1. In classification models, a linear model with a combination of parameters, ABD - A (frond number), B (frond angle) and D (S200), delivered the highest average accuracy for classification of healthy-unhealthy trees with an accuracy of 86.67 per cent. It also can classify the four severity levels of infection with an accuracy of 80 per cent. This model performed better when compared to the severity classification using frond number. The novelty of this research is therefore on the development of new approach to detect and classify BSR using point clouds data of TLS.
  12. Fulltext Unrecorded acohol and acohol-related harm in rural Sabah, Malaysia: a socio-economically deprived region with expensive beer and cheap local spirits
    Shoesmith WD, Oo Tha N, Naing KS, Abbas RB, Abdullah AF
    Alcohol Alcohol, 2016 Nov;51(6):741-746.
    PMID: 26903070
    Aims: To identify the characteristics of current drinker and risky alcohol-drinking pattern by profiles in Malaysia.
    Methods: We analyzed data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011. It was a cross-sectional population-based with two stages stratified random sampling design. A validated Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test Malay questionnaire was used to assess the alcohol consumption and its alcohol related harms. Analysis of complex survey data using Stata Version 12 was done for descriptive analysis on alcohol use and risky drinking by socio-demography profiles. Logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association of risky drinking status with the socio- demography characteristics.
    Results: The prevalence of current alcohol use was 11.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.5, 12.7], among them 23.6% (95% CI: 21.0, 26.4) practiced risky drinking. The onset for alcohol drinking was 21 years old (standard deviation 7.44) and majority preferred Beer. Males significantly consumed more alcohol and practiced risky drinking. Current alcohol use was more prevalent among urbanites, Chinese, those with high household income, and high education. Conversely, risky drinking was more prevalent among rural drinkers, Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak, low education and low household income. The estimated odds of risky drinking increased by a factor of 3.5 among Males while a factor of 2.7 among Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak. Education status and household income was not a significant predictor to risky drinking.
    Conclusion: There was an inverse drinking pattern between current drinker and risky drinking by the socio-demography profiles. Initiating early screening and focused intervention might avert further alcohol related harms and dependence among the risky drinkers.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)
  13. Application of acid-modified Imperata cylindrica powder for latent fingerprint development
    Low WZ, Khoo BE, Aziz ZB, Low LW, Teng TT, bin Abdullah AF
    Sci Justice, 2015 Sep;55(5):347-54.
    PMID: 26385718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2015.04.008
    A novel powdering material that utilizes acid-modified Imperata cylindrica (IC) powder for the development of fingermarks was studied. Experiments were carried out to determine the suitability, adherence quality and sensitivity of the acid-modified IC powder. Fingermarks of different constituents (eccrine, sebaceous and natural fingermarks) on different types of surfaces were used. Acid-modified IC powder was also used to develop fingermarks of different ages as well as aged fingermarks recovered from the water. From the visual inspection, acid-modified IC powder was able to interact with different fingermark constituents and produced distinct ridge details on the examined surfaces. It was also able to develop aged fingermarks and fingermarks that were submerged in water. A statistical comparison was made against the Sirchie® Hi-Fi black powder in terms of the powders' sensitivity and quality of the developed natural fingermarks. The image quality was analyzed using MITRE's Image Quality of Fingerprint (IQF) software. From the experiments, acid-modified IC powder has the potential as a fingermark development powder, although natural fingermarks developed by Sirchie® black powder showed better quality and sensitivity based on the results of the statistical comparison.
  14. Fulltext Improved accuracy in IoT-Based water quality monitoring for aquaculture tanks using low-cost sensors: Asian seabass fish farming
    Mohd Jais NA, Abdullah AF, Mohd Kassim MS, Abd Karim MM, M A, Muhadi N'
    Heliyon, 2024 Apr 30;10(8):e29022.
    PMID: 38655304 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29022
    Traditional approaches to monitoring water quality in aquaculture tanks present numerous limitations, including the inability to provide real-time data, which can lead to improper feeding practices, reduced productivity, and potential environmental risks. To address these challenges, this study aimed to create an accurate water quality monitoring system for Asian seabass fish farming in aquaculture tanks. This was achieved by enhancing the accuracy of low-cost sensors using simple linear regression and validating the IoT system data with YSI Professional Pro. The system's development and validation were conducted over three months, employing professional devices for accuracy assessment. The accuracy of low-cost sensors was significantly improved through simple linear regression. The results demonstrated impressive accuracy levels ranging from 76% to 97%. The relative error values which range from 0.27% to 4% demonstrate a smaller range compared to the values obtained from the YSI probe during the validation process, signifying the enhanced accuracy and reliability of the IoT sensor by using simple linear regression. The system's enhanced accuracy facilitates convenient and reliable real-time water quality monitoring for aquafarmers. Real-time data visualization was achieved through a microcontroller, Thingspeak, Virtuino application, and ESP 8266 Wi-Fi module, providing comprehensive insights into water quality conditions. Overall, this adaptable tool holds promise for accurate water quality management in diverse aquatic farming practices, ultimately leading to improved yields and sustainability.
  15. A portable electrochemical sensor for detection of the veterinary drug xylazine in beverage samples
    Saisahas K, Soleh A, Promsuwan K, Phonchai A, Mohamed Sadiq NS, Teoh WK, et al.
    J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2021 Feb 08;198:113958.
    PMID: 33662759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.113958
    A portable electrochemical sensor was developed to determine xylazine in spiked beverages by adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV). The sensor was based on a graphene nanoplatelets-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (GNPs/SPCE). The electrochemical behavior of xylazine at the GNPs/SPCE was an adsorption-controlled irreversible oxidation reaction. The loading of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the modified SPCE, electrolyte pH, and AdSV accumulation potential and time were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the GNPs/SPCE provided high sensitivity, linear ranges of 0.4-6.0 mg L-1 (r = 0.997) and 6.0-80.0 mg L-1 (r = 0.998) with a detection limit of 0.1 mg L-1 and a quantitation limit of 0.4 mg L-1. Repeatability was good. The accuracy of the proposed sensor was investigated by spiking six beverage samples at 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg L-1. The recoveries from this method ranged from 80.8 ± 0.2-108.1 ± 0.3 %, indicating the good accuracy of the developed sensor. This portable electrochemical sensor can be used to screen for xylazine in beverage samples as evidence in cases of sexual assault or robbery.
  16. Reactions to symptoms of mental disorder and help seeking in Sabah, Malaysia
    Shoesmith WD, Borhanuddin AFBA, Yong Pau Lin P, Abdullah AF, Nordin N, Giridharan B, et al.
    Int J Soc Psychiatry, 2018 02;64(1):49-55.
    PMID: 29103338 DOI: 10.1177/0020764017739643
    BACKGROUND: A better understanding is needed about how people make decisions about help seeking.

