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Fulltext Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Preparation of Biocomposites Based on Poly(lactic acid) and Durian Peel Cellulose

Penjumras P, Rahman RA, Talib RA, Abdan K

ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:293609.
PMID: 26167523 DOI: 10.1155/2015/293609

Response surface methodology was used to optimize preparation of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) and durian peel cellulose. The effects of cellulose loading, mixing temperature, and mixing time on tensile strength and impact strength were investigated. A central composite design was employed to determine the optimum preparation condition of the biocomposites to obtain the highest tensile strength and impact strength. A second-order polynomial model was developed for predicting the tensile strength and impact strength based on the composite design. It was found that composites were best fit by a quadratic regression model with high coefficient of determination (R (2)) value. The selected optimum condition was 35 wt.% cellulose loading at 165°C and 15 min of mixing, leading to a desirability of 94.6%. Under the optimum condition, the tensile strength and impact strength of the biocomposites were 46.207 MPa and 2.931 kJ/m(2), respectively.
Fulltext Outcomes of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Implant at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC)

Rahim SA, Goh BS, Zainor S, Rahman RA, Abdullah A

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2018 Mar;70(1):28-32.
PMID: 29456939 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-017-1193-3

The cross sectional study was conducted in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC), Malaysia from August 2012 to December 2013. All patients implanted with in UKMMC from December 2001 until December 2012 was included. Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaires and UKMMC questionnaires were used as part of the assessment tool. The GBI is a scoring which measures the change in health status produced by surgical interventions. UKMMC questionnaires was invented by our department to assess questions related to social and life style of patients and also the cosmetic perspective Baha implant and other daily related activities. The audiological assessment was assessed using hearing aid gain threshold. Complication with regards to skin reaction was graded using Holger Skin Classification. A total of 40 patients underwent Baha implant were recruited but only 35 patients fulfilled the criteria and included in this study for analysis. Age of patients ranged from 5 year old to 38 year old, with median of 13 years old. There were 22 patients (62.8%) were male and 13 patients (37.1%) were females. Almost all cases were canal atresia except one adult patient was a case of bilateral chronic discharging ear with chronic irritation with ear mould. Majority of patients 21 (60%) have hearing level of moderate to severe hearing loss (40-89 dB) and 14 patients (40%) have mild to moderate hearing loss (20-39 dB). The level of hearing was retested post operatively. All of the patients have improvement in their aided hearing with the range of 10-25 dBL which is statistically significant at p value of <0.05. The GBI was scored positively in all subscales. Majority of patients (91.4%) used BAHA more than 4 h per day and 88.6% agreed that BAHA is cosmetically acceptable. All patients experienced some form of skin irritation (Holger grade 1-2) however only 20% required surgical intervention. All our patients have range of 10-25 dB improvement of their aided hearing which is statistically significant at p value of <0.05. BAHA has been proven to show significant benefit in audiological improvement and quality of life.
Effects of pectinase clarification treatment on phenolic compounds of pummelo (Citrus grandis l. Osbeck) fruit juice

Shah NN, Rahman RA, Shamsuddin R, Adzahan NM

J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Aug;52(8):5057-65.
PMID: 26243926 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-014-1554-9

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes occured on phenolic compounds between two Malaysian varieties of pummelo fruit juice: Ledang (PO55) and Tambun (PO52) post-enzymatic clarification. The changes in polyphenols composition were monitored using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Diode Array Detection and Folin Ciocalteu's method. Clarification treatment of pummelo fruit juice with a commercial pectinase was optimized based on incubation temperature, time and enzyme concentration. Both varieties of pummelo fruit juice were treated with different optimized variables which produced the highest clarities with the least effect to the juice physical quality. Tambun variety was found to have significantly more total phenolic compounds (p <0.05) in comparison to Ledang variety, possibly due to the amount of naringin. Three types of hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic and coumaric acid) and three compounds of flavanones (naringin, hesperidin and narirutin) were found in both fruit juices, where naringin and chlorogenic acid were the major contributor to the total phenolic content. Naringin, which gave out bitter aftertaste to the juice, was found to decrease, 1.6 and 0.59 % reduction in Ledang and Tambun respectively, post-enzymatic treatment. The decrease in naringin, albeit nominal, could be a potential benefit to the juice production in reducing the bitterness of the juice. Post-enzymatic analysis furthermore resulted in no significance differences (p <0.05) on the total phenolic compounds of both varieties. This study in summary provides a compositional database for Malaysian pummelo fruit juice of various phenolic compounds, which can provide useful information for evaluating the authenticity and the health benefits from the juice.
Studying the effects of nucleating agents on texture modification of puffed corn-fish snack

