Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 122 in total

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  1. Neni SW, Latif AZ, Wong SY, Lua PL
    Seizure, 2010 Jun;19(5):280-90.
    PMID: 20466567 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2010.04.006
    This study was carried out to gauge the preliminary insight regarding epilepsy among the rural society. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine general level of awareness, knowledge and attitudes (AKA) towards epilepsy among rural communities, (2) to compare the AKA level based on socio-demographic characteristics and (3) to investigate rural cohort's perception of the best epilepsy treatment, preference for epilepsy information delivery and preference for mode of transportation to seek medical treatment. This prospective, cross sectional study included a sample of 615 rural residents enrolled via cluster sampling in East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia (mean age=41.6+/-18.02, female=56.6%, married=65.5%, Malay=94.0%, monthly income < or = RM 500=56.9%). The Total AKA level was generally low (2.66+/-0.7). Gender-wise no significant difference was shown regarding AKA level (p>0.05). However, respondents with higher education significantly possessed better attitudes and higher Total AKA level compared to those with lower education level (p<0.001). Employed respondents reported significantly more favourable attitudes than unemployed respondents (p=0.011). Additionally, higher income rural cohorts possessed both significantly better attitudes and better AKA. These rural communities perceived modern medicine as the best epilepsy treatment (56.60%), preferred to obtain direct epilepsy-related information from health personnel (60.4%) and chose to use their own car to seek medical treatment in hospital (76.30%). The outcomes of this preliminary study signified the need to devise a dedicated epilepsy education program for implementation among rural residents. Increased AKA level in the society could enhance the people's acceptance, reduce stigmatisation and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for epilepsy patients and their family.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  2. Low PH, Mangat MS, Liew DNS, Wong ASH
    World Neurosurg, 2020 12;144:e710-e713.
    PMID: 32949798 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.09.045
    BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has set a huge challenge to the delivery of neurosurgical services, including the transfer of patients. We aimed to share our strategy in handling neurosurgical emergencies at a remote center in Borneo island. Our objectives included discussing the logistic and geographic challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    METHODS: Miri General Hospital is a remote center in Sarawak, Malaysia, serving a population with difficult access to neurosurgical services. Two neurosurgeons were stationed here on a rotational basis every fortnight during the pandemic to handle neurosurgical cases. Patients were triaged depending on their urgent needs for surgery or transfer to a neurosurgical center and managed accordingly. All patients were screened for potential risk of contracting COVID-19 prior to the surgery. Based on this, the level of personal protective equipment required for the health care workers involved was determined.

    RESULTS: During the initial 6 weeks of the Movement Control Order in Malaysia, there were 50 urgent neurosurgical consultations. Twenty patients (40%) required emergency surgery or intervention. There were 9 vascular (45%), 5 trauma (25%), 4 tumor (20%), and 2 hydrocephalus cases (10%). Eighteen patients were operated at Miri General Hospital, among whom 17 (94.4%) survived. Ninety percent of anticipated transfers were avoided. None of the medical staff acquired COVID-19.

    CONCLUSIONS: This framework allowed timely intervention for neurosurgical emergencies (within a safe limit), minimized transfer, and enabled uninterrupted neurosurgical services at a remote center with difficult access to neurosurgical care during a pandemic.

