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  1. Yojana E, Zahari Z, Bukry SA
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):209-214.
    PMID: 38555907
    INTRODUCTION: One of the most common musculoskeletal pain that causes disability in healthcare settings is low back pain that presents without a specific cause and is known as nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). NSLBP can cause impairment in motor control, which is the ability of the body to execute a precise and stabilized movement in space. Many factors affect motor control dysfunction and lead to different physical impairments, consequently requiring different approaches in clinical settings. However, the study regarding the alteration of motor control and the factors coming with NSLBP are still limited. Thus, this study is aimed to determine the factors affecting motor control in NSLBP conditions.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a scoping review of articles published from January 2012 to November 2022. This review follows the PRISMA guideline. The articles were searched through Scopus and Web of Sciences using the keywords "motor control" and "nonspecific low back pain". After finding the articles, the information was extracted, including authors, year of publication, country, objective, type of study, and motor control analysis summary.

    RESULTS: The search retrieved 1318 articles; however, after a thorough selection process, only eight articles were included for further review. The factors that affect motor control were related to trunk neuromuscular adaption, the precision of trunk control, motor control changes, motor abundance, and motor control impairment in the LBP population with or without comparison to healthy subjects.

    CONCLUSION: Motor control in NSLBP is affected by various factors. The pain can lead to changes in motor behavior, alignment, postural control, proprioception, and stability strategy. If the changes happen for a long time, it will cause further structural and core control changes as an adaptation.

  2. Zahari Z, Naga DNA, Bukry SA
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):168-175.
    PMID: 38555902
    INTRODUCTION: Lower Cross Syndrome (LCS) is a prevalent condition that manifests as muscular tension due to the asymmetry in the strength of the lower extremity muscles. This imbalance could be due to the tautness of the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, tensor fascia latae, adductor group, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. LCS causes a postural imbalance in the individual, which triggers low back pain (LBP). When LCS is present alongside LBP, may cause the upper body to sway more in the transverse plane and at the lumbar level, making walking and termination of gait (GT) more difficult. However, the evidence of motor control and gait performance is scarce with inconclusive findings. Thus, this study aimed to review motor control on gait performance among individuals with lower crossed syndrome. This review is conducted to determine the motor control on gait performance in patients with LCS and how the conditions affect gait.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate, PubMed, and Scopus were searched to identify potentially relevant documents. The keywords used for the search included "motor control" OR "motor learning" OR" core stability" AND "lower crossed syndrome" AND "gait". The search includes articles published between 1970 and 2022 and written in English. It is excluded when the paper is not a full-text article. After finding the articles, the information was extracted, including author, year of publication, country, objective, type of study, and motor control analysis summary.

    RESULTS: There were 107 articles retrieved from the search. but only seventeen articles were included for analysis. The finding demonstrates that LCS may associate with LBP and reduces the motor control of the core muscle stability which indirectly influences gait performance.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that individuals with LCS will have an alteration in their gait. However, there is still insufficient information on motor control in gait performance among lower crossed syndrome. Further research is needed to find what factors that may contribute to the adaptation of motor control in gait among LCS population.

  3. Mohd Tan A, Zahari Z, Bukry SA
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):197-202.
    PMID: 38555905
    INTRODUCTION: The ankles and feet of footballers are the most commonly affected areas by acute and chronic injuries, especially sprains. The durability of changes in motor control for the sprained injury strongly suggests that central motor commands have been reorganized and restructured involving the sensorimotor system. Indirectly, providing strength training improves muscular strength and benefits cardiometabolic health, coordination, sensorimotor, and motor performance. Thus, this study aimed to identify the effects of strengthening exercises on motor control among footballers with sprained ankles.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This scoping review selected studies published from January 2002 to November 2022. The articles were searched through PubMed Central, BMJ Journal, Science Direct, and Scopus using "motor control", "ankle sprain" and "strengthening exercise" as the keywords. After finding the articles, the information extracted included author, year of publication, country, objective, type of study, and motor control analysis summary. The literature search strategy used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and a meta-analysis (PRISMA) where studies that are related to strengthening exercise and motor control were selected.

