Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 56 in total

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  1. Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Sharif Z, Ahmad N, Mohd Ali R, Amir Husin S, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2022 Jan 01;12(1).
    PMID: 35011203 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010097
    This study was undertaken to determine the virulence, antimicrobial resistance and molecular subtypes of Salmonella in the Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 45 Salmonella Enteritidis were detected from live chicken (cloacal swab), and chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples upon cultural isolation and serotyping. Similarly, an antimicrobial susceptibility test based on the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method as well as antimicrobial resistance AMR genes, virulence determinants and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) typing were conducted after the Whole Genome Sequencing and analysis of the isolates. The results indicate that sequence types ST1925 (63.7%), and ST11 (26.5%) were the predominant out of the seven sequence types identified (ST292, ST329, ST365, ST423 and ST2132). The phenotypic antimicrobial profile corresponds to the genotypic characterization in that the majority of the isolates that exhibited tetracycline, gentamycin and aminoglycoside resistance; they also possessed the tetC and blaTEM β-Lactam resistance genes. However, isolates from cloacal swabs showed the highest number of resistance genes compared to the chicken products (fresh and ready-to-eat meat) samples. Furthermore, most of the virulence genes were found to cluster in the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI). In this study, all the isolates were found to possess SPI-1, which codes for the type III secretion system, which functions as actin-binding proteins (SptP and SopE). The virulence plasmid (VP) genes (spvB, spvC) were present in all genotypes except ST365. The findings of this study, particularly with regard to the molecular subtypes and AMR profiles of the Salmonella Enteritidis serotype shows multidrug-resistance features as well as genetic characteristics indicative of high pathogenicity.
  2. Ng YG, Mohd Tamrin SB, Mohd Yusoff IS, Hashim Z, Deros BM, Abu Bakar S, et al.
    Ann Agric Environ Med, 2015;22(2):286-92.
    PMID: 26094525 DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1152101
    This cross-sectional study intends to investigate the associations of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among foreign labourers on a socio-economic background, occupational exposure, social lifestyle, and postures adopted during harvesting tasks. A total of 446 male respondents (263 FFB cutters; 183 FFB collectors) were studied using an interview-assisted questionnaire. OWAS was used to determine the severity of awkward posture based on videos of harvesting tasks recorded for each respondent. Analysis found that increasingly educated respondents had higher risk of developing MSDs. Shorter daily work duration and longer resting duration appear to increase the risk of neck and shoulder disorders among harvesters, which may be attributable to organizational work design. Awkward posture was a particularly significant risk factor of MSDs among FFB collectors. Among the results of the study, occupational exposure, postures and certain socio-demographic backgrounds explained some, but not all, the risk factor of MSDs among harvesters. An in-depth investigation, preferably a longitudinal study investigating the dynamic of work activities and other risk factors, such as psychosocial risk factors, are recommended.
  3. Lani R, Hassandarvish P, Shu MH, Phoon WH, Chu JJ, Higgs S, et al.
    Antiviral Res, 2016 Sep;133:50-61.
    PMID: 27460167 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.07.009
    This study focuses on the antiviral activity of selected flavonoids against the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-transmitted virus that can cause incapacitating arthritis in infected individuals. Based on the results of screening on Vero cells, the tested compounds were evaluated further with various assays, including cytotoxicity assay, virus yield assay by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), virus RNA replication assay with a CHIKV replicon cell line, Western blotting, and quantitative immunofluorescence assay. Baicalein, fisetin, and quercetagetin displayed potent inhibition of CHIKV infection, with 50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50] of 1.891 μg/ml (6.997 μM), 8.444 μg/ml (29.5 μM), and 13.85 μg/ml (43.52 μM), respectively, and with minimal cytotoxicity. The time-of-addition studies and various antiviral assays demonstrated that baicalein and quercetagetin mainly inhibited CHIKV binding to the Vero cells and displayed potent activity against extracellular CHIKV particles. The qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot analyses indicated that each of these flavonoids affects CHIKV RNA production and viral protein expression. These data provide the first evidence of the intracellular anti-CHIKV activity of baicalein, fisetin, and quercetagetin.