    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation of Patients
  3. Hanapiah M, Zulkifli SZ, Mustafa M, Mohamat-Yusuff F, Ismail A
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Feb;127:453-457.
    PMID: 29475685 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.015
    Diuron is an alternative biocide suggested to replace organotin in formulating antifouling paints to be applied on water-going vessels hull. However, it is potentially harmful to various non-targeted marine organisms due to its toxic properties. Present study aimed to isolate, screen and identify the potential of Diuron-degrading bacteria collected from the marine sediments of Port Klang, Malaysia. Preliminary screening was conducted by exposing isolated bacteria to 430ng/L (background level), followed by 600ng/L and 1000ng/L of Diuron concentrations. Nine bacteria colonies survived the exposure of the above concentrations. However, only two strains can tolerate to survive up to 1000μg/L, which were then characterised and identified using phenotypic tests and the standard 16S rRNA molecular identification. The strains were identified as Comamonas jiangduensis SZZ 10 and Bacillus aerius SZZ 19 (GenBank accession numbers: KU942479 and KU942480, respectively). Both strains have the potential of Diuron biodegradation for future use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation Facilities
  4. Al-Aqil A, Zulkifli I
    Poult Sci, 2009 Jul;88(7):1358-64.
    PMID: 19531704 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2008-00554
    An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of 2 types of housing systems and early age feed restriction on heat shock protein (hsp) 70 expression and blood parameters in broiler chickens subjected to road transportation. On d 1, female chicks were housed either in windowless environmentally controlled chambers (temperature was set at 32 degrees C on d 1 and gradually reduced to 23 degrees C by d 21; CH) or in conventional open-sided houses (OH) with cyclic temperatures (minimum, 24 degrees C; maximum, 34 degrees C). Equal number of chicks from each housing system were subjected to either ad libitum feeding or 60% feed restriction on d 4, 5, and 6 (FR). On d 42, all of the birds were crated and transported for 6 h. Birds raised in OH had smaller increases in heterophil:lymphocyte ratios and plasma corticosterone concentrations than those of CH. Subjecting birds to FR dampened heterophil:lymphocyte ratios and corticosterone reactions to transportation. After 4 h of transportation, the OH birds had greater hsp 70 expression than their CH counterparts. Within the CH, the FR chicks showed higher hsp 70 density than those of the ad libitum-fed group. Except for glucose, housing system had a negligible effect on serum levels of cholesterol, potassium, and chloride. Collectively, the results suggest that the improved tolerance to transport stress in OH and FR chicks could be associated with better hsp 70 expression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  5. Bolton JM
    Br Med J, 1968 Jun 29;2(5608):818-23.
    PMID: 5658921
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation of Patients
  6. Mat Rosly M, Halaki M, Hasnan N, Mat Rosly H, Davis GM, Husain R
    Spinal Cord, 2018 08;56(8):806-818.
    PMID: 29410495 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-018-0068-0
    STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
    OBJECTIVES: An epidemiological study describing leisure time physical activities (LTPA) and the associations of barriers, sociodemographic and injury characteristics to moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise participation among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a developing Southeast Asian country.
    SETTING: SCI community in Malaysia.
    METHODS: The study sample consisted of 70 participants with SCI. Questionnaires were distributed containing an abbreviated Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (items 2-6) and the Barriers to Exercise Scale using a 5-tier Likert format. Statistical analyses were χ2 tests, odds ratios, and binary forward stepwise logistic regression to assess the association and to predict factors related to participation in moderate-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise (items 4 and 5).
    RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of the study sample did not participate in any form of moderate or vigorous LTPA. The top three barriers to undertaking LTPA (strongly agree and agree descriptors) were expensive exercise equipment (54%), pain (37%) and inaccessible facilities (36%). Participants over the age of 35 years, ethnicity, health concerns, perceiving exercise as difficult and indicating lack of transport were significantly different (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  7. Mohd-Dom T, Ayob R, Mohd-Nur A, Abdul-Manaf MR, Ishak N, Abdul-Muttalib K, et al.
    BMC Oral Health, 2014 May 20;14:56.
    PMID: 24884465 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6831-14-56
    BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to quantify the cost of periodontitis management at public sector specialist periodontal clinic settings and analyse the distribution of cost components.

    METHODS: Five specialist periodontal clinics in the Ministry of Health represented the public sector in providing clinical and cost data for this study. Newly-diagnosed periodontitis patients (N = 165) were recruited and followed up for one year of specialist periodontal care. Direct and indirect costs from the societal viewpoint were included in the cost analysis. They were measured in 2012 Ringgit Malaysia (MYR) and estimated from the societal perspective using activity-based and step-down costing methods, and substantiated by clinical pathways. Cost of dental equipment, consumables and labour (average treatment time) for each procedure was measured using activity-based costing method. Meanwhile, unit cost calculations for clinic administration, utilities and maintenance used step-down approach. Patient expenditures and absence from work were recorded via diary entries. The conversion from MYR to Euro was based on the 2012 rate (1€ = MYR4).

