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Fulltext The prognostic value of early follow-up computerized tomography of the brain in adult traumatic brain injury

Kiflie A, Alias NA, Abdul-Kareem MM, Mar W, Abdullah J, Naing NN

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):466-73.
PMID: 17243525 MyJurnal

A total of 31 adult patients with moderate and severe head injury were assessed clinically on admission for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and short test of mental status (STMS) on follow-up and compared to their initial and follow up CT scan. Good predictors were admission GCS, midline shift, volume of subdural haemorrhage in the initial CT scan of the brain as well as the presence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus, gliosis and site of gliosis in the follow-up CT scan. There was no direct correlation between the significant predictors on the first CT scan and the follow-up CT scan of the brain.
Structural and functional characterisation of HepTH1-5 peptide as a potential hepcidin replacement

Azemin WA, Alias N, Ali AM, Shamsir MS

J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023 Feb;41(2):681-704.
PMID: 34870559 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2011415

Hepcidin is a principal regulator of iron homeostasis and its dysregulation has been recognised as a causative factor in cancers and iron disorders. The strategy of manipulating the presence of hepcidin peptide has been used for cancer treatment. However, this has demonstrated poor efficiency and has been short-lived in patients. Many studies reported using minihepcidin therapy as an alternative way to treat hepcidin dysregulation, but this was only applied to non-cancer patients. Highly conserved fish hepcidin protein, HepTH1-5, was investigated to determine its potential use in developing a hepcidin replacement for human hepcidin (Hepc25) and as a therapeutic agent by targeting the tumour suppressor protein, p53, through structure-function analysis. The authors found that HepTH1-5 is stably bound to ferroportin, compared to Hepc25, by triggering the ferroportin internalisation via Lys42 and Lys270 ubiquitination, in a similar manner to the Hepc25 activity. Moreover, the residues Ile24 and Gly24, along with copper and zinc ligands, interacted with similar residues, Lys24 and Asp1 of Hepc25, respectively, showing that those molecules are crucial to the hepcidin replacement strategy. HepTH1-5 interacts with p53 and activates its function through phosphorylation. This finding shows that HepTH1-5 might be involved in the apoptosis signalling pathway upon a DNA damage response. This study will be very helpful for understanding the mechanism of the hepcidin replacement and providing insights into the HepTH1-5 peptide as a new target for hepcidin and cancer therapeutics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Fulltext Socio-demographic factors and healthy lifestyle behaviours among Malaysian adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

Khaw WF, Nasaruddin NH, Alias N, Chan YM, Tan L, Cheong SM, et al.

Sci Rep, 2022 Oct 04;12(1):16569.
PMID: 36195767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20511-1

This study aimed to investigate the association between socio-demographic factors and designated healthy lifestyle behaviours in a nationally-representative sample of Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above. Secondary data involving 7388 participants aged 18-96 years from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, a national cross-sectional survey, was used in this study. A healthy lifestyle score (0-5 points) was calculated based on five modifiable lifestyle factors: non-smoker, body mass index
Sectional analysis of the pollutant wash-off process based on runoff hydrograph

Alias N, Liu A, Egodawatta P, Goonetilleke A

J Environ Manage, 2014 Feb 15;134:63-9.
PMID: 24463850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.12.034

The validity of using rainfall characteristics as lumped parameters for investigating the pollutant wash-off process such as first flush occurrence is questionable. This research study introduces an innovative concept of using sector parameters to investigate the relationship between the pollutant wash-off process and different sectors of the runoff hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph. The research outcomes indicated that rainfall depth and rainfall intensity are two key rainfall characteristics which influence the wash-off process compared to the antecedent dry period. Additionally, the rainfall pattern also plays a critical role in the wash-off process and is independent of the catchment characteristics. The knowledge created through this research study provides the ability to select appropriate rainfall events for stormwater quality treatment design based on the required treatment outcomes such as the need to target different sectors of the runoff hydrograph or pollutant species. The study outcomes can also contribute to enhancing stormwater quality modelling and prediction in view of the fact that conventional approaches to stormwater quality estimation is primarily based on rainfall intensity rather than considering other rainfall parameters or solely based on stochastic approaches irrespective of the characteristics of the rainfall event.
Reshaping the Curriculum for Academy in Factory in Malaysia

Jamaludin KA, Ealangov S, Saleh SNHM, Zabidi NA, Alias N, Yasin MHM, et al.