  4. Wilting A, Fischer F, Abu Bakar S, Linsenmair KE
    BMC Ecol, 2006;6:16.
    PMID: 17092347
    The continued depletion of tropical rainforests and fragmentation of natural habitats has led to significant ecological changes which place most top carnivores under heavy pressure. Various methods have been used to determine the status of top carnivore populations in rainforest habitats, most of which are costly in terms of equipment and time. In this study we utilized, for the first time, a rigorous track classification method to estimate population size and density of clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in north-eastern Borneo (Sabah). Additionally, we extrapolated our local-scale results to the regional landscape level to estimate clouded leopard population size and density in all of Sabah's reserves, taking into account the reserves' conservation status (totally protected or commercial forest reserves), their size and presence or absence of clouded leopards.
  5. Yeow TC, Wong WF, Sabet NS, Sulaiman S, Shahhosseini F, Tan GM, et al.
    BMC Microbiol, 2016 Mar 18;16:45.
    PMID: 26987367 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0671-1
    BACKGROUND: The 7.5 kb cryptic plasmid of Chlamydia trachomatis has been shown to be a virulence factor in animal models, but its significance in humans still remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential involvement of the C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid in causing various clinical manifestations; including infertility, reproductive tract disintegrity, menstrual disorder, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among genital C. trachomatis-infected patients.
    RESULTS:A tot l of 180 female patients of child bearing age (mean 30.9 years old, IQR:27-35) with gynecological complications and subfertility issues, who visited Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were recruited for the study. Prevalence of genital chlamydial infection among these patients was alarmingly high at 51.1% (92/180). Of the 92 chlamydia-infected patients, 93.5% (86/92) were infected with plasmid-bearing (+) C. trachomatis while the remaining 6.5% (6/92) were caused by the plasmid-free (-) variant. Our data showed that genital C. trachomatis infection was associated with infertility issues, inflammation in the reproductive tract (mucopurulent cervicitis or endometriosis), irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, no statistical significance was detected among patients with plasmid (+) versus plasmid (-) C. trachomatis infection. Interestingly, plasmid (+) C. trachomatis was detected in all patients with PCOS, and the plasmid copy numbers were significantly higher among PCOS patients, relative to non-PCOS patients.
    CONCLUSION: Our findings show a high incidence of C. trachomatis infection among women with infertility or gynecological problems in Malaysia. However, due to the low number of plasmid (-) C. trachomatis cases, a significant role of the plasmid in causing virulence in human requires further investigation of a larger cohort.
    KEYWORDS: Chlamydia trachomatis; Infertility; Plasmid; Reproductive system disorders
    Study site: Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  6. Mohd Shukri M, Ling Kho K, Ghane Kisomi M, Lani R, Marlina S, Muhd Radzi SF, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2015;15:704.
    PMID: 26205588 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1901-4
    Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) are important tick-borne viruses. Despite their wide geographical distribution and ease of acquisition, the prevalence of both viruses in Malaysia is still unknown. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence for TBEV and CCHFV among Malaysian farm workers as a high-risk group within the population.
  7. Ardyani T, Mohamed A, Abu Bakar S, Sagisaka M, Umetsu Y, Hafiz Mamat M, et al.
    Carbohydr Polym, 2020 Jan 15;228:115376.
    PMID: 31635739 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115376
    The effect of incorporating common dodecyl anionic and cationic surfactants such as dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), dodecylethyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) in nanocomposites of reduced graphene oxide and nanocellulose are described. The stabilization and electrical properties of the nanocomoposites of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and nanofibrillated kenaf cellulose (NFC) were characterized using four-point probe electrical conductivity measurements. Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate dispersion morphology and the quality of RGO inside the NFC matrices. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to study the aggregation behavior of the aqueous surfactant systems and RGO dispersions. The cationic surfactant DTAB proved to be the best choice for stabilization of RGO in NFC, giving enhanced electrical conductivity five orders of magnitude higher than the neat NFC. The results highlight the effects of hydrophilic surfactant moieties on the structure, stability and properties of RGO/NFC composites.
  8. Noor NM, Rijal OM, Yunus A, Abu-Bakar SA
    Comput Med Imaging Graph, 2010 Mar;34(2):160-6.