Shahmohammadi HR, Bakar J, Rahman RA, Adzhan NM

J Food Sci, 2014 Feb;79(2):E178-83.
PMID: 24410375 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12324

To improve textural attributes of puffed corn-fish snack, the effects of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate (talc), sodium bicarbonate as well as 5% and 10% of wheat bran (as the nucleating materials) on textural attributes were studied. Sensory evaluation, bulk density, expansion ratio, maximum force, and count peaks were measured using the Kramer test. The results showed that all of the additives except bran significantly enhanced the texture. Among them, talc at 0.5% was the best to enhance the density and expansion ratio. Effects of using 0.5% talc on puffed corn-fish snack microstructure were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The average cell diameter of 109 ± 48 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 67.4 for talc-treated products were obtained, while for nontalc-treated extrudates, average cell diameter of 798 ± 361 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 13.9 were found. Incorporation of 0.5% w/w of magnesium silicate reduced (7-fold) the average cell diameter while increased (4-fold) the cell number.
Fulltext Development and Validation of a Malay Version of the Questionnaire on Pornography Attitudes and Exposure for Youth in Kelantan

Rahman AA, Ibrahim MI, Rahman RA, Arifin WN, Ahmad M

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Mar;27(2):129-150.
PMID: 32788849 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.14

Background: The aim of the study is to develop and validate the Malay version of the questionnaire assessing the extent of pornography exposure (PORQUE) among youth in Kelantan.
Methods: 'Youth' was defined as a person aged between 15 and 24 years, while 'pornography' refers to any material that depicts sexual activity or erotic behaviour. The development phase consisted of a literature review, an expert panel review, face validation and a pre-test. Fifty college students from a randomly selected higher learning institutions were invited to participate in the pilot test, whereas 150 and 198 different students from the same institutions participated in exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively.
Results: EFA suggested a five-factor solution with factor loadings ranging from 0.449 to 0.891 and a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.904 to 0.966. The CFA of the attitude questions also proved a good fitting model with good fit indices: comparative fit index (CFI) robust = 0.907; Tucker-Lewis fit index (TLI) robust = 0.901; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) robust = 0.073; standardised root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.060. The factor loadings ranged from 0.544 to 0.906, whereas the Raykov's rho ranged from 0.886 - 0.974.
Conclusion: Based on EFA and CFA, the attitude sections of the newly developed Malay version of the PORQUE were found to be psychometrically valid.
Fulltext Use of the Arabin pessary in women at high risk for preterm birth: long-term experience at a single tertiary center in Malaysia

Rahman RA, Atan IK, Ali A, Kalok AM, Ismail NAM, Mahdy ZA, et al.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2021 May 10;21(1):368.
PMID: 33971828 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03838-x