    RESULTS: From the initial search, 50 articles were found. After processing, only ten articles were further reviewed. The findings demonstrated strengthening exercises provide changes in neurophysiological parameters with motor performance, improved motor control, strength, balance, pain, and functional movement in footballers with sprained ankles.

    CONCLUSION: This review suggests the application of strengthening exercise interventions not only improves motor control, but strength, balance, pain, and functional performance among footballers with sprained ankles.

  4. Zulkifli MF, Md Hashim MN, Zahari Z, Wong MP, Syed Abd Aziz SH, Yahya MM, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2023 Nov 16;13(1):20078.
    PMID: 37973795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47357-5
    Prolonged fasting prior to oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) could be noxious to patients' well-being. Strict fasting protocol has been used prior to OGDS with the concern of reduced visibility or suboptimal endoscopic assessment. Maltodextrin beverages were also commonly used as the pre-operative carbohydrate loading in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. Our study aimed to look for the effects of maltodextrin beverage 2 h before OGDS on gastric residual volume and patient's well-being scores. This was a single-blinded, stratified randomised controlled trial, comparing control group (A, received 400 ml of plain water) and carbohydrate loading group (B, received 400 ml of Carborie). The primary objectives were to measure the gastric residual volume (GRV) and patient's well-being scores using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for hunger, thirst, anxiety, tiredness and general discomfort. Of 80 randomised patients, 78 completed the study (38 received plain water and 40 Carborie). The median (IQR) GRV was not significantly different between group A and B (5.0 ml (20) vs 4.0 ml (19), p = 0.777). Both groups showed significant reduction in VAS scores in all five parameters (p ≤ 0.001). There were no complications attributed to endoscopy in either group. Pre-endoscopy maltodextrin beverage is as safe as clear water with improved patient's well-being in both groups.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05106933.
  5. Lim SL, Wan Zain WZ, Zahari Z, Zakaria AD, Hashim MNM, Wong MP, et al.
    Ann Coloproctol, 2023 Oct;39(5):427-434.
    PMID: 35655395 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2022.00227.0032
    PURPOSE: Oncological outcomes following rectal cancer surgery have improved significantly over recent decades with lower recurrences and longer overall survival. However, many of the patients experienced low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). This study identified the prevalence and risk factors associated with the development of LARS.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved patients who were diagnosed with rectal cancer and had undergone sphincter-preserving low anterior resection from January 2011 to December 2020. Upon clinic follow-up, patients were asked to complete an interviewed based questionnaire (LARS score) designed to assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.

    RESULTS: Out of 76 patients, 25 patients (32.9%) had major LARS, 10 patients (13.2%) had minor LARS, and 41 patients (53.9%) had no LARS. The height of tumor from anal verge showed an association with the development of major LARS (P=0.039). Those patients with less than 8 cm tumor from anal verge had an increased risk of LARS by 3 times compared to those with 8 cm and above (adjusted odds ratio, 3.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-9.13).

    CONCLUSION: Results from our study show that low tumor height was a significant risk factor that has a negative impact on bowel function after surgery. The high prevalence of LARS emphasizes the need for study regarding risk factors and the importance of understanding the pathophysiology of LARS, in order for us to improve patient bowel function and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery.

  6. Nah SA, Sanmugam A, Singaravel S, Zahari Z, Aziz DA
    J Pediatr Surg, 2023 Feb;58(2):299-304.
    PMID: 36404187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.10.032
    BACKGROUND: A shortage of specialist paediatric surgeons in Malaysia led to establishment of a national postgraduate training programme in 2004. We aimed to identify sociodemographic factors impacting training experience, and to define pressure points during training to inform targeted trainee support strategies.

    METHODS: We conducted an anonymized online survey in June 2021 on all programme graduates. Participants were asked for sociodemographic data, both current and during training. Likert scale responses were required for questions regarding adequacy of support received for family, health and personal issues during training. A free text response question soliciting suggestions for programme improvement was included. Data are reported as median (range). Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables were used, with p<0.05 significance.

    RESULTS: Of 53 eligible participants, 52 (98%) responded, 24 (46%) were female. Marital status was similar between genders at entry, but female trainees were more likely to be unmarried on exit (p = 0.001), and less likely to have children while training (p = 0.017). Of the 6 female and 18 male trainees who had children while training, women were more likely to take parental leave (p = 0.01). The majority felt advice given regarding parental leave and managing training while having children were poor. In thematic analysis of free text answers, lack of hands-on experience was the most common concern.

