Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 38 in total

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  1. Ahmad AA, Hameed BH, Aziz N
    J Hazard Mater, 2007 Mar 6;141(1):70-6.
    PMID: 16887263
    Palm ash, an agriculture waste residue from palm-oil industry in Malaysia, was investigated as a replacement for the current expensive methods of removing direct blue 71 dye from an aqueous solution. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. Equilibrium data fitted well with Freundlich model in the range of 50-600mg/L. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the palm ash was determined with the Langmuir equation and found to be 400.01mg dye per gram adsorbent at 30 degrees C. The rates of adsorption were found to conform to the pseudo-second-order kinetics with good correlation. The results indicate that the palm ash could be employed as a low-cost alternative to commercial activated carbon.
  2. Hameed BH, Ahmad AA
    J Hazard Mater, 2009 May 30;164(2-3):870-5.
    PMID: 18838221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.08.084
    The potential of garlic peel (GP), agricultural waste, to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was evaluated in a batch process. Experiments were carried out as function of contact time, initial concentration (25-200mg/L), pH (4-12) and temperature (303, 313 and 323 K). Adsorption isotherms were modeled with the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms. The data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities were found to be 82.64, 123.45, and 142.86 mg/g at 303, 313, and 323 K, respectively. The kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The results indicated that the garlic peel could be an alternative for more costly adsorbents used for dye removal.
  3. Ahmad AA, Hameed BH, Ahmad AL
    J Hazard Mater, 2009 Oct 30;170(2-3):612-9.
    PMID: 19515487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.05.021
    The purpose of this work is to obtain optimal preparation conditions for activated carbons prepared from rattan sawdust (RSAC) for removal of disperse dye from aqueous solution. The RSAC was prepared by chemical activation with phosphoric acid using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM based on a three-variable central composite design was used to determine the effect of activation temperature (400-600 degrees C), activation time (1-3h) and H(3)PO(4):precursor (wt%) impregnation ratio (3:1-6:1) on C.I. Disperse Orange 30 (DO30) percentage removal and activated carbon yield were investigated. Based on the central composite design, quadratic model was developed to correlate the preparation variables to the two responses. The most influential factor on each experimental design responses was identified from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum conditions for preparation of RSAC, which were based on response surface and contour plots, were found as follows: temperature of 470 degrees C, activation time of 2h and 14min and chemical impregnation ratio of 4.45.
  4. Ahmad AA, Hameed BH
    J Hazard Mater, 2009 Dec 30;172(2-3):1538-43.
    PMID: 19740605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.025
    In this work, activated carbon was prepared from bamboo waste by chemical activation method using phosphoric acid as activating agent. The activated carbon was evaluated for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color reduction of a real textile mill effluent. A maximum reduction in color and COD of 91.84% and 75.21%, respectively was achieved. As a result, the standard B discharge limit of color and COD under the Malaysian Environmental Quality act 1974 was met. The Freundlich isotherm model was found best to describe the obtained equilibrium adsorption data at 30 degrees C. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, total pore volume and the average pore diameter were 988.23 m(2)/g, 0.69 cm(3)/g and 2.82 nm, respectively. Various functional groups on the prepared bamboo activated carbon (BAC) were determined from the FTIR results.
  5. Ahmad AA, Hameed BH
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Jan 15;173(1-3):487-93.
    PMID: 19765899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.111
