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Fulltext Detection of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin in dried salted yellow puffer fish (Xenopterus naritus) eggs from Satok Market, Kuching, Sarawak

Mohd Nor Azman, A., Wan Norhana, M.N.

International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(5):2963-2966.
MyJurnal

The detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) in dried salted yellow puffer fish (Xenopterus naritus) eggs bought from Satok Market, Kuching, Sarawak was carried out by mouse bioassay method. The amount of TTX and STX detected in the samples ranged from 95.6-195.5 Mouse Unit (MU)/g and 1.72-3.58 MU/g respectively. The results indicate that the dried salted eggs samples were found to contain TTX 9-20 times above the regulatory limit for human consumption (10 MU/g). Although detected, the amount of STX in salted eggs extract was slightly below the accepted threshold limit (4 MU/g). The local public in Sarawak should be educated on the potential danger of consuming dried salted puffer fish eggs in addition to the current warnings on puffer fish.
Assessment of proximate composition and tetrodotoxin content in the muscle of yellow puffer fish, xenopterus naritus (richardson 1848) from Sarawak, Malaysia

Mohd Nor Azman, A., Samsur, M., Mohammed, M., Fasihuddin, B.A.

International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(6):2280-2287.
MyJurnal

This study is to report the proximate compositions as well as tetrodotoxin (TTX) content in the muscles of yellow puffer fish Xenopterus naritus that collected from Kg. Manggut and Kabong, Sarawak. The internal organs of 26 and 20 specimens from Kg. Manggut and Kabong respectively were removed by the local people that had skills and experiences with the preparation of yellow puffer fish. In general, the moisture contents were ranging between 75.2% and 80.6%. X. naritus from Kabong showed higher crude protein contents (88.2% dry weight) than the same species from Kg. Manggut (87.9% dry weight) and not significantly different (p>0.05). X. naritus from Kg. Manggut demonstrated a significantly higher (p
Potential alkali-reactivity of granite aggregates in the Bukit Lagong area, Selangor, peninsular Malaysia

Ng TF, Raj JK, Ghani AA

Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:773-781.

The Bukit Lagong area is the most important aggregate supply centre in Selangor. Geological studies were carried out in four quarries in the Bukit Lagong area and samples were subjected to petrographic examination and accelerated expansion tests to assess the potential alkali-aggregate reactivity of granite aggregates. The granitic rocks comprise mainly of coarse grained megacrystic granite, minor medium grained megacrystic granite and microgranite. Petrographic examination showed that the primary minerals in these undeformed granitic rocks are not alkali reactive. Faulting and related alteration and mineralization have produced potentially alkali reactive minerals including microcrystalline and strained quartz and fine phyllosilicates. Marginally deleterious and deleterious expansion is shown by the accelerated mortar bar tests. Although alkali reactive rocks are present in some quarries in Bukit Lagong, their volume is small. When blended with the undeformed granitic rocks, the aggregates produced are not expected to cause alkali-aggregate reaction in concrete.
Fulltext Guillain-Barré syndrome

Payus AO, Jan TH, Raymond AA

Clin Med (Lond), 2020 11;20(6):e281.
PMID: 33199345 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.Let.20.6.6
Analysis of examinations in curriculum review

Rotem A, Barrand J, Azman A

Med Educ, 1982 Jan;16(1):3-6.
PMID: 7057721

This paper describes the analysis of the written professional examinations administered at the Medical School, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), during the academic year 1979-80. It is a product of a collaborative activity involving medical teachers and two short-term consultants of the World Health Organization. The examination papers were analysed in order to identify content areas disproportionately emphasized in the examinations; to determine the quality and appropriateness of the examination items used; and to review the extent of continuity and integration across departments and courses. This paper is intended to introduce an approach to curriculum review which is based on analysis of the examination system. The procedures and sample outcomes are described and the implications for curriculum development and evaluation are discussed.
Otological outcome in cleft lip and palate children with middle ear effusion

Azman A, Manuel AM

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 2020 Nov;138:110274.
PMID: 32836138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110274