    CONCLUSION: Factors related to marriage and parenthood significantly associate with gender amongst trainees in Malaysia despite both genders being well represented. Concerns regarding adequacy of hands-on training highlight the need for educational innovations such as simulation models.

    LEVEL OF STUDY: Level III.

  7. Othman MY, Teh KH, Zahari Z
    World J Pediatr Surg, 2023;6(3):e000589.
    PMID: 37441088 DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2023-000589
    OBJECTIVE: To review biliary complications following liver resection for liver tumors in children and their associated risk factors.

    METHODS: Retrospectively, we reviewed children who underwent liver resection for liver tumors from 2010 to 2019. Demographic data, operative details, types of complications, interventions and outcomes were studied.

    RESULTS: Eighty-six out of 108 liver resections were included in this study. The median age of patients was 1.8 years old, and 55% were male. The majority (95%) were malignant tumors, of which 87% were hepatoblastoma (n=71). The most common procedure performed was extended right hepatectomy (37%, n=32). Twelve (14%) patients had primary biliary complications: nine bile leakages and three biliary obstructions. Six cases of bile leakage were treated non-operatively with drainage only; however, one developed bilothorax. Three bile leakages underwent early operative intervention. Four patients underwent biliary reconstruction. Biliary complications were not significantly associated with age, sex, ethnicity or pathology of the tumor. Ten of them (83%) developed following extended hepatectomies (five right, five left), in which the left side had a higher rate of complications (63% vs 16%). None of the central hepatectomies had biliary complications. Biliary complication rates were significantly higher among those who had segmentectomy 1 (p=0.023).

    CONCLUSIONS: Biliary complication is a significant morbidity following liver resection in children. Surgery is eventually required for complicated bile leakage and primary biliary strictures. Follow-up is mandatory since secondary biliary complications may occur after the initial resolution of bile leakage. The groups at high risk of developing biliary complications are extended left hepatectomies and segmentectomy 1.

  8. Pushpanathan NR, Hashim MNM, Zahari Z, Aziz SHSA, Zain WZW, Ramely R, et al.
    Ann Coloproctol, 2022 Dec;38(6):409-414.
    PMID: 34407370 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2020.00437.0062
    PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) has several advantages over conventional open appendicectomy (OA). However, about 5% to 10% of LA patients still need to be converted to open surgery. Identifying risk factors that contribute to conversion to OA allows for early identification of patients who may benefit from primary OA. This study aimed to determine the conversion rate of LA to OA and to identify its associated risk factors among patients with acute or perforated appendicitis.

    METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed among patients with acute or perforated appendicitis who underwent LA between December 2015 and January 2017. With the use of multivariable logistic regression analyses, the predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to OA were investigated.

    RESULTS: Out of 120 patients, 33 cases were converted to OA which gives a conversion rate of 27.5%. Among 33 patients who were converted to OA, 27 patients (81.8%) had perforated appendix, while in the LA group, perforated appendix cases consisted of 34.5% (P<0.001). Histopathology of the appendix was the predictor of conversion from LA to OA (adjusted odds ratio, 8.82; 95% confidence interval, 3.13-24.91; P<0.001).

    CONCLUSION: The result from our study shows that the overall conversion rate for the study period was high. Patients with perforated appendicitis had a higher risk of conversion to OA. Therefore, preoperative diagnosis of perforated appendicitis may be paramount in predicting conversion to OA.

  9. Che Alhadi S, Wan Zain WZ, Zahari Z, Md Hashim MN, Syed Abd Aziz SH, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Ann Coloproctol, 2020 Dec;36(6):409-414.
    PMID: 32972105 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2020.08.27
    PURPOSE: Guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) has been the standard for colorectal screening but it has low sensitivity and specificity. This study evaluated the use of fecal tumor M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) for detection of colorectal cancer and to compare with the current surveillance tool; gFOBT in symptomatic adult subjects underwent colonoscopy.

    METHODS: Stool samples were collected prospectively from symptomatic adults who had elective colonoscopy from September 2014 to January 2016 and were analyzed with the ScheBo M2-PK Quick test and laboratory detection of fecal hemoglobin.

