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Fulltext The heterospecific calling song can improve conspecific signal detection in a bushcricket species

Abdelatti ZAS, Hartbauer M

Hear Res, 2017 11;355:70-80.
PMID: 28974384 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2017.09.011

In forest clearings of the Malaysian rainforest, chirping and trilling Mecopoda species often live in sympatry. We investigated whether a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance (SR) improved the ability of individuals to detect a low-frequent signal component typical of chirps when members of the heterospecific trilling species were simultaneously active. This phenomenon may explain the fact that the chirping species upholds entrainment to the conspecific song in the presence of the trill. Therefore, we evaluated the response probability of an ascending auditory neuron (TN-1) in individuals of the chirping Mecopoda species to triple-pulsed 2, 8 and 20 kHz signals that were broadcast 1 dB below the hearing threshold while increasing the intensity of either white noise or a typical triller song. Our results demonstrate the existence of SR over a rather broad range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of input signals when periodic 2 kHz and 20 kHz signals were presented at the same time as white noise. Using the chirp-specific 2 kHz signal as a stimulus, the maximum TN-1 response probability frequently exceeded the 50% threshold if the trill was broadcast simultaneously. Playback of an 8 kHz signal, a common frequency band component of the trill, yielded a similar result. Nevertheless, using the trill as a masker, the signal-related TN-1 spiking probability was rather variable. The variability on an individual level resulted from correlations between the phase relationship of the signal and syllables of the trill. For the first time, these results demonstrate the existence of SR in acoustically-communicating insects and suggest that the calling song of heterospecifics may facilitate the detection of a subthreshold signal component in certain situations. The results of the simulation of sound propagation in a computer model suggest a wide range of sender-receiver distances in which the triller can help to improve the detection of subthreshold signals in the chirping species.
Depression in primary care part 2: management

Pereira X, Zainab A

Malays Fam Physician, 2007;2(3):102-5.
PMID: 25606094 MyJurnal

The management of depression in the primary care setting should ideally take a biological, psychological, and sociological approach. Antidepressants are the most commonly used biological agents in the treatment of depression. Psychological therapies and psychosocial interventions improve the outcome of treatment when combined with pharmacotherapy. Clinical depression is treatable and thus efforts should be made to alleviate the suffering of patients with depression.
Fulltext Impact of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 on Lives of Patients Post-Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Cross-Sectional Study

Jasem ZA, Manee F, Alqattan DM, Smith TM

Med Princ Pract, 2024 Jul 16.
PMID: 39008962 DOI: 10.1159/000539781

OBJECTIVES: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) are known for their prolonged and persistent effects on patients. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the PASC on the quality of life (QOL) of patients, their levels of activity participation, and satisfaction with these levels, in addition to exploring whether the duration of post-intensive care unit (ICU) discharge is associated with the effects of PASC.
SUBJECT AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 134 patients with COVID-19 discharged from an ICU in Kuwait. Data were collected using two validated questionnaires: the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) and Satisfaction with Daily Occupations. Additionally, demographic information was collected, and 11 categories of related symptoms were investigated.
RESULTS: Most patients reported health issues post-ICU discharge. Furthermore, most PASC-related symptoms decreased over time, whereas a few increased. Notably, we observed a negative association between post-discharge duration and overall improvement in level of participation in activities of daily living. However, patients discharged from the ICU for more than 6 months demonstrated higher satisfaction with functional performance and improved QOL. Additionally, patients who received rehabilitation, and were vaccinated were less likely to have poor QOL. No significant sex differences were observed in the WHOQOL-BREF score.
CONCLUSION: PASC adversely affected the daily functioning of patients, especially in leisure, social, and religious aspects. However, these effects lessened over time, with corresponding improvement in QOL. Additionally, patient satisfaction with functional performance increased over time. These findings shed light on the rehabilitation needs of patients with COVID-19.
Fulltext Publication productivity and citation analysis of the Medical Journal of Malaysia: 2004 - 2008

Sanni SA, Zainab AN

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Feb;67(1):52-9.
PMID: 22582549

We analysed 580 articles (original articles only) published in Medical Journal of Malaysia between 2004 and 2008, the resources referenced by the articles and the citations and impact received. Our aim was to examine article and author productivity, the age of references used and impact of the journal. Publication data was obtained from MyAIS database and Google Scholar provided the citation data. From the 580 articles analyzed, contributors mainly come from the hospitals, universities and clinics. Contributions from foreign authors are low. The useful lives of references cited were between 3 to 11 years. ISI derived Impact factor for MJM ranged between 0.378 to 0.616. Journal self-citation is low. Out of the 580 sampled articles, 76.8% have been cited at least once over the 5 years and the ratio of total publications to citations is 1: 2.6.
Age, sex, haemoglobin level, and white cell count at diagnosis are important prognostic factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with BFM-type protocol