Front Psychol, 2023;14:1120611.
PMID: 37082577 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1120611

Academy in Factory (AiF) was recently introduced in Malaysia to cater to the talent development and education attainment for a future-ready workforce. Though ideally expected to be an effective initiative, a lack of a strong curriculum framework hinders its implementation. To date the literature on AiF is very limited. It was found that its vague definition and characteristics, non-harmonised interaction between industry and academia, and non-existing curriculum framework are among contributing factors to its ineffective implementation. Thus, this study is aimed at reshaping a curriculum framework that is responsive to its aims and objectives. Building upon an extensive review of literature on AiF, industry-based curriculum, employability and human capital development, and best practices in the international context, the proposed framework is hoped to serve as a reference to improve its current practice.
Relationship between urinary incontinence and quality of life of older persons in Malaysia

Taufik Ramli MH, Lodz NA, Abdul Aziz FA, Maw Pin T, Alias N, Abdul Mutalip MH, et al.

Geriatr Gerontol Int, 2020 Dec;20 Suppl 2:38-42.
PMID: 33370861 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14028

AIMS: As the Malaysian population is aging rapidly, there is an urgent need for an effective management plan for healthy aging, to extend life expectancy and to improve quality of life (QoL). Urinary incontinence (UI), which is common in older persons, is often linked to reduced QoL. This study aimed to determine the effects of UI on QoL among older persons in Malaysia.
METHODS: This study was based on data obtained from 3716 Malaysians aged ≥60 years as part of the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018. QoL was measured using the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure 19-item (CASP-19) questionnaire. UI was measured using the Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) score. Association between UI and QoL were examined using linear regression analysis, after controlling socio-demographic variables and comorbidities.
RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of UI was 5.2%. By subtypes, the prevalence of stress UI and urge UI were both 2.0%, while that of mixed UI was 1.3%. The UI group rated their lives more negatively in all four domains of QoL compared with non-UI group. Those who were incontinent had lower standardized scores on control and autonomy domains of CASP-19 as well as total score. Results from linear regression analysis indicated that UI had a significantly negative impact on control and autonomy domains of QoL after controlling for socio-demographic factors and comorbidities.
CONCLUSION: UI contributes to a significant reduction on QoL of older persons. Healthcare providers need to be sensitive in evaluating and discussing UI, particularly with their older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 38-42.
Referral of epileptic patients in North East Coast of West Malaysia an area with poor MRI coverage: an analysis

Mohamed Y, Alias NN, Shuaib IL, Tharakan J, Abdullah J, Munawir AH, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2006 Nov;37(6):1199-208.
PMID: 17333778

Advances in neuroimaging techniques, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), have proved invaluable in detecting structural brain lesions in patients with epilepsy in developed countries. In Malaysia, a few electroencephalography facilities available in rural district hospitals run by trained physician assistants have Internet connections to a government neurological center in Kuala Lumpur. These facilities are more commonly available than MRI machines, which require radiological expertise and helium replacement, which may problematic in Southeast Asian countries where radiologists are found in mainly big cities or towns. We conducted a cross-sectional study over a two year period begining January 2001 on rural patients, correlating EEG reports and MRI images with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy to set guidelines for which rural patients need to be referred to a hospital with MRI facilities. The patients referred by different hospitals without neurological services were classified as having generalized, partial or unclassified seizures based on the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). The clinical parameters studied were seizure type, seizure frequency, status epilepticus and duration of seizure. EEG reports were reviewed for localized and generalized abnormalities and epileptiform changes. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression and area under the curve. The association between clinical and radiological abnormalities was evaluated for sensitivity and specificity. Twenty-six males and 18 females were evaluated. The mean age was 20.7 +/- 13.3 years. Nineteen (43.2%) had generalized seizures, 22 (50.0%) had partial seizures and 3 (6.8%) presented with unclassified seizures. The EEG was abnormal in 30 patients (20 with generalized abnormalities and 10 localized abnormalities). The MRI was abnormal in 17 patients (38.6%); the abnormalities observed were cerebral atrophy (5), hippocampal sclerosis (4), infarct/gliosis (3), cortical dysgenesis (2) and tumors (2). One patient had an arachnoid cyst in the right occipital region. Of the 17 patients with an abnormal MRI, 14 had an abnormal EEG, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant associaton between epileptographic changes and MRI findings (p = 0.078). EEG findings were associated with MRI findings (p = 0.004). The association between an abnormal EEG and an abnormal MRI had a specificity of 82.4%, while epileptogenic changes had a specificity of 64.7% in relation to abnormal MRI findings. This meants that those patients in rural hospitals with abnormal EEGs should be referred to a neurology center for further workup and an MRI to detect causes with an epileptic focus.
Red flags in patients presenting with headache: clinical indications for neuroimaging