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous preterm birth is a global issue that contributed to perinatal morbidities and mortalities worldwide. The study aimed to describe the experience at UKM Medical Center in managing women at high risk for spontaneous preterm birth using the Arabin pessary.
METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study involving 58 pregnancies from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2019. Inclusion criteria were previous mid-trimester miscarriage and/or preterm birth, previous cervical surgery or short cervical length on routine sonogram. The demographic data, characteristics of each pregnancy and details of outcomes and management were described.
RESULTS: The majority of women were Malay with mean age and body mass index of 32.9 ± 4.2 years and 27.1 ± 6.3 kg/m2 respectively. The most frequent indications for Arabin pessary insertion were previous mid-trimester miscarriage (46.4%) and early preterm birth (17.2%). A total of 73.4% of these women had the pessary inserted electively at a mean cervical length of 31.6 ± 9.1 mm at median gestation of 15.0 weeks. They were managed as outpatient (56.9%), inpatient (24.1%) or mixed (19.0%) with combination of progestogen (81.0%) and 53.4% received antenatal corticosteroids. Spontaneous preterm birth at or more than 34 weeks gestation occurred in 74.1% with birthweight at or more than 2000 g (82.4%). Despite cervical funneling in 12 women (20.7%), 66.7% delivered at or later than 34 weeks gestation and 2 (16.7%) resulted in miscarriage.
CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of the Arabin pessary is beneficial to prevent spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant women who are at high risk. In particular, early insertion and close monitoring allows the best possible outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04638023 ) on 20/11/2020.
Second twin outcome at birth: retrospective analysis in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia

Rahman RA, Mohammed Nawi A, Ishak S, Balaraman K, Abu MA, Abd Azman SH, et al.

J Perinat Med, 2024 Mar 22.
PMID: 38511669 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2023-0449

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with outcome of second twin during labour.
METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia from 2014 until 2018 involving all twin pregnancies delivered at or more than 24 weeks of gestation.
RESULTS: Total of 409 twin pregnancies were included. Dichorionic twin comprises of 54.5 % (n=223) and 45.5 % (n=186) are monochorionic. Women with dichorionic pregnancies are significantly older (p<0.001), have more pre-existing medical disorders (p=0.011) and fetal structural anomalies (p=0.009). Monochorionic pregnancies are significantly more amongst Malay (p=0.01) and conceived spontaneously (p<0.001). There are significantly more fetuses both in cephalic presentation (p=0.026), birthweight discrepancy more than 20 % (p=0.038) and shorter mean inter-twin delivery duration (p=0.048) in monochorionic pregnancies. Second twin delivered with Apgar score <7 is significantly more in dichorionic pregnancies (p=0.006). The second twin is associated with lower birthweight, small for gestational age and arterial cord pH<7.25. Within the group of women who delivered both fetuses vaginally, there was significantly more second twins with intertwin delivery duration less than 30 min who were delivered vaginally without instrumentation (p=0.018). There was significantly more second twin with intertwin delivery duration of 30 min and more with arterial cord pH<7.25 (p=0.045). Those who delivered spontaneously had inter-twin delivery duration within 15-29 min. The outcome of second twin is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth.
CONCLUSIONS: The neonatal outcome for the second twin at birth is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth in a cohort managed with non-active management of the second twin in Malaysia.
Fulltext The Short-Term Effect of Active Skeletonized Sutural Distractor Appliance on Temporomandibular Joint Morphology of Class III Malocclusion Subjects

Huqh MZU, Hassan R, Rahman RA, Yusof A, Narmada IB, Ahmad WMAW

Eur J Dent, 2021 Jul;15(3):523-532.
PMID: 33622009 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722483

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of active skeletonized sutural distractor (ASSD) appliance on temporomandibular joint morphology of class III malocclusion subjects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study. Cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) images of 22 patients were taken before and after treatment by using Planmeca Promax 3D CBCT machine version 2.9.2 (Planmeca OY Helsinki, Finland). The condylar width, height, length, roof of glenoid fossa thickness, and all joint spaces were measured. The condylar position was determined based on Pullinger and Hollander formula. The condylar shape was determined as per Kinzinger et al. The condylar volume was calculated by using Mimics software (Materialize, Belgium).
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software version 24. Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test was used to compare the difference in temporomandibular joint morphology and condylar volume between pre- and post-treatment measurements. Chi-square test was used to compare the condylar position and shape.
RESULTS: The superior (p = 0.000 on the right side, p = 0.005 on the left side) and posterior joint spaces (p = 0.000 on both sides) were decreased after the treatment, respectively. The condyles were rotated upward and backward, thereby increasing the anterior joint spaces (p = 0.000 on both sides) after the treatment. The condylar volume increases after treatment, but no significant differences were observed (p = 0.903 on the right side, p = 0.062 on the left side).
CONCLUSION: The significant changes were observed in joint spaces. The condyles were more anteriorly placed before treatment. Condylar position and shape alter in response to ASSD treatment. The condylar volume did not show any significant change.
Fulltext A measles IgM rapid diagnostic test to address challenges with national measles surveillance and response in Malaysia

Senin A, Noordin NM, Sani JAM, Mahat D, Donadel M, Scobie HM, et al.