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors contributing to middle ear pathology, hearing and speech development among cleft palate children treated for middle ear effusion.
METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional otoscopic and audiological analysis was conducted on 102 cleft palate children (204 ears) aged 1-18 years old who were treated for middle ear effusion at our centre. Retrospective chart review was done to determine patient characteristics and prior patient management. The aim was to assess the effect of ventilation tube insertion (VTI) on hearing, speech and chronic otitis media; comparing the timing and number of ventilation tubes per ear and determining other factors affecting the short-term and long-term outcome.
RESULTS: 68 children or 130 ears (63% of all cases) were selectively treated with ventilation tube insertion. Repeat procedures (more than 2) were performed in 41 ears. Among children with VTI performed, the incidence of chronic otitis media in children after the age of 4 was 17%. Overall, abnormal tympanic membrane findings and hearing loss were detected in nearly half the cases who were previously treated with VTI. Early ventilation tube insertion at less than 1 year of age, resulted in a better middle ear and hearing outcome in children less than 4 years old (p
Fulltext The Spetzler-Martin Grading System and management of patients with intracranial arteriovenous malformation in a tertiary referral hospital

Al-Edrus, S. A., Suhaimi, S. N., Noor Azman, A. R., Latif, A. Z., Sobri, M.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(1):91-99.
MyJurnal

Introduction: An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal collection of blood vessels in which arterial blood flows directly into the draining vein without the normal interposed capillaries. The Spetzler-Martin grading system has been widely accepted worldwide to estimate the pretreatment risks and predict the outcome of patients with intracranial AVM. In Malaysia, we still do not have the baseline data of this grading system. Methods: A total of 33 patients from a tertiary referral hospital diagnosed with intracranial AVM based on neuroimaging findings over a 4-year period were studied. Medical
records were traced and neuroimaging findings were analysed. The AVMs were graded according to the Spetzler-Martin grading system and Fisher’s exact test was used to assess statistical difference between the grades of the AVM and management plan for the patients. Results: Four patients were graded as Grade 1, 9 patients as Grade II, 10 patients as Grade III, 6 patients as Grade IV and 4 patients as Grade V. Ten patients were treated conservatively; six patients underwent surgery and embolisation respectively. Four patients underwent radiosurgery and a combination of embolisation while surgery and radiosurgery were given to 5 patients and 2 patients respectively. Statistically significant difference (p=0.016) was found between the Spetzler-Martin grading system and the management of intracranial AVMs. Conclusion: The management decision was not made based on the
grading of the AVMs. It is recommended that all AVM patients be routinely graded according to this system prior to treatment.
Fulltext Screening of optimization parameters for mixing process via CFD

Othman, N., Kamarudin, S.K., Mamat, M.R., Azman, A., Rosli, M.I., Takrif, M.S.

Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2013;2013(2):21-29.
MyJurnal

In this study, the numerical simulation in a mixing vessel agitated by a six bladed Rushton turbine has
been carried out to investigate the effects of effective parameters to the mixing process. The study is intended to screen the potential parameters which affect the optimization process and to provide the detail insights into the process. Three-dimensional and steady-state flow has been performed using the fully predictive Multiple Reference Frame (MRF) technique for the impeller and tank geometry. Process optimization is always used to ensure the optimum conditions are fulfilled to attain industries’ satisfaction or needs (ie; increase profit, low cost, yields, etc). In this study, the range of recommended speed to accelerate optimization is 100, 150 and 200rpm respectively and the range of recommended clearance is 50, 75 and 100mm respectively for dual Rushton impeller. Thus, the computer fluid dynamics (CFD) was introduced in order to screen the suitable parameters efficiently and to accelerate optimization. In this study,
Violence and trauma encountered by Rohingya women fleeing to Malaysia: a qualitative study

Rajaratnam S, Azman A

Arch Womens Ment Health, 2023 Nov 25.
PMID: 38006427 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01402-4

Rohingya women are doubly marginalized owing to their ethnicity and gender. Therefore, this study aims to describe the unique experiences of violence faced by Rohingya women who fled Myanmar and Bangladesh to seek asylum in Malaysia before, during, and after their transit. Primary data were collected from 33 participants comprising Rohingya women refugees and asylum seekers, medical social workers, medical officials, volunteer workers/activists, refugee organization officers, and a mental health care provider. Thematic analysis was used to identify the patterns in and relationships between the concepts in the collected data. Rohingya women were exposed to various forms of violence and trauma by various groups of men, including those from their own community, throughout their journey to and in Malaysia. The lack of recognition of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia prevents them from having mainstream or legal access to jobs, education, and healthcare, and this predicament compounds their suffering from violence, especially for women and girls. Rohingya women and girls in Malaysia need better access to healthcare, resources, and support to identify and address violence, which has a significant impact on their health.
Fulltext Limited Evaluation of Image Quality Produced by a Portable Head CT Scanner (CereTom) in a Neurosurgery Centre