    This study deals with the use of activated carbon prepared from bamboo waste (BMAC), as an adsorbent for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color of cotton textile mill wastewater. Bamboo waste was used to prepare activated carbon by chemical activation using phosphoric acid (H(3)PO(4)) as chemical agent. The effects of three preparation variables activation temperature, activation time and H(3)PO(4):precursor (wt%) impregnation ratio on the color and COD removal were investigated. Based on the central composite design (CCD) and quadratic models were developed to correlate the preparation variables to the color and COD. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified. The optimum condition was obtained by using temperature of 556 degrees C, activation time of 2.33 h and chemical impregnation ratio of 5.24, which resulted in 93.08% of color and 73.98% of COD.
  6. Ahmad AA, Hameed BH
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Mar 15;175(1-3):298-303.
    PMID: 19883979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.10.003
    In this work, the adsorption potential of bamboo waste based granular activated carbon (BGAC) to remove C.I. Reactive Black (RB5) from aqueous solution was investigated using fixed-bed adsorption column. The effects of inlet RB5 concentration (50-200mg/L), feed flow rate (10-30 mL/min) and activated carbon bed height (40-80 mm) on the breakthrough characteristics of the adsorption system were determined. The highest bed capacity of 39.02 mg/g was obtained using 100mg/L inlet dye concentration, 80 mm bed height and 10 mL/min flow rate. The adsorption data were fitted to three well-established fixed-bed adsorption models namely, Adam's-Bohart, Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The results fitted well to the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models with coefficients of correlation R(2)>or=0.93 at different conditions. The BGAC was shown to be suitable adsorbent for adsorption of RB5 using fixed-bed adsorption column.
  7. King B, Yong HH, Borland R, Omar M, Ahmad AA, Sirirassamee B, et al.
    Tob Control, 2010 Dec;19(6):444-50.
    PMID: 20852322 DOI: 10.1136/tc.2009.034256
    This study explored the extent to which Malaysian and Thai smokers believe "light" and menthol cigarettes are less harmful than "regular" cigarettes and the correlates of these beliefs.
  8. Ahmad AA, Jayarajah P, Han GWY, Yin SJOW, Rasedee A
    J Vet Med Sci, 2017 Jun 29;79(6):1134-1137.
    PMID: 28484127 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0082
    Currently, there are no complete parameters established for serum biochemistry and hematology for the determination of health status of rescued common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). In this study, blood samples were obtained from 18 adults and 15 juvenile civets caught on Singapore Main Island. Significant age-related differences (P<0.05) were noted in the hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein and globulin concentration in the adult civets showing higher values compared with the juvenile civets. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in juveniles compared with adult civets.
  9. Ahmad AA, Ikram MA
    Trauma Case Rep, 2017 Dec;12:40-44.
    PMID: 29644283 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcr.2017.10.016
    Isolated fractures of shaft of ulna are common. Plate fixation with anatomic reduction is thought to produce the best functional results in closed or open fractures. Surgery can be done under general and various types of regional anaesthesia. We report a case of fracture shaft of ulna treated by plating under a combination of WALANT (wide awake, local anaesthesia, no tourniquet) using tumescent anaesthesia and periosteal nerve block as a day care procedure.
  10. Ahmad AA, Yi LM, Ahmad AR
    J Hand Surg Am, 2018 Nov;43(11):1045.e1-1045.e5.
    PMID: 29866390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.033
