Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 80 in total

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  1. Eshkoor SA, Ismail P, Rahman SA, Oshkour SA
    Arch Med Res, 2008 Oct;39(7):668-73.
    PMID: 18760195 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2008.06.003
    Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) develops predominantly in sun-exposed skin in fair-skinned individuals prone to sunburn. BCC typically occurs in adults. High exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases rate of developing BCC, a slowly growing tumor that occurs in hair-growing squamous epithelium and rarely metastasizes. In genetic studies, BCC patients have cell-cycle abnormalities of different parts of the signaling pathway. Retinoblastoma regulatory pathway is important in cell cycle arrest. In this pathway, p16INK4a, an inhibitor of Rb pathway, binds to CDK4 and CDK6 competitively with cyclin D1 to prevent phosphorylation of tumor suppressor pRB gene. Alteration of this pathway contributes to development of human cancers and also is effective in skin cancers. In this study, we analyzed mRNA expression using in situ RT-PCR and the role of immunohistochemical expression of p16INK4a in BCC.
  2. Yew CC, Shaari R, Rahman SA, Alam MK
    Injury, 2015 Sep;46(9):1856-9.
    PMID: 25986667 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2015.04.025
    White-eyed blowout fracture was first termed by Jordan et al. in individuals sustaining a blow to the periocular area and presenting with ocular symptoms, although with minimal soft tissue signs of trauma. It is often found in pure orbital floor blowout fractures among paediatric patients, and it could manifest as a linear or hinge-like trapdoor deformity. Unlike the more common open orbital blowout fractures with distinct diagnostic clinical signs, white-eyed blowout fractures are rarer and their diagnoses can be easily missed, subsequently costing an optimal time window for surgical intervention. This is critical as better outcomes are found with earlier release of entrapments. This report describes a case of a white-eyed blowout fracture in a 10-year-old child faced with its diagnostic challenges. The current literature review discusses the types of fracture pattern, signs and symptoms, mechanism of action, as well as timing of surgery. In view of the common complication of persistent diplopia, clinical pitfalls in achieving this diagnosis are emphasized to prevent any delay of treatment. Current literature evidences are weighted towards urgent surgical intervention, as positive outcomes are found to correlate with earlier release of entrapments.
  3. Rahman SA, Chee WS, Yassin Z, Chan SP
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2004;13(3):255-60.
    PMID: 15331337
    Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) were determined in 276 (103 Malays and 173 Chinese) postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 65 years. The level of 25 (OH) D was significantly lower in the postmenopausal Malay women (44.4 +/-10.6 nmol/L) compared to the Chinese women (68.8 +/- 15.7 nmol/L) (P<0.05). There were 27% Malay women with serum 25 (OH) D in the range of 50 - 100 nmol/L (defined as lowered vitamin D status, or hypovitaminosis D) and 71% with levels in the range of 25 - 50 nmol/L (defined as vitamin D insufficiency) compared to 87% and 11% Chinese women respectively. Serum 25 (OH) D was found to significantly correlate with BMI, fat mass and PTH level. Multivariate analyses showed that race has a strong association with vitamin D status. The high prevalence of inadequate levels of serum vitamin D found in our study may have important public health consequences and warrants the development of a strategy to correct this problem in the older adult Malaysian population.
  4. Ariffin AF, Yusof N, Mohd S, Rahman SA, Ramalingam S, Mansor A, et al.
    Cell Tissue Bank, 2019 Dec;20(4):527-534.
    PMID: 31456097 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-019-09785-4
    Calcium contents of demineralised human cortical bone determined by titrimetric assay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique were verified by comparing to neutron activation analysis which has high recovery of more than 90%. Conversion factors determined from the comparison is necessary to correct the calcium content for each technique. Femurs from cadaveric donors were cut into cortical rings and demineralised in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid for varying immersion times. Initial calcium content in the cortical bone measured by titration was 4.57%, only 21% of the measurement by neutron activation analysis; while measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer was 13.4%, only 61% of neutron activation analysis. By comparing more readings with the measurements by neutron activation analysis with 93% recovery, a conversion factor of 4.83 was verified and applied for the readings by titration and 1.45 for atomic absorption spectrophotometer in calculating the correct calcium contents. The residual calcium content started to reduce after the cortical bone was demineralised in hydrochloric acid for 8 h and reduced to 13% after 24 h. Using the linear relationship, the residual calcium content could be reduced to less than 8% after immersion in hydrochloric acid for 40 h. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique is the method of choice for calcium content determination as it is more reliable compared to titrimetric assay.