PLoS One, 2024;19(3):e0298730.
PMID: 38483868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298730

INTRODUCTION: A lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) enables detection of measles specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody in serum, capillary blood, and oral fluid with accuracy consistent with enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The objectives of the study were: 1) to assess measles RDT inter-reader agreement between two clinic staff; 2) to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the measles RDT relative to standard surveillance testing in a low transmission setting; 3) to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of staff in clinics using the RDT; and 4) to assess the impact of RDT testing on the measles public health response in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinic-based prospective evaluation included all suspected measles cases captured by routine measles surveillance at 34 purposely selected clinics in 15 health districts in Malaysia between September 2019 and June 2020, following day-long regional trainings on RDT use. Following informed consent, four specimens were collected from each suspected case, including those routinely collected for standard surveillance [serum for EIA and throat swabs for quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)] together with capillary blood and oral fluid tested with RDTs during the study. RDT impact was evaluated by comparing the rapidity of measles public health response between the pre-RDT implementation (December 2018 to August 2019) and RDT implementation periods (September 2019 to June 2020). To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of RDT use, staff involved in the public health management of measles at the selected sites were surveyed.
RESULTS: Among the 436 suspect cases, agreement of direct visual readings of measles RDT devices between two health clinic staff was 99% for capillary blood (k = 0.94) and 97% for oral fluid (k = 0.90) specimens. Of the total, 45 (10%) were positive by measles IgM EIA (n = 44, including five also positive by RT-qPCR) or RT-qPCR only (n = 1), and 38 were positive by RDT (using either capillary blood or oral fluid). Using measles IgM EIA or RT-qPCR as reference, RDT sensitivity using capillary blood was 43% (95% CI: 30%-58%) and specificity was 98% (95% CI: 96%-99%); using oral fluid, sensitivity (26%, 95% CI: 15%-40%) and specificity (97%, 95% CI: 94%-98%) were lower. Nine months after training, RDT knowledge was high among staff involved with the public health management of measles (average quiz score of 80%) and was highest among those who received formal training (88%), followed by those trained during supervisory visits (83%). During the RDT implementation period, the number of days from case confirmation until initiation of public response decreased by about 5 days.
CONCLUSION: The measles IgM RDT shows >95% inter-reader agreement, high retention of RDT knowledge, and a more rapid public health response. However, despite ≥95% RDT specificity using capillary blood or oral fluid, RDT sensitivity was <45%. Higher-powered studies using highly specific IgM assays and systematic RT-qPCR for case confirmation are needed to establish the role of RDT in measles elimination settings.
Managing complications of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients: Part IV. Management of osteoradionecrosis

Ramli R, Ngeow WC, Rahman RA, Chai WL

Singapore Dent J, 2006 Dec;28(1):11-5.
PMID: 17378336

Head and neck cancer is becoming a more recognizable pathology to the general population and dentists. The modes of treatment include surgery and/or radiation therapy. Pretreatment dental assessment should be provided for these patients before they undergo radiation therapy. There are occasions, however, whereby head and neck cancer patients are not prepared optimally and, as a result, they succumb to complicated oral adverse effects after radiation therapy. Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a severe debilitating condition that impairs healing due to reduction in vascularity and osteocyte population in the affected bone. This article reviews methods of treatment used to treat ORN such as antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, surgery, and other modalities.
Fulltext Effect of the Roasting Conditions on the Physicochemical, Quality and Sensory Attributes of Coffee-Like Powder and Brew from Defatted Palm Date Seeds

Fikry M, Yusof YA, Al-Awaadh AM, Rahman RA, Chin NL, Mousa E, et al.

