Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 277 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Zinatizadeh AA, Mohamed AR, Abdullah AZ, Mashitah MD, Hasnain Isa M, Najafpour GD
    Water Res, 2006 Oct;40(17):3193-208.
    PMID: 16949124
    In this study, the interactive effects of feed flow rate (QF) and up-flow velocity (V up) on the performance of an up-flow anaerobic sludge fixed film (UASFF) reactor treating palm oil mill effluent (POME) were investigated. Long-term performance of the UASFF reactor was first examined with raw POME at a hydraulic loading rate (HRT) of 3 d and an influent COD concentration of 44300 mg/l. Extreme reactor instability was observed after 25 d. Raw POME was then chemically pretreated and used as feed. Anaerobic digestion of pretreated POME was modeled and analyzed with two operating variables, i.e. feed flow rate and up-flow velocity. Experiments were conducted based on a central composite face-centered design (CCFD) and analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The region of exploration for digestion of the pretreated POME was taken as the area enclosed by the feed flow rate (1.01, 7.63 l/d) and up-flow velocity (0.2, 3 m/h) boundaries. Twelve dependent parameters were either directly measured or calculated as response. These parameters were total COD (TCOD) removal, soluble COD (SCOD) removal, effluent pH, effluent total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), effluent bicarbonate alkalinity (BA), effluent total suspended solids (TSS), CH4 percentage in biogas, methane yield (Y M), specific methanogenic activity (SMA), food-to-sludge ratio (F/M), sludge height in the UASB portion and solid retention time (SRT). The optimum conditions for POME treatment were found to be 2.45 l/d and 0.75 m/h for QF and V up, respectively (corresponding to HRT of 1.5 d and recycle ratio of 23.4:1). The present study provides valuable information about interrelations of quality and process parameters at different values of the operating variables.
  2. Nguyen TA, Hassali MAA, McLachlan A
    WHO South East Asia J Public Health, 2013 Jan-Mar;2(1):72-74.
    PMID: 28612828 DOI: 10.4103/2224-3151.115849
    Generic medicines are a key strategy used by governments and third-party payers to contain medicines costs and improve the access to essential medicines. This strategy represents an important opportunity provided by the global intellectual property regimes to discover and develop copies of original products marketed by innovator companies once the patent protection term is over. While there is an extensive experience regarding generic medicines policies in developed countries, this evidence may not translate to developing countries. The generic medicines policies workshop at the Asia Pacific Conference on National Medicines Policies 2012 provided an important opportunity to discuss and document country-specific initiatives for improving access to and the rational of use of generic medicines in the Asia Pacific region. Based on the identified barriers and enablers to implementation of generic medicines policies in the region, a set of future action plans and recommendations has been made.
  3. Abdulelah J, Sulaiman SAS, Hassali MA, Blebil AQ, Awaisu A, Bredle JM
    Value Health Reg Issues, 2015 May;6:53-59.
    PMID: 29698193 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2015.03.006
    BACKGROUND: Various generic instruments exist to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with tuberculosis (TB), but a psychometrically sound disease-specific instrument is lacking.

    OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a multidimensional TB-specific HRQOL instrument relevant to the value of patients with pulmonary TB in Iraq with an eye toward cross-cultural application.

    METHODS: The core general HRQOL questionnaire is composed of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General items. A modular approach was followed for the development of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Tuberculosis (FACIT-TB) questionnaire in which a set of items assessing quality-of-life (QOL) issues not sufficiently covered by the core Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General items, but considered to be relevant to the target population, was added. Moreover, principal-component analysis was used to determine the new subscale structure of the questionnaire.

    RESULTS: In addition to the 27 items of the core questionnaire, a set of 20 items referring to disease symptoms related to the site of infection, adverse effects, and additional QOL dimensions such as fatigue, social stigma, and economic burden of the illness was included. Factor analysis demonstrated that the FACIT-TB construct comprised five domains.