    Fractures of the distal radius are one of the most common types of injuries encountered in hand surgery. Plate osteosynthesis is recommended for unstable fractures. Because distal radius fracture fixation is usually performed under general or regional anesthesia with the use of a tourniquet, this exposes patients, especially elderly people with extensive comorbidities, to adverse effects commonly associated with these forms of anesthesia. As such, many of these patients are unable to undergo surgery in a timely manner until they are deemed medically fit for surgery or anesthesia, and some may still be treated nonsurgically. Injecting local anesthetic of lidocaine and epinephrine into the surgical field and without using a tourniquet is known to be advantageous for various surgical procedures of the hand. However, this approach, also known as wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT), has not been used in the fixation of fractures beyond the wrist. Using the WALANT approach as an alternative anesthetic for plating of distal radius fractures may enable patients who are normally denied surgery owing to their age or medical comorbidities to undergo plate fixation for the fractures. This article outlines the WALANT approach used for a single case of fixation of distal end radius fracture with a detailed description of the technique of administering local anesthesia.
  11. Ahmad AA, Samsuddin S, Oh SJWY, Martinez-Perez P, Rasedee A
    J Vet Med Sci, 2018 Dec 11;80(12):1867-1874.
    PMID: 30333379 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0585
    The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) population in Southeast Asia faces threats such as poaching and deforestation. Health assessments of rescued individuals including physical examination and blood work are crucial for clinicians to determine the health status of these animals. The establishments of reference intervals of hematology and serum biochemistry are important for identifying clinical abnormalities. The objectives of our study were to establish blood reference intervals for Sunda pangolins, to determine if there are age and sex related differences in hematology and serum biochemistry, and to compare our results with those of a previous study on confiscated Sunda pangolins in Thailand. Fifty-eight Sunda pangolins were rescued between January 2011 and December 2015. The hematology and serum biochemistry results of 51 clinically normal Sunda pangolins were selected for the establishment of the blood reference intervals. No sex related differences were noted in this study. Age-related differences were observed, in which adult Sunda pangolins had a significantly higher mean corpuscular volume than juveniles, and juvenile Sunda pangolins had significantly higher red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels than those of the adults (P<0.05). Age-related differences were also noted in several serum biochemistry parameters: alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly higher in juveniles, and total protein was significantly higher in adult Sunda pangolins. Compared to a previous study the white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, and ALP were higher, and the lymphocyte counts were lower in the present study.
  12. Ahmad AA, Wahab NA, Yeo CW, Oh SJWY, Chen HC
    J Vet Med Sci, 2019 Jan 08;81(1):48-52.
    PMID: 30429427 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0297
    Forty rescued common palm civets were anesthetized. Twenty animals received intramuscular injections of alfaxalone 5 mg/kg and medetomidine 0.05 mg/kg (A-M group), whereas twenty animals received 5 mg/kg of tiletamine and zolazepam (T-Z group). The A-M group was reversed with atipamazole 0.25 mg/kg. There were no significant differences in the time from anesthetic injection to induction and intubation between the A-M and T-Z groups. The time from the injection of reversal in the A-M group and the time from cessation of isoflurane in the T-Z group to extubation, first response to recovery and ambulation were longer (P<0.05) in the T-Z group. The T-Z group recorded lower (P<0.05) rectal temperatures compared to the A-M group. This study showed that both drug combinations can be used effectively for the immobilization of civets. The A-M combination provided better anesthetic depth, but with higher incidence of bradycardia and hypoxemia. The recovery time was reduced significantly as atipamezole was used as a reversal agent in the A-M combination.
  13. Ramli K, Aminath Gasim I, Ahmad AA, Hassan S, Law ZK, Tan GC, et al.
    Cell Biol Int, 2019 Mar;43(3):233-252.
    PMID: 30362196 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11067