Sobri M, Lamont AC, Alias NA, Win MN

Br J Radiol, 2003 Aug;76(908):532-5.
PMID: 12893694

Headache is a very common patient complaint but secondary causes for headache are unusual. Neuroimaging is both expensive and has a low yield in this group. Most patients with intracranial pathology have clinical features that would raise a "red flag". Appropriate selection of patients with headache for neuroimaging to look for secondary causes is very important. Red flags act as screening tools to help in identifying those patients presenting with headache who would benefit from prompt neuroimaging, and may increase the yield. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical features in patients with headache using neuroimaging as a screening tool for intracranial pathology. 20 red flags were defined. A retrospective study of 111 patients was performed and the outcomes were divided into positive and negative. Abnormal neuroimaging was present in 39 patients. Results were analysed using the Logistic Regression model. Sensitivity and specificity of red flags were analysed to establish the cut-off point to predict abnormal neuroimaging and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve plotted to show the sensitivity of the diagnostic test. Three red flag features proved to be statistically significant with the p-value of less than 0.05 on both univariate and multivariate analysis. These were: paralysis; papilloedema; and "drowsiness, confusion, memory impairment and loss of consciousness". In addition, if three or more red flags from the list were present, this showed strong indication of abnormal neuroimaging, from cut-off point of ROC curve (area under the curve =0.76).
Radiation effects on the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in post-radiotherapy patients with head and neck malignancy

Shariat M, Alias NA, Biswal BM

Postgrad Med J, 2008 Nov;84(997):609-12.
PMID: 19103820 DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2008.068569

Post-radiation large vessel injury has not received as much attention as microvascular irradiation injury. A few studies have shown that common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is increased after radiotherapy to the head and neck. However, in most of these studies, the irradiated subjects also had other major risk factors for atherosclerosis. In this study, irradiated subjects with major risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, history of previous cerebrovascular accident and connective tissue disorder were excluded.
Fulltext Projection of meteorological droughts in Nigeria during growing seasons under climate change scenarios

Shiru MS, Shahid S, Dewan A, Chung ES, Alias N, Ahmed K, et al.

Sci Rep, 2020 06 22;10(1):10107.
PMID: 32572138 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67146-8

Like many other African countries, incidence of drought is increasing in Nigeria. In this work, spatiotemporal changes in droughts under different representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios were assessed; considering their greatest impacts on life and livelihoods in Nigeria, especially when droughts coincide with the growing seasons. Three entropy-based methods, namely symmetrical uncertainty, gain ratio, and entropy gain were used in a multi-criteria decision-making framework to select the best performing General Circulation Models (GCMs) for the projection of rainfall and temperature. Performance of four widely used bias correction methods was compared to identify a suitable method for correcting bias in GCM projections for the period 2010-2099. A machine learning technique was then used to generate a multi-model ensemble (MME) of the bias-corrected GCM projection for different RCP scenarios. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was subsequently computed to estimate droughts from the MME mean of GCM projected rainfall and temperature to predict possible spatiotemporal changes in meteorological droughts. Finally, trends in the SPEI, temperature and rainfall, and return period of droughts for different growing seasons were estimated using a 50-year moving window, with a 10-year interval, to understand driving factors accountable for future changes in droughts. The analysis revealed that MRI-CGCM3, HadGEM2-ES, CSIRO-Mk3-6-0, and CESM1-CAM5 are the most appropriate GCMs for projecting rainfall and temperature, and the linear scaling (SCL) is the best method for correcting bias. The MME mean of bias-corrected GCM projections revealed an increase in rainfall in the south-south, southwest, and parts of the northwest whilst a decrease in the southeast, northeast, and parts of central Nigeria. In contrast, rise in temperature for entire country during most of the cropping seasons was projected. The results further indicated that increase in temperature would decrease the SPEI across Nigeria, which will make droughts more frequent in most of the country under all the RCPs. However, increase in drought frequency would be less for higher RCPs due to increase in rainfall.
Prevalence of Nonfatal Serious Injury Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents Among Malaysian School-Going Adolescents: Findings From the Adolescent Health Survey 2017

