Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 93 in total

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  1. Idzwan Zakaria M, Che Manshor N, Maw Pin T
    Arch Acad Emerg Med, 2023;11(1):e16.
    PMID: 36743703 DOI: 10.22037/aaem.v11i1.1613
    INTRODUCTION: A decision-making guideline on when to intubate an older person based on predictors of intubation outcome would be extremely beneficial. This study aimed to identify the associated factors that could predict the outcomes of endotracheal intubation among older adults in the Emergency Department (ED).

    METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, patients aged ≥65 years intubated at the ED of University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2015 to 2019 were studied. The association between age, gender, place of inhabitation, Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) score for frailty, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score, indication for intubation, and diagnosis on admission with in-hospital mortality (primary outcome) and duration of ventilation, and length of stay (secondary outcomes) were evaluated using univariate analysis and Cox's regression survival analysis.

    RESULTS: 889 cases aged 65 years and above were studied (61.5% male). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 71.4%. There was a significant association between age (p < 0.001), nursing home residency (p = 0.008), CCI≥ 5 (p = 0.001), APACHE-II (p < 0.001), pre-intubation Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p < 0.001), cardiac arrest as indication of intubation (p < 0.001), diagnosis on admission (p < 0.001), length of stay (p < 0.001), and length of ventilation (p = 0.003) and in-hospital mortality. Age ≥ 85 years (HR= 1.270; 95%CI=1.074 to 1.502) and 75 to 84 years (HR=1.642; 95%CI=1.167 to 2.076), cardiac arrest as indication of intubation (HR: 1.882; 95% CI: 1.554 - 2.279), and APACHE-II scores 25 - 34 (HR: 1.423; 95% CI: 1.171 - 1.730) and ≥ 35 (HR: 1.789; 95%CI: 1.418 - 2.256) were amongst the independent predictive factors of in-hospital mortality.

    CONCLUSION: Nearly three out of four individuals aged ≥65 years intubated at the ED died during the same admission. Older age, cardiac arrest as indication of intubation, and APACHE-II score were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