    RESULTS: The results were correlated to the colonoscopy findings and/or histopathology report. Eighty-five subjects (age of 56.8 ± 15.3 years [mean ± standard deviation]) were recruited with a total of 17 colorectal cancer (20.0%) and 10 colorectal adenoma patients (11.8%). The sensitivity of M2-PK test in colorectal cancer detection was higher than gFOBT (100% vs. 64.7%). M2-PK test had a lower specificity when compared to gFOBT (72.5% vs. 88.2%) in colorectal cancer detection. The positive and negative predictive values were 47.2% and 100% for M2-PK test and 57.9% and 90.9% for gFOBT.

    CONCLUSION: Fecal M2-PK Quick test has a high sensitivity for detection of colorectal cancer when compared to gFOBT, making it the potential choice for colorectal tumor screening biomarker in the future.

  10. Zahari Z, Lee CS, Ibrahim MA, Musa N, Mohd Yasin MA, Lee YY, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 Nov;12(Suppl 2):S787-S803.
    PMID: 33828379 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_248_19
    Introduction: Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) is one of the dopamine receptors that have been studied in relation to opioid dependence. It is possible, therefore, that DRD2 gene (DRD2) polymorphisms influence treatment outcomes of patients with opioid dependence. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of DRD2 polymorphisms on the clinical outcomes of opioid-dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).

    Materials and Methods: Patients with opioid dependence (n = 148) were recruited from MMT clinics. Pain sensitivity, severity of the opiate withdrawal syndrome, and sleep quality were assessed using cold pressor test (CPT), Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS-M), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)-Malay, respectively. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from whole blood, and then was used for genotyping of Val96Ala, Leu141Leu, Val154Ile, Pro310Ser, Ser311Cys, TaqI A, -141C Ins/Del, and A-241G polymorphisms.

    Results: Among 148 patients, 8.1% (n = 12), 60.8% (n = 90), 27.7% (n = 41), and 29.1% (n = 43) had at least one risk allele for Ser311Cys, TaqI A, -141C Ins/Del, and A-241G polymorphisms, respectively. There were no significant differences in pain responses (pain threshold, tolerance, and intensity), SOWS, and PSQI scores between DRD2 polymorphisms.

    Conclusion: The common DRD2 polymorphisms are not associated with pain sensitivity, severity of the opiate withdrawal syndrome, and sleep quality in patients with opioid dependence on MMT. However, this may be unique for Malays. Additional research should focus on investigating these findings in larger samples and different ethnicity.

  11. Hamid N, Muhamad R, Kueh YC, Zahari Z, Mohamad Nor N, Abdullah N, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 10 08;12(4):444-448.
    PMID: 33679091 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_265_19
    Background: In Malaysia, the problem of marital distress is fast becoming an important public health concern. A major shortcoming is inadequate marital evaluation. There are, however, very few localized instruments for married women in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to translate the original version of the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) and to evaluate for its psychometric properties. Multiple aspects of validity and reliability were also assessed.

    Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was first translated into the Malay language (RDAS-M). In this cross-sectional study, healthy married Malay women in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, were recruited from January to April 2018. Participants were asked to complete the RDAS-M that consists of three domains, that is, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction, and dyadic cohesion with a total of 14 items. The concept, content, and construct validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability of the RDAS-M were assessed.

    Results: Of the 164 recruited participants, 150 consented to participate. The mean age of the participants was 34.1 years (standard deviation [SD], 9.5 years), ranging from 20 to 57 years. All 14 items were considered comprehensible by more than 95% of the subjects. Based on EFA, total variance extracted was 69.08%, and the original three factors were retained. The Malay version of the RDAS was valid based on factor loadings for dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction, and dyadic cohesion, which ranged from 0.64 to 0.80, 0.79 to 0.98, and 0.37 to 0.78, respectively. The internal consistency was good with coefficient α of 0.87 for dyadic consensus, 0.93 for dyadic satisfaction, and 0.78 for dyadic cohesion.

    Conclusions: The Malay version of the RDAS is easy to understand, and is a reliable and valid instrument for married women. It is also comparable with the original version of the RDAS in terms of structure and psychometric properties.