Abdullah AC, Adnan JS, Rahman NA, Palur R

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Mar;24(1):104-112.
PMID: 28381933 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.1.11

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred diagnostic toolkit for head and brain imaging of head injury. A recent development is the invention of a portable CT scanner that can be beneficial from a clinical point of view.
AIM: To compare the quality of CT brain images produced by a fixed CT scanner and a portable CT scanner (CereTom).
METHODS: This work was a single-centre retrospective study of CT brain images from 112 neurosurgical patients. Hounsfield units (HUs) of the images from CereTom were measured for air, water and bone. Three assessors independently evaluated the images from the fixed CT scanner and CereTom. Streak artefacts, visualisation of lesions and grey-white matter differentiation were evaluated at three different levels (centrum semiovale, basal ganglia and middle cerebellar peduncles). Each evaluation was scored 1 (poor), 2 (average) or 3 (good) and summed up to form an ordinal reading of 3 to 9.
RESULTS: HUs for air, water and bone from CereTom were within the recommended value by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Streak artefact evaluation scores for the fixed CT scanner was 8.54 versus 7.46 (Z = -5.67) for CereTom at the centrum semiovale, 8.38 (SD = 1.12) versus 7.32 (SD = 1.63) at the basal ganglia and 8.21 (SD = 1.30) versus 6.97 (SD = 2.77) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. Grey-white matter differentiation showed scores of 8.27 (SD = 1.04) versus 7.21 (SD = 1.41) at the centrum semiovale, 8.26 (SD = 1.07) versus 7.00 (SD = 1.47) at the basal ganglia and 8.38 (SD = 1.11) versus 6.74 (SD = 1.55) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. Visualisation of lesions showed scores of 8.86 versus 8.21 (Z = -4.24) at the centrum semiovale, 8.93 versus 8.18 (Z = -5.32) at the basal ganglia and 8.79 versus 8.06 (Z = -4.93) at the middle cerebellar peduncles. All results were significant with P-value < 0.01.
CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study showed a significant difference in image quality produced by the fixed CT scanner and CereTom, with the latter being more inferior than the former. However, HUs of the images produced by CereTom do fulfil the recommendation of the ACR.
Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of food allergies among food handlers in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Shafie AA, Azman AW

Public Health, 2015 Sep;129(9):1278-84.
PMID: 25931434 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2015.03.016

Food handler's knowledge, attitude and practice regarding food allergies are important to prevent debilitating and sometimes fatal reactions. This study aimed to assess their food allergy knowledge, attitude and practice, which could help to maintain the safety and hygiene of food consumed by the public.
Electrolyte profile of Malaysian mothers' milk

Alaudeen S, Muslim N, Faridah K, Azman A, Arshat H

Malays J Reprod Health, 1988 Dec;6(2):102-7.
PMID: 12342169

PIP: The influence of socioeconomic status (ethnicity, income and parity) on electrolyte composition (sodium and potassium) in human milk is little known. We have thus quantitatively analyzed approximately 700 samples of milk (1-90 days postpartum) obtained from healthy Malaysian mothers' (Malay, Chinese and Indians) of full term infants. Results show that the mean concentration (mmol/l) of sodium is highest (48.2+or-1.7, Mean+or-SEM) in the Malaysian mothers' colostrum and this value decreased by 30% in their transitional milk and remained constant throughout subsequent days of lactation (mature milk). Ethnically, it is found that the level of sodium in colostrum of Malay and Chinese mothers were similar while the Indian mothers' colostrum showed apparently higher value (52.7+or-3.4 mmol/l) that is statistically insignificant. The transitional milk of all 3 ethnic groups studied exhibited similar levels of sodium. On subsequent days of lactation (mature milk) the Malay mothers exhibited lowest concentration (25.9+or-2.6 mmol/l) of sodium that is significantly (P0.05) different from that of Chinese and Indian mothers. Income and parity do not significantly affect the sodium level in Malaysian mothers' milk during all stages of lactation studied. The level of potassium, however did not change significantly with days of lactation. Like sodium, potassium too was not influenced by income and parity. (Author's).
Caregiver coping with the mentally ill: a qualitative study

Azman A, Jamir Singh PS, Sulaiman J

J Ment Health, 2017 Apr;26(2):98-103.
PMID: 26732363 DOI: 10.3109/09638237.2015.1124395

