Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 161 in total

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  1. Veeramuthu V, Narayanan V, Ramli N, Hernowo A, Waran V, Bondi MW, et al.
    World Neurosurg, 2017 Jan;97:416-423.
    PMID: 27751922 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.10.041
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the extent of persistent neuropsychological impairment in patients with complicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and those with uncomplicated mTBI.

    METHODS: Sixty-one patients with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15) were recruited prospectively, categorized according to baseline computed tomography findings, and subjected to neuropsychological assessment at initial admission (n = 61) as well as at a 6-month follow-up (n = 30). The paired t test, Cohen's d effect size calculation, and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to establish the differences between the 2 groups in terms of neuropsychological performance.

    RESULTS: A trend toward poorer neuropsychological performance among the patients with complicated mTBI was observed during admission; however, performance in this group improved over time. In contrast, the uncomplicated mTBI group showed slower recovery, especially in tasks of memory, visuospatial processing, and executive functions, at follow-up.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that despite the broad umbrella designation of mTBI, the current classification schemes of injury severity for mild neurotrauma should be revisited. They also raise questions about the clinical relevance of both traumatic focal lesions and the absence of visible traumatic lesions on brain imaging studies in patients with milder forms of head trauma.

  2. Zainudin MH, Mustapha NA, Maeda T, Ramli N, Sakai K, Hassan M
    Waste Manag, 2020 Apr 01;106:240-249.
    PMID: 32240940 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.03.029
    Biochar has proven to be a feasible additive for mitigating nitrogen loss during the composting process. This study aims to evaluate the influence of biochar addition on bacterial community and physicochemical properties changes, including ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) contents during the composting of poultry manure. The composting was carried out by adding 20% (w/w) of biochar into the mixture of poultry manure and rice straw with a ratio of 2:1, and the same treatment without biochar was prepared as a control. The finished product of control compost recorded the high contents of NO2- and NO3- (366 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) with reduced the total NH4+ content to 10 mg/kg. Meanwhile, biochar compost recorded a higher amount of total NH4+ content (110 mg/kg) with low NO2- and NO3- (161 mg/kg and 137 mg/kg) content in the final composting material. The principal component analysis showed that the dynamics of dominant genera related to Halomonas, Pusillimonas, and Pseudofulvimonas, all of which were known as nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, was significantly correlated with the dynamic of NO2- and NO3- content throughout the composting process. The genera related to Pusillimonas, and Pseudofulvimonas appeared as the dominant communities as the NO2- and NO3- increased. In contrast, as the NO2- and NO3- concentration decreased, the Halomonas genus were notably enriched in biochar compost. This study revealed the bacterial community shifts corresponded with the change of physicochemical properties, which provides essential information for a better understanding of monitoring and improving the composting process.
  3. Tie HO, Che Man H, Koyama M, Syukri F, Md Yusoff F, Toda T, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2023 Jul 01;166:194-202.
    PMID: 37178588 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.04.046
    A modified outdoor large-scale nutrient recycling system was developed to compost organic sludge and aimed to recover clean nitrogen for the cultivation of high-value-added microalgae. This study investigated the effect of calcium hydroxide addition on enhancing NH3 recovery in a pilot-scale reactor self-heated by metabolic heat of microorganisms during thermophilic composting of dewatered cow dung. 350 kg-ww of compost was prepared at the ratio of 5: 14: 1 (dewatered cowdung: rice husk: compost-seed) in a 4 m3 cylindrical rotary drum composting reactor for 14 days of aerated composting. High compost temperature up to 67 °C was observed from day 1 of composting, proving that thermophilic composting was achieved through the self-heating process. The temperature of compost increases as microbial activity increases and temperature decreases as organic matter decreases. The high CO2 evolution rate on day 0-2 (0.02-0.08 mol/min) indicated that microorganisms are most active in degrading organic matter. The increasing conversion of carbon demonstrated that organic carbon was degraded by microbial activity and emitted as CO2. The nitrogen mass balance revealed that adding calcium hydroxide to the compost and increasing the aeration rate on day 3 volatilized 9.83 % of the remaining ammonium ions in the compost, thereby improving the ammonia recovery. Moreover, Geobacillus was found to be the most dominant bacteria under elevated temperature that functions in the hydrolysis of non-dissolved nitrogen for better NH3 recovery. The presented results show that by thermophilic composting 1 ton-ds of dewatered cowdung for NH3 recovery, up to 11.54 kg-ds of microalgae can be produced.
  4. Tie HO, Che Man H, Koyama M, Syukri F, Md Yusoff F, Toda T, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2024 May 15;180:55-66.
    PMID: 38520898 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.03.021
    Due to the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry, large amounts of organic waste are released into nature and polluted the environment. Traditional organic waste treatment such as composting is a time-consuming process that retains the ammonia (NH3) in the compost, and the compost produced has little economic value as organic fertilizer. Illegal direct discharge into the environment is therefore widespread. This study investigates the recovery of NH3 through thermophilic composting of shrimp aquaculture sludge (SAS) and its application as a soil conditioner for the growth of mango plants. A maximum composting temperature of 57.10 °C was achieved through self-heating in a 200 L bench-scale reactor, resulting in NH3 recovery of 224.04 mol/ton-ds after 14 days. The addition of calcium hydroxide and increased aeration have been shown to increase NH3 volatilization. The recovered NH3 up to 3 kg-N can be used as a source of clean nitrogen for high-value microalgae cultivation, with a theoretical yield of up to 34.85 kg-algae of microalgae biomass from 1 ton-ds of SAS composting. Despite the high salinity, SAS compost improved mango plant growth and disease resistance. These results highlight the potential of SAS compost as a sustainable source of clean nitrogen for microalgae cultivation and soil conditioner, contributing to a waste-free circular economy through nutrient recycling and sustainable agriculture.
