Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 34 in total

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  1. Muhsain SN, Lang MA, Abu-Bakar A
    Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 2015 Jan 1;282(1):77-89.
    PMID: 25478736 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2014.11.010
    The intracellular level of bilirubin (BR), an endogenous antioxidant that is cytotoxic at high concentrations, is tightly controlled within the optimal therapeutic range. We have recently described a concerted intracellular BR regulation by two microsomal enzymes: heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), essential for BR production and cytochrome P450 2A5 (CYP2A5), a BR oxidase. Herein, we describe targeting of these enzymes to hepatic mitochondria during oxidative stress. The kinetics of microsomal and mitochondrial BR oxidation were compared. Treatment of DBA/2J mice with 200mgpyrazole/kg/day for 3days increased hepatic intracellular protein carbonyl content and induced nucleo-translocation of Nrf2. HMOX1 and CYP2A5 proteins and activities were elevated in microsomes and mitoplasts but not the UGT1A1, a catalyst of BR glucuronidation. A CYP2A5 antibody inhibited 75% of microsomal BR oxidation. The inhibition was absent in control mitoplasts but elevated to 50% after treatment. An adrenodoxin reductase antibody did not inhibit microsomal BR oxidation but inhibited 50% of mitochondrial BR oxidation. Ascorbic acid inhibited 5% and 22% of the reaction in control and treated microsomes, respectively. In control mitoplasts the inhibition was 100%, which was reduced to 50% after treatment. Bilirubin affinity to mitochondrial and microsomal CYP2A5 enzyme is equally high. Lastly, the treatment neither released cytochrome c into cytoplasm nor dissipated membrane potential, indicating the absence of mitochondrial membrane damage. Collectively, the observations suggest that BR regulatory enzymes are recruited to mitochondria during oxidative stress and BR oxidation by mitochondrial CYP2A5 is supported by mitochondrial mono-oxygenase system. The induced recruitment potentially confers membrane protection.
  2. Hassan R, Sharis Othman S, Ahmad Mukari SA, Abu Bakar A
    Med J Malaysia, 2013 Jun;68(3):264-6.
    PMID: 23749020 MyJurnal
    Pituitary apoplexy is a well-known complication of a pituitary adenoma. However, an ischaemic event caused by pituitary apoplexy is rare. We reported a case of pituitary apoplexy with middle cerebral artery infarction in a 44-year old man who presented with a sudden onset of altered sensorium. Vasospasm is the most likely underlying cause of the infarction in this case secondary to transdiaphragmatic rupture of the sella tumour into the subarachnoid space.
  3. Abd Rashid MY, Abu Bakar A, Mohd Asri MT, Iskandar SM
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:135-6.
    PMID: 15468855
    Poly (p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) was synthesized from p-xylylene bis(tetrahydrothiophenium chloride) using the Wessling route and characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and UV-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopic techniques. The significance of thermal treatment along with evolution of precursor polymer to polymer PPV was also studied through these spectroscopic techniques. Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) measurements indicated the presence of crystallization, sulphonium group which occurred through the evolution from precursor polymer to polymer PPV during thermal treatment.
  4. Norella Kong CT, Chin JH, Izham Cheong IK, Abu Bakar A
    Med J Malaysia, 1988 Jun;43(2):134-7.
    PMID: 3237129
  5. Boo NY, Abu Bakar A
    Med J Malaysia, 1984 Mar;39(1):35-7.
    PMID: 6513837
    The transcutaneous (Tc) bilirubinometer was evaluated in 105 jaundiced neonates, comprising 38 Malays, 37 Chinese and 30 Indians, who had not been treated with phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Tc bilirubin index and serum bilirubin concentration correlated at statistically significant levels in all the three racial groups. Unlike the Chinese and Malay babies, the action levels, using Tc bilirubin index, in the Indian babies are not reliable due to the wide variation of skin pigmentation. Neonatal jaundice is conventionally monitored by estimation of serum bilirubin level. This involves blood sampling. The transcutaneous (Tc) bilirubinometer, however, is non-invasive, small and portable. In this study, the use of the Tc bilirubinometer in the management of neonatal jaundice' in the three racial groups was evaluated.
  6. Wan Asyraf WZ, Elengoe S, Che Hassan HH, Abu Bakar A, Remli R
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 03;75(2):169-170.
    PMID: 32281601
    Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are leading causes of mortality worldwide. Concurrent AIS presentation with STEMI is rare and potentially fatal. Most importantly to date many centres in Malaysia are still not aware on how to treat this condition. We report a case of AIS, which was treated with intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) according to ischemic stroke dosage and lead to improvement of neurological deficit.
  7. Ahmad Hamdan AF, Abu Bakar A
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Oct;30(5):169-180.
    PMID: 37928795 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.5.14
    INTRODUCTION: A no-show appointment occurs when a patient does not attend a previously booked appointment. This situation can cause other problems, such as discontinuity of patient treatments as well as a waste of both human and financial resources. One of the latest approaches to address this issue is predicting no-shows using machine learning techniques. This study aims to propose a predictive analytical approach for developing a patient no-show appointment model in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) using machine learning algorithms.