Awaluddin SM, Ahmad FH, Jeevananthan C, Ganapathy SS, Sooryanarayana R, Mohamad Anuar MF, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2019 Nov;31(8_suppl):65S-72S.
PMID: 31522523 DOI: 10.1177/1010539519872662

Serious injury due to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) significantly contributes to the adolescents' health status. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of nonfatal injury due to MVAs and its associated factors among Malaysian school-going adolescents. Nationally representative samples were selected via 2-stage stratified cluster sampling. Data was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between the variables. A total of 1088 out of 27 497 adolescents reported that they had sustained serious injury due to MVAs with a prevalence of 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.7-4.5). Serious injury due to MVAs among adolescents was positively associated with being current cigarette smokers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.5; 95% CI = 2.2-2.9), followed by Malay ethnicity (aOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.9-3.0), current drug users (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.9-3.0), boys (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.8-2.4), Indian ethnicity (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.5), and those who were in upper secondary school (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.2-1.5). Targeted intervention and curbing substance use among boys may reduce the morbidities from MVAs and its resulting complications.
Photoreduction of Cr(VI) in wastewater by anodic nanoporous Nb2O5 formed at high anodizing voltage and electrolyte temperature

Alias N, Hussain Z, Tan WK, Kawamura G, Muto H, Matsuda A, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022 Aug;29(40):60600-60615.
PMID: 35426025 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20005-7

In this study, nanoporous anodic film was produced by anodization of niobium, Nb in a fluoride ethylene glycol electrolyte. The effect of anodization voltage and electrolyte temperature was studied to find an optimum condition for circular, ordered, and uniform pore formation. The diameter of the pores was found to be larger when the applied voltage was increased from 20 to 80 V. The as-anodized porous film was also observed to comprise of nanocrystallites which formed due to high field-induced crystallization. The nanocrystallites grew into orthorhombic Nb2O5 after post-annealing treatment. The Cr(VI) photoreduction property of both the as-anodized and annealed Nb2O5 samples obtained using an optimized condition (anodization voltage: 60 V, electrolyte temperature: 70 °C) was compared. Interestingly, the as-anodized Nb2O5 film was found to display better photoreduction of Cr(VI) than annealed Nb2O5. However, in terms of stability, the annealed Nb2O5 presented high photocatalytic efficiency for each cycle whereas the as-anodized Nb2O5 showed degradation in photocatalytic performance when used continually.
Photoelectrical Dynamics Uplift in Perovskite Solar Cells by Atoms Thick 2D TiS2 Layer Passivation of TiO2 Nanograss Electron Transport Layer

Alias N, Ali Umar A, Malek NAA, Liu K, Li X, Abdullah NA, et al.

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021 Jan 20;13(2):3051-3061.
PMID: 33410652 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c20137

A deficiency in the photoelectrical dynamics at the interface due to the surface traps of the TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL) has been the critical factor for the inferiority of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the perovskite solar cells. Despite its excellent energy level alignment with most perovskite materials, its large density of surface defect as a result of sub lattice vacancies has been the critical hurdle for an efficient photovoltaic process in the device. Here, we report that atoms thick 2D TiS2 layer grown on the surface of a (001) faceted and single-crystalline TiO2 nanograss (NG) ETL have effectively passivated the defects, boosting the charge extractability, carrier mobility, external quantum efficiency, and the device stability. These properties allow the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to produce a PCE as high as 18.73% with short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and fill-factor (FF) values as high as 22.04 mA/cm2, 1.13 V, and 0.752, respectively, a 3.3% improvement from the pristine TiO2-NG-based PSCs. The present approach should find an extensive application for controlling the photoelectrical dynamic deficiency in perovskite solar cells.
On the missing links in quantum dot solar cells: a DFT study on fluorophore oxidation and reduction processes in sensitized solar cells

Muzakir SK, Alias N, Yusoff MM, Jose R

Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2013 Oct 14;15(38):16275-85.
PMID: 24000052 DOI: 10.1039/c3cp52858h