  2. Daud MK, Noh NF, Sidek DS, Abd Rahman N, Abd Rani N, Zakaria MN
    B-ENT, 2011;7(4):245-9.
    PMID: 22338236
    The effect of noise on employees of dental clinics is debatable. The purposes of this study were to determine the intensity and frequency components of dental instruments used by dental staff nurses and the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss.
  3. Md Daud MK, Noor SS, Yusoff MN, Abd Rahman N, Zakaria MN
    B-ENT, 2013;9(4):319-23.
    PMID: 24597108
    To assess differences between the coping strategies of the mothers and fathers with hearing-impaired children.
  4. Rajpar MN, Rajpar AH, Zakaria M
    Braz J Biol, 2022;84:e256160.
    PMID: 35137773 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.256160
    Riverine forests are unique and highly significant ecosystems that are globally important for diverse and threatened avian species. Apart from being a cradle of life, it also serves as a gene pool that harbors a variety of flora and fauna species (repeated below). Despite the fact, this fragile ecosystem harbored avian assemblages; it is now disappearing daily as a result of human activity. Determining habitat productivity using bird species is critical for conservation and better management in the future. Multiple surveys were conducted over a 15-month period, from January to March 2019, using the distance sampling point count method. A total of 250 point count stations were fixed systematically at 300 m intervals. In total, 9929 bird individuals were recorded, representing 57 species and 34 families. Out of 57 bird species, two were vulnerable, one was data deficient, one was nearly threatened, and the remaining 53 species were of least concern. The Eurasian Collard Dove - Streptopelia decaocto (14.641 ± 2.532/ha), White-eared Bulbul - Pycnonotus leucotis (13.398 ± 4.342/ha) and Common Babbler - Turdoides caudata (10.244 ± 2.345/ha) were the three first plenteous species having higher densities. However, the densities of three species, i.e., Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca, Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea and Pallas Fish Eagle - Haliaeetus leucoryphus, were not analyzed due to the small sample size. The findings of diversity indices revealed that riverine forest has harbored the diverse avian species that are uniformly dispersed across the forest. Moreover, recording the ten foraging guilds indicated that riverine forest is rich in food resources. In addition, the floristic structure importance value index results indicated that riverine forest is diverse and rich in flora, i.e. trees, shrubs, weeds and grass, making it an attractive and productive habitat for bird species.
  5. Yap CK, Shahbazi A, Zakaria MP
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2012 Dec;89(6):1205-10.
    PMID: 23052577 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-012-0838-x
    In this study, the ranges of pollutants found in the soft tissues of Perna viridis collected from Kg. Masai and Kg. Sg. Melayu, both located in the Straits of Johore, were 0.85-1.58 μg/g dry weight (dw) for Cd, 5.52-12.2 μg/g dw for Cu, 5.66-8.93 μg/g dw for Ni and 63.4-72.3 μg/g dw for Zn, and 36.4-244 ng/g dry weight for ∑PAHs. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn and ∑PAHs in the mussels were found in the water of a seaport site at Kg. Masai than a non-seaport site at Kg. Sg. Melayu population. The ratios of low molecular weight/high molecular weight hydrocarbons (2.94-3.42) and fluoranthene/pyrene (0.43-0.45) in mussels from both sites indicated the origin of the PAHs to be mainly petrogenic. This study has demonstrated the utility of using the soft tissues of P. viridis as a biomonitor of PAH contamination and bioavailability in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia.
  6. Styring AR, Ragai R, Zakaria M, Sheldon FH
    Curr Zool, 2016 Aug;62(4):345-355.
    PMID: 29491923 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow022
    Understanding foraging strategies of birds is essential to understanding mechanisms of their community assembly. To provide such information on a key Southeast Asian rainforest family, the babblers (Timaliidae), we evaluated foraging behavior and abundance in 7 morphologically and behaviorally similar sympatric species (Cyanoderma erythropterum,C. rufifrons,Stachyris maculata,S. nigricollis, S. poliocephala,Macronus ptilosus, andMixornis gularis) in 5 habitats defined by structural complexity: (1) continuous native rainforest, (2) logged native rainforest fragments, (3) mature industrial tree plantation, (4) young industrial plantation, and (5) oil palm plantation. Enough data were obtained to compare abundance in all 7 species and foraging behavior in 5. All species were common in forest fragments and mature industrial tree plantations and less so in continuous rainforest and young industrial plantations; onlyM. gularisoccurred in oil palm. In terms of foraging,M. gulariswas the greatest generalist;C. rufifronsforaged mainly on live leaves in the forest midstory; andS. maculata,C. erythropterum, andM. ptilosusforaged mainly on dead leaves suspended in understory vegetation at significantly different heights. The dead-leaf substrate depends on a rich supply of falling leaves and extensive understory structure, conditions most common in native forest and old industrial plantations, and less so in mature forest, young plantations, and oil palm. Because of the importance of foraging data to understanding and managing biodiversity, we encourage the development of foraging fields in eBird (ebird.org), so that birdwatchers may help collect these relatively rare data.
  7. Md Noh SM, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Bannur ZM, Froemming GA, Abdul Hamid Hasani N, Mohd Nawawi H, et al.
    Exp Eye Res, 2014 Oct;127:236-42.
    PMID: 25139730 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.08.005
    Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (Anti-VEGF) agents have received recent interest as potential anti-fibrotic agents for their concurrent use with trabeculectomy. Preliminary cohort studies have revealed improved bleb morphology following trabeculectomy augmented with ranibizumab. The effects of this humanized monoclonal antibody on human Tenon's fibroblast (HTF), the key player of post trabeculectomy scar formation, are not fully understood. This study was conducted to understand the effects of ranibizumab on extracellular matrix production by HTF. The effect of ranibizumab on HTF proliferation and cell viability was determined using MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazone-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium). Ranibizumab at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/mL were administered for 24, 48 and 72 h in serum and serum free conditions. Supernatants and cell lysates from samples were assessed for collagen type 1 alpha 1 and fibronectin mRNA and protein level using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 48-h, ranibizumab at 0.5 mg/mL, significantly induced cell death under serum-free culture conditions (p 