  12. Dellemin NA, Zahari Z, Ahmad Hassali MA, Abdul Rashid S
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 10 08;12(4):428-435.
    PMID: 33679089 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_247_19
    Introduction: National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Health Malaysia has received 1018 adverse drug reaction reports related to paracetamol with 1972 adverse events from the year 2000 to February 2015. Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis may develop as a result of allergic reactions of paracetamol. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire regarding Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards Allergic Reactions of Paracetamol (KAP-ARP) among the general population.

    Materials and Methods: Content and face validity of the KAP-ARP were determined by four experts and 20 respondents, respectively. A questionnaire with 36 items, consisting of 16 Knowledge, 9 Attitude, and 11 Perception items, was distributed to 177 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed for construct validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire.

    Results: EFA constructed 13 Knowledge, 8 Attitude, and 8 Perception items. The final KAP-ARP questionnaire is reliable based on its internal consistency reliability (Knowledge: α = 0.78; Attitude: α = 0.63; Perception: α = 0.70).

    Conclusion: A valid and reliable questionnaire that is useful for measuring KAP-ARP among the general population has been developed.

  13. Dellemin NA, Zahari Z, Ahmad Hassali MA, Rashid SA
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2020 May;33(3):1057-1061.
    PMID: 33191229
    Recent years, the prevalence of paracetamol allergy becomes great concerns. However, data on knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol are lacking. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol (KAP-ARP). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire around Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kelantan from February 2016 to January 2017 among the general population. A total of 177 respondents participated in this study. The mean percentage scores for knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol were 31.7% (SD 23.6), 53.1% (SD 19.2) and 53.3% (SD 23.9), respectively. This study revealed that respondents demonstrated a poor level of knowledge, a fair level of attitude and negative perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol. These results may lay a basis for conducting a study of knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions among general population in other different setting or around Malaysia.
  14. Tan PG, Ab Hadi IS, Zahari Z, Yahya MM, Wan Zain WZ, Wong MP, et al.
    Ann Surg Treat Res, 2020 Jan;98(1):1-6.
    PMID: 31909044 DOI: 10.4174/astr.2020.98.1.1
    Purpose: Patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism are at high risk for developing postoperative hypocalcemia. However, there are limited data regarding predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia in renal failure patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. This study aimed to determine the clinical presentations of renal hyperparathyroidism and the predictors of early postoperative hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy.

    Methods: Data of patients with renal hyperparathyroidism who underwent total parathyroidectomy between January 2007 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 cohort groups according to their serum calcium levels within 24 hours of parathyroidectomy: the hypocalcemia group (calcium levels of 2 mmol/L or less), and the normocalcemia group (calcium levels more than 2 mmol/L). With the use of multivariable logistic regression analyses, the predictors of early postoperative hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism were investigated.

    Results: Among 68 patients, 56 patients (82.4%) were symptomatic preoperatively. Fifty patients (73.5%) presented with bone pain and 14 patients (20.6%) had muscle weakness. Early postoperative hypocalcemia occurred in 25 patients (36.8%). Preoperative alkaline phosphatase level was the predictor of early postoperative hypocalcemia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.004; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-1.006; P = 0.002).

    Conclusion: Results from our study show that most of the patients with renal hyperparathyroidism were symptomatic preoperatively and the most common clinical presentations were bone pain and muscle weakness. The significant predictor of early postoperative hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy was the preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels.

  15. Zahari Z, Ishak A, Justine M
    J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2020;33(2):245-254.
    PMID: 31356191 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181305
    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to gain an overview of patient education and the effects of patient education for older people with low back pain (LBP).

    METHODS: The search strategies were performed via EBSCO MEDLINE, EBSCO CINAHL, Science Direct, PubMed, and PEDro databases from 2006 to 2016. The keywords "patient education", "low back pain", "elderly", "older adults", "older persons" and "older people" were used during the literature search. Boolean operators were used to expand or limit the searching scope and manual exclusion was performed to choose articles eligible for this study.

    RESULTS: A total of 2799 articles were retrieved but only five articles were related with patient education for older people with LBP. Findings suggest that patient education for older people may differ in terms of its contents such as health education, self-management, video education, and postural education. The high methodological quality of the studies revealed that patient education showed improvement in terms of pain, disability and quality of life among older people with LBP.