  5. Elias MS, Ibrahim S, Samuding K, Rahman SA, Hashim A
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Dec;137:646-655.
    PMID: 30503479 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.006
    In this study, concentrations of heavy metals, rare earth elements (REEs), Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) of the actinide group were determined from Linggi estuary sediment samples by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductive coupled plasma - mass spectrometry techniques. The geo-accumulation (Igeo) and ecological risk index (Ri) values were calculated to identify the quality status of Linggi estuary sediments. Results indicated Linggi estuary was polluted by arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and antimony (Sb). REEs, U and Th showed significant increase of concentration in Linggi estuary sediments. Ri of Linggi estuary was categorised as low to considerable ecological risk, which indicates no significant to moderate effect on the majority of the sediment-dwelling organisms. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis assessed pollution sources to be both natural and anthropogenic.
  6. Premsenthil M, Manju R, Thanaraj A, Rahman SA, Kah TA
    BMC Ophthalmol, 2013;13:16.
    PMID: 23601160 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2415-13-16
    To screen for visual impairment in Malaysian preschool children.
  7. Qamaruz-Zaman N, Abdul-Sukor NS, Ab-Rahman SA, Yaacof N
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 May;26(13):13658-13663.
    PMID: 30955198 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04808-9
    Path analysis has been largely used in marketing research but has recently been applied in an environmental management context. This study evaluated the potential of path analysis in identifying the influence of moisture content on odor from decomposing food waste. Food waste with varying moisture content was monitored for odor concentration, microbial population density, oxygen uptake rate, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. These various parameters were later analyzed using SmartPLS 3.0 software to produce the path analysis model using simultaneous equation modeling. Results indicate that odor concentration of food waste was not directly affected by moisture content (not significant, t-statistical 1.46  1.96) and subsequently odor. In order to manage food waste-related odors, it is recommended that the waste be kept at a moisture content lower than 40%. This is especially critical if prolonged storage is unavoidable.
  8. Fakurazi S, Rahman SA, Hidayat MT, Ithnin H, Moklas MA, Arulselvan P
    Molecules, 2013 Jan 04;18(1):666-81.
    PMID: 23292329 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18010666
    Mitragynine (MG) is the major active alkaloid found in Mitragyna speciosa Korth. In the present study, we investigated the enhancement of analgesic action of MG when combined with morphine and the effect of the combination on the development of tolerance towards morphine. Mice were administered intraperitoneally with a dose of MG (15 and 25 mg/kg b.wt) combined with morphine (5 mg/kg b.wt) respectively for 9 days. The antinociceptive effect was evaluated by a hot plate test. The protein expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP response element binding (CREB) was analyzed by immunoblot. Toxicological parameters especially liver and kidney function tests were assessed after the combination treatment with MG and morphine. The concurrent administration of MG and morphine showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in latency time when compared to morphine alone group and the outstanding analgesic effects in the combination regimens were maintained until day 9. For the protein expression, there was a significant increment of cAMP and CREB levels (p < 0.05) in group treated with 5 mg/kg morphine but there was no significant change of these protein expressions when MG was combined with morphine. There was a significant changes in toxicological parameters of various treated groups. The combination treatment of MG and morphine effectively reduce the tolerance due to the chronic administration of morphine.
  9. Rahman SA, Singh J, Muthusamy R, Alam MK
    Contemp Clin Dent, 2018 6 8;9(2):319-322.
    PMID: 29875581 DOI: 10.4103/ccd.ccd_870_17
    Eagle's syndrome (ES) refers to a group of various types and patterns of pain which spans over the head-and-neck region owing to an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. These symptoms are often confused with those attributed to a wide variety of facial neuralgias. The diagnosis of ES is usually made through clinical exclusion which is then confirmed radiographically. Patients with ES are initially managed with nonsurgical therapy, but surgical resection seems to be the treatment of choice. The styloid process shortening can be achieved through an intraoral or extraoral approach. This clinical case report describes such a case of ES after sustaining neck trauma.