The possibility of achieving many electrons per absorbed photon of sufficient energy by quantum dots (QDs) drives the motivation to build high performance quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs). Although performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), with similar device configuration as that of QDSCs, has significantly improved in the last two decades QDSCs are yet to demonstrate impressive device performances despite the remarkable features of QDs as light harvesters. We investigated the fundamental differences in the optical properties of QDs and dyes using DFT calculations to get insights on the inferior performance of QDSCs. The CdSe QDs and the ruthenium bipyridyl dicarboxylic acid dye (N3) were used as typical examples in this study. Based on a generalized equation of state correlating material properties and photoconversion efficiency, we calculated ground and excited state properties of these absorbers at the B3LYP/lanl2dz level of DFT and analyzed them on the basis of the device performance. Five missing links have been identified in the study which provides numerous insights into building high efficiency QDSCs. They are (i) fundamental differences in the emitting states of the QDs in the strong and weak confinement regimes were observed, which explained successfully the performance differences; (ii) the crucial role of bifunctional ligands that bind the QDs and the photo-electrode was identified; in most cases use of bifunctional ligands does not lead to a QD enabled widening of the absorption of the photo-electrode; (iii) wide QDs size distribution further hinders efficient electron injections; (iv) wide absorption cross-section of QDs favours photon harvesting; and (v) the role of redox potential of the electrolyte in the QD reduction process.
Nanoporous anodic Nb2O5 with pore-in-pore structure formation and its application for the photoreduction of Cr(VI)

Alias N, Hussain Z, Tan WK, Kawamura G, Muto H, Matsuda A, et al.

Chemosphere, 2021 Nov;283:131231.
PMID: 34144283 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131231

An anodic film with a nanoporous structure was formed by anodizing niobium at 60 V in fluorinated ethylene glycol (fluoride-EG). After 30 min of anodization, the anodic film exhibited a "pore-in-pore" structure; that is, there were smaller pores growing inside larger pores. The as-anodized film was weakly crystalline and became orthorhombic Nb2O5 after heat treatment. The energy band gap of the annealed nanoporous Nb2O5 film was 2.9 eV. A photocatalytic reduction experiment was performed on Cr(VI) under ultraviolet (UV) radiation by immersing the nanoporous Nb2O5 photocatalyst in a Cr(VI) solution at pH 2. The reduction process was observed to be very slow; hence, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was added as an organic hole scavenger, which resulted in 100% reduction after 45 min of irradiation. The photocatalytic reduction experiment was also performed under visible light, and findings showed that complete reduction achieved after 120 min of visible light exposure.
Fulltext Muslim young adults' financial strain and financial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The moderating role of religiosity

Jaffar N, Mohd Faizal S, Selamat Z, Alias N

Heliyon, 2023 Oct;9(10):e21047.
PMID: 37876443 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21047

The COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone's lives and general well-being worldwide, including young adults. Young adulthood is marked by a shift in various social areas including acquiring financial independence. As the pandemic was an exceptional scenario in all nations, there is a research gap in analysing how it would affect financial experiences of young adults, particularly the Muslim young adults. These individuals may face financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic due to their high level of financial strain. Furthermore, little is still known about the role that religiosity may play in the relationship between the financial strain and financial stress, notably during the pandemic. The objectives of this study were to examine the level of financial strain and financial stress of Muslim young adults, assess the effect of financial strain on financial stress of Muslim young adults and investigate the moderating effect of religiosity on the relationship between Muslim young adults' financial strain and financial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of 230 Muslim young adults was conducted in Malaysia. Results showed that thirty percent of Muslim young adults fell under high level of financial strain while majority of them fell under high level of financial stress. Additionally, financial strain had a significant positive effect on the financial stress of Muslim young adults. This means that the more financially strained, the more Muslim young adults experienced financial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Religiosity, however, did not moderate the relationship between financial strain and financial stress. These results highlighted the significance of comprehending the level of financial strain and financial stress experienced by Muslim young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results provided relevant parties insights in developing strategies for Muslim young adults to manage financial strain and financial stress to reduce the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multifocal mucus secreting papillary adenocarcinoma of the bile duct causing obstructive jaundice

Khan TF, Sherazi ZA, Alias NA, Mahmood Z

Ann Acad Med Singap, 1993 Mar;22(2):251-3.
PMID: 8363342

We present a 64-year-old Malay lady who had undergone a choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) two years ago for obstructive jaundice. She was admitted with jaundice and underwent ultrasonography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) and computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the liver and biliary tree. All the investigations confirmed a type IVa choledochal cyst. At operation, the grossly dilated biliary system was packed with a thick mucoid material and the mucosa of the bile ducts was visibly abnormal with scattered nodules. This mucoid material had caused occlusion of the entire biliary tree resulting in obstructive jaundice. To the best of our knowledge, this is probably the first report of obstructive jaundice caused by thick mucus. The peculiar management problems of this case and the risk of malignant change in choledochal cysts are discussed.
Fulltext Molecular Cloning and Optimization for High Level Expression of Cold-Adapted Serine Protease from Antarctic Yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12