    In peripheral nerve injuries, Schwann cells (SC) play pivotal roles in regenerating damaged nerve. However, the use of SC in clinical cell-based therapy is hampered due to its limited availability. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of using an established induction protocol for human bone marrow derived-MSC (hBM-MSCs) transdifferentiation into a SC lineage. A relatively homogenous culture of hBM-MSCs was first established after serial passaging (P3), with profiles conforming to the minimal criteria set by International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). The cultures (n = 3) were then subjected to a series of induction media containing β-mercaptoethanol, retinoic acid, and growth factors. Quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry analyses were performed to quantify the expression of specific SC markers, that is, S100, GFAP, MPZ and p75 NGFR, in both undifferentiated and transdifferentiated hBM-MSCs. Based on these analyses, all markers were expressed in undifferentiated hBM-MSCs and MPZ expression (mRNA transcripts) was consistently detected before and after transdifferentiation across all samples. There was upregulation at the transcript level of more than twofolds for NGF, MPB, GDNF, p75 NGFR post-transdifferentiation. This study highlights the existence of spontaneous expression of specific SC markers in cultured hBM-MSCs, inter-donor variability and that MSC transdifferentiation is a heterogenous process. These findings strongly oppose the use of a single marker to indicate SC fate. The heterogenous nature of MSC may influence the efficiency of SC transdifferentiation protocols. Therefore, there is an urgent need to re-define the MSC subpopulations and revise the minimal criteria for MSC identification.
  14. Ramli K, Gasim AI, Ahmad AA, Htwe O, Mohamed Haflah NH, Law ZK, et al.
    Tissue Eng Part A, 2019 10;25(19-20):1438-1455.
    PMID: 30848172 DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2018.0279
    We investigated the efficacy of a muscle-stuffed vein (MSV) seeded with neural-transdifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells as an alternative nerve conduit to repair a 15-mm sciatic nerve defect in athymic rats. Other rats received MSV conduit alone, commercial polyglycolic acid conduit (Neurotube®), reverse autograft, or were left untreated. Motor and sensory functions as well as nerve conductivity were evaluated for 12 weeks, after which the grafts were harvested for histological analyses. All rats in the treatment groups demonstrated a progressive increase in the mean Sciatic Functional Index (motor function) and nerve conduction amplitude (electrophysiological function) and showed positive withdrawal reflex (sensory function) by the 10th week of postimplantation. Autotomy, which is associated with neuropathic pain, was severe in rats treated with conduit without cells; there was mild or no autotomy in the rats of other groups. Histologically, harvested grafts from all except the untreated groups exhibited axonal regeneration with the presence of mature myelinated axons. In conclusion, treatment with MSV conduit is comparable to that of other treatment groups in supporting functional recovery following sciatic nerve injury; and the addition of cells in the conduit alleviates neuropathic pain. Impact Statement It is shown that pretreated muscle-stuffed vein conduit is comparable to that of commercial nerve conduit and autograft in supporting functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury. The addition of neural-differentiated mesenchymal stem cells in the conduit is shown to alleviate neuropathic pain.
  15. Alzoubi MM, Hayati KS, Rosliza AM, Ahmad AA, Al-Hamdan ZM
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2019;12:167-177.
    PMID: 31576185 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S197038
    Background: Synergistic integration of predictors and elements that determine the success of total quality management (TQM) implementations in hospitals has been the bane of theoretical development in the TQM research area. Thus, this paper aims to offer a systematic literature review to provide a foundation on which research on TQM can be built and to identify the predictors of successful TQM in the health-care context.