  10. Yew CC, Rahman SA, Alam MK
    BMC Pediatr, 2015;15:169.
    PMID: 26546159 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0495-4
    The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) ankylosis in child is rare and yet the causes still remain unclear. This condition that affects the feeding and possible airway obstruction do not only worry the parents, but also possesses as a great challenge to the surgeons. Furthermore, it interferes with the facial skeletal and dento-alveolar development in the on growing child.
  11. Chong SK, Azizan SN, Chan KW, Nguyen HQ, Chiu WS, Aspanut Z, et al.
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013;8(1):428.
    PMID: 24134646 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-428
    A microstructure deformation of indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles by an in situ thermal radiation treatment in nitrous oxide plasma was investigated. The In2O3 nanoparticles were completely transformed into nanostructured In2O3 films upon 10 min of treatment time. The treated In2O3 nanoparticle sample showed improvement in crystallinity while maintaining a large surface area of nanostructure morphology. The direct transition optical absorption at higher photon energy and the electrical conductivity of the In2O3 nanoparticles were significantly enhanced by the treatment.
  12. Abd Rahman SA, Mohd Khialdin S, Muda R
    Cureus, 2021 Jul;13(7):e16640.
    PMID: 34462679 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16640
    Takayasu arteritis is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune, granulomatous, medium-to-large vessel-panarteritis. It may cause chronic ocular ischaemia that may be refractory to treatment. We report a case of stage 4 Takayasu retinopathy resistant to conventional treatments. The patient was a 22-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis when she first presented with claudication while chewing and swallowing for one month. The patient was found to be hypertensive, with a significant systolic blood pressure difference between the arms and non-palpable bilateral brachial and radial artery pulses. Angiogram imaging revealed abnormalities involving the left subclavian, bilateral common carotid and left internal carotid arteries. She was referred to the ophthalmology clinic, as she experienced bilateral recurrent transient visual loss six months after the diagnosis. Dilated fundus examination showed bilateral stage 2 Takayasu retinopathy, evidenced by the presence of dilated retinal veins with microaneurysms. Her eyes progressed to stage 4 Takayasu retinopathy with proliferative retinopathy within one year of immunomodulatory therapy, largely due to poor compliance. No signs of regression were observed after completion of bilateral pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) with ongoing immunosuppressive treatment.
  13. Rahman SA, Taghizadeh SK, Ramayah T, Ahmad NH
    Springerplus, 2015;4:810.
    PMID: 26722630 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1580-8
    Service innovation management practice is currently being widely scrutinized mainly in the developed countries, where it has been initiated. The current study attempts to propose a framework and empirically validate and explain the service innovation practices for successful performance in the telecommunications industry of two developing countries, Malaysia and Bangladesh. The research framework proposes relationships among organisational culture, operating core (innovation process, cross-functional organisation, and implementation of tools/technology), competition-informed pricing, and performance. A total of 176 usable data from both countries are analysed for the purpose of the research. The findings show that organisational culture tends to be more influential on innovation process and cross-functional organisation in Malaysian telecommunication industry. In contrast, implementation of tools/technology plays a more instrumental role in competition-informed pricing practices in Bangladesh. This study revealed few differences in the innovation management practices between two developing countries. The findings have strategic implications for the service sectors in both the developing countries regarding implementation of innovative enterprises, especially in Bangladesh where innovation is the basis for survival. Testing the innovation management practices in the developing countries perhaps contains uniqueness in the field of innovation management.
  14. Eshkoor S, Ismail P, Rahman S, Moin S, Adon M
    Balkan J. Med. Genet., 2013 Dec;16(2):45-52.
    PMID: 24778563 DOI: 10.2478/bjmg-2013-0031