  8. Puan CL, Goldizen AW, Zakaria M, Hafidzi MN, Baxter GS
    Integr Zool, 2011 Jun;6(2):130-139.
    PMID: 21645277 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00231.x
    The relationships between vertebrate pests and crop damage are often complex and difficult to study. In palm oil plantations rodents remain the major pests, causing substantial monetary losses. The present study examined the numerical and functional responses of rodents to changes in the availability of oil palm fruit and the damage associated with that response. For the study, 200 traps were set in pairs on a 10 × 10 trapping grid for 3 consecutive nights in each of 6 study plots at 8-week intervals in a 2569 ha oil palm plantation at Labu, Negeri Sembilan state in Peninsular Malaysia over 14 months. A total of 1292 individual rats were captured over 25 200 trap-nights. Animals were identified, aged, sexed, weighed and measured. An index of the relative abundance of rats was calculated based on trapping success. Damage to infructescences was assessed at each trap point. Regardless of the age of palms, there were positive and significant relationships between the relative abundance of rats and numbers of infructescences. The levels of damage to infructescences were significantly correlated with the relative abundance of rats. A steep increase in damage was observed with an increase in mature infructescences, indicating a feeding preference of rats for mature infructescences. For both males and females of all rat species, there were weak and non-significant correlations between body condition and infructescence numbers. These results indicated that there was a numerical and a functional response by rats to the availability of palm fruit and a resulting increase in depredation of oil palm fruits. The ways in which this information might aid in future pest control are discussed.
  9. Zainin, N. S., Lau, K. Y., Zakaria, M., Son, R., Abdull Razis, A. F., Rukayadi, Y.
    MyJurnal
    An awareness of Escherichia coli as a foodborne pathogen and illness causing bacterium has been increased among consumers. Moreover, there is demand for natural product in order to reduce synthetic product that can cause toxic to the human. In this study, antibacterial activity, in term of MIC, MBC and killing-time curve of methanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda have been tested against a standard E. coli ATCC 25922 and two E. coli isolated from milk products using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methods. The results show that B. rotunda extract was susceptible to all E. coli strains. The MIC and MBC values of B. rotunda extract against E. coli ranged 0.019 mg/mL 2.5 mg/mL and 0.039 mg/mL – 5.0 µg/mL, respectively. Killing-time curves were constructed at concentrations of 0x MIC, 1/2x MIC, 1x MIC, and 2x MIC. All E. coli strains can be killed with concentration of 2x MIC after 2 hours. The results show that B. rotunda extract has potential antibacterial activity against E. coli.
  10. Rukayadi, Y., Lau, K.Y., Zainin, N.S., Zakaria, M., Abas, F.
    MyJurnal
    Edible medicinal plants are often used in the treatment of various ailments and spice in traditional food preparation. In this study, 45 of tropical edible medicinal plants extracts from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand were screened for their antimicrobial activity against five standard microorganisms for food preservative namely Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The methanol extracts of Piper nigrum L. seed, Piper cubeba L. seed, and the root of Ligusticum acutilobum Siebold and Zucc. showed antimicrobial activity against five species of standard microorganisms. Among them, P. cubeba L. extract demonstrated the most susceptible against all tested microorganisms. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal or fungicidal concentration (MBC or MFC) were performed by the broth microdilution techniques as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. MIC values of P. cubeba L. extract to A. niger, C. albicans, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were 12.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, and 1.6 mg/ml, respectively. P. cubeba extract killed A. niger, C. albicans, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus with MBC values of 25.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, and 3.2 mg/ml, respectively. The potent antimicrobial activity of P. cubeba L. extract may support its use for natural food preservative.
  11. Radwan, H., Khalil, M., Annuar, F., Azmi, H., Zakaria, M. Z.
    MyJurnal
    Palm oil-based wax is a waste material from palm oil refining process. Recent prototyping
    activities have used industrial blue wax or synthetic wax to produce prototype parts by machining
    processes. The new palm oil-based wax blended with LLDPE reduces the use of synthetic wax for
    engineering applications. This paper studies the machining characteristic of two different composite
    blends: LLDPE/PALMAC 95 -16 Palm Oil-Based Wax and LLDPE/PALMAC 98-18 Palm Oil-Based
    Wax. Three machining characteristic results were recorded, namely; surface roughness, temperature
    and dimensional consistency.
  12. Zakaria MP, Okuda T, Takada H
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2001 Dec;42(12):1357-66.
    PMID: 11827123