    METHODS: This study uses outpatient data from the HKL's Patient Management System (SPP) throughout 2019. The final data set has 246,943 appointment records with 13 attributes used for both descriptive and predictive analyses. The predictive analysis was carried out using seven machine learning algorithms, namely, logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), k-near neighbours (k-NN), Naïve Bayes (NB), random forest (RF), gradient boosting (GB) and multilayer perceptron (MLP).

    RESULTS: The descriptive analysis showed that the no-show rate was 28%, and attributes such as the month of the appointment and the gender of the patient seem to influence the possibility of a patient not showing up. Evaluation of the predictive model found that the GB model had the highest accuracy of 78%, F1 score of 0.76 and area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.65.

    CONCLUSION: The predictive model could be used to formulate intervention steps to reduce no-shows, improving patient care quality.

  8. Abdullah FC, Zakaria Z, Thambinayagam HC, Kandasamy R, Alias A, Abu Bakar A, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):129-185.
    PMID: 35002497 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.13
    The history of neurosurgery in Malaysia traces back to 1962 and is filled with stories of vibrant and humble neurosurgeons who have dedicated their life to patients and professions. The early development of neurological and neurosurgical services begins from the establishment of the neurosurgery unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), followed by the foundation of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Neuroscience Institute (IKTAR). Due to the exponentially increased demand for the care of neurosurgical patients, many universities and government hospitals have opened their neurosurgical units. In 2001, the formal residency training programme (USM Masters in Neurosurgery) started and since then has produced qualified neurosurgeons that empowered and shaped the present generation. The formation of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia (NAM) is another turning point towards bidirectional collaboration with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Many opportunities were created for educational activities and the expansion of subspecialties in neurosurgery. This article describes the impact of the past neurosurgeons and the endeavors that they had gone through; the present neurosurgeons who pioneered the current neurosurgical services in Malaysia, and the future neurosurgeons that will continue the legacy and bring neurosurgery further ahead in this country.
  9. Dzulkifli AR, Aishah AL, Ch'ng HS, Rose A, Rahmat A, Isa AM, et al.
    J Audiov Media Med, 1994 Jul;17(3):117-20.
    PMID: 7636117
    A number of health databases is now available in Malaysia, but few are accessible to the general public. However, recently a service was launched nationwide via a videotex system to also target the Malaysia public. This service is provided by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in collaboration with several Malaysian Government ministries and agencies. Access to health information via videotex, be it medical, pharmaceutical or environmental is viewed as an effective means of on-line information dissemination. It provides not only rapid retrieval but is also economical and interactive, particularly suitable for a developing country.
  10. Abdul Rahman M, Sani NS, Hamdan R, Ali Othman Z, Abu Bakar A
    PLoS One, 2021;16(8):e0255312.
    PMID: 34339480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255312
