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A cross-sectional study on factors influencing attendance to eye screening

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.
Assessment of medical graduates competencies

Salam A, Zainuddin Z, Latiff AA, Ng SP, Soelaiman IN, Mohamad N, et al.

Ann Acad Med Singap, 2008 Sep;37(9):814-6.
PMID: 18989506
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant mothers: a valid and cost-effective screening test in Bangladesh

Ullah A, Barman A, Ahmed I, Salam A

J Obstet Gynaecol, 2012 Jan;32(1):37-41.
PMID: 22185534 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2011.601697

In Bangladesh, a number of screening tests for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy are in practice. The objective of this study was to assess the validity and cost-effectiveness of these screening tests. A total of 600 apparently healthy pregnant mothers were included in this study. The validity of the screening tests was calculated against the urine culture as 'gold standard'. Incremental cost-effective ratio between the screening test methods and the least costly method (microscopic urine analysis) was calculated. Bacterial count/oil-immersion field in Gram-stained smear of urine was the most sensitive (91.7%) and specific (97.2%). Incremental cost per additional positive cases of bacterial count, leukocyte esterase and combination of leukocyte esterase and nitrite were US$3, US$25 and US$23, respectively. Gram staining may be the alternative approach to traditional routine urinalysis for the screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy in clinical practice in Bangladesh, as well as other developing countries.
Bedside teaching in undergraduate medical education: issues, strategies, and new models for better preparation of new generation doctors

Salam A, Siraj HH, Mohamad N, Das S, Rabeya Y

Iran J Med Sci, 2011 Mar;36(1):1-6.
PMID: 23365470

Bedside teaching is a vital component of medical education. It is applicable to any situation where teaching is imparted in the presence of patients. In teaching in the patients' presence, learners have the opportunities to use all of their senses and learn the humanistic aspect of medicine such as role modeling, which is vital but difficult to communicate in words. Unfortunately, bedside teaching has been on the decline. To investigate the reasons for the decline in bedside teaching, its importance and its revival, a review of literature was carried out using PubMed and other data bases. The review revealed that the major concerns of bedside teaching were time constraint, false preceptors' concern about patients' comfort, short stay of patients in hospitals, learner distraction by technology, lack of experience and unrealistic faculty expectation. Whatsoever the reasons, bedside teaching cannot be replaced with anything else. There are newer approaches of effective bedside teaching, and the core focus of all such approaches is educational process. A bedside teacher must learn how to involve patients and learners in the educational processes. Moreover, bedside teaching is the process through which learners acquire the skills of communication by asking patients' permission, establishing ground rules, setting time limit, introducing the team, diagnosing learner, diagnosing patient, conducting focused teaching, using simple language, asking patient if there is any question, closing with encouraging thanks, and giving feedback privately. It is most important to ensure a comfortable environment for all participants, the learner, the patient and the bedside teacher. Ongoing faculty development programs on educational processes and realistic faculty expectations may overcome the problems.
Fulltext Behaviour change strategies for reducing blood pressure-related disease burden: findings from a global implementation research programme

GACD Hypertension Research Programme, Writing Group, Peiris D, Thompson SR, Beratarrechea A, Cárdenas MK, Diez-Canseco F, et al.

Implement Sci, 2015;10:158.
PMID: 26553092 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-015-0331-0

The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases comprises the majority of the world's public research funding agencies. It is focussed on implementation research to tackle the burden of chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries and amongst vulnerable populations in high-income countries. In its inaugural research call, 15 projects were funded, focussing on lowering blood pressure-related disease burden. In this study, we describe a reflexive mapping exercise to identify the behaviour change strategies undertaken in each of these projects.
Fulltext Educational program for patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus receiving free monthly supplies of insulin improves knowledge and attitude, but not adherence

Salam A

Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries, 2010 Apr;30(2):105.
PMID: 20535317 DOI: 10.4103/0973-3930.62602

Comment on: Vimalavathini R, Agarwal SM, Gitanjali B. Educational program for patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus receiving free monthly supplies of insulin improves knowledge and attitude, but not adherence. Int J Diab Dev Ctries. 2008;28:86–90
Fulltext Empathy among undergraduate medical students: A cross-sectional study in one Malaysian public medical school

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.
Fulltext Evaluation of doctors' performance as facilitators in basic medical science lecture classes in a new Malaysian medical school

Ismail S, Salam A, Alattraqchi AG, Annamalai L, Chockalingam A, Elena WP, et al.

Adv Med Educ Pract, 2015;6:231-7.
PMID: 25878516 DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S78441

Didactic lecture is the oldest and most commonly used method of teaching. In addition, it is considered one of the most efficient ways to disseminate theories, ideas, and facts. Many critics feel that lectures are an obsolete method to use when students need to perform hands-on activities, which is an everyday need in the study of medicine. This study evaluates students' perceptions regarding lecture quality in a new medical school.
Fulltext Experimental relationships between surface roughness, irradiation time and photodecomposition rate constant of pvc films doped by polyphosphates

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.
Formulation and In-Vitro Characterisation of Cross-Linked Amphiphilic Guar Gum Nanocarriers for Percutaneous Delivery of Arbutin

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.
Fulltext Identifying the Core Content of a Dermatology Module for Malaysian Medical Undergraduate Curriculum Using a Modified Delphi Method

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.
Impact of stabilizer on the environmental behavior of PVC films reinforced 1,2,4-triazole moiety

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.
Lesson plan on new method of teeth identification introduced at dental schools in Malaysia and Pakistan

Akram A, Salam A, Bashir U, Maarof N, Meerah SM

J Dent Educ, 2012 Dec;76(12):1691-6.
PMID: 23225689

This article describes a new tooth notation system designed to be implemented for educational purposes in dental schools in Malaysia and Pakistan for identification of teeth and subsequently dental communication for wellness of dental patients. Its format is constructed as a lesson plan to present an uncomplicated tooth notation system by first letter of each tooth class (I-incisor, C-canine, P-premolar, and M-molar) to describe and communicate dental information. The new system is a promising and potential educational lesson that is innovative in its contents, easily understandable, and usable in dental charting as indicated by the results of a pilot study. However, further studies are required to investigate the strength of this new system.
Microscopic studies on postmortem vermiform appendix of the adult males of Bangladesh

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.
Fulltext Outcomes of guideline-based medical therapy in patients with acute heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Observations from the Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE)

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
Fulltext PBL triggers in relation to students' generated learning issues and predetermined faculty objectives: Study in a Malaysian public university

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.
Fulltext Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications

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.
Fulltext Plant Microbiome Engineering: Hopes or Hypes

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.
Fulltext Plants of the Genus Zingiber as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: From Tradition to Pharmacy

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.
Fulltext Potential impact of ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high-pressure processing and microfludization against thermal treatments preservation regarding sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum)

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.

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