    CONCLUSIONS: A rigorous method was applied in the development of the FACIT-TB measure to fully understand the impact of TB on patients' QOL. The instrument is psychometrically sound and portrays multiple important dimensions of HRQOL. FACIT-TB is relatively brief, is easy to administer and score, and is appropriate for use in clinical trials and practice.
  4. Amjad Z, Maryam I, Munir M, Salman M, Baraka MA, Mustafa ZU, et al.
    Vaccines (Basel), 2023 Apr 27;11(5).
    PMID: 37243008 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050904
    COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy continues to be a widespread problem in Pakistan due to various conspiracy beliefs, myths and misconceptions. Since the hemodialysis population is at a higher risk of contracting infections, we sought to investigate the current COVID-19 immunization status and reasons for any vaccine hesitancy among these patients in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted among maintenance hemodialysis patients at six hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Data were collected anonymously using a questionnaire. A total of 399 hemodialysis patients took part in the survey, the majority of them were male (56%) and aged 45-64 years. A calculated 62.4% of the patients reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those vaccinated (249), 73.5% had received two doses and 16.9% had received a booster dose. The most common reasons for vaccination were "being aware they were at high risk" (89.6%), "fear of getting infected" (89.2%) and "willingness to fight against COVID-19-pandemic" (83.9%). Of the 150 patients who had not yet been vaccinated, only 10 showed a willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The major reasons for refusal included "COVID-19 is not a real problem" (75%), the "corona vaccine is a conspiracy (72.1%)" and "I don't need the vaccine" (60.7%). Our study revealed that only 62% patients receiving hemodialysis were partially or completely vaccinated against COVID-19. Consequently, there is a need to initiate aggressive approaches to educate this high-risk population in order to address their concerns with vaccine safety and efficacy as well as correct current myths and misconceptions to improve the COVID-19 immunization status in this population.
  5. Shabir A, Alkubaisi NA, Shafiq A, Salman M, Baraka MA, Mustafa ZU, et al.
    Vaccines (Basel), 2023 Jun 09;11(6).
    PMID: 37376470 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061081
    Prisoners form a population who are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to overcrowding, limited movement, and a poor living environment. Consequently, there is a need to ascertain the status of COVID-19 vaccination and factors associated with hesitancy among prisoners. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was undertaken among prisoners at three district jails in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 381 prisoners participated and none of the study participants had received an influenza vaccine this year. In total, 53% received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the majority having two doses. The top three reasons of vaccine acceptance were "fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection" (56.9%), "desire to return to a pre-pandemic routine as soon as possible" (56.4%), and "having no doubts on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines" (39.6%). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in any demographic variables between vaccinated and unvaccinated prisoners except for age, which was strongly association with COVID-19 vaccine uptake (χ2(3) = 76.645, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.457). Among the unvaccinated prisoners (N = 179), only 16 subsequently showed willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The top three reasons for hesitancy were: COVID-19 is not a real problem/disease (60.1%), safety concerns (51.1%), and COVID-19 vaccine is a conspiracy (50.3%). Efforts are needed to address their concerns given this population's risks and high hesitancy rates, especially among younger prisoners.
  6. Pakeer O, Jeffery J, Mohamed AM, Ahmad F, Baharudin O
    Trop Biomed, 2007 Dec;24(2):101-3.
    PMID: 18209717 MyJurnal
    Four cases of pediculosis, two in adults and two in children, caused by the crab-louse, Pthirus pubis Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Anoplura) is reported from peninsular Malaysia. This is the second report of the problem to be documented from the country. Although P. pubis is closely associated with genital hairs, it is, however, also found to occur on the eyelashes, eyebrows, hairs of the body, head and axilla. The few reported cases of pthiriasis probably do not reflect the true situation.
  7. Noha MA, Enas AE, Aly E, Mohamed AE
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):833-844.
    PMID: 33597455
    BACKGROUND: Biomarkers by definition are measurable molecules that mark the evidence of certain pathological processes. Collaboration of various biomarkers influences morbidity of schsitosomiasis in Egypt.

    OBJECTIVES: To identify the biomarkers: CRP, IgE, hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin D, and platelets in terms of relationship with active and chronic schistosomiasis; demographic data, and their interinfluence.

    STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

    METHODS: Parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples, Indirect Hemagglutination Test, Enzyme linked Immunoassay, Hematology Analyzer, and Statistical Package SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25.