Foods, 2019 Feb 06;8(2).
PMID: 30736332 DOI: 10.3390/foods8020061

Developing a bioactive brew is a novel track for revalorization of palm date byproducts. The effect of roasting temperature (160, 180 and 200 °C ) and roasting time (10, 20 and 30 min) on the hardness of the roasted date seeds, moisture content of the defatted roasted date seed powder (DRDSP), bulk density of the DRDSP, color parameters of DRDSP, quality attributes (extraction yield, pH and browning index), the chemical properties (antioxidants and total phenolic content) and the sensory attributes (color, aroma, taste and overall preference) of the brew prepared from DRDSP was studied. The physicochemical, quality, and sensory attributes were found to be significantly influenced by the roasting temperature and time. Additionally, the models proposed could satisfactorily describe the changes in the different properties during the roasting process. The optimum conditions of the roasting process obtained using the superimposed contour plot were 199.9 °C and 21.5 min. In the longer term, the results of this study would be beneficial for the manufacturers of the date seeds powder and brew.
Fulltext Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fatty acid composition in an interspecific cross of oil palm

Singh R, Tan SG, Panandam JM, Rahman RA, Ooi LC, Low ET, et al.

BMC Plant Biol, 2009;9:114.
PMID: 19706196 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-9-114

Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) is well suited to a perennial crop like oil palm, in which the economic products are not produced until several years after planting. The use of DNA markers for selection in such crops can greatly reduce the number of breeding cycles needed. With the use of DNA markers, informed decisions can be made at the nursery stage, regarding which individuals should be retained as breeding stock, which are satisfactory for agricultural production, and which should be culled. The trait associated with oil quality, measured in terms of its fatty acid composition, is an important agronomic trait that can eventually be tracked using molecular markers. This will speed up the production of new and improved oil palm planting materials.
Silver/poly (lactic acid) nanocomposites: preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity

Shameli K, Ahmad MB, Yunus WM, Ibrahim NA, Rahman RA, Jokar M, et al.

Int J Nanomedicine, 2010 Sep 07;5:573-9.
PMID: 20856832

In this study, antibacterial characteristic of silver/poly (lactic acid) nanocomposite (Ag/PLA-NC) films was investigated, while silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized into biodegradable PLA via chemical reduction method in diphase solvent. Silver nitrate and sodium borohydride were respectively used as a silver precursor and reducing agent in the PLA, which acted as a polymeric matrix and stabilizer. Meanwhile, the properties of Ag/PLA-NCs were studied as a function of the Ag-NP weight percentages (8, 16, and 32 wt% respectively), in relation to the use of PLA. The morphology of the Ag/PLA-NC films and the distribution of the Ag-NPs were also characterized. The silver ions released from the Ag/PLA-NC films and their antibacterial activities were scrutinized. The antibacterial activities of the Ag/PLA-NC films were examined against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) by diffusion method using Muller-Hinton agar. The results indicated that Ag/PLA-NC films possessed a strong antibacterial activity with the increase in the percentage of Ag-NPs in the PLA. Thus, Ag/PLA-NC films can be used as an antibacterial scaffold for tissue engineering and medical application.
Fulltext A Case Report of Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome

Wahab F, Rahman RA, Yaacob LH, Noor NM, Draman N

Korean J Fam Med, 2020 Sep;41(5):359-362.
PMID: 32961047 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.18.0181

We report a case of steroid withdrawal syndrome in a 74-year-old woman who was suspected of having an occult exogenous Cushing's syndrome secondary to prolonged traditional complementary medicine use. She presented with non-specific symptoms of lethargy, malaise, and poor oral intake with weight loss for 1 month, and investigations showed suboptimal 9 AM cortisol level. She has responded well to steroid replacement.
Optimization of process parameters for pilot-scale liquid-state bioconversion of sewage sludge by mixed fungal inoculation

Rahman RA, Molla AH, Barghash HF, Fakhru'l-Razi A

Environ Technol, 2016;37(1):1-15.
PMID: 26111620 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2015.1058860