    The ageing process is influenced by many internal and external factors. The toxic substances in the environment can cause genomic damages to cells, which increase the risk of early ageing. Furthermore, the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene polymorphism is a susceptibility factor and may enhance the risk of DNA damage in cells. The current study was carried out to show whether occupational exposure could cause genotoxicity in cells carrying the CYP1A2 gene polymorphism, thus enhancing the likelihood of early ageing. This study was conducted on mechanical workshop workers and a control group by collecting buccal cells from their mouths. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was used to identify the CYP1A2 gene polymorphism in the cells. In addition, three extra methods including micronuclei (MN) test, comet assay and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were applied to determine the effects of gene polymorphisms on DNA damage and ageing from occupational exposure. The results showed that DNA damage in the cells carrying the mutated genotype was higher than the wild genotype. In addition, the difference in MN frequency (p = 0.001) and relative telomere length (p = 0.002) between workers and controls was significant (p <0.05) in the mutated genotype. The findings indicated a possible protective effect of gene polymorphism against early ageing, which was characterized by lack of a significant influence of CYP1A2 gene polymorphism on genetic material in the subjects (p >0.05). It was concluded that the CYP1A2 gene could be a contributing factor to prevent early ageing from occupational exposure.
  15. Tajudin MABA, Khan MF, Mahiyuddin WRW, Hod R, Latif MT, Hamid AH, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2019 Apr 30;171:290-300.
    PMID: 30612017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.12.057
    Rapid urbanisation in Malaysian cities poses risks to the health of residents. This study aims to estimate the relative risk (RR) of major air pollutants on cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations in Kuala Lumpur. Daily hospitalisations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases from 2010 to 2014 were obtained from the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM). The trace gases, PM10 and weather variables were obtained from the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia in consistent with the hospitalisation data. The RR was estimated using a Generalised Additive Model (GAM) based on Poisson regression. A "lag" concept was used where the analysis was segregated into risks of immediate exposure (lag 0) until exposure after 5 days (lag 5). The results showed that the gases could pose significant risks towards cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations. However, the RR value of PM10 was not significant in this study. Immediate effects on cardiovascular hospitalisations were observed for NO2 and O3 but no immediate effect was found on respiratory hospitalisations. Delayed effects on cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations were found with SO2 and NO2. The highest RR value was observed at lag 4 for respiratory admissions with SO2 (RR = 1.123, 95% CI = 1.045-1.207), followed by NO2 at lag 5 for cardiovascular admissions (RR = 1.025, 95% CI = 1.005-1.046). For the multi-pollutant model, NO2 at lag 5 showed the highest risks towards cardiovascular hospitalisations after controlling for O3 8 h mean lag 1 (RR = 1.026, 95% CI = 1.006-1.047), while SO2 at lag 4 showed highest risks towards respiratory hospitalisations after controlling for NO2 lag 3 (RR = 1.132, 95% CI = 1.053-1.216). This study indicated that exposure to trace gases in Kuala Lumpur could lead to both immediate and delayed effects on cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations.
  16. Rahman SA, Hassan L, Epstein JH, Mamat ZC, Yatim AM, Hassan SS, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2013 Jan;19(1):51-60.
    PMID: 23261015 DOI: 10.3201/eid1901.120221
    We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to determine the distribution of and risk factors for seropositivity to Nipah virus (NiV) among Pteropus vampyrus and P. hypomelanus bats in Peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies against NiV were detected at most locations surveyed. We observed a consistently higher NiV risk (odds ratio 3.9) and seroprevalence (32.8%) for P. vampyrus than P. hypomelanus (11.1%) bats. A 3-year longitudinal study of P. hypomelanus bats indicated nonseasonal temporal variation in seroprevalence, evidence for viral circulation within the study period, and an overall NiV seroprevalence of 9.8%. The seroprevalence fluctuated over the study duration between 1% and 20% and generally decreased during 2004-2006. Adult bats, particularly pregnant, with dependent pup and lactating bats, had a higher prevalence of NiV antibodies than juveniles. Antibodies in juveniles 6 months-2 years of age suggested viral circulation within the study period.
  17. Arabi Z, Syed Abdul Rahman SA, Hazmi H, Hamdin N
    BMC Geriatr, 2016 11 30;16(1):202.
    PMID: 27903242 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-016-0384-1
    BACKGROUND: Early Dementia Questionnaire (EDQ) was developed as a screening tool to detect patients with early dementia in primary care. It was developed based on 20 symptoms of dementia. From a preliminary study, EDQ had been shown to be a promising alternative for screening of early dementia. This study was done to further test on EDQ's reliability and validity.