    MATERIALS: Focus group and individual interviews with patients, carers, healthcare staff, religious authorities, traditional healers and community members.

    DISCUSSION: Four stages of help seeking were identified: (1) noticing symptoms and initial labelling, (2) collective decision-making, (3) spiritual diagnoses and treatment and (4) psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

    CONCLUSION: Spiritual diagnoses have the advantage of being less stigmatising, giving meaning to symptoms, and were seen to offer hope of cure rather than just symptom control. Patients and carers need help to integrate different explanatory models into a meaningful whole.

  17. Fulltext The Effectiveness of Early Food Introduction in Preventing Childhood Allergic Diseases: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Abang Abdullah AF, Muhamad NA, Ab Ghani RM, Maamor NH, Leman FN, Too CL, et al.
    JMIR Res Protoc, 2023 Jun 26;12:e46816.
    PMID: 37358892 DOI: 10.2196/46816
    BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases affect around 40% of the pediatric population worldwide. The coexistence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy renders allergy treatment and prevention challenging. Infant feeding strategies recommend avoiding allergenic foods to prevent allergy development and anaphylaxis. However, recent evidence suggests that early consumption of food allergens during weaning in infants aged 4-6 months could result in food tolerance, thus reducing the risk of developing allergies.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to systematically review and carry out a meta-analysis of evidence on the outcome of early food introduction for preventing childhood allergic diseases.

    METHODS: We will conduct a systematic review of interventions through a comprehensive search of various databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Google Scholar to identify potential studies. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from the earliest published articles up to the latest available studies in 2023. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, non-RCTs, and other observational studies that assess the effect of early food introduction to prevent childhood allergic diseases.

    RESULTS: Primary outcomes will include measures related to the effect of childhood allergic diseases (ie, asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines will be followed for study selection. All data will be extracted using a standardized data extraction form and the quality of the studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A summary of findings table will be generated for the following outcomes: (1) total number of allergic diseases, (2) rate of sensitization, (3) total number of adverse events, (4) improvement of health-related quality of life, and (5) all-cause mortality. Descriptive and meta-analyses will be performed using a random-effects model in Review Manager (Cochrane). Heterogeneity among selected studies will be assessed using the I2 statistic and explored through meta-regression and subgroup analyses. Data collection is expected to start in June 2023.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results acquired from this study will contribute to the existing literature and harmonize recommendations for infant feeding with regard to the prevention of childhood allergic diseases.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021256776; https://tinyurl.com/4j272y8a.

    INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/46816.

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