    RESULTS: A total of 2900 procedures were provided, with an average cost of MYR 2820 (€705) per patient for the study year, and MYR 376 (€94) per outpatient visit. Out of this, 90% was contributed by provider cost and 10% by patient cost; 94% for direct cost and 4% for lost productivity. Treatment of aggressive periodontitis was significantly higher than for chronic periodontitis (t-test, P = 0.003). Higher costs were expended as disease severity increased (ANOVA, P = 0.022) and for patients requiring surgeries (ANOVA, P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation/economics
  8. Ang GY, Yu CY, Chan KG, Singh KK, Chan Yean Y
    J Microbiol Methods, 2015 Nov;118:99-105.
    PMID: 26342435 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2015.08.024
    In this study, we report for the first time the development of a dry-reagent-based nucleic acid-sensing platform by combining a thermostabilised linear-after-the-exponential (LATE)-PCR assay with a one-step, hybridisation-based nucleic acid lateral flow biosensor. The nucleic acid-sensing platform was designed to overcome the need for stringent temperature control during transportation or storage of reagents and reduces the dependency on skilled personnel by decreasing the overall assay complexity and hands-on time. The platform was developed using toxigenic Vibrio cholerae as the model organism due to the bacterium's propensity to cause epidemic and pandemic cholera. The biosensor generates result which can be visualised with the naked eyes and the limit of detection was found to be 1pg of pure genomic DNA and 10CFU/ml of toxigenic V. cholerae. The dry-reagent-based nucleic acid-sensing platform was challenged with 95 toxigenic V. cholerae, 7 non-toxigenic V. cholerae and 66 other bacterial strains in spiked stool sample and complete agreement was observed when the results were compared to that of monosialoganglioside (GM1)-ELISA. Heat-stability of the thermostabilised LATE-PCR reaction mixes at different storage temperatures (4-56°C) was investigated for up to 90days. The dry-reagent-based genosensing platform with ready-to-use assay components provides an alternative method for sequence-specific detection of nucleic acid without any cold chain restriction that is associated with conventional molecular amplification techniques.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  9. Neo KS, Goh KT, Sam CT
    PMID: 11127329
    A survey was conducted between 1995 and 1997 to assess the impact of introduction of unleaded petrol and other public health measures on the blood lead level of the population. The geometric mean blood lead level of 269 government employees as determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, was 66.0 microg/l, much lower than that recorded before introduction of lead-free petrol. Using multiple regression analysis, factors significantly associated with blood lead levels were: exposure to traffic, age (>50 years) and active smoking. Passive smoking, exposure to recent paint work, consumption of alcohol and traditional medicine were found not to be significantly associated with the blood lead level.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  10. Wu WT, Ngim RC
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1992 Sep;21(5):640-8.
    PMID: 1292393
    A bank explosion in a neighbouring country over 1000 km away resulted in ten badly burned victims being airlifted to the Burns Centre, Singapore General Hospital (BCSGH) for treatment. The severely injured included patients with 90%, 80%, 74%, 66%, 45%, 33% and 31% burns. Nine had respiratory burns (four severe, one moderate, four mild). One patient died, thus, the mortality rate for the six most severely injured was 16.7%. This differs from predicted mortality rates of 78% according to McCoy or 54% according to Thompson, Herndon et al. The factors contributing to this result were the small size of the disaster, the use of an established Burns Mass Disaster plan and an individual management policy that incorporates carefully monitored fluid resuscitation, recognition of respiratory burns with early treatment by intubation thus pre emptying complications, early surgery and a multidisciplinary approach to complications such as infection and renal failure. The average length of stay was 43 days (range 5-122 days). The cost of the hospitalisation of the ten casualties was $312,317.00.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation of Patients
  11. Rodríguez G
    Fam Plann Perspect, 1979 Jan-Feb;11(1):51-70.
    PMID: 421882
    Analysis of World Fertility Survey data from five countries--Colombia, Costa Rica, Korea, Malaysia and Nepal--shows that the availability of contraceptive services and supplies is a major determinant of use. In Nepal, where few women know where to obtain supplies, only two percent are contracepting. In Costa Rica, where almost all married women know an outlet nearby, 53 percent use effective methods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  12. Abubakar AA, Zulkifli I, Goh YM, Kaka U, Sabow AB, Imlan JC, et al.
    Foods, 2021 Jan 26;10(2).
    PMID: 33530479 DOI: 10.3390/foods10020252
    This study's objective was to evaluate the effects of distance and stocking density on physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of meat and acute-phase proteins in Brahman crossbred cattle transported by road under hot and humid tropical conditions. Sixty Brahman crossbred heifers were subjected to road transport from a cattle feedlot farm located in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, to a commercial ruminant abattoir in Shah Alam, Selangor. Animals were assigned to long and short distances and high, medium, and low stocking densities. The results revealed that the intensity of response significantly increased in meat samples from animals subjected to long-distance transportation and higher stocking density. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and serum amyloid-A values increased considerably and were different from the baseline values recorded at preload. In conclusion, the current results revealed that the color, pH, shear force values, water holding capacity (WHC), glycogen level, and malondilaldehyde assay (MDA) concentrations in meat and acute-phase proteins (APP) were affected by both distances and stocking densities, as evidenced by the significant changes recorded from the parameters above.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  13. Wongnak P, Thanapongtharm W, Kusakunniran W, Karnjanapreechakorn S, Sutassananon K, Kalpravidh W, et al.
    BMC Vet Res, 2020 Aug 24;16(1):300.
    PMID: 32838786 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02502-4
    BACKGROUND: Nipah virus (NiV) is a fatal zoonotic agent that was first identified amongst pig farmers in Malaysia in 1998, in an outbreak that resulted in 105 fatal human cases. That epidemic arose from a chain of infection, initiating from bats to pigs, and which then spilled over from pigs to humans. In Thailand, bat-pig-human communities can be observed across the country, particularly in the central plain. The present study therefore aimed to identify high-risk areas for potential NiV outbreaks and to model how the virus is likely to spread. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and weighted linear combination (WLC) were employed to produce the NiV risk map. The map was then overlaid with the nationwide pig movement network to identify the index subdistricts in which NiV may emerge. Subsequently, susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) modeling was used to simulate NiV spread within each subdistrict, and network modeling was used to illustrate how the virus disperses across subdistricts.