    PMID: 19758785 DOI: 10.1016/j.compmedimag.2009.08.005
    This paper presents a statistical method for the detection of lobar pneumonia when using digitized chest X-ray films. Each region of interest was represented by a vector of wavelet texture measures which is then multiplied by the orthogonal matrix Q(2). The first two elements of the transformed vectors were shown to have a bivariate normal distribution. Misclassification probabilities were estimated using probability ellipsoids and discriminant functions. The result of this study recommends the detection of pneumonia by constructing probability ellipsoids or discriminant function using maximum energy and maximum column sum energy texture measures where misclassification probabilities were less than 0.15.
  9. Sultan Abdul Kader MI, Syafeera N, Md Nor K, Abu Bakar S, Mat Baki M
    Cureus, 2023 Jan;15(1):e33870.
    PMID: 36819404 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33870
    Foreign body (FB) aspiration in children can result in serious complications that can lead to even death. We present a case of a one-year-old girl child with a history of choking one month prior while she was feeding. A bolus of rice was removed at a local clinic. Consequently, within 24 hours, she developed hoarseness and noisy breathing which was treated as an upper respiratory tract infection at two different clinics. This case report aims to highlight the need for otolaryngology consultation in a child with non-resolving respiratory symptoms following episodes of choking. This will prompt an immediate surgical intervention that could prevent potential morbidity and mortality as a result of a compromised airway.
  10. Alhatim H, Abdullah MNH, Abu Bakar S, Amer SA
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2023 Sep 04;45(9):7275-7285.
    PMID: 37754244 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45090460
    This review highlights the effect of carcinomas on the results of the examination of autosomal genetic traits for identification and paternity tests when carcinoid tissue is the only source and no other samples are available. In DNA typing or genetic fingerprinting, variable elements are isolated and identified within the base pair sequences that form the DNA. The person's probable identity can be determined by analysing nucleotide sequences in particular regions of DNA unique to everyone. Genetics plays an increasingly important role in the risk stratification and management of carcinoma patients. The available information from previous studies has indicated that in some incidents, including mass disasters and crimes such as terrorist incidents, biological evidence may not be available at the scene of the accident, except for some unknown human remains found in the form of undefined human tissues. If these tissues have cancerous tumours, it may affect the examination of the genetic traits derived from these samples, thereby resulting in a failure to identify the person. Pathology units, more often, verify the identity of the patients who were diagnosed with cancer in reference to their deceased tumorous relatives. Genetic fingerprinting (GF) is also used in paternity testing when the alleged parent disappeared or died and earlier was diagnosed and treated for cancer.
  11. Hassan H, Abu Bakar S, Halim KN, Idris J, Nordin AJ
    Curr Radiopharm, 2016;9(2):128-36.
    PMID: 26013570
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer continues to be the most prevalent cancer in men in Malaysia. As time progresses, the prospect of PET imaging modality in diagnosis of prostate cancer is promising, with on-going improvement on novel tracers. Among all tracers, 18F-Fluorocholine is reported to be a reputable tracer and reliable diagnostic technique for prostate imaging. Nonetheless, only 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is available and used in most oncology cases in Malaysia. With a small scale GMP-based radiopharmaceuticals laboratory set-up, initial efforts have been taken to put Malaysia on 18F-Fluorocholine map. This article presents a convenient, efficient and reliable method for quality control analysis of 18F-Fluorocholine. Besides, the aim of this research work is to assist local GMP radiopharmaceuticals laboratories and local authority in Malaysia for quality control analysis of 18F-Fluorocholine guideline.

    METHODS: In this study, prior to synthesis, quality control analysis method for 18F-Fluorocholine was developed and validated, by adapting the equipment set-up used in 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FFDG) routine production. Quality control on the 18F-Fluorocholine was performed by means of pH, radionuclidic identity, radio-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet, radio- thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography and filter integrity test.