    METHODS: Using a systematic random sampling, 200 elderly patients attending primary health care centers in Kuching, Sarawak had consented to participate in the study and were administered the EDQ. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to exclude patients with depression. Those who scored >21 MMSE, were retested using the EDQ. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (principle component with varimax rotation). Test retest Intraclass Correlation Coeeficient (ICC) was used to determine the reliability of the scale.

    RESULTS: The result showed that the sensitivity and specificity for EDQ was 71.2% and 59.5%. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient was good which was 0.874. Confirmatory factor analysis on 4 factors indicated that the Cronbach's alpha for each domain were acceptable with memory (0.741), concentration (0.764), emotional and physical symptoms (0.754) and lastly sleep and environment (0.720). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient between the first EDQ score and the retest EDQ score among those with MMSE of >21 showed a very strong overall agreement, ICC = 0.764, N = 160, P <0.001.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results of the validation study showed that Early Dementia Questionnaire (EDQ) is a valid and reliable tool to be used as a screening tool to detect early dementia in primary care.
  18. Elias MS, Ibrahim S, Samuding K, Kantasamy N, Rahman SA, Hashim A
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2019 Sep;151:116-123.
    PMID: 31174051 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.05.038
    A study was carried out to determine the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in Linggi river sediments collected from 113 sampling locations. The sediment analysis was performed by Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results of Linggi river sediment were normalized to "recent" reference shale values. The means of total concentrations of REEs (ΣREE), light REEs (ΣLREE) and heavy REEs (ΣHREE) in Linggi sediment were 241.2, 219.2, and 22.0 mg/kg, respectively, which indicates enrichment compared to ΣREE, ΣLREE and ΣHREE reference shale values. Results obtained from enrichment factors (EF) show no enrichment to moderate enrichment of Linggi sediments, indicating the sources of REEs pollution originated from natural and land-based activities. A similar pattern was observed by comparing the REEs values of Linggi sediments to other references shale values. Ce (δCe) and Eu (δEu) anomalies indicate Linggi sediments showed positive anomaly of Ce whilst negative anomaly of Eu.
  19. Al-Yateem N, Hijazi H, Saifan AR, Ahmad A, Masa'Deh R, Alrimawi I, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2023 Dec 22;13(12):e076326.
    PMID: 38135338 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076326
    OBJECTIVES: To identify language-related communication barriers that expatriate (non-Arabic) healthcare practitioners in the UAE encounter in their daily practice.

    DESIGN: Qualitative study utilising semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were conducted in English language.

    SETTING: Different healthcare facilities across the UAE. These facilities were accessed for data collection over a period of 3 months from January 2023 to March 2023.

    PARTICIPANTS: 14 purposively selected healthcare practitioners.

    INTERVENTION: No specific intervention was implemented; this study primarily aimed at gaining insights through interviews.

    PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: To understand the implications of language barriers on service quality, patient safety, and healthcare providers' well-being.

    RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from our analysis of participants' narratives: Feeling left alone, Trying to come closer to their patients and Feeling guilty, scared and dissatisfied.

    CONCLUSIONS: Based on the perspectives and experiences of participating healthcare professionals, language barriers have notably influenced the delivery of healthcare services, patient safety and the well-being of both patients and practitioners in the UAE. There is a pressing need, as highlighted by these professionals, for the inclusion of professional interpreters and the provision of training to healthcare providers to enhance effective collaboration with these interpreters.

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