Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 302 in total

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  1. Aminu M, Ahmad NA
    ACS Omega, 2020 Oct 20;5(41):26601-26610.
    PMID: 33110988 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03362
    Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is a well-known technique for feature extraction and discriminant analysis in chemometrics. Despite its popularity, it has been observed that PLS-DA does not automatically lead to extraction of relevant features. Feature learning and extraction depends on how well the discriminant subspace is captured. In this paper, discriminant subspace learning of chemical data is discussed from the perspective of PLS-DA and a recent extension of PLS-DA, which is known as the locality preserving partial least squares discriminant analysis (LPPLS-DA). The objective is twofold: (a) to introduce the LPPLS-DA algorithm to the chemometrics community and (b) to demonstrate the superior discrimination capabilities of LPPLS-DA and how it can be a powerful alternative to PLS-DA. Four chemical data sets are used: three spectroscopic data sets and one that contains compositional data. Comparative performances are measured based on discrimination and classification of these data sets. To compare the classification performances, the data samples are projected onto the PLS-DA and LPPLS-DA subspaces, and classification of the projected samples into one of the different groups (classes) is done using the nearest-neighbor classifier. We also compare the two techniques in data visualization (discrimination) task. The ability of LPPLS-DA to group samples from the same class while at the same time maximizing the between-class separation is clearly shown in our results. In comparison with PLS-DA, separation of data in the projected LPPLS-DA subspace is more well defined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  2. Lim, Sheri
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;16(2):261-264.
    MyJurnal
    Mental illness accounts for 12% of the global burden of disease with a reported 1 in 5 Malaysians suffering from a psychological disorder. Sufferers have been long plagued by stigma, which results in social isolation, low-selfesteem, lower opportunities for employment, housing, and ability to achieve life goals. This essay aims to suggest strategies to overcome such stigma in the local setting. Methods: Literature search was conducted through PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com.my). Data obtained was compiled as an opinion piece. Results: Thefactors contributing to stigma in Malaysia include a lack of public knowledge, language and cultural influences, inaccurate media portrayal, doctors’ attitudes towards the field of psychiatry, and psychiatrists themselves. Stigma can be tackled in four areas: society, media, medical education, and the field of psychiatry. Firstly, psychiatric terminology can be adapted to local languages and cultural beliefs in order to avoid misconceptions. Secondly, public education is more effective if focused to targeted key groups. The media is crucial in influencing the public mind-set, and needs to be creatively engaged. Thirdly, more positive medical practitioner attitudes to mental illness can be moulded through early psychiatric postings during medical school. Finally, psychiatrists play a role in correcting misconceptions, avoiding misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments. Cultural competency leads to better management of patients by awareness towards socio-cultural and religious influences. Conclusion: A multifaceted, united coalition of effort is needed in order to tackle stigma in different contexts, and will require concerted leadership from different parties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  3. Thong MK
    Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet, 2019 06;181(2):254-261.
    PMID: 30801969 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31690
    The United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in November 2015 which included a set of 17 measurable "sustainable development goals" (SDGs). The SDGs included targets to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030, universal health care coverage, reduction of premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 33% as well as support the development and research for medicines for both communicable and NCDs. Although some successes were achieved in combating communicable diseases and improved childhood mortality rates, health systems in Asia are generally characterized by lack of accurate epidemiological information on congenital disorders, lack of human and financial resources, and inadequate focus on public health strategies to ensure targeted interventions, low level knowledge on congenital disorders amongst the community and healthcare providers and the ethical dilemma of managing rare congenital disorders in an environment of low national health expenditures. These bottlenecks must be addressed systematically and interventions such as the use of innovative epidemiological tools to overcome lack of data, increased efforts to standardize rare disease nomenclature and classification and renewed interest in birth defects registries by countries in the region must be considered. Targeted curative and public health approaches currently used in thalassaemia and neural tube defects may be used for other congenital disorders in Asian countries. The implementation of congenital disorders-related research, prevention, care, and treatment delivery services must be integrated into existing health systems in order to be effective to achieve the targets of SDG2030.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  4. Lee KW, Ching SM, Devaraj NK, Hoo FK
    Ann Transl Med, 2020 Sep;8(17):1060.
    PMID: 33145279 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-1579
    Background: Certain candidate genes have been associated with obesity. The goal of this study is to determine the association between thirteen neuroendocrine disorder-related candidate genes and pre-pregnancy obesity among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients using the stratification approach defined the Asian and International criteria-based body mass index (BMI).

    Methods: This was a post-hoc case-control exploratory sub-analysis of a cross-sectional study among GDM women to determine which candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to neuroendocrine disorders may be associated with obesity. Factors were adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and concurrent medical problems in this particular population. Pre-pregnancy BMI and concurrent medical profiles were obtained from maternal health records. Obesity is defined as BMI of ≥27.5 kg/m2 for Asian criteria-based BMI and >30 kg/m2 for International criteria-based BMI. Thirteen candidate genes were genotyped using Agena® MassARRAY and examined for association with pre-pregnancy obesity using multiple logistic regression analysis. The significant difference threshold was set at P value <0.05.