    The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is an income-based poverty index which measures multiple deprivations alongside other relevant factors to determine and classify poverty. The implementation of a reliable MPI is one of the significant efforts by the Malaysian government to improve measures in alleviating poverty, in line with the recent policy for Bottom 40 Percent (B40) group. However, using this measurement, only 0.86% of Malaysians are regarded as multidimensionally poor, and this measurement was claimed to be irrelevant for Malaysia as a country that has rapid economic development. Therefore, this study proposes a B40 clustering-based K-Means with cosine similarity architecture to identify the right indicators and dimensions that will provide data driven MPI measurement. In order to evaluate the approach, this study conducted extensive experiments on the Malaysian Census dataset. A series of data preprocessing steps were implemented, including data integration, attribute generation, data filtering, data cleaning, data transformation and attribute selection. The clustering model produced eight clusters of B40 group. The study included a comprehensive clustering analysis to meaningfully understand each of the clusters. The analysis discovered seven indicators of multidimensional poverty from three dimensions encompassing education, living standard and employment. Out of the seven indicators, this study proposed six indicators to be added to the current MPI to establish a more meaningful scenario of the current poverty trend in Malaysia. The outcomes from this study may help the government in properly identifying the B40 group who suffers from financial burden, which could have been currently misclassified.
  11. Soon BH, Abu N, Abdul Murad NA, Then SM, Abu Bakar A, Fadzil F, et al.
    Per Med, 2022 01;19(1):25-39.
    PMID: 34873928 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2021-0033
    Aim: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations play an important role in the multistep processes of cancer development. Gliomas are among the most diagnosed brain cancer. The relationship between mtDNA alterations and different grades of gliomas are still elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the profile of somatic mtDNA mutations in different grades of gliomas and correlate it with clinical phenotype. Materials & methods: Forty histopathologically confirmed glioma tissue samples and their matched blood were collected and subjected for mtDNA sequencing. Results & conclusion: About 75% of the gliomas harbored at least one somatic mutation in the mtDNA gene, and 45% of these mutations were pathogenic. Mutations were scattered across the mtDNA genome, and the commonest nonsynonymous mutations were located at complex I and IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. These findings may have implication for future research to determine the mitochondrial energetics and its downstream metabolomics on gliomas.
  12. Idrus NL, Md Jamal S, Abu Bakar A, Embong H, Ahmad NS
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2023 Dec;17(12):e0011839.
    PMID: 38113250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011839
    BACKGROUND: The timely identification of severe dengue in peadiatric patients is of utmost importance, as any delay in diagnosis could lead to an irreversible state of shock potentially leading to fatal consequences. The primary aim of our study was to characterize dengue severity in paediatric patients based on initial symptoms, signs, and laboratory investigation of their presentation in the emergency department.

    METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective data retrieval from the medical records of 254 paediatric patients who had been diagnosed with confirmed cases of dengue fever. The clinical characteristics were compared between severe and non-severe dengue. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilised to elucidate the variables that exhibited associations with severe dengue.

    RESULTS: A total of 254 paediatric patients were included, among whom 15.4% (n = 39) were diagnosed with severe dengue. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified lethargy, systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 90 mmHg, capillary refilled time (CRT) longer than 2 seconds, ascites, and hepatomegaly were independently associated with severe dengue.

    CONCLUSION: In paediatric patients, severe dengue is associated with specific clinical indicators, including lethargy, low systolic blood pressure, prolonged capillary refill time (CRT), and the presence of ascites and hepatomegaly. Identifying these clinical features early is crucial for primary care physicians, as it enables accurate diagnosis and timely intervention to manage severe dengue effectively.