Ng SM, Lin HP, Ariffin WA, Zainab AK, Lam SK, Chan LL

J Trop Pediatr, 2000 Dec;46(6):338-43.
PMID: 11191144

The presenting features and treatment outcome for 575 Malaysian children (< or = 12 years of age) with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), admitted to the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between 1 January 1980 and 30 May 1995 were evaluated to determine their prognostic significance. Two-year overall survival was achieved in 67 per cent of all patients and 55 per cent of patients were relapse-free at 2 years. All except 10 patients, with identified French-American-British L3 morphology were treated with the modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster 78 treatment protocol. Univariate analyses of failure rate conferred age, sex, white cell count and hemoglobin level as potentially significant prognostic factors. All four presenting features retained their prognostic strength in a multivariate analysis. Race, platelet count, morphological subtype, liver/spleen size, lymphadenopathy, central nervous system and mediastinal mass involvement did not show any significant effect on treatment outcome. The 2-year survival rate was significantly different with regard to age, white cell count and hemoglobin level. However, sex was not significantly related to overall survival. These prognostic factors may have implications on future stratification of risk-adjusted initial treatment in the management of childhood ALL. Our analysis of Malaysian children is similar to what could be predicted based on previous studies in other populations.
Perceptions of nurses on inter-shift handover: A descriptive study in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Chong DWQ, Iqbal AR, Kaur Jaj B, Zainab A, Nordin A, Abd Majid ND, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):691-697.
PMID: 33219179

INTRODUCTION: The quality of information and efficiency in the practice and care environments are important aspects of nursing care. The use of a reliable and valid scale can monitor the quality of handover and provide information for continuous improvement of practice. This study aims to describe the perception of nurses, on the domains of quality of information, efficiency, interaction and support and patient involvement.
METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 450 nurses from 37 wards in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Nurses on shift duty were recruited by convenience sampling from the Medical, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedic and Paediatric wards. Using a validated questionnaire (Handover Evaluation Scale), nurses self-rated their perceptions using a 7-point scale and provided open-ended responses to the strengths and challenges that they faced. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done while open-ended questions were summarised based on key themes.
RESULTS: A total of 414 nurses completed the survey (92.0% response rate). Nurses had an overall mean (SD) perception score of 5.01 (SD 0.56). They perceived good interaction and support during handover and on the quality of information that they received, with mean scores of 5.54 (SD 0.79) and 5.19 (SD 0.69), respectively. There was an association between the departments where the nurses worked and their overall perceptions on nursing handover (p<0.001). Interruptions being the most common theme emerged from the open-ended section.
CONCLUSION: Despite having substantial interaction and support amongst nurses, opportunities for improvements were noted. Improvements in the quality of handover information and reducing interruptions should be the main emphases as these were perceived to be essential in the current handover practices by nurses.
Fulltext The impact of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination and seedling growth of different bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes

Mahpara S, Zainab A, Ullah R, Kausar S, Bilal M, Latif MI, et al.

PLoS One, 2022;17(2):e0262937.
PMID: 35148345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262937

Wheat is an important crop, used as staple food in numerous countries around the world. However, wheat productivity is low in the developing world due to several biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly drought stress. Non-availability of drought-tolerant wheat genotypes at different growth stages is the major constraint in improving wheat productivity in the developing world. Therefore, screening/developing drought-tolerant genotypes at different growth stages could improve the productivity of wheat. This study assessed seed germination and seedling growth of eight wheat genotypes under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced stress. Two PEG-induced osmotic potentials (i.e., -0.6 and -1.2 MPa) were included in the study along with control (0 MPa). Wheat genotypes included in the study were 'KLR-16', 'B6', 'J10', '716', 'A12', 'Seher', 'KTDH-16', and 'J4'. Data relating to seed germination percentage, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoot, root/shoot length ratio and chlorophyll content were recorded. The studied parameters were significantly altered by individual and interactive effects of genotypes and PEG-induced osmotic potentials. Seed germination and growth parameters were reduced by osmotic potentials; however, huge differences were noted among genotypes. A reduction of 32.83 to 53.50% was recorded in seed germination, 24.611 to 47.75% in root length, 37.83 to 53.72% in shoot length, and 53.35 to 65.16% in root fresh weight. The genotypes, 'J4', 'KLR-16' and 'KTDH-16', particularly 'J4' better tolerated increasing osmotic potentials compared to the rest of the genotypes included in the study. Principal component analysis segregated these genotypes from the rest of the genotypes included in the study indicated that these can be used in the future studies to improve the drought tolerance of wheat crop. The genotype 'J4' can be used as a breeding material to develop drought resistant wheat genotypes.