Alias N, Ahmad Mazian M, Salleh AB, Basri M, Rahman RN

Enzyme Res, 2014;2014:197938.
PMID: 25093119 DOI: 10.1155/2014/197938

Psychrophilic basidiomycete yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica strain PI12, was shown to be a protease-producer. Isolation of the PI12 protease gene from genomic and mRNA sequences allowed determination of 19 exons and 18 introns. Full-length cDNA of PI12 protease gene was amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2892 bp, coded for 963 amino acids. PI12 protease showed low homology with the subtilisin-like protease from fungus Rhodosporidium toruloides (42% identity) and no homology to other psychrophilic proteases. The gene encoding mature PI12 protease was cloned into Pichia pastoris expression vector, pPIC9, and positioned under the induction of methanol-alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter. The recombinant PI12 protease was efficiently secreted into the culture medium driven by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-factor signal sequence. The highest protease production (28.3 U/ml) was obtained from P. pastoris GS115 host (GpPro2) at 20°C after 72 hours of postinduction time with 0.5% (v/v) of methanol inducer. The expressed protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and activity staining with a molecular weight of 99 kDa.
Malaysian burden of disease: years of life lost due to premature deaths

Khaw WF, Chan YM, Nasaruddin NH, Alias N, Tan L, Ganapathy SS

BMC Public Health, 2023 Jul 18;23(1):1383.
PMID: 37464344 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16309-z

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, the previous mortality burden has been a significant concern, particularly due to the high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as the leading cause of death. Estimates of mortality are key indicators for monitoring population health and determining priorities in health policies and health planning. The aim of this study was to estimate the disease burden attributed to 113 major diseases and injuries in Malaysia in 2018 using years of life lost (YLL) method.
METHODS: This study included all deaths that occurred in Malaysia in 2018. The YLL was derived by adding the number of deaths from 113 specific diseases and multiplying it by the remaining life expectancy for that age and sex group. Data on life expectancy and mortality were collected from the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
RESULTS: In 2018, there were 3.5 million YLL in Malaysia. Group II (NCDs) caused 72.2% of total YLL. Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of premature mortality among Malaysians (17.7%), followed by lower respiratory infections (9.7%), road traffic injuries (8.7%), cerebrovascular disease (stroke) (8.0%), and diabetes mellitus (3.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: NCDs are a significant health concern in Malaysia and are the primary contributor to the overall burden of disease. These results are important in guiding the national health systems on how to design and implement effective interventions for NCDs, as well as how to prioritise and allocate healthcare resources. Key strategies to consider include implementing health promotion campaigns, adopting integrated care models, and implementing policy and regulatory measures. These approaches aim to enhance health outcomes and the managements of NCDs in Malaysia.
In silico analysis prediction of HepTH1-5 as a potential therapeutic agent by targeting tumour suppressor protein networks

Azemin WA, Alias N, Ali AM, Shamsir MS

J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023 Mar;41(4):1141-1167.
PMID: 34935583 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2017349

Many studies reported that the activation of tumour suppressor protein, p53 induced the human hepcidin expression. However, its expression decreased when p53 was silenced in human hepatoma cells. Contrary to Tilapia hepcidin TH1-5, HepTH1-5 was previously reported to trigger the p53 activation through the molecular docking approach. The INhibitor of Growth (ING) family members are also shown to directly interact with p53 and promote cell cycle arrest, senescence, apoptosis and participate in DNA replication and DNA damage responses to suppress the tumour initiation and progression. However, the interrelation between INGs and HepTH1-5 remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to identify the mechanism and their protein interactions using in silico approaches. The finding revealed that HepTH1-5 and its ligands had interacted mostly on hotspot residues of ING proteins which involved in histone modifications via acetylation, phosphorylation, and methylation. This proves that HepTH1-5 might implicate in an apoptosis signalling pathway and preserve the protein structure and function of INGs by reducing the perturbation of histone binding upon oxidative stress response. This study would provide theoretical guidance for the design and experimental studies to decipher the role of HepTH1-5 as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer therapy. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

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