  5. Isa MH, Asaari FA, Ramli NA, Ahmad S, Siew TS
    Waste Manag Res, 2005 Dec;23(6):565-70.
    PMID: 16379126
    The implementation of a suitable solid waste management programme with appropriate methods of recycling as an inherent element is vital to the alleviation of the problems associated with solid waste generation, handling and disposal, environmental conservation, public hygiene, etc. The present work is a case study on solid waste collection and recycling practices in Nibong Tebal town, Penang, Malaysia. The amount and types of domestic waste generated, household participation in recycling, identification of existing problems related to the implementation of the recycling programme, etc. formed the basis of this study. Surveys (interviews/questionnaires) and on-site observations were conducted to gather information on the solid waste collection and recycling practice of the residents. A focus group of 60 individuals was selected and their response to a questionnaire, prepared according to a Likert scale, was obtained and analysed. The majority of the respondents expressed concerns about recycling and wanted more to be done in this regard. Illegal collection, aesthetically displeasing sites and a lack of public awareness were problems of major concern. Issues related to inadequate funding and manpower as well as end market are also addressed and suggestions made.
  6. Samsudin MH, Hassan MA, Idris J, Ramli N, Mohd Yusoff MZ, Ibrahim I, et al.
    Waste Manag Res, 2019 May;37(5):551-555.
    PMID: 30727859 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X18823953
    A one-step self-sustained carbonization of coconut shell biomass, carried out in a brick reactor at a relatively low temperature of 300-500°C, successfully produced a biochar-derived adsorbent with 308 m2/g surface area, 2 nm pore diameter, and 0.15 cm3/g total pore volume. The coconut shell biochar qualifies as a nano-adsorbent, supported by scanning electron microscope images, which showed well-developed nano-pores on the surface of the biochar structure, even though there was no separate activation process. This is the first report whereby coconut shell can be converted to biochar-derived nano-adsorbent at a low carbonization temperature, without the need of the activation process. This is superior to previous reports on biochar produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch.
  7. So-Har T, Gladys LC, Ramli N
    Vox Sang, 1983;45(5):389-91.
    PMID: 6636661
    HBeAg and anti-HBe were determined in the blood of 189 male blood donors. The incidence of HBsAg was 6.9% while that for HBeAg and anti-HBe was 1.6 and 18%, respectively. Of the 13 samples positive for HBsAg, two (15.4%) were positive for HBe while six (46.2%) were positive for anti-HBe. One specimen was negative for HBsAg but was positive for HBeAg and anti-HBe. The observations are discussed.
  8. Al-Rawi HA, Yau KL, Mohamad H, Ramli N, Hashim W
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:960584.
    PMID: 25140350 DOI: 10.1155/2014/960584
    Cognitive radio (CR) enables unlicensed users (or secondary users, SUs) to sense for and exploit underutilized licensed spectrum owned by the licensed users (or primary users, PUs). Reinforcement learning (RL) is an artificial intelligence approach that enables a node to observe, learn, and make appropriate decisions on action selection in order to maximize network performance. Routing enables a source node to search for a least-cost route to its destination node. While there have been increasing efforts to enhance the traditional RL approach for routing in wireless networks, this research area remains largely unexplored in the domain of routing in CR networks. This paper applies RL in routing and investigates the effects of various features of RL (i.e., reward function, exploitation, and exploration, as well as learning rate) through simulation. New approaches and recommendations are proposed to enhance the features in order to improve the network performance brought about by RL to routing. Simulation results show that the RL parameters of the reward function, exploitation, and exploration, as well as learning rate, must be well regulated, and the new approaches proposed in this paper improves SUs' network performance without significantly jeopardizing PUs' network performance, specifically SUs' interference to PUs.
  9. Al-Edrus SA, Mohamed Mukari SA, Ganesan D, Ramli N
    Spine J, 2011 Aug;11(8):796-7.
    PMID: 21724472 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2011.05.013
  10. Abd Hamid MR, Tai ELM, Wan Hazabbah WH, Ramli N
    J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 2019 Apr;7(4):1308-1309.
    PMID: 30581132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.11.016
  11. Adilah Harun N, Ramli N, Rahman Kazim Azli A, Hassan H, Bariah Chi Adam K, Haikal Muhamad Halil M
    Saudi Dent J, 2023 Sep;35(6):663-667.
    PMID: 37817781 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.05.019
    INTRODUCTION: Invasive surgical procedures in the oral cavity inevitably cause trauma to the soft and hard tissues. The healing process in the oral cavity tissue occurs in a complex manner involving different types of cells, maturation process, and the time of healing. Salvadora persica (miswak) has been found to exert various positive effects on the oral cavity, including antimicrobial, anti-gingivitis, anti-cariogenic, gingival healing, and teeth whitening properties. This study aims to investigate the potential of miswak as an adjunctive therapy in promoting wound healing.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 live Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats' mandibular first molar tooth was extracted, and an incision wound was made on the tongue. The extraction socket and incision wound were irrigated using normal saline and different concentrations of locally processed miswak plant extracts (0.05%, 10%, and 20%) for 7 days. The rats were sacrificed for gross examination of the tooth socket and tongue healing. Both soft tissue and alveolar bone were examined microscopically.