  13. Abu Bakar A, Akhtar MN, Mohd Ali N, Yeap SK, Quah CK, Loh WS, et al.
    Molecules, 2018 Mar 08;23(3).
    PMID: 29518053 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23030616
    Flavokawain B (1) is a natural chalcone extracted from the roots of Piper methysticum, and has been proven to be a potential cytotoxic compound. Using the partial structure of flavokawain B (FKB), about 23 analogs have been synthesized. Among them, compounds 8, 13 and 23 were found in new FKB derivatives. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, thus establishing the structure-activity relationship. The FKB derivatives 16 (IC50 = 6.50 ± 0.40 and 4.12 ± 0.20 μg/mL), 15 (IC50 = 5.50 ± 0.35 and 6.50 ± 1.40 μg/mL) and 13 (IC50 = 7.12 ± 0.80 and 4.04 ± 0.30 μg/mL) exhibited potential cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. However, the methoxy group substituted in position three and four in compound 2 (IC50 = 8.90 ± 0.60 and 6.80 ± 0.35 μg/mL) and 22 (IC50 = 8.80 ± 0.35 and 14.16 ± 1.10 μg/mL) exhibited good cytotoxicity. The lead compound FKB (1) showed potential cytotoxicity (IC50 = 7.70 ± 0.30 and 5.90 ± 0.30 μg/mL) against two proposed breast cancer cell lines. It is evident that the FKB skeleton is unique for anticancer agents, additionally, the presence of halogens (Cl and F) in position 2 and 3 also improved the cytotoxicity in FKB series. These findings could help to improve the future drug discovery process to treat breast cancer. A molecular dynamics study of active compounds revealed stable interactions within the active site of Janus kinase. The structures of all compounds were determined by ¹H-NMR, EI-MS, IR and UV and X-ray crystallographic spectroscopy techniques.
  14. Nagaretnam B, Md Jamal S, Abu Bakar A, Zaini IZ, Saiboon IM
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2023 Jul 14;102(28):e34095.
    PMID: 37443513 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034095
    Assessment of asthma management competency using conventional methods remains challenging. This study aimed to explore the baseline knowledge, diagnosis accuracy and clinical management accuracy of acute asthma among emergency doctors using simulation-based assessment. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 65 emergency department medical officers at a tertiary center. Participants were evaluated using 2 components: knowledge assessment of acute asthma and clinical performance assessment. Knowledge was evaluated using a standardized knowledge questionnaire. Clinical performance in managing acute asthma was assessed using a simulated acute asthma scenario and a standardized asthma management checklist using real-time assessments. The mean knowledge score was 14.69 ± 2.16. No significant differences were found in diagnosis and management accuracy in relation to knowledge (H = 0.644, P = .725, df = 6; H = 1.337, P = .512, df = 2). Acute-asthma attacks of all severities were poorly assessed, with accuracies of 27.3, 41.9, and 20.1% in mild, moderate, severe, and life-threatening cases, respectively. However, all participants provided high-quality treatment (accuracy = 82.3%) regardless of severity. Knowledge score does not influence the ability to differentiate asthma severity and management accuracy according to established asthma guidelines. The overall treatment accuracy was high, regardless of the severity of asthma. However, assessment of acute asthma requires further refinement.
  15. Abu Bakar A Majid, Lokman H Johari, Amal M Nasir, Anselm, S.T., Chan, W.H., Noraziah A Rahman, et al.
    MyJurnal
    A cross—sectional study conducted in the fasting month of Ramadan targeting muslim males assessed their religious beliefs in relation to smoking and their intentions t0 quit smoking in Ramadan. It was found that there law; is a strong association between their perceptions on the religious ruling of smoking as haram (prohibited) in relation to their smoking status. Among the non smokers and ex smokers, 87.8% and 73.6% respectively accept the ruling on smoking as prohibitea'(haram), while only 31.6% of smokers accept smoking as prohibited. Among the smokers, 97.7% smoke a lesser number of cigarettes during Ramadan, while 96.7% of them felt that it is easier to quit during the fasting month. The findings suggest that the religious department needs to provide more information and education to the Muslim population as to the reasons of the ruling on smoking as haram(prohibited) on religious grounds . It was also found that the majority felt it is easier to quit during quit smoking programmes can be emphasized and carried out on a bigger scale during fasting months in the future.
  16. Islam MS, Phoungthong K, Ismail Z, Othman IK, Shahid S, Ishak DSM, et al.
    PMID: 36644961 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2022.2148811
