Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 37 in total

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  1. Awuah WA, Adebusoye FT, Wellington J, David L, Salam A, Weng Yee AL, et al.
    World Neurosurg X, 2024 Jul;23:100301.
    PMID: 38577317 DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2024.100301
    Neurosurgeons receive extensive technical training, which equips them with the knowledge and skills to specialise in various fields and manage the massive amounts of information and decision-making required throughout the various stages of neurosurgery, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and recovery. Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become more useful in neurosurgery. AI has the potential to improve patient outcomes by augmenting the capabilities of neurosurgeons and ultimately improving diagnostic and prognostic outcomes as well as decision-making during surgical procedures. By incorporating AI into both interventional and non-interventional therapies, neurosurgeons may provide the best care for their patients. AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) have made significant progress in the field of neurosurgery. These cutting-edge methods have enhanced patient outcomes, reduced complications, and improved surgical planning.
  2. Alias NAQ, Bari MA, Jabbari AJ, Salam A
    Oman J Ophthalmol, 2023;16(3):555-557.
    PMID: 38059095 DOI: 10.4103/ojo.ojo_298_22
    Endophthalmitis is an uncommon purulent inflammation of the intraocular fluids secondary to endogenous or exogenous causes. It is known that posttraumatic endophthalmitis had a notably poor visual outcome, and it poses therapeutic challenges. Therefore, early organism detection would be beneficial in therapeutic management and are able to reduce long-term complications. This case report describes a patient with a rare positive culture-proven Sphingomonas paucimobilis endophthalmitis due to penetrating ocular trauma by a metal brush over the right eye. A 36-year-old man presented with progressively worsening right eye redness and blurring of vision with pain for 3 days following ocular penetration by a metal brush during grinding. On initial presentation, his visual acuity was 6/12 over the right eye and 6/6 over the left eye. His visual acuity deteriorated to hand movement 5 days later with worsening of ocular infection over the right eye despite topical and oral antibiotics. B-scan revealed dense vitreous infiltration. A vitreous tap was done, and a combination of intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime was administered. Vitreous culture isolated Gram negative S. paucimobilis. The patient was planned for early vitrectomy; however, the patient opted for conservative treatment. Therefore, the patient received intravitreal vancomycin and intravitreal ceftazidime injections every 48-72 h. Published articles on S. paucimobilis endophthalmitis postocular penetration are extremely limited. This case report may provide a better understanding of the presentation and is able to aid with early diagnosis and treatment initiation for future reference.
  3. Afridi MS, Ali S, Salam A, César Terra W, Hafeez A, Sumaira, et al.
    Biology (Basel), 2022 Dec 07;11(12).
    PMID: 36552290 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121782
    Rhizosphere microbiome is a dynamic and complex zone of microbial communities. This complex plant-associated microbial community, usually regarded as the plant's second genome, plays a crucial role in plant health. It is unquestioned that plant microbiome collectively contributes to plant growth and fitness. It also provides a safeguard from plant pathogens, and induces tolerance in the host against abiotic stressors. The revolution in omics, gene-editing and sequencing tools have somehow led to unravel the compositions and latent interactions between plants and microbes. Similarly, besides standard practices, many biotechnological, (bio)chemical and ecological methods have also been proposed. Such platforms have been solely dedicated to engineer the complex microbiome by untangling the potential barriers, and to achieve better agriculture output. Yet, several limitations, for example, the biological obstacles, abiotic constraints and molecular tools that capably impact plant microbiome engineering and functionality, remained unaddressed problems. In this review, we provide a holistic overview of plant microbiome composition, complexities, and major challenges in plant microbiome engineering. Then, we unearthed all inevitable abiotic factors that serve as bottlenecks by discouraging plant microbiome engineering and functionality. Lastly, by exploring the inherent role of micro/macrofauna, we propose economic and eco-friendly strategies that could be harnessed sustainably and biotechnologically for resilient plant microbiome engineering.
  4. Mukhtar K, Nabi BG, Arshad RN, Roobab U, Yaseen B, Ranjha MMAN, et al.
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2022 Nov;90:106194.
    PMID: 36242792 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106194
    Sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum) is a proven nutritious beverage with high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other beneficial nutrients. It has recently gained consumer interest due to its high nutritional profile and alkaline nature. Still, high polyphenolic and sugar content start the fermentation in juice, resulting in dark coloration. Lately, some novel techniques have been introduced to extend shelf life and improve the nutritional value of sugarcane juice. The introduction of such processing technologies is beneficial over conventional processes and essential for producing chemical-free, high-quality, fresh juices. The synergistic impact of these novel technologies is also advantageous for preserving sugarcane juice. In literature, novel thermal, non-thermal and hurdle technologies have been executed to preserve sugarcane juice. These technologies include high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), ultrasound (US), pulsed electric field (PEF), ultraviolet irradiation (UV), ohmic heating (OH), microwave (MW), microfludization and ozone treatment. This review manifests the impact of novel thermal, non-thermal, and synergistic technologies on sugarcane juice processing and preservation characteristics. Non-thermal techniques have been successfully proved effective and showed better results than novel thermal treatments. Because they reduced microbial load and retained nutritional content, while thermal treatments degraded nutrients and flavor of sugarcane juice. Among non-thermal treatments, HHP is the most efficient technique for the preservation of sugarcane juice while OH is preferable in thermal techniques due to less nutritional loss.
  5. Jan RK, Alsheikh-Ali A, Mulla AA, Sulaiman K, Panduranga P, Al-Mahmeed W, et al.
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2022 Jun 10;101(23):e29452.
    PMID: 35687781 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029452
    This study aimed to report on the use, predictors and outcomes of guideline-based medical therapy (GBMT) in patients with acute heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction of <40% (HFrEF), from seven countries in the Arabian Gulf.Patients with acute HFrEF (N = 2680), aged 18 years or older, and hospitalized February-November 2012 were recruited and data were collected post discharge at 3 months (n = 2477) and 1 year (n = 2418). The use and doses of GBMT were evaluated as per European, American and Canadian HF guidelines. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01467973).The majority of patients were on dual (39%) and triple (39%) GBMT modalities, 14% received one GBMT medication, while 7.2% were not on any GBMT medications. On admission, 80% of patients were on renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, 75% on b-blockers and 56% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), with a small proportion of these patients were taking target doses (RAS blockers 13%, b-blockers 7.3%, MRAs 14%). Patients taking triple GBMT were younger (P 
  6. Lung SC, Thi Hien T, Cambaliza MOL, Hlaing OMT, Oanh NTK, Latif MT, et al.
    PMID: 35162543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031522
    The low-cost and easy-to-use nature of rapidly developed PM2.5 sensors provide an opportunity to bring breakthroughs in PM2.5 research to resource-limited countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). This review provides an evaluation of the currently available literature and identifies research priorities in applying low-cost sensors (LCS) in PM2.5 environmental and health research in SEA. The research priority is an outcome of a series of participatory workshops under the umbrella of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project-Monsoon Asia and Oceania Networking Group (IGAC-MANGO). A literature review and research prioritization are conducted with a transdisciplinary perspective of providing useful scientific evidence in assisting authorities in formulating targeted strategies to reduce severe PM2.5 pollution and health risks in this region. The PM2.5 research gaps that could be filled by LCS application are identified in five categories: source evaluation, especially for the distinctive sources in the SEA countries; hot spot investigation; peak exposure assessment; exposure-health evaluation on acute health impacts; and short-term standards. The affordability of LCS, methodology transferability, international collaboration, and stakeholder engagement are keys to success in such transdisciplinary PM2.5 research. Unique contributions to the international science community and challenges with LCS application in PM2.5 research in SEA are also discussed.
  7. Bostanudin MF, Salam A, Mahmood A, Arafat M, Kaharudin AN, Sahudin S, et al.
    J Pharm Sci, 2021 Dec;110(12):3907-3918.
    PMID: 34403653 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.08.014
    Nano-colloidal systems formulated from amphiphilically-modified polysaccharides (degree of modification 16.6%) are focus of prominent study due to their potential to augment active penetration across the skin. Here we report the synthesis of amphiphilically-modified guar gum (GBE-GG) prepared by grafting with glycidol butyl ether (GBE), which were subsequently formed into nanocarriers and loaded with α-arbutin (22.3% loading). The monodispersed and close-to-spherical nanocarriers (size range 239-297 nm) formed via cross-linking were adequately stable mainly at low temperature (4 °C) under physiological pH condition. α-arbutin was released from GBE-GG NPs in a more sustained manner and the release profiles can be accurately represented by the 1st order kinetic model. In-vitro interactions on immortalised human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells revealed an increase in biological membrane permeability as well as the absence of cellular toxicity at application pertinent concentrations. No substantial haemolytic activity appeared and flow cytometry analysis revealed effective cellular uptake, suggesting their potential as promising nanocarriers for percutaneous delivery that warrants further comprehensive research.
  8. Isa RM, Saidi S, Salam A, Nurumal MS, Jamaludin TSS
    Enferm Clin, 2021 04;31 Suppl 2:S321-S325.
    PMID: 33849190 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.12.037