    RESULTS: Out of 400 participants, 25% suffered of schistosomiasis: active S. mansoni infections in 7 cases (1.75%), S. haematobium infections in 6 cases (1.5%), and chronic schistosomiasis infections in 20 cases (5%). Creactive protein (CRP) likewise IgE levels were higher in active S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections when compared with chronic schistosomiasis. IgE levels appeared to affect infection intensity in S. haematobium. Inversely, hemoglobin (Hb) values were low in active schistosomiasis and upgraded in chronic infection (*p<0.05). Ferritin levels varied in active Schistosoma infection and normalized during chronicity. Vitamin D was reduced in active and chronic schistosomiais. Platelet counts were within normal ranges throughout the study groups. Distribution of ferritin, vit D, and platelets was statistically insignificant among Schistosoma infected population. Age affected only hemoglobin, CRP, and IgE biomarkers. CRP and IgE were in direct relationship together and inversely proportional with hemoglobin (*P <0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Anemia increased proportionally with biomarkers of inflammatory stress (CRP and IgE) in early infections. Meanwhile, Hb and ferritin (iron stores) improved during chronicity. Hypovitaminosis-D associated the entire course of schistosomiasis while platelet counts were not affected.

  8. Rasidin RSM, Suhaili Z, Mohamed AFS, Hod R, Neela V, Amin-Nordin S
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):471-481.
    PMID: 33612816
    Nosocomial infection caused by Acinetobacter baumannii is common among immunocompromised patients. Treatment strategy is limited due to rapid resistance development and lack of novel antibiotic. Colistin has been the last line therapy with good in vitro activity against infections caused by multi-drug resistance A. baumannii. However, pharmacological updates are required to support dosing optimisation. This study aimed to determine the time-kill kinetic and resistance development after antibiotic exposure as well as post-antibiotic effect of colistin at different static concentrations in in vitro A. baumannii system. The static in vitro time-kill and post-antibiotic effect experiments were conducted against two clinical isolates as well as one reference isolate ATCC 19606. Time-kill and postantibiotic effect were studied at colistin concentrations ranging from 0.25MIC to 16.0MIC and 0.5MIC to 4.0MIC, respectively. Post-exposure resistance development was examined in time-kill study. Killing activity and post-antibiotic effect were in a concentration-dependent manner. However, delayed killing activity indicates colistin tolerance. Development of resistance after exposure was not detected except for the ATCC 19606 strain. Dosing suggestion based on the observations include administration of supplemental dose 3 MIU at 12 hours after loading dose, administration of maintenance dose 9 MIU in two divided doses and application of extended interval in renal adjustment dose. However, the information is applicable for non-colistin-heteroresistance A. baumannii with colistin MIC < 1.0 mg/L. As for heteroresistance and strain with colistin MIC > 1.0 mg/L, combination therapy would be the more appropriate treatment strategy.
  9. Yusoff MF, Baki MM, Mohamed N, Mohamed AS, Yunus MR, Ami M, et al.
    Traffic Inj Prev, 2010 Dec;11(6):594-9.
    PMID: 21128189 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2010.505255
    Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as one of the significant risk factors for motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). In the interest of public safety, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of OSA and its associated factors among express bus drivers in Malaysia. Identifying factors or conditions related with OSA is very important because they can be used as indicators to subject a person to a confirmatory diagnosis using polysomnography testing.
  10. Abualsaud K, Mahmuddin M, Saleh M, Mohamed A
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:945689.
    PMID: 25759863 DOI: 10.1155/2015/945689
    Brain status information is captured by physiological electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, which are extensively used to study different brain activities. This study investigates the use of a new ensemble classifier to detect an epileptic seizure from compressed and noisy EEG signals. This noise-aware signal combination (NSC) ensemble classifier combines four classification models based on their individual performance. The main objective of the proposed classifier is to enhance the classification accuracy in the presence of noisy and incomplete information while preserving a reasonable amount of complexity. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the NSC technique, which yields higher accuracies of 90% for noiseless data compared with 85%, 85.9%, and 89.5% in other experiments. The accuracy for the proposed method is 80% when SNR=1 dB, 84% when SNR=5 dB, and 88% when SNR=10 dB, while the compression ratio (CR) is 85.35% for all of the datasets mentioned.
  11. Ali MS, Kamarudin SK, Masdar MS, Mohamed A
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:103709.
    PMID: 25478581 DOI: 10.1155/2014/103709