    The spreading of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants and various industries arouses the growing interest due to the contamination by trace elements. Sludges were collected from one sewage treatment plant and two industries in Dhaka City, Bangladesh to assess physicochemical parameters and total and fraction content of trace elements like Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Mn and Zn in sludges. We evaluated the bioavailability of theses metals by determining their speciation by sequential extraction, each metal being distributed among five fractions: exchangeable fraction, bound to carbonate fraction, Fe-Mn oxide bound fraction, organic matter bound fraction and residual fractions. We found that all the analyzed sludges had satisfactory properties from an agronomic quality point of view. The average concentration (mg/kg) of trace metals in sludge samples were in the following decreasing order Fe (12807) > Cr (200) > Mn (158) > Zn (132) > Cu (68.2) > Ni (42.5) > Pb (36.4) > As (35.1) > Cd (3.7). The results of the sequential extraction showed that Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe and Mn were largely associated with the residual fraction where As, Cd and Pb was dominantly associated with the exchangeable and carbonate bound fractions and Zn showed a considerable proportion in carbonate bound fraction. These results showed that regulations must take into account the bioavailability with regard to the characteristics of the agricultural soils on which sludge will be spread.
  17. Abu Bakar A, Sulaiman S, Omar B, Mat Ali R
    J Arthropod Borne Dis, 2012;6(1):28-35.
    PMID: 23293776
    Melaleuca cajuputi essential oil in aerosol spray was evaluated against the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus at low cost housing flats in Section 10, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  18. Abu Bakar A, Mohd Nor NA, Ab-Murat N, Jaafar N
    Int J Dent Hyg, 2015 Aug;13(3):199-205.
    PMID: 25040653 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12095
    OBJECTIVE: To assess Malaysian dental therapists' perceptions of their job satisfaction and future roles.
    METHODS: A nationwide postal survey involving all Malaysian dental therapists who met the inclusion criteria (n = 1726).
    RESULTS: The response rate was 76.8%. All respondents were females; mean age 35.4 years (SD = 8.4). Majority were married (85.5%) and more than one-half had a working experience of <10 years (56.1%). Majority worked in community dental service (94.3%) and in urban areas (61.7%). Overall, they were highly satisfied with most aspects of their career. However, they were least satisfied with administrative workload (58.1%), career advancement opportunities (51.9%) and remuneration package; specifically income (45.2%), allowances (45.2%) and non-commensurate between pay and performance (44.0%). Majority perceived their role as very important in routine clinical tasks such as examination and diagnosis, preventive treatment, extraction of deciduous teeth and oral health promotion. However, fewer than one-half consider complex treatment such as placement of preformed crowns on deciduous teeth (37.1%) and extraction of permanent teeth (37.2%) as very important tasks.
    CONCLUSION: Majority expressed high career satisfaction with most aspects of their employment but expressed low satisfaction in remuneration, lack of career advancement opportunities and administrative tasks. We conclude that most Malaysian dental therapists have positive perceptions of their current roles but do not favour wider expansion of their roles. These findings imply that there was a need to develop a more attractive career pathway for therapists to ensure sustainability of effective primary oral healthcare delivery system for Malaysia's children.
  19. Abu Bakar A, Abdul Rafa AA, Abdullah Sani A
    MyJurnal
    Food contamination is a crucial health problem as it could result in food-borne illness. This research aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) fried rice dishes sold at different type of food premises in Kuantan city, Pahang. Total Plate Count (TPC), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Aeromonas spp. bacteria were used as microbiological contamination indicators. About 52 samples were collected stratified randomly from four types of food premises (restaurant, cafeteria, food stall and night market) where about 13 samples were respectively collected from each type of the food premises. The results showed that TPC had medium mean count (6.30x105±1.47x105 cfu/g), S. aureus and B. cereus had high mean counts (7.70x104±2.22x105 cfu/g and 3.85x105±1.67x106 cfu/g respectively), while Aeromonas spp. had medium mean count (7.13x104±2.42x105 cfu/g). The mean counts of TPC in the samples collected from cafeteria were highest compare to other food premises.
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