    RESULTS: Based on the MCDA and pig movement data, 14 index subdistricts with a high-risk of NiV emergence were identified. We found in our infectious network modeling that the infected subdistricts clustered in, or close to the central plain, within a range of 171 km from the source subdistricts. However, the virus may travel as far as 528.5 km (R0 = 5).

    CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the risk of NiV dissemination through pig movement networks in Thailand is low but not negligible. The risk areas identified in our study can help the veterinary authority to allocate financial and human resources to where preventive strategies, such as pig farm regionalization, are required and to contain outbreaks in a timely fashion once they occur.

    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  14. Shamsul Azhar, S., Rohaizat, H., Azimatun Noor, A., Rozita, H., Nazarudin, S., Nirmal, K.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of defaulters of immunization, and their associated risk factors among children age 12 to 24 months. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all government's maternal child health clinics in District of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire from July to November 2006. Results: The prevalence rate for defaulting immunization was 16.8% from the 315 respondents. Bivariable analysis showed various significant factors associated with defaulters such as mother’s employment status, family mobility, transportation and cost. Nonetheless, multivariable analysis showed only mother’s age, mother employment status and family size were the significant predictors for defaulting immunization. Immunization that had the highest rate of defaulters was DPT–OPV booster dose (56.6%), followed by MMR immunization (43.4 %) and
    DPT-Hib/OPV and Hep B third dose (37.7%).Conclusion: Employed mothers with bigger family size should be more closely monitored and advised to reduce the chance of defaulting on the immunization. Health promotion activities also should focus to these groups of mothers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  15. Ang BH, Oxley JA, Chen WS, Yap MKK, Song KP, Lee SWH
    PLoS One, 2020;15(5):e0232795.
    PMID: 32413053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232795
    INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence to suggest the importance of self-regulatory practices amongst older adults to sustain mobility. However, the decision to self-regulate driving is a complex interplay between an individual's preference and the influence of their social networks including spouse. To our best knowledge, the influence of an older adult's spouse on their decisions during driving transition has not been explored.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted amongst married older adults aged 60 years and above. All interview responses were transcribed verbatim and examined using thematic approach and interpretative description method.

    RESULTS: A total of 11 married couples were interviewed. Three major themes emerged: [1] Our roles in driving; [2] Challenges to continue driving; and, [3] Our driving strategies to ensure continued driving. Older couples adopted driving strategies and regulated their driving patterns to ensure they continued to drive safely. Male partners often took the active driving role as the principal drivers, while the females adopted a more passive role, including being the passenger to accompany the principal drivers or becoming the co-driver to help in navigation. Other coping strategies include sharing the driving duties as well as using public transportation or mixed mode transportation.

    DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest spouse play a significant role in their partners' decision to self-regulate driving. This underscores a need to recognise the importance of interdependency amongst couples and its impact on their driving decisions and outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation
  16. Maheshwari S, Animasahun BA, Njokanma OF
    Indian Heart J, 2012 Jan-Feb;64(1):50-3.
    PMID: 22572426 DOI: 10.1016/S0019-4832(12)60011-X
    Factors that have led to the increasing popularity of medical travel include the high cost of healthcare, long wait times for certain procedures, the ease and affordability of international travel, and improvements in both technology and standards of care in many countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation/economics
  17. Abas AB, Mohd Said DA, Aziz Mohammed MA, Sathiakumar N
    Am. J. Ind. Med., 2013 Jan;56(1):65-76.
    PMID: 22544443 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22056
    BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, surveillance of fatal occupational injuries is fragmented. We therefore analyzed an alternative data source from Malaysia's Social Security organization, the Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO).
    METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the PERKESO database comprised of 7 million employees from 2002 to 2006.
    RESULTS: Overall, the average annual incidence was 9.2 fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. During the 5-year period, there was a decrease in the absolute number of fatal injuries by 16% and the incidence by 34%. The transportation sector reported the highest incidence of fatal injuries (35.1/100,000), followed by agriculture (30.5/100,000) and construction (19.3/100,000) sectors. Persons of Indian ethnicity were more likely to sustain fatal injuries compared to other ethnic groups.
    CONCLUSIONS: Government and industry should develop rigorous strategies to detect hazards in the workplace, especially in sectors that continuously record high injury rates. Targeted interventions emphasizing worker empowerment coupled with systematic monitoring and evaluation is critical to ensure success in prevention and control measures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation/statistics & numerical data*
  18. Chu AH, Moy FM
    Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S14-7.
    PMID: 23276774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.12.011
    This study investigates physical activity in different domains and its association with metabolic risk factors among middle-aged adults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation/statistics & numerical data*
  19. Awang H, Mansor N, Rodrigo SK
    PMID: 26867371
    Illness and injury have a significant impact on employees, their families and employers. The consequences faced by an injured worker could lead to disability, which could then lead to inability to work. This study examined the patterns of the Return to Work (RTW) using data from The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) of Malaysia RTW database from 2010 to 2013. Factors of successful return to work, employees' salary upon returning to formal employment were also investigated. Gender, age, year of injury, industry, and job hierarchy were found to be significant predictors of employees' salary upon returning to work. Although there are other costs involved on the part of employers and employees, themselves, in the long term the financial returns that can be brought back by injured workers who have successfully returned to work combined with the qualitative benefits substantially outweighs the costs of RTW program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation/statistics & numerical data
  20. Chen CH, Shin SD, Sun JT, Jamaluddin SF, Tanaka H, Song KJ, et al.
    PLoS Med, 2020 10;17(10):e1003360.
    PMID: 33022018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003360
    BACKGROUND: Whether rapid transportation can benefit patients with trauma remains controversial. We determined the association between prehospital time and outcome to explore the concept of the "golden hour" for injured patients.

    METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients transported from the scene to hospitals by emergency medical service (EMS) from January 1, 2016, to November 30, 2018, using data from the Pan-Asia Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS) database. Prehospital time intervals were categorized into response time (RT), scene to hospital time (SH), and total prehospital time (TPT). The outcomes were 30-day mortality and functional status at hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association of prehospital time and outcomes to adjust for factors including age, sex, mechanism and type of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), and prehospital interventions. Overall, 24,365 patients from 4 countries (645 patients from Japan, 16,476 patients from Korea, 5,358 patients from Malaysia, and 1,886 patients from Taiwan) were included in the analysis. Among included patients, the median age was 45 years (lower quartile [Q1]-upper quartile [Q3]: 25-62), and 15,498 (63.6%) patients were male. Median (Q1-Q3) RT, SH, and TPT were 20 (Q1-Q3: 12-39), 21 (Q1-Q3: 16-29), and 47 (Q1-Q3: 32-60) minutes, respectively. In all, 280 patients (1.1%) died within 30 days after injury. Prehospital time intervals were not associated with 30-day mortality. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) per 10 minutes of RT, SH, and TPT were 0.99 (95% CI 0.92-1.06, p = 0.740), 1.08 (95% CI 1.00-1.17, p = 0.065), and 1.03 (95% CI 0.98-1.09, p = 0.236), respectively. However, long prehospital time was detrimental to functional survival. The aORs of RT, SH, and TPT per 10-minute delay were 1.06 (95% CI 1.04-1.08, p < 0.001), 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.08, p = 0.007), and 1.06 (95% CI 1.04-1.08, p < 0.001), respectively. The key limitation of our study is the missing data inherent to the retrospective design. Another major limitation is the aggregate nature of the data from different countries and unaccounted confounders such as in-hospital management.

    CONCLUSIONS: Longer prehospital time was not associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality, but it may be associated with increased risk of poor functional outcomes in injured patients. This finding supports the concept of the "golden hour" for trauma patients during prehospital care in the countries studied.

    Matched MeSH terms: Transportation of Patients/statistics & numerical data*
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