Liquid-state bioconversion (LSB) technique has great potential for application in bioremediation of sewage sludge. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimum level of LSB process of sewage sludge treatment by mixed fungal (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium corylophilum) inoculation in a pilot-scale bioreactor. The optimization of process factors was investigated using response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design considering hydraulic retention time (HRT) and substrate influent concentration (S0) on nine responses for optimizing and fitted to the regression model. The optimum region was successfully depicted by optimized conditions, which was identified as the best fit for convenient multiple responses. The results from process verification were in close agreement with those obtained through predictions. Considering five runs of different conditions of HRT (low, medium and high 3.62, 6.13 and 8.27 days, respectively) with the range of S0 value (the highest 12.56 and the lowest 7.85 g L(-1)), it was monitored as the lower HRT was considered as the best option because it required minimum days of treatment than the others with influent concentration around 10 g L(-1). Therefore, optimum process factors of 3.62 days for HRT and 10.12 g L(-1) for S0 were identified as the best fit for LSB process and its performance was deviated by less than 5% in most of the cases compared to the predicted values. The recorded optimized results address a dynamic development in commercial-scale biological treatment of wastewater for safe and environment-friendly disposal in near future.
Assessment of sewage sludge bioremediation at different hydraulic retention times using mixed fungal inoculation by liquid-state bioconversion

Rahman RA, Molla AH, Fakhru'l-Razi A

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2014 Jan;21(2):1178-87.
PMID: 23881591 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1974-5

Sustainable, environmental friendly, and safe disposal of sewage treatment plant (STP) sludge is a global expectation. Bioremediation performance was examined at different hydraulic retention times (HRT) in 3-10 days and organic loading rates (OLR) at 0.66-7.81 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) per liter per day, with mixed filamentous fungal (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium corylophilum) inoculation by liquid-state bioconversion (LSB) technique as a continuous process in large-scale bioreactor. Encouraging results were monitored in treated sludge by LSB continuous process. The highest removal of total suspended solid (TSS), turbidity, and COD were achieved at 98, 99, and 93%, respectively, at 10 days HRT compared to control. The minimum volatile suspended solid/suspended solid implies the quality of water, which was recorded 0.59 at 10 days and 0.72 at 3 days of HRT. In treated supernatant with 88% protein removal at 10 days of HRT indicates a higher magnitude of purification of treated sludge. The specific resistance to filtration (SRF) quantifies the performance of dewaterability; it was recorded minimum 0.049 × 10(12) m kg(-1) at 10 days of HRT, which was equivalent to 97% decrease of SRF. The lower OLR and higher HRT directly influenced the bioremediation and dewaterability of STP sludge in LSB process. The obtained findings imply encouraging message in continuing treatment of STP sludge, i.e., bioremediation of wastewater for environmental friendly disposal in near future.
Necrotizing gingivitis: a possible oral manifestation of ticlopidine-induced agranulocytosis

Rajandram RK, Ramli R, Karim F, Rahman RA, Fun LC

N Z Med J, 2007;120(1256):U2590.
PMID: 17589558

Agranulocytosis is a rare complication of ticlopidine and can be life-threatening. We report a case of ticlopidine-induced agranulocytosis and neutropenia (neutrophil count of 0.1 x 10(9)/L) with necrotizing gingivitis in a 54-year-old Malaysian-Chinese female. She was started on ticlopidine 250 mg twice daily 3 weeks prior to this hospital admission. We started her on intravenous metronidazole and amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin) and concurrently stopped ticlopidine. A series of clinical and laboratory investigations were carried out and a final diagnosis of necrotizing gingivitis possibly secondary to agranulocytosis was made. The patient was discharged home after 2 weeks of hospitalisation.
Fulltext Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of crude oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) seed using response surface methodology and evaluation of its antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and fatty acid composition

Bimakr M, Rahman RA, Taip FS, Adzahan NM, Sarker MZ, Ganjloo A

Molecules, 2012 Oct 08;17(10):11748-62.
PMID: 23044712 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171011748