    Malaysian coasts are subjected to various threats of petroleum pollution including routine and accidental oil spill from tankers, spillage of crude oils from inland and off-shore oil fields, and run-off from land-based human activities. Due to its strategic location, the Straits of Malacca serves as a major shipping lane. This paper expands the utility of biomarker compounds, hopanes, in identifying the source of tar-balls stranded on Malaysian coasts. 20 tar-ball samples collected from the east and west coast were analyzed for hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Four of the 13 tar-ball samples collected from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were identified as the Middle East crude oil (MECO) based on their biomarker signatures, suggesting tanker-derived sources significantly contributing the petroleum pollution in the Straits of Malacca. The tar-balls found on the east coast seem to originate from the offshore oil platforms in the South China Sea. The presence of South East Asian crude oil (SEACO) tar-balls on the west coast carry several plausible explanations. Some of the tar-balls could have been transported via sea currents from the east coast. The tankers carrying SEACO to other countries could have accidentally spilt the oil as well. Furthermore, discharge of tank washings and ballast water from the tankers were suggested based on the abundance in higher molecular weight n-alkanes and the absence of unresolved complex mixture (UCM) in the tar-ball samples. The other possibilities are that the tar-balls may have been originated from the Sumatran oil fields and spillage of domestic oil from oil refineries in Port Dickson and Malacca. The results of PAHs analysis suggest that all the tar-ball samples have undergone various extent of weathering through evaporation, dissolution and photooxidation.
  13. Christie B, Musri N, Djustiana N, Takarini V, Tuygunov N, Zakaria MN, et al.
    Mater Today Bio, 2023 Dec;23:100815.
    PMID: 37779917 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100815
    Conventional dentistry faces limitations in preserving tooth health due to the finite lifespan of restorative materials. Regenerative dentistry, utilizing stem cells and bioactive materials, offers a promising approach for regenerating dental tissues. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and bioactive materials like calcium phosphate (CaP) and silicate-based materials have shown potential for dental tissue regeneration. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of CaP and silicate-based materials on hDPSCs through in vitro studies published since 2015. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search strategy was implemented in PubMed MedLine, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect databases. Eligibility criteria were established using the PICOS scheme. Data extraction and risk of bias (RoB) assessment were conducted, with the included studies assessed for bias using the Office of Health and Translation (OHAT) RoB tool. The research has been registered at OSF Registries. Ten in vitro studies met the eligibility criteria out of 1088 initial studies. Methodological heterogeneity and the use of self-synthesized biomaterials with limited generalizability were observed in the included study. The findings highlight the positive effect of CaP and silicate-based materials on hDPSCs viability, adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. While the overall RoB assessment indicated satisfactory credibility of the reviewed studies, the limited number of studies and methodological heterogeneity pose challenges for quantitative research. In conclusion, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the effects of CaP and silicate-based materials on hDPSCs. Further research is awaited to enhance our understanding and optimize regenerative dental treatments using bioactive materials and hDPSCs, which promise to improve patient outcomes.
  14. Eslaminejad T, Zakaria M
    Microb Pathog, 2011 Nov;51(5):325-37.
    PMID: 21839160 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2011.07.007
    Roselle, or Jamaica sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a popular vegetable in many tropical regions, cultivated for its leaves, seeds, stems and calyces which, the dried calyces are used to prepare tea, syrup, jams and jellies and as beverages. The main objectives of this study were to identify and characterise fungal pathogens associated with Roselle diseases based on their morphological and cultural characteristics and to determine the pathogenicity of four fungi infecting Roselle seedlings, namely Phoma exigua, Fusarium nygamai, Fusarium tgcq and Rhizoctonia solani in Penang. A total of 200 fungal isolates were obtained from 90 samples of symptomatic Roselle tissues. The isolates were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics, as well as their pathogenicity. The fungal pathogen most frequently isolated was P. exigua (present in 45% of the samples), followed by F. nygamai (25%), Rhizoctonia solani (19%) and F. camptoceras (11%). Pathogenicity tests showed that P. exigua, F. nygamai, F. camptoceras and R. solani were able to infect both wounded and unwounded seedlings with different degrees of severity as indicated by the Disease severity (DS). R. solani was the most pathogenic fungus affecting both wounded and unwounded Roselle seedlings, followed by P. exigua that was highly pathogenic on wounded seedlings. F. nygamai was less pathogenic while the least pathogenic fungus was F. camptoceras, infecting only the unwounded seedlings but, surprisingly, not the wounded plants.
  15. Eslaminejad T, Zakaria M
    Microb Pathog, 2012 Jun 02.
    PMID: 23063498 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2012.05.009
    The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2012.05.010;. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.
  16. Zakaria MH, Amin SM, Rahman MA, Arshad A, Christianus A, Siraj SS
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2012 Jul 01;15(13):604-9.
    PMID: 24218929
    The freshwater fish, Probarbus jullieni (Sauvage), locally referred to as "Temoleh", is a high-valued freshwater fish in Malaysia and has both cultural and conservational significance. It is widely distributed in the North-east Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. During the recent past, the natural stocks of P. jullieni have been decreased severely due to habitat degradation and man-induced hazards in aquatic ecosystem. Despite the vast research that has been conducted on various carp species, little attention has been given to P. jullieni. This study reviewed the published information on the status, distribution, reproduction and biodiversity of this commercially important fish species. The findings would greatly be helpful towards the species conservation and aquaculture development of the highly endangered P. jullieni.
  17. Tew MM, Hatah E, Zakaria M, Makmor-Bakry M
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2023;17:1513-1523.
    PMID: 37389151 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S415482
    INTRODUCTION: Minor ailments can be defined as medical conditions that can be self-diagnosed, resolve on their own, and be self-managed with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Nevertheless, minor ailment management was reported to consume much of the health care resources, which may burden the health care system as it increases patient waiting times and the doctors' workload.