    Power electronics and fuel cell technologies play an important role in the field of renewable energy. The demand for fuel cells will increase as fuel cells become the main power source for portable applications. In this application, a high-efficiency converter is an essential requirement and a key parameter of the overall system. This is because the size, cost, efficiency, and reliability of the overall system for portable applications primarily depend on the converter. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate converter topology is an important and fundamental aspect of designing a fuel cell system for portable applications as the converter alone plays a major role in determining the overall performance of the system. This paper presents a review of power electronics applications in fuel cell systems, which include various topology combinations of DC converters and AC inverters and which are primarily used in fuel cell systems for portable or stand-alone applications. This paper also reviews the switching techniques used in power conditioning for fuel cell systems. Finally, this paper addresses the current problem encountered with DC converters and AC inverter.
  12. Wong LA, Shareef H, Mohamed A, Ibrahim AA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:752096.
    PMID: 25054184 DOI: 10.1155/2014/752096
    This paper presents the application of enhanced opposition-based firefly algorithm in obtaining the optimal battery energy storage systems (BESS) sizing in photovoltaic generation integrated radial distribution network in order to mitigate the voltage rise problem. Initially, the performance of the original firefly algorithm is enhanced by utilizing the opposition-based learning and introducing inertia weight. After evaluating the performance of the enhanced opposition-based firefly algorithm (EOFA) with fifteen benchmark functions, it is then adopted to determine the optimal size for BESS. Two optimization processes are conducted where the first optimization aims to obtain the optimal battery output power on hourly basis and the second optimization aims to obtain the optimal BESS capacity by considering the state of charge constraint of BESS. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by applying the algorithm to the 69-bus distribution system and by comparing the performance of EOFA with conventional firefly algorithm and gravitational search algorithm. Results show that EOFA has the best performance comparatively in terms of mitigating the voltage rise problem.
  13. Islam NN, Hannan MA, Shareef H, Mohamed A, Salam MA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:549094.
    PMID: 24977210 DOI: 10.1155/2014/549094
    Power oscillation damping controller is designed in linearized model with heuristic optimization techniques. Selection of the objective function is very crucial for damping controller design by optimization algorithms. In this research, comparative analysis has been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of popular objective functions used in power system oscillation damping. Two-stage lead-lag damping controller by means of power system stabilizers is optimized using differential search algorithm for different objective functions. Linearized model simulations are performed to compare the dominant mode's performance and then the nonlinear model is continued to evaluate the damping performance over power system oscillations. All the simulations are conducted in two-area four-machine power system to bring a detailed analysis. Investigated results proved that multiobjective D-shaped function is an effective objective function in terms of moving unstable and lightly damped electromechanical modes into stable region. Thus, D-shape function ultimately improves overall system damping and concurrently enhances power system reliability.
  14. Daud MZ, Mohamed A, Hannan MA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:271087.
    PMID: 24883374 DOI: 10.1155/2014/271087
    This paper presents an evaluation of an optimal DC bus voltage regulation strategy for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system with battery energy storage (BES). The BES is connected to the PV system DC bus using a DC/DC buck-boost converter. The converter facilitates the BES power charge/discharge to compensate for the DC bus voltage deviation during severe disturbance conditions. In this way, the regulation of DC bus voltage of the PV/BES system can be enhanced as compared to the conventional regulation that is solely based on the voltage-sourced converter (VSC). For the grid side VSC (G-VSC), two control methods, namely, the voltage-mode and current-mode controls, are applied. For control parameter optimization, the simplex optimization technique is applied for the G-VSC voltage- and current-mode controls, including the BES DC/DC buck-boost converter controllers. A new set of optimized parameters are obtained for each of the power converters for comparison purposes. The PSCAD/EMTDC-based simulation case studies are presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed optimized control scheme in comparison to the conventional methods.
  15. Eslam M, Alkhouri N, Vajro P, Baumann U, Weiss R, Socha P, et al.
    Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2021 Oct;6(10):864-873.
    PMID: 34364544 DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00183-7