    RESULTS: Post-synthesis; the pH of 18F-Fluorocholine was 6.42 ± 0.04, with half-life of 109.5 minutes (n = 12). The radiochemical purity was consistently higher than 99%, both in radio-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultraviolet (r-HPLC; SCX column, 0.25 M NaH2PO4: acetonitrile) and radio-thin layer chromatography method (r-TLC). The calculated relative retention time (RRT) in r-HPLC was 1.02, whereas the retention factor (Rf) in r-TLC was 0.64. Potential impurities from 18F-Fluorocholine synthesis such as ethanol, acetonitrile, dimethylethanolamine and dibromomethane were determined in gas chromatography. Using our parameters, (capillary column: DB-200, 30 m x 0.53 mm x 1 um) and oven temperature of 35°C (isothermal), all compounds were well resolved and eluted within 3 minutes. Level of ethanol and acetonitrile in 18F-Fluorocholine were detected below threshold limit; less than 5 mg/ml and 0.41 mg/ml respectively. Meanwhile, dimethylethanolamine and dibromomethane were undetectable.

    CONCLUSION: A convenient, efficient and reliable quality control analysis work-up procedure for 18FFluorocholine has been established and validated to comply all the release criteria. The convenient method of quality control analysis may provide a guideline to local GMP radiopharmaceutical laboratories to start producing 18F-Fluorocholine as a tracer for prostate cancer imaging.

  12. Abu Bakar S, Jusoh N, Mohamed A, Muqoyyanah M, Othman MHD, Mamat MH, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Dec;28(46):65171-65187.
    PMID: 34231144 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14918-y
    In this work, waste cooking palm oil (WCPO)-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with encapsulated iron (Fe) nanoparticles have been successfully produced via modified thermal chemical vapor deposition method. Based on several characterizations, the dense WCPO-based CNT was produced with high purity of 89% and high crystallinity proven by low ID/IG ratio (0.43). Moreover, the ferromagnetic response of CNTs showed that the average coercivity and magnetization saturation were found to be 551.5 Oe and 13.4 emu/g, respectively. These produced WCPO-based CNTs were further used as heavy metal ions adsorbent for wastewater treatment application. Some optimizations, such as the effect of different adsorbent dosage, varied initial pH solution, and various heavy metal ions, were investigated. The adsorption studies showed that the optimum adsorbent dosage was 1.8 g/L when it was applied to 100 mg/L Cu (II) solution at neutral pH (pH 7). Further measurement then showed that high Cu (II) ion removal percentage (~80%) was achieved when it was applied at very acidic solution (pH 2). Last measurement confirmed that the produced WCPO-based CNTs successfully removed different heavy metal ions in the following order: Fe (II) > Zn (II) ≈ Cu (II) with the removal percentage in the range of 99.2 to 99.9%. The adsorption isotherm for Cu (II) was better fitted by Langmuir model with a correlation coefficient of 0.82751. WCPO-based CNTs can be a potential material to be applied as adsorbent in heavy metal ion removal.
  13. Abu Bakar S, Sampathrajan S, Loke KK, Goh HH, Mohd Noor N
    Genom Data, 2016 Mar;7:62-3.
    PMID: 26981362 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2015.11.018
    Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.) is a tropical tree mainly found in South East Asia and considered as "the queen of fruits". The asexually produced fruit is dark purple or reddish in color, with white flesh which is slightly acidic with sweet flavor and a pleasant aroma. The purple pericarp tissue is rich in xanthones which are useful for medical purposes. We performed the first genome sequencing of this commercially important fruit tree to study its genome composition and attempted draft genome assembly. Raw reads of the DNA sequencing project have been deposited to SRA database with the accession number SRX1426419.
  14. Abu Bakar S, Kumar S, Loke KK, Goh HH, Mohd Noor N
    Genom Data, 2017 Jun;12:118-119.
    PMID: 28516035 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2017.05.001
    Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.) is an ultra-tropical tree characterized by its unique dark purple fruits with white flesh. The xanthone-rich purple pericarp tissue contains valuable compounds with medicinal properties. Following previously reported genome sequencing of a common variety of mangosteen [1], we performed another whole genome sequencing of a commercially popular variety of this fruit species (var. Mesta) for comparative analysis of its genome composition. Raw reads of the DNA sequencing project were deposited to SRA database with the accession number SRX2709728.
  15. Lani R, Thariq IM, Suhaimi NS, Hassandarvish P, Abu Bakar S
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2306675.