    This study aimed to survey the factors influencing attendance to eye screening among Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among 170 DM patients using self-administered questionnaires. Majority of participants, 45.9% (n=78) highlighted that lack of information regarding diabetes and not understanding the significance of eye screening are the barriers to eye screening. Whereas, 10.6% (n=18) reported lack of access to healthcare facilities, 6.5% (n=11) experienced time limitation and 2.9% (n=5) suffered financial issues. However, more than half of the participants (58.2%) have good knowledge related to diabetic eye complications. There was a significant difference between educational level with patients' attendance in yearly eye screening. Lack of information received by the patients on the importance of eye screening and communication issues seems to be prominent and becomes the reason for patients not attending eye screening.
  9. Yousif E, Ahmed DS, Ahmed A, Abdallh M, Yusop RM, Mohammed SA
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Sep;26(25):26381-26388.
    PMID: 31290046 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05784-w
    A new Schiff base containing 1,2,4-triazole ring system (L) was synthesized and confirmed by 1HNMR, FTIR spectroscopy. The chemical modification of PVC with a new Schiff base (L) was synthesized to produce a homogenous blend (PVC-L). A homogenous blend (PVC-L) was added to copper chloride to produce PVC-L-Cu (II). The PVC films had been irradiated with ultraviolet light for a long period and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and weight loss; the surface morphology was inspected by scanning electron microscopy.
  10. Salehi B, Zakaria ZA, Gyawali R, Ibrahim SA, Rajkovic J, Shinwari ZK, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Apr 07;24(7).
    PMID: 30959974 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071364
    Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. These plants are rich in essential oils, which can be found in their fruits, seeds, leaves, branches, roots and stems. Some Piper species have simple chemical profiles, while others, such as Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper auritum, contain very diverse suites of secondary metabolites. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, Piper species could be used as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food preservation. The phytochemicals and essential oils of Piper species have shown strong antioxidant activity, in comparison with synthetic antioxidants, and demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities against human pathogens. Moreover, Piper species possess therapeutic and preventive potential against several chronic disorders. Among the functional properties of Piper plants/extracts/active components the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological activities of the extracts and extract-derived bioactive constituents are thought to be key effects for the protection against chronic conditions, based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, besides clinical studies. Habitats and cultivation of Piper species are also covered in this review. In this current work, available literature of chemical constituents of the essential oils Piper plants, their use in traditional medicine, their applications as a food preservative, their antiparasitic activities and other important biological activities are reviewed.
  11. Yousif E, Ahmed DS, Ahmed AA, Hameed AS, Muhamed SH, Yusop RM, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Apr;26(10):9945-9954.
    PMID: 30739295 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04323-x
    Although plastic induces environmental damages, almost the consumption of poly(vinyl chloride) never stops increasing. Therefore, this work abstracted by two parts, first, synthesis of Schiff bases 1-4 compounds through the reaction of amino group with appropriate aromatic aldehyde, reaction of PVC with Schiff bases compounds 1-4 in THF to form a new modified PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3, and PVC-4. The structures of Schiff bases 1-4 and the modified PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3, and PVC-4 have been characterized by different spectroscopic analyses. Second, the influence of introducing 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole as a pendent groups into PVC chain investigated on photostability rules of tests. The modified polymers photostability investigated by observing indices (ICO, Ipo, and IOH), weight loss, UV and morphological studies, and all results obtained indicated that PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3 and PVC-4 gave lower growth rate of ICO, IPO, and IOH through UV exposure time. The photostability are given as PVC-4 
  12. Yousif, Emad, Ahmed, Dina S., Ahmed, Ahmed A., Hameed, Ayad S., Yusop, Rahimi M., Redwan, Amamer, et al.
    Science Letters, 2018;12(2):19-27.
    MyJurnal
    The photodegradation rate constant and surface morphology of poly(vinyl chloride), upon irradiation with ultraviolet light was investigated in the presence of polyphosphates as photostabilizers. Poly(vinyl chloride) photodegradation rate constant was lower for the films containing polyphosphates compared to the blank film. In addition, the surface morphology of the irradiated poly(vinyl chloride) containing polyphosphates, examined by scanning electron microscopy, indicates that the surface was much smoother compared to the blank film.
  13. Haque M, Sa B, Majumder MAA, Islam MZ, Othman NSAB, Lutfi SNNB, et al.
    Ann Afr Med, 2018;17(4):183-188.
    PMID: 30588931 DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_57_17
    BACKGROUND: Empathy is one of the cardinal components for physician-patient relationships, optimal outcomes in patient care, improved patient satisfaction, greater adherence to therapy, and lower malpractice liability. It is also considered an essential quality for health-care professionals to practice medicine. The aim of the present study was to assess the empathy level of medical students of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 which recruited medical students of UPNM. The Empathy Quotient, a self-reported questionnaire, was utilized for data collection. The total empathy score of the questionnaire is 80.