    RESULTS: Complete closure of the incision wound was observed on all rats' tongues; miswak groups showed better wound healing than control and placebo groups in the oral mucosa overlying the alveolar bones. 0.05% and 20% miswak extracts showed prominent wound healing effects in the sagittal sections of the tongue, with moderate formation of connective tissue under the wound site and notable wound contraction. The 20% miswak extract group showed the highest percentage of healed oral mucosa on the alveolar bone and higher bone deposition at the alveolar base.

    CONCLUSION: A concentration of 20% miswak extract enhances the initial phase of wound healing both in oral soft and hard tissues. Miswak extract at this concentration was not toxic to the tissues and had potential therapeutic effects in oral tissue healing.

  12. Thambiah SC, George E, Samsudin IN, Hong LH, Chuo LL, Ramli N, et al.
    Natl Med J India, 2016 May-Jun;29(3):136-140.
    PMID: 27808061
    BACKGROUND: The principal cause of iron overload in patients with haematological malignancies is recurrent red cell transfusions for anaemia. The serum ferritin level reflects the iron burden in the body, in the absence of inflammation or liver disease. In Malaysia, data are lacking on the association between pre-transplant serum ferritin levels and outcome after allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant.

    METHODS: We did a cross-sectional study using retrospective data of 106 post-allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant patients (HLA-matched sibling) with haematological malignancies at Hospital Ampang to determine the relationship between pre-transplant serum ferritin levels and post-transplant outcome, post-transplant complications and survival time. Patients were divided into two groups according to the iron status: serum ferritin level >1000 μg/L (iron overload) and <1000 μg/L.

    RESULTS: The median age for patients was 30.5 (18-58) years. The median pre-transplantation serum ferritin level and the prevalence of pre-transplantation iron overload were 2423 (408.2-7664) μg/L and 87.5%, respectively. No significant association was found between iron status and demographic factors, type of haematological malignancy and post-transplant complications. Although insignificant, patients with iron overload had a shorter survival time (36 months) compared to those with no iron overload (40 months). There was also no significant association between the iron status and post-transplant outcome. Significant post-transplant complications associated with post-transplant outcome were the need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (p=0.014) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (p=0.008). Similarly, significant associations were found between age group (p=0.003), TPN (p=0.035) and chronic GVHD (p=0.012) with survival time using Kaplan-Meir analysis. However, after Cox regression, only age group was found to be significantly associated with survival time (p=0.014).

    CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin is an acute phase reactant and its levels increase in the presence of tissue necrosis and inflammation. Both these events occur in haematological malignancies. Although serum ferritin level is a non-invasive, relatively cost-effective, widely available and practical indicator of iron status, it is not specific to iron overload. Therefore, a true association between the serum ferritin level and iron burden is problematic in patients with haematological malignancies.
  13. Nga AD, Ramli N, Mimiwati Z
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):176-8.
    PMID: 20058585 MyJurnal
    We report a rare case of a young boy presenting with bilateral blurring of vision following a viral like illness. Fundus examination revealed multiple pale cream-coloured lesions scattered across the posterior pole of both eyes. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed characteristic features of early hypofluorescence and late hyperfluorescence, further confirming the diagnosis of acute posterior placoid pigment epitheliopathy (AMPPPE). He was treated with topical steroids for the accompanying mild anterior uveitis. He had a prompt visual recovery with no adverse sequelae.
  14. Ali MF, Abdul Aziz AF, Rashid MR, Che Man Z, Amir AA, Lim YS, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2015 Feb;70(1):18-23.
    PMID: 26032524
    INTRODUCTION: The lack of evidence that proves the benefit of traditional and complementary medicines (T & CM) in treating chronic medical conditions does not deter its usage among patients worldwide. Prevalence of usage among post-stroke patients in Malaysia especially is unknown. This study aims to determine the prevalence, practice and perception of T & CM use among stroke survivors attending an outpatient rehabilitation program in a teaching hospital.
    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 post stroke patients attending an outpatient rehabilitation program. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients, as well as types of therapy used and perception on T & CM usage. Descriptive analysis was done, and bivariate analysis was used to determine associations between categorical data.
    RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 62 years (SD 12.2), 54% were Chinese and 75% of the patients had ischaemic stroke. Mean age of T & CM users was younger compared to non- T & CM users (61 years vs. 66 years, p=0.04). Two-thirds (66%) of patients admitted to concurrent T & CM usage while attending conventional post stroke rehabilitation. Acupuncture (40.4%), massage (40.4%) and traditional Chinese medicine (11.5%) were the most common T & CM used. Positive perception was recorded in terms of ability of T & CM usage to relieve post stroke symptoms (68%), and it was safe to use because it was made from 'natural sources'. Negative perception recorded: T & CM caused significant adverse effects (57.6%) and was not safe to be used in combination with other conventional medicines (62.5%).
    CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent T & CM usage among post-stroke patients attending structured outpatient rehabilitation program is widely practised especially acupuncture, massage and traditional Chinese medicines. Overall the perception towards its use is favourable.
    Study site: Medical Rehabilitation Services Department, Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  15. Soundarajan K, Nor Fariza N, Ramli N, Salowi MA
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 Jan;76(1):35-40.
    PMID: 33510106
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative refractive outcome after cataract surgery between a hospital-based and an outreach-based cataract service centre.

    METHODS: This study was conducted at the Hospital Selayang (HS), Selangor, Malaysia, a tertiary referral centre and an outreach-based cataract service centre (Pusat Pembedahan Katarak MAIWP, PPKM). Data was sourced from the Cataract Surgery Registry (CSR) in the National Eye Database (NED).

    RESULTS: A total of 2318 surgeries were analysed. PPKM achieved postoperative refraction outcome within ±1.0D in 94.3% of cases compared with 88.4% in Selayang Hospital. Mean absolute prediction error was also better in PPKM (0.39±0.27D vs. 0.33±0.24D, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the tertiary hospital, persons of Chinese ethnicity, history of uveitis, previous history of ocular surgery and intraoperative complications as significant independent predictive factors for poor refractive outcomes.

    CONCLUSION: The outreach-based cataract service centre, which incorporates streamlined process designs and workflows, achieved superior refractive outcomes within ±1 dioptre after cataract surgery compared to a tertiary hospital.