    PURPOSE: To evaluate the publics' knowledge, perceptions, and practice on the management of minor ailments in community pharmacies in Malaysia and factors that may influence it.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was conducted between Dec 2020 and April 2021 among general population in Malaysia. The self-developed and validated survey form consisted of four sections included respondents' demographics, knowledge, perceptions and practices toward minor aliment management in community pharmacy and was distributed using Google Forms via social media platforms. Factors influencing good public practices and perceptions were modeled using binary logistic regression.

    RESULTS: A total of 562 respondents completed the survey. Majority (n = 354, 63.0%) have good knowledge (score of 9-10), good practice (n = 367, 65.3%) (score 18-30) and good perception score (n = 305, 54.3%) (score 41-60). Variables such as age, those with higher degree (master/PhD), and prior experience and frequency of using community pharmacy had significant influence on respondents' good perceptions, while age and frequency of visit were found to influence respondents' good practice on minor ailment management in community pharmacy.

    CONCLUSION: Public in Malaysia have good knowledge on management of minor ailments by community pharmacies. Nevertheless, the publics' perceptions and practice need to be further improved. More advocacy on community pharmacy's roles on minor ailment management among public is need to strengthen the Malaysia's healthcare system resources.

  18. Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.
    Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Feb 13;114(6):061801.
    PMID: 25723204
    A search for new long-lived particles decaying to leptons is presented using proton-proton collisions produced by the LHC at √[s]=8  TeV. Data used for the analysis were collected by the CMS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7  fb(-1). Events are selected with an electron and muon with opposite charges that both have transverse impact parameter values between 0.02 and 2 cm. The search has been designed to be sensitive to a wide range of models with nonprompt e-μ final states. Limits are set on the "displaced supersymmetry" model, with pair production of top squarks decaying into an e-μ final state via R-parity-violating interactions. The results are the most restrictive to date on this model, with the most stringent limit being obtained for a top squark lifetime corresponding to cτ=2  cm, excluding masses below 790 GeV at 95% confidence level.
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