    CONCLUSIONS: Patient education improved pain and had positive effects on disability and quality of life among older people with LBP. However, due to the limited number of RCTs more studies are needed to provide evidence for its effectiveness.

  16. Tan SK, Sanmugam A, Danaee M, Ramanujam TM, Nallusamy MA, Zahari Z, et al.
    Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J, 2019 Nov;19(4):e352-e358.
    PMID: 31897319 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.04.011
    Objectives: Transition of care (TOC) from paediatric to adult care is still at an early stage in Malaysia. This study aimed to explore current practices and perspectives regarding TOC among paediatric surgeons in Malaysia.

    Methods: This study was carried out between June and December 2017. All 48 paediatric surgeons currently working in Malaysia were invited to participate in a questionnaire-based survey to assess demographic characteristics and practices and perspectives regarding TOC.

    Results: A total of 38 paediatric surgeons participated in the survey (response rate: 79.2%). Overall, 97.4% did not have an organised TOC model in their institution, with most (65.8%) caring for paediatric patients with complex surgical conditions until adulthood. Although the majority (86.8%) felt that care should be transitioned to adult surgeons with appropriate credentials, most surgeons (84.2%) nevertheless preferred to be involved in the management of adolescent patients after transition. However, there was no consensus regarding the most suitable age to begin the transition. Years of experience as a paediatric surgeon and place of practice did not affect overall TOC practice scores (P >0.050 each). The presence of adult comorbidities was considered the most common reason to initiate TOC (81.6%), while the lack of TOC guidelines was perceived to be the greatest barrier (84.2%).

    Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of TOC from the point of view of paediatric surgeons in Malaysia. However, further studies involving other stakeholders (i.e. patients and adult surgeons) are needed to help formulate a suitable and successful TOC model in this setting.

  17. Wong MP, Zahari Z, Abdullah MS, Ramely R, Md Hashim MN, Zakaria Z, et al.
    J Vasc Nurs, 2018 Dec;36(4):173-180.
    PMID: 30458938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvn.2018.07.001
    Surgical patients are at high risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There are many reports concerning DVT, but little is known about silent deep vein thrombosis (sDVT). This study aimed to determine the incidence of sDVT. Secondary objective is to identify the associated factors for the use of DVT prophylaxis and Caprini risk scores among major surgery patients. This prospective observational study involved postoperative surgical patients who are at risk of developing sDVT. The Caprini risk-assessment scores were calculated, and each subject had a preoperative and postoperative compression ultrasound complemented by duplex venous ultrasonography of deep venous system. No patient from the study experienced sDVT. There were significant associations between Caprini risk score group (odds ratio, 8.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-68.74; P = .016) and the use of central venous catheter (odds ratio, 6.34; 95% CI, 1.62-24.80; P = .008) with DVT prophylaxis. Interestingly, the use of central venous catheter resulted in more than four-point increment of Caprini risk scores (mean increment, 4.19; 95% CI, 3.16-5.21; P 
  18. Nagaya D, Zahari Z, Saleem M, Yahaya BH, Tan SC, Yusoff NM
    J Clin Pharm Ther, 2018 Feb;43(1):80-86.
    PMID: 28656735 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12585
    WHAT IS KNOWN: Drug addiction is a novelty-seeking personality trait that is associated with the candidate genes OPRD1 (opioid delta receptors), OPRK1 (opioid kappa receptors) and PDYN (prodynorphin). However, associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1042114 (80G>T) of the OPRD1 gene, rs702764 (843 A>G) of the OPRK1 gene, and rs910080 (3' UTR _743T>C), rs1997794 (5' UTR -381A>G) and rs1022563 (3' UTR) of the PDYN gene and novelty seeking remain controversial as reported results have not been reproducible.

    OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the frequencies of SNPs rs1042114, rs702764, rs1997794, rs1022563 and rs910080 in the Malaysian population and to study their association with opioid dependence in Malaysian Malays.