BACKGROUND: Mental illness is a disease that affects millions of people every year. It not only causes stress to the mentally ill patients, but also for the family members who provide them the care. The family caregivers, therefore need some form of coping strategies in dealing with their mentally ill family members.
AIMS: This qualitative study aims at identifying and analysing the coping strategies adopted by the family caregivers in dealing with their mentally ill family members.
METHOD: A total of 15 family caregivers from the state of Kedah, Malaysia participated in the face-to-face semi structured interview.
RESULTS: The study findings identified an array of coping strategies used by the family caregivers, including religious coping, emotional coping, acceptance, becoming engaged in leisure activities, and the use of traditional healing to help them cope with their mentally ill members. Suggestions and conclusions: Study suggests that the family caregivers should engage themselves in social support groups to learn about and obtain the positive coping strategies used by other caregivers who have similar experiences in caring for the mentally ill. Study also suggests that they should get appropriate training from the mental health professionals in order to enhance the caregivers' coping skills.
Fulltext Racial differences in the fasting lipid profile of healthy Malaysians

Zaraihan S, Azman AB, Tariq AR

Med J Malaysia, 1994 Dec;49(4):355-63.
PMID: 7674971

The fasting lipid profile of a sample of Malays, Chinese and Indians in Peninsular Malaysia was studied to see whether these might explain differences in the rate of coronary heart disease mortality amongst the three ethnic groups. Fifty healthy subjects were studied from each of the three groups. They were matched for age, body mass index, gender and smoking habits, if any. The total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio were found to be statistically higher in the Indians than in the Malays and the Chinese. The differences between the Indians and the Chinese were statistically more significant than the differences between the Indians and the Malays. Our findings may partially explain the higher predisposition of the Indian community in Malaysia to CHD mortality and are consistent with those of other studies performed on Indian communities living outside the Indian subcontinent.
Fulltext Ocular involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Tan AK, Azman A, Hoe TS, Rohana T

Med J Malaysia, 1994 Dec;49(4):409-11.
PMID: 7674978

A six-year-old boy, a known case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on remission since 1991 presented with leukocoria and poor vision of the left eye for two days' duration. Examination revealed endophthalmitis in the left eye with raised intraocular pressure. Anterior chamber paracentesis with vitreous biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of ocular involvement. Further investigation revealed that he also had bone marrow and central nervous system relapse. Clinical manifestation and treatment modalities of ocular involvement in leukaemia are discussed.
Fulltext Effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis among adults: a systematic review

Muhammad Aklil, A.R., Aznida, M.Z., Azman A., Muhammad Haneef, A., Nik Him, N.A.S., Syed Sharizman, S.A.R., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Applied Sciences, 2018;3(2):46-56.
MyJurnal

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread re-emerging zoonoses in the world. Malaysia is known to
be an endemic country for human leptospirosis, with a case fatality rate of 2.11%, and an average annual
incidence rate of 7.80 cases per 100,000 individuals. This systematic review is conducted to determine
the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis among the adult populations who are highly
at risk of getting infected. A systematic search was performed for the relevant titles, abstracts and
keywords on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Google Scholar from inception to November 2017 based
on the PICO strategy; which returned 126 studies. Screening of abstracts had shortlisted 19 studies and
data extraction was conducted for 8 studies which had been accepted after review of the full text. For
the evaluation of antibiotics prophylaxis effectiveness against leptospirosis, only trials and cohort studies
with risk ratio (RR) were selected. The articles were analyzed from the viewpoint of the dosage, adverse
effects, study settings and effectiveness of the antibiotic prophylaxis. Using fixed effects model, pooled
RR showed protective association between antibiotic prophylaxis use against the incidence of
leptospirosis (RR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.48). Antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis had been shown
to be effective in preventing the incidence of the disease among high-risk populations and carries
minimal adverse effects. It is recommended that the practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis is
included in the standard protocol for leptospirosis prevention among people at high-risk, including
disaster response teams and patrons of eco-sports tourism activities; with the drug of choice being
doxycycline, either as a single 200 mg dose or weekly dose of 200 mg for the duration of exposure,
based on the setting, duration of event and resources available.
Fulltext Implications for social work teaching and learning in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, due to the COVID-19 pandemic: A reflection

Azman A, Singh PSJ, Isahaque A

Qual Soc Work, 2021 Mar;20(1-2):553-560.
PMID: 34253996 DOI: 10.1177/1473325020973308