    PMID: 38263674 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2306675
    Arboviruses are a significant threat to global public health, with outbreaks occurring worldwide. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in the innate immune response against these viruses by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns and initiating an inflammatory response. Significantly, TLRs commonly implicated in the immune response against viral infections include TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8; limiting or allowing them to replicate and spread within the host. Modulating TLRs has emerged as a promising approach to combat arbovirus infections. This review summarizes recent advances in TLR modulation as a therapeutic target in arbovirus infections. Studies have shown that the activation of TLRs can enhance the immune response against arbovirus infections, leading to increased viral clearance and protection against disease. Conversely, inhibition of TLRs can reduce the excessive inflammation and tissue damage associated with arbovirus infection. Modulating TLRs represents a potential therapeutic strategy to combat arbovirus infections.
  16. Sopian NA, Jalaludin J, Abu Bakar S, Hamedon TR, Latif MT
    PMID: 33806616 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052575
    This study aimed to assess the association of exposure to particle-bound (PM2.5) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with potential genotoxicity and cancer risk among children living near the petrochemical industry and comparative populations in Malaysia. PM2.5 samples were collected using a low-volume sampler for 24 h at three primary schools located within 5 km of the industrial area and three comparative schools more than 20 km away from any industrial activity. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometer was used to determine the analysis of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority PAHs. A total of 205 children were randomly selected to assess the DNA damage in buccal cells, employing the comet assay. Total PAHs measured in exposed and comparative schools varied, respectively, from 61.60 to 64.64 ng m-3 and from 5.93 to 35.06 ng m-3. The PAH emission in exposed schools was contributed mainly by traffic and industrial emissions, dependent on the source apportionment. The 95th percentiles of the incremental lifetime cancer risk estimated using Monte Carlo simulation revealed that the inhalation risk for the exposed children and comparative populations was 2.22 × 10-6 and 2.95 × 10-7, respectively. The degree of DNA injury was substantially more severe among the exposed children relative to the comparative community. This study reveals that higher exposure to PAHs increases the risk of genotoxic effects and cancer among children.
  17. Suhaimi NF, Jalaludin J, Abu Bakar S
    PMID: 34360284 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157995
    This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and histone H3 modification among school children in high-traffic (HT) and low-traffic (LT) areas in Malaysia. Respondents' background information and personal exposure to traffic sources were obtained from questionnaires distributed to randomly selected school children. Real-time monitoring instruments were used for 6-h measurements of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Meanwhile, 24-h measurements of PM2.5-bound black carbon (BC) were performed using air sampling pumps. The salivary histone H3 level was captured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HT schools had significantly higher PM10, PM2.5, PM1, BC, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and TVOC than LT schools, all at p < 0.001. Children in the HT area were more likely to get higher histone H3 levels (z = -5.13). There were positive weak correlations between histone H3 level and concentrations of NO2 (r = 0.37), CO (r = 0.36), PM1 (r = 0.35), PM2.5 (r = 0.34), SO2 (r = 0.34), PM10 (r = 0.33), O3 (r = 0.33), TVOC (r = 0.25), and BC (r = 0.19). Overall, this study proposes the possible role of histone H3 modification in interpreting the effects of TRAP exposure via non-genotoxic mechanisms.
  18. Subha ST, Abu-Bakar S, Prepageran N
    Iran J Otorhinolaryngol, 2019 Sep;31(106):315-318.
    PMID: 31598500
    Introduction: Parotid gland squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis. Aural polyps are usually the presenting features of chronic suppurative otitis media, tuberculous otitis media, and adenoma or carcinoma. The malignant aural polyp is very rare. Parotid gland carcinoma masquerading as an aural polyp has rarely been described in the literature.

    Case Report: We report a case study of parotid squamous cell carcinoma in a 29-year-old male masquerading as an ear polyp.

    Conclusion: Parotid gland primary squamous cell carcinoma is a rapidly advancing neoplasm which carries poor prognosis despite multimodality treatment. Diligent clinical and histopathological evaluation is imperative to discriminate this rare aggressive disease from the metastatic and other primary cancers of the parotid. A high index of suspicion is crucial in refractory aural polyps to arrive at early diagnosis.

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