In the present study, ultrasound-assisted extraction of crude oil from winter melon seeds was investigated through response surface methodology (RSM). Process variables were power level (25-75%), temperature (45-55 °C) and sonication time (20-40 min). It was found that all process variables have significant (p < 0.05) effects on the response variable. A central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the optimum process conditions. Optimal conditions were identified as 65% power level, 52 °C temperature and 36 min sonication time for maximum crude yield (108.62 mg-extract/g-dried matter). The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and fatty acid composition of extract obtained under optimized conditions were determined and compared with those of oil obtained by the Soxhlet method. It was found that crude extract yield (CEY) of ultrasound-assisted extraction was lower than that of the Soxhlet method, whereas antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction were clearly higher than those of the Soxhlet extract. Furthermore, both extracts were rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The major fatty acids of the both extracts were linoleic acid and oleic acid.
Fulltext Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) and its antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition

Bimakr M, Rahman RA, Taip FS, Adzahan NM, Sarker MZ, Ganjloo A

Molecules, 2013 Jan 15;18(1):997-1014.
PMID: 23322066 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18010997

In the present study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) was investigated. The effects of process variables namely pressure (150-300 bar), temperature (40-50 °C) and dynamic extraction time (60-120 min) on crude extraction yield (CEY) were studied through response surface methodology (RSM). The SC-CO(2) extraction process was modified using ethanol (99.9%) as co-solvent. Perturbation plot revealed the significant effect of all process variables on the CEY. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the process conditions to achieve maximum CEY. The optimum conditions were 244 bar pressure, 46 °C temperature and 97 min dynamic extraction time. Under these optimal conditions, the CEY was predicted to be 176.30 mg-extract/g-dried sample. The validation experiment results agreed with the predicted value. The antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition of crude oil obtained under optimized conditions were determined and compared with published results using Soxhlet extraction (SE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). It was found that the antioxidant activity of the extract obtained by SC-CO(2) extraction was strongly higher than those obtained by SE and UAE. Identification of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) showed that all the extracts were rich in unsaturated fatty acids with the most being linoleic acid. In contrast, the amount of saturated fatty acids extracted by SE was higher than that extracted under optimized SC-CO(2) extraction conditions.
Fulltext Efficacy of mometasone furoate and fluticasone furoate on persistent allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Aneeza WH, Husain S, Rahman RA, Van Dort D, Abdullah A, Gendeh BS

Allergy Rhinol (Providence), 2013;4(3):e120-6.
PMID: 24498516 DOI: 10.2500/ar.2013.4.0065

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis denotes both nasal and ocular manifestation of allergy, which may be solely treated with intranasal steroid. This study compares the efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray (NS) and fluticasone furoate NS in treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The secondary objective is to study the severity of baseline ocular symptoms in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Seventy-eight patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were assessed subjectively and objectively using twice-daily symptom scores for nasal (reflective total nasal symptom score [rTNSS] and instantaneous TNSS [iTNSS]) and ocular (reflective total ocular symptom score [rTOSS] and instantaneous TOSS [iTOSS]) symptoms, rhinoconjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaires (RQOLQs), and acoustic rhinometry. All measurements were taken at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Sixty-three patients who were randomized into the mometasone furoate group (n = 36) and the fluticasone furoate group (n = 27) completed the study. Seventy-six percent of patients had mild ocular symptoms, 20.5% had moderate symptoms, and only 2.6% had severe symptoms at baseline based on the iTOSS; 65.1% had mild nasal symptoms and 3% had severe nasal symptoms. There was significant reduction in the symptom scores after 1 week (p < 0.05). Both groups had significant improvement in RQOLQ scores after 1 month, which further improved at 2 months (p < 0.05). The nasal dimensions also improved in both groups (p < 0.05) but there was no statistically significant difference between groups. Both mometasone furoate and fluticasone furoate are effective as single-modality treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The majority of patients manifest mild ocular symptoms that may be solely treated with intranasal steroids.

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