    RESULTS: Majority of the respondents were male (60.9%), year-V students (26.6%), Malay (70.5%), and cadet officer (69.6%). The overall mean score achieved by the respondents was 36.76 ± 9.18, and 74.4% of the respondents scored more than 30. The empathy scores of the students were significantly affected by the gender (t = 2.371; df = 205; P < 0.05), year of study (F = 2.553; df = 4/202; P < 0.05), and examination grades (F = 3.488; df = 2/204; P < 0.05). The findings showed that female students are more empathetic than their male counterparts. Further, the post hoc Tukey test analysis revealed that Year-V students are more empathetic than their junior counterparts and students who got highest grade are more empathetic.

    CONCLUSIONS: To improve the empathy level of the UPNM medical students, appropriate educational strategies and interventions should be designed and implemented in the curriculum to inculcate, maintain, and enhance empathy.

  14. Sharifi-Rad M, Varoni EM, Salehi B, Sharifi-Rad J, Matthews KR, Ayatollahi SA, et al.
    Molecules, 2017 Dec 04;22(12).
    PMID: 29207520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122145
    Plants of the genus Zingiber (Family Zingiberaceae) are widely used throughout the world as food and medicinal plants. They represent very popular herbal remedies in various traditional healing systems; in particular, rhizome of Zingiber spp. plants has a long history of ethnobotanical uses because of a plethora of curative properties. Antimicrobial activity of rhizome essential oil has been extensively confirmed in vitro and attributed to its chemical components, mainly consisting of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene, β-bisabolene and β-sesquiphellandrene. In addition, gingerols have been identified as the major active components in the fresh rhizome, whereas shogaols, dehydrated gingerol derivatives, are the predominant pungent constituents in dried rhizome. Zingiber spp. may thus represent a promising and innovative source of natural alternatives to chemical food preservatives. This approach would meet the increasing concern of consumers aware of the potential health risks associated with the conventional antimicrobial agents in food. This narrative review aims at providing a literature overview on Zingiber spp. plants, their cultivation, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and biological activities.
  15. Ab Hamid F, Che Azemin MZ, Salam A, Aminuddin A, Mohd Daud N, Zahari I
    Curr Eye Res, 2016 Jun;41(6):823-31.
    PMID: 26268475 DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2015.1056375
    PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to provide the empirical evidence of fractal dimension as an indirect measure of retinal vasculature density.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred retinal samples of right eye [57.0% females (n = 114) and 43.0% males (n = 86)] were selected from baseline visit. A custom-written software was used for vessel segmentation. Vessel segmentation is the process of transforming two-dimensional color images into binary images (i.e. black and white pixels). The circular area of approximately 2.6 optic disc radii surrounding the center of optic disc was cropped. The non-vessels fragments were removed. FracLac was used to measure the fractal dimension and vessel density of retinal vessels.