    METHODS: A total of 459 Malay male with opioid dependence and 543 healthy male (controls) subjects were included in this study. SNPs were genotyped using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Statistical analysis was performed using Golden Helix SVS software suite to identify the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies, and SNP-SNP interactions were also analysed in this study.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: SNP rs1042114 in the OPRD1 gene is strongly associated with opiate addiction (P=.0001). In individuals homozygous for this risk allele, the likelihood of opiate addiction is increased by a factor 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.412-1.875). Polymorphic alleles at SNP rs702764 of OPRK1 were not associated with opioid dependence. A significant association between opioid dependence and SNP rs910080 of PDYN (P=.0217) was detected, but there was no association for SNPs rs199774 and rs1022563. A significant interaction was also identified between homozygous wild-type genotype TT of rs702764 with the risk genotypes TG/GG of rs1042114 (odds ratio (OR)=2.111 (95% CI 1.227-3.631), P=.0069) and with the risk genotypes GA/AA of rs910080 (OR=1.415 (95% CI 1.04-1.912), P=.0239).

    WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that SNPs rs1042114 and rs910080 contribute to vulnerability to opioid dependence in the Malaysian Malay population. These results will help us to understand the effect of the SNPs and the SNP-SNP interaction on opioid dependence and may assist in efforts to screen vulnerable individuals and match them with individually tailored prevention and treatment strategies.

  19. Lim KT, Amanah A, Chear NJ, Zahari Z, Zainuddin Z, Adenan MI
    Exp Parasitol, 2018 Jan;184:57-66.
    PMID: 29175017 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.11.007
    In our ongoing work searching for new trypanocidal lead compounds from Malaysian plants, two known piperidine alkaloids (+)-spectaline (1) and iso-6-spectaline (2) were isolated from the leaves of Senna spectabilis (sin. Cassia spectabilis). Analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra showed that 1 and 2 presented analytical and spectroscopic data in full agreement with those published in the literature. All compounds were screened in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in comparison to the standard drug pentamidine. Compound 1 and 2 inhibited growth of T. b. rhodesiense with an IC50 value of 0.41 ± 0.01 μM and 0.71 ± 0.01 μM, without toxic effect on L6 cells with associated a selectivity index of 134.92 and 123.74, respectively. These data show that piperidine alkaloids constitute a class of natural products that feature a broad spectrum of biological activities, and are potential templates for the development of new trypanocidal drugs. To our knowledge, the compounds are being reported for the first time to have inhibitory effects on T. b. rhodesiense. The ultrastructural alterations in the trypanosome induced by 1 and 2, leading to programmed cell death were characterized using electron microscopy. These alterations include wrinkling of the trypanosome surface, formation of autophagic vacuoles, disorganization of kinetoplast, and swelling of the mitochondria. These findings evidence a possible autophagic cell death.
  20. Zahari Z, Lee CS, Ibrahim MA, Musa N, Mohd Yasin MA, Lee YY, et al.
    Iran J Pharm Res, 2018;17(Suppl):8-16.
    PMID: 29796025
    Hyperalgesia is a common clinical phenomenon among opioid dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and it may be associated with undertreated pain and/or therapeutic failure. This study aimed to investigate association between serum methadone concentration (SMC) and cold pressor pain responses. Cold pressor pain responses in 147 opioid dependent patients on MMT were assessed using cold pressor test (CPT) at 0 h and at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the dose intake. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after the dose. Serum methadone concentrations were measured using the Methadone ELISA kit and classified into two categories: < 400 ng/mL and ≥ 400 ng/mL. Eighty-eight patients (59.9%) had trough concentrations of < 400 ng/mL and 40.1% had trough concentrations of ≥ 400 ng/mL. There were significant effects of SMC on the cold pressor pain threshold (p = 0.019). Patients with concentrations < 400 ng/mL had significantly higher (almost 60% higher) cold pressor pain threshold (adjusted mean (95% CI) = 30.15 (24.29, 36.01) s) compared to those with concentrations of ≥ 400 ng/mL (18.93 (11.77, 26.08) seconds). There was also a 20% difference in pain tolerance, and 6% difference in cold pressor pain intensity score, neither of which were significant statistically (p > 0.05). Our results suggest an association of trough methadone concentration with the cold pressor pain threshold among opioid dependent patients on MMT. It would be useful to study the mechanisms underlying this association to help managing pain in such a population.
    Study site: Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM); Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II; and eight other government MMT clinics in Kelantan, Malaysia
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