    The term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and its definition, have limitations for both adults and children. The definition is most problematic for children, for whom alcohol consumption is usually not a concern. This problematic definition has prompted a consensus to rename and redefine adult NAFLD associated with metabolic dysregulation to metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Similarities, distinctions, and differences exist in the causes, natural history, and prognosis of fatty liver diseases in children compared with adults. In this Viewpoint we, an international panel, propose an overarching framework for paediatric fatty liver diseases and an age-appropriate MAFLD definition based on sex and age percentiles. The framework recognises the possibility of other coexisting systemic fatty liver diseases in children. The new MAFLD diagnostic criteria provide paediatricians with a conceptual scaffold for disease diagnosis, risk stratification, and improved clinical and multidisciplinary care, and they align with a definition that is valid across the lifespan.
  16. Mohamed AL, Yusoff K, Muttalif AR, Khalid BAk
    Med J Malaysia, 1999 Sep;54(3):338-45.
    PMID: 11045060
    Sudden cardiac death is a known complication of acromegaly. Little is known of the exact mechanism leading to sudden cardiac death in these patients. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias may be an important cause. If this is so, clinical markers of ventricular tachyarrhythmias may be more common in this group of patients. The presence of these markers allow better risk stratification among acromegalic patients.
  17. Saadiah S, Jeffrey AH, Mohamed AL
    Med J Malaysia, 1999 Jun;54(2):264-6.
    PMID: 10972040
    Penicillium marneffei, a dimorphic fungus is a rare opportunistic pathogen. It is known to cause infection in immunocompromised patients and recently its occurrence in AIDS patients has been well-documented. Disease with Penicillium marneffei is even rarer among previously healthy individuals. The disease is endemic in Southeast Asia and China. Recognition of this rare disease is important because it is amenable to treatment. We report a case of P. marneffei infection in a previously healthy individual.
  18. Mukari SZ, Vandort S, Ahmad K, Saim L, Mohamed AS
    Med J Malaysia, 1999 Mar;54(1):87-95.
    PMID: 10972010
    We surveyed parents of school-aged hearing impaired children to investigate their awareness and knowledge of the special needs of their child, especially in the area of the usage of hearing aids and methods of communication. Questionnaires were distributed to parents of hearing impaired children at 13 special schools for the deaf in Malaysia. Out of 1,267 questionnaires given out, 787 (62.1%) were completed and returned. Results of the survey indicated the majority of parents (68.6%) suspected hearing loss late, that is after their child's first birthday, and there was a significant time lag before the suspicion was confirmed. Over 82.8% of the children were diagnosed only after 1 year of age, with 41.3% being diagnosed after 3 years of age. Hearing aids were fitted late (mean = 5.32 years; SD = 2.66). Hearing aid ownership was influenced by the factors of socio-economic level and ethnic group (p < 0.01) whereas knowledge of use and proper care of the aids was influenced by socio-economic level (p < 0.01). Communication methods were generally inappropriate with 41.3% of the mothers and 48.5% of the fathers reporting ignorance of Bahasa Malaysia Kod Tangan, the sign language that is commonly used by their children. The parents' choice of communication method was not significantly influenced by socio-economic level or ethnic group. The study revealed the present inadequate state of services available for the rehabilitation of children with congenital hearing impairment.
  19. Said H, Cheah F, Mohamed AS, Hadi AR
    Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):222-4.
    PMID: 8350800
    The transseptal transsphenoidal hypophysectomy has become a relatively frequent procedure in recent years. We performed 20 such procedures between January 1984 and December 1987 for various pituitary disorders. Significant complications such as CSF rhinorrhea, meningitis, diabetes insipidus, haemorrhage and septal perforation are discussed. The mortality rate for the series was 5%. In analysing the data, we feel that this technique of hypophysectomy is a safe procedure.
  20. Mohamed AK, Seow CE
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):756-758.
    PMID: 33219195
    Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is the most common liver disease and known hepatobiliary complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Concomitant PSC in UC is associated with increased risk of rapid progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis, and malignancy including colon carcinoma as well as hepatobiliary carcinoma. We report a case of a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed as ulcerative colitis during her second pregnancy. Her liver function test showed a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) with other parameters being within normal range. A clinical suspicion of primary sclerosing cholangitis was then made. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreticography (MRCP) revealed beaded appearance of the right and left intrahepatic ducts with focal narrowing seen at the ducts, suggestive of primary sclerosing cholangitis. She was subsequently started on oral Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with improvement in her liver function test within 3 weeks of initiation of treatment.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links