    RESULTS: This study suggested that 14.1% of the region of interest (i.e. approximately 2.6 optic disk radii) comprised retinal vessel structure. Using correlation analysis, vessel density measurement and fractal dimension estimation are linearly and strongly correlated (R = 0.942, R(2) = 0.89, p 

  16. Jamil A, Muthupalaniappen L, Md Nor N, Siraj HH, Salam A
    Malays J Med Sci, 2016 May;23(3):78-85.
    PMID: 27418873 MyJurnal
    Dermatology is a minor module in internal medicine undergraduate curriculum. Limited time is allocated for its teaching. Most graduates are inadequately prepared to diagnose and manage skin diseases. We aimed to identify the core content of a more effective dermatology module.
  17. Bakar SM, Shamim M, Salam A, Sultana SA
    Ir J Med Sci, 2016 Feb;185(1):249-57.
    PMID: 25894278 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-015-1287-4
    BACKGROUND: The anatomy of the vermiform appendix shows variations in its macroscopic dimensions and microscopic features, some of which have potentials of influencing the clinical aspects of the appendix.

    AIM: The aim of this study was to find out some microscopic features of appendix and evaluate the correlation between the microscopic features of the appendix and the age of the subjects and to determine whether these findings should influence the clinical implications of appendix.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, thirty adult males' (age from 18 to 67 years) postmortem appendices and adnexa from Bangladeshi victims of road traffic accidents were sectioned at the base, midzone and tip stained with H+E stain and examined under microscope. Measurements were taken at the base, at the midzone and at the tip of the appendix, and the mean of the three measurements was considered as the overall value.

    RESULTS: The overall number of mucosal glands in a section ranged from 42.33 to 130.00 and the number of the germinal centres varied between 2.33 and 10.00. The overall luminal diameter ranged between 1764.58 and 3208.33 µm. The overall luminal diameter in more than 52 % of cases was between 2700.00 and 3299.99 µm with a median value of 2750 µm.

    CONCLUSION: The overall number of mucosal glands showed a tendency towards a positive correlation with age. The overall luminal diameter and the overall number of germinal centres showed a tendency towards a negative correlation with the age. However, none of the tendencies of correlation reached statistically any significant level.

  18. Ruslai NH, Salam A
    Pak J Med Sci, 2016 Mar-Apr;32(2):324-8.
    PMID: 27182232 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.322.9248
    Foundational elements of problem based learning (PBL) are triggers, tutors and students. Ineffective triggers are important issues for students' inability to generate appropriate learning issues. The objective of this study was to evaluate PBL triggers and to determine similarities of students' generated learning issues with predetermined faculty objectives.
  19. Al-Azawi KF, Al-Baghdadi SB, Mohamed AZ, Al-Amiery AA, Abed TK, Mohammed SA, et al.
    Chem Cent J, 2016;10:23.
    PMID: 27134648 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-016-0170-3
    BACKGROUND: The acid corrosion inhibition process of mild steel in 1 M HCl by 4-[(2-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-5-yl)methoxy]coumarin (ATC), has been investigated using weight loss technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ATC was synthesized, and its chemical structure was elucidated and confirmed using spectroscopic techniques (infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).

    FINDINGS: The results indicated that inhibition efficiencies were enhanced with an increase in concentration of inhibitor and decreased with a rise in temperature. The adsorption equilibrium constant (K) and standard free energy of adsorption (ΔGads) were calculated. Quantum chemical parameters such as highest occupied molecular orbital energy, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO and ELUMO, respectively) and dipole moment (μ) were calculated and discussed. The results showed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in both the EHOMO and μ values but with a decrease in the ELUMO value.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our research show that the synthesized macromolecule represents an excellent inhibitor for materials in acidic solutions. The efficiency of this macromolecule had maximum inhibition efficiency up to 96 % at 0.5 mM and diminishes with a higher temperature degree, which is revealing of chemical adsorption. An inhibitor molecule were absorbed by metal surface and follow Langmuir isotherms low and establishes an efficient macromolecule inhibitor having excellent inhibitive properties due to entity of S (sulfur) atom, N (nitrogen) atom and O (oxygen) atom.

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