  16. Jainuddin NF, Aliff IC, Chiew SF, Ramli N
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):86-87.
    PMID: 32008029
    A 47-year-old woman with poorly controlled asthma and allergic rhinitis presented with recurrent episodes of bilateral upper eyelid swelling associated with forniceal conjunctival mass for the past 10 years. Routine blood investigations showed raised IgE levels and raised eosinophil counts. The diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) was made following biopsy of the conjunctival mass. The symptoms responded well to oral steroid treatment but recurred following cessation of the therapy. The patient was co-managed with a rheumatologist and the patient currently remains stable and is on oral Methotrexate and low dose oral steroids. Ocular involvement in CSS is unusual but this unique presentation of CSS was successfully managed, and the patient remains in remission.
  17. Saththasivam P, Voralu K, Ramli N, Mustapha MR, Omar J, Van Rostenberghe H
    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jul;17(3):27-31.
    PMID: 22135546 MyJurnal
    Delays in transporting blood samples may cause inaccurate results. Samples may be exposed to light or heat during delays, resulting in the degradation of analytes, for example, bilirubin. This study was done to determine the effect of delays in the transportation of blood samples on serum bilirubin test results.
  18. Zakaria Z, Van Rostenberghe H, Ramli N, Suhaimi MS, Hazlan SNH, Abdullah JM
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Aug;30(4):193-206.
    PMID: 37655147 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.4.16
    The physical examination of the newborn is essential in diagnosing neurological or neurosurgical conditions in the newborn. This article focuses on three clinical assessments of newborns and infants that are especially important if neurological problems are suspected: The Ballard score, the examination of the head in a baby with (suspected) hydrocephalus, and the neurological and developmental evaluation of an infant in an ambulatory setting. A textual description and a link to a video describe each assessment.
  19. Hariri F, Zainudin NAA, Anuar AMS, Ibrahim N, Abdullah NA, Aziz IA, et al.
    J Craniofac Surg, 2020 11 7;32(1):355-359.
    PMID: 33156163 DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006981
    BACKGROUND: In syndromic craniosynostosis (SC), unlike persistent corneal irritation due to severe exophthalmos and increased intracranial pressure, optic canal (OC) stenosis has been scarcely reported to cause visual impairment. This study aimed to validate the OC volumetric and surface area measurement among SC patients.

    METHODS: Sixteen computed tomography scan of SC patients (8 months-6 years old) were imported to Materialise Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS) and Materialise 3-matics software. Three-dimensional (3D) OC models were fabricated, and linear measurements were obtained. Mathematical formulas were used for calculation of OC volume and surface area from the 3D model. The same measurements were obtained from the software and used as ground truth. Data normality was investigated before statistical analyses were performed. Wilcoxon test was used to validate differences of OC volume and surface area between 3D model and software.

    RESULTS: The mean values for OC surface area for 3D model and MIMICS software were 103.19 mm2 and 31.27 mm2, respectively, whereas the mean for OC volume for 3D model and MIMICS software were 184.37 mm2 and 147.07 mm2, respectively. Significant difference was found between OC volume (P = 0.0681) and surface area (P = 0.0002) between 3D model and software.

    CONCLUSION: Optic canal in SC is not a perfect conical frustum thus making 3D model measurement and mathematical formula for surface area and volume estimation not ideal. Computer software remains the best modality to gauge dimensional parameter and is useful to elucidates the relationship of OC and eye function as well as aiding intervention in SC patients.

  20. Chong HT, Ramli N, Lee KH, Kim BJ, Ursekar M, Dayananda K, et al.
    Can J Neurol Sci, 2006 Feb;33(1):95-100.
    PMID: 16583730
    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is the most important paraclinical diagnostic test in multiple sclerosis (MS). The appearance of MRI in Asians with MS is not well defined. We retrospectively surveyed the first brain and spinal cord MRI in patients diagnosed to have MS, according to Poser's criteria in seven regions throughout Asia to define the MRI changes among Asians with MS. There were 101 patients with first brain, and 86 with first spinal cord MRI, 66 of whom had both. The brain MRI showed a mean of 17 lesions per patient in T2 weighted images, mostly asymptomatic. Almost all the lesions were in the white matter, particularly in the juxtacortical, deep and periventricular white matter. A third of the lesions were greater than 5 mm, 14% enhanced with gadolinium. There were more supratentorial than infratentorial lesions at a ratio of 7.5: 1. Ninety five percent of the spinal cord lesions were in cervical and thoracic regions, 34% enhanced with gadolinium. The lesions extended over a mean of 3.6 +/- 3.3 vertebral bodies in length. Fifty (50%) of the brain and 54 (63%) of the spinal MRI patients had the optic-spinal form of MS. The MRI of the optic-spinal and classical groups of patients were similar in appearance and distribution, except that the optic-spinal MS patients have fewer brain but longer and more severe spinal cord lesions. In conclusion, the brain and spinal cord MRI of Asian patients with MS was similar to that of the West, although, in this study, Asian MS patients had larger spinal cord lesions.
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