The global lockdown due to COVID-19 is a major concern as all higher educational institutions face disruption in teaching, learning and assessment. Social work educators in Malaysia's higher educational institutions are not spared of this disruption. Conventional teaching methods are now being replaced by non-conventional modes of teaching, which include online teaching and assessment using various platforms such as Zoom, WebEx and others. In embarking on online methods of teaching, social work educators will have to undergo many changes. It is particularly so as social work has a practice component that involves field training, which will be a different challenge to educators and students in this new and unexpected environment. This paper aims to discuss the implications of COVID-19 on the changes that have taken place in social work teaching and learning in Malaysia and potential responses.
The global three: A Malaysian lens on the challenges and opportunities facing restorative justice planning and implementation

Mohammad T, Azman A, Anderstone B

Eval Program Plann, 2019 02;72:1-7.
PMID: 30245370 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.09.007

From the rise of restorative justice to evidence-based approaches to reducing recidivism, the intellectual landscape of criminal justice has seen considerable change in recent decades. The result is that an increasing number of countries have tackled the task of shifting preexisting political institutions to confirm with these new understandings. This is, of course, no easy feat. A great number of challenges confront willing policymakers, a reality that often puts philosophy at loggerheads with practicality. Moreover, the political process of change is subject to the influence of cultural and institutional norms. In this paper, we look at one particular case study - that of Malaysia's juvenile justice system - to understand the challenges faced in changing criminal justice policy. We identify three primary categories of challenges and elucidate their shape and impact through the Malaysian example. We also briefly analyze potential opportunities to mitigate and overcome these challenges. Furthermore, we also conclude with several implications for future research that we deem are important to be taken place. In sum, we argue that criminal justice reform must be undertaken with an eye toward important societal and institutional norms, each requiring thoughtful analysis of complex local cases.
Fulltext Chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum

Indudharan R, Das PK, Azman AA, Suhaiza S

Singapore Med J, 1998 Aug;39(8):376-9.
PMID: 9844502

A case of chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum is presented with the result of treatment. The patient was admitted for a growth in the nose of four years' duration. Fine needle aspiration for cytological examination was suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma. She was treated with lateral rhinotomy and wide excision followed by septorhinoplasty. Histological examination showed that the lesion was chondrosarcoma. The patient remained free of disease 26 months after surgery.
Fulltext The Impact of Counseling on the Dignity of Older People: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Hung HY, Azman A, Jamir Singh PS

JMIR Res Protoc, 2023 Jun 23;12:e45557.
PMID: 37272062 DOI: 10.2196/45557

BACKGROUND: Psychological counseling is perceived as a treatment that could significantly improve older individuals' psychological and behavioral functioning. There is a dearth of information on the impact of psychological counseling on preserving dignity and facilitating good aging among older people in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to assess advance care planning among older people and their perception of life and health, end of life, and end-of-life care; (2) to explore older people's accessibility and receptiveness toward counseling; (3) elucidate older people's perspectives on counseling and its impact on emotional management and decision-making; (4) to assess older people's competencies in emotional management; and (5) to propose an intervention model for enhancing older people's well-being and dignity through psychological counseling in Singapore.
METHODS: A mixed method study design involving quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. Older individuals receiving some form of preventive, primary, or long-term care in the community through voluntary welfare organizations from the senior activity centers located in eastern Singapore participated in the qualitative phase. Six older individuals from each senior activity center have been enrolled for the interview phase to explore 6 components: the Advanced Care Planning (ACP) booklet, Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS), accessibility and receptiveness toward counseling, and emotional management and decision-making. The ACP, an instrument designed to assess advanced care planning among older individuals, and the TMMS, an instrument developed to measure meta-mood experience and emotional management, were used in the quantitative phase among 100 participants. The data will be analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12, whereas descriptive statistics and a 2-tailed, 1-sample t test will be conducted in SPSS (version 25; IBM Corp) for empirical data analyses.
RESULTS: The qualitative phase, which involves a semistructured interview, has been completed among 20 older individuals aged 66-86 years. Thematic analysis of the data is still ongoing. Meanwhile, the quantitative phase commenced on March 22, 2022, with 100 participants providing signed informed consent to participate in the study. The study is expected to be completed by March 2023.
CONCLUSIONS: The mixed methods study will document the current awareness of ACP, accessibility and receptiveness toward counseling, and the potential use of psychological counseling in enhancing well-being and dignity among older people in Singapore. The research findings will benefit policy makers in their decision-making when attempting to mitigate the potential barriers to seeking counseling assistance among older people.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/45557.

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