    Materials and methods: A systematic literature survey was adopted in this paper, involving the review of 25 relevant researched articles found in the databases Science Direct, EBSCO, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PubMed.

    Result: The systematic literature survey reveals five variables to be core predictors of TQM, signifying how important these variables are in the successful implementation of TQM in the health-care context. Also, it is revealed that the identified core predictors have positive effects on an improved health-care system. However, the systematic survey of the literature reveals a dearth of studies on TQM in the health-care context.

    Conclusion: As TQM has become an important management approach for advancing effectiveness in the health-care sector, this kind of research is of value to researchers and managers. Stakeholders in the health sectors should introduce and implement TQM in hospitals and clinics. Nevertheless, this study has limitations, including that the databases and search engines adopted for the literature search are not exhaustive.

  16. Abdul Rahman MH, Sadi T, Ahmad AA, Masri IN, Mohammad Yusoff M, Kamaruddin H, et al.
    Heliyon, 2020 Jul;6(7):e04486.
    PMID: 32715140 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04486
    Composting of yard waste is one of the waste management approaches in the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. The yard waste inventory was developed in the headquarters' area and a pilot-scale study was performed on the potential compost product. The total amount of yard waste generated from June 2017 to December 2017 was 16.75 tonnes with an average generation of 0.60 tonnes per week on the dry weight (d.w.) basis. The collected yard waste consisted of three major characteristics, namely dry leaves, fresh green leaves, and grass cuttings, and a waste estimation technique was applied to determine the composition of these three elements. The acquired information was used to formulate the initial compost mixture. The wastes were then mixed with an appropriate amount of livestock manure and other wastes to obtain the optimum initial C/N ratio, which was then found in the analysis to range between 25:1 and 42:1. Meanwhile, the C/N ratios obtained from the matured compost product were from 10:1 and 15:1. Moreover, most of the compost yield ranged between 50% and 70% (w w-1 d.w. basis), while the percentage of the seed germination in the compost was over 95%. The viability of the project was indicated from the economic analysis, with benefit to cost ratio (BCR) values of more than 1. The results also suggested that the large scale composting of yard waste in MARDI was feasible and its applicability is continuous. This technique also fulfilled the objective of producing quality compost, which was suitable for agricultural use.
  17. Abdul Rahman MH, Sadi T, Ahmad AA, Masri IN, Mohammad Yusoff M, Kamaruddin H, et al.
    Heliyon, 2020 Aug;6(8):e04748.
    PMID: 32885080 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04748
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04486.].
  18. Abdullah S, Ahmad AA, Lalonde D
    Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 2020 Aug;8(8):e3023.
    PMID: 32983779 DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003023
    Tendon transfer for radial nerve palsy is a common procedure done under general anesthesia. We describe a surgical technique of triple tendon transfer with wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT). We transfer flexor carpi radialis to extensor digitorum communis, palmaris longus to extensor pollicis longus, and pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis. This is commonly known as the Brand transfer. Our anesthetic or WALANT solution consists of up to 200 mL of 1:400,000 epinephrine, 0.25% lidocaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate. This technique overcomes the problem of judging the appropriate amount of transfer tension by observing awake patients actively extend their fingers, thumb, and wrist during the surgery and making adjustments before we close the wound. In our experience, there is no need of brain retraining because a patient is able to immediately use the flexor muscles to perform extension movements. WALANT is a safe and viable option for radial nerve tendon transfers.
  19. Ahmad AA, Ubaidah Mustapa Kamal MA, Ruslan SR, Abdullah S, Ahmad AR
    J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 2020 Nov;29(11):2319-2325.
    PMID: 32499198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.03.003
    BACKGROUND: Fixation of clavicle fractures has now become a more popular option as it provides better outcome compared with conservative management. Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) has been effectively used in plating of distal radius and olecranon fractures. This paper expands the usage of WALANT into the shoulder girdle, namely plating of the clavicle that has not been described. The operation is typically performed under general anesthesia.

    METHODS: We report a case series of 16 patients who successfully underwent fixation of the clavicle under the wide-awake technique. The clavicle fractures were grouped under the AO Fracture Classification. The WALANT solution comprised 1% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine, and 10:1 sodium bicarbonate. A total of 40 mL was injected in each patient with 10 mL subcutaneously along the clavicle followed by 30 mL subperiosteally at multiple intervals and directions.

    RESULTS: The Numerical Pain Rating Score was 0 during WALANT injection and during surgery except for 2 patients with Numerical Pain Rating Scores of 1 and 2, respectively, during reduction.

    CONCLUSION: We conclude that clavicle plating under WALANT is a good alternative option of anesthesia.

  20. Ahmad TS, Ahmad AA, Abdullah S
    J Hand Microsurg, 2021 Jan;13(1):21-26.
    PMID: 33707919 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721942
    We have all heard the old aphorism, "Necessity is the mother of invention." While the provenance of the proverb is uncertain, its truth is not in doubt. This is true for the development of hand surgery in Malaysia. As part of the management for leprosy, patients with high ulnar nerve palsies were managed by the pioneers of hand surgery in Malaysia. They did tendon transfers to improve the quality of life of these patients. Since then, hand surgery in Malaysia have grown leaps and bounds. From a small humble beginning in the suburb of Sungai Buloh to organizing the 10th Congress of Asian Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, hand surgery in Malaysia will only get better with time.
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