    Results: Three hundred and twelve GDM women were included in this study; 60.9% and 44.2% of GDM patients were obese using Asian and International criteria-based BMI, respectively. GDM patients with AA or AG genotypes in specific SNP of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (G > A in rs6265) are more likely to be obese (adjusted odd ratio =2.209, 95% CI, 1.305, 3.739, P=0.003) compared to those who carry the GG genotype in the SNP adjusted for parity, underlying with asthma, heart disease, anaemia, education background in the International criteria-based BMI stratification group. On the other hand, there were no associations between other candidate genes (NRG1, FKBP5, RORA, OXTR, PLEKHG1, HTR2C, LHPP, SDK2, TEX51, EPHX2, NPY5R and ANO2) and maternal obesity.

    Conclusions: In summary, BDNF rs6265 is significantly associated with pre-pregnancy obesity among GDM patients. The exact role of BDNF adjusted for diet intake and lifestyle factors merits further investigation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  5. Ali SKI, Khandaker MU, Al-Mugren KS, Latif SA, Bradley DA, Okhunov AA, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2021 Jul;173:109735.
    PMID: 33915407 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109735
    Copper-67 (T1/2 = 61.83 h, Eβ-mean=141 keV, Iβ-total=100%; Eγ = 184.577 keV, Iγ = 48.7%) is a promising radionuclide for theranostic applications especially in radio immunotherapy. However, one of the main drawbacks for its application is related to its limited availability. Various nuclear reaction routes investigated in the last years can result in 67Cu production, although the use of proton beams is the method of choice taken into account in this work. The goal of this work is a revision of the cross-sections aimed at 67Cu yield, which were evaluated for the 68Zn(p,2p)67Cu reaction route up to 80 MeV proton energy. A well-defined statistical procedure, i.e., the Simultaneous Evaluation on KALMAN (SOK), combined with the least-squares concept, was used to obtain the evaluated data together with the covariance matrix. The obtained evaluated data were also compared to predictions provided by the nuclear reaction model codes TALYS and EMPIRE, and a partial agreement among them has been found. These data may be useful for both existing and potential applications in nuclear medicine, to achieve an improvement and validation of the various nuclear reaction models, and may also find applications in other fields (e.g., activation analysis and thin layer activation).
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  6. Azlan Jaafar, Wan Mohamad Nasir, Nazirah Ab Mumin, Nur Najwa Athirah Elias, Muhaimin Afnan Mohd Sabri
    MyJurnal
    One of the roles expected of dental personnel is to promote dental seeking behaviour to the public. It is to ensure that adults maintain an optimum number of teeth for overall health and quality of life by enabling them to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment. The objective of this study was to determine the reasons for seeking dental care and the factors that influence this decision among adult patients. This was a retrospective study of clinical records among patients of 18 years old and above who attended Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Dental Polyclinic, an academic dental centre, for the first time from January 2015 to December 2016. Socio-demographic data on age, gender and occupation as well as the reason for the visit were retrieved from the clinical records. Analysis of data was conducted using SPSS software version 21.0 and the pvalue was set at p
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  7. Binns C, Lee MK, Low WY, Zerfas A
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2017 Oct;29(7):617-624.
    PMID: 29094630 DOI: 10.1177/1010539517736441
    The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDCs) in 2015, which included several goals and targets primarily related to nutrition: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. In the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) member countries as a group, infant and child mortality were reduced by more than 65% between 1990 and 2015, achieving the MDG target of two-thirds reduction, although these goals were not achieved by several smaller countries. The SDGs are broader in focus than the MDGs, but include several goals that relate directly to nutrition: 2 (zero hunger-food), 3 (good health and well-being-healthy life), and 12 (responsible consumption and production-sustainability). Other SDGs that are closely related to nutrition are 4 and 5 (quality education and equality in gender-education and health for girls and mothers, which is very important for infant health) and 13 (climate action). Goal 3 is "good health and well-being," which includes targets for child mortality, maternal mortality, and reducing chronic disease. The Global Burden of Disease Project has confirmed that the majority of risk for these targets can be attributed to nutrition-related targets. Dietary Guidelines were developed to address public health nutrition risk in the Asia Pacific region at the 48th APACPH 2016 conference and they are relevant to the achievement of the SDGs. Iron deficiency increases the risk of maternal death from haemorrhage, a cause of 300000 deaths world-wide each year. Improving diets and iron supplementation are important public health interventions in the APACPH region. Chronic disease and obesity rates in the APACPH region are now a major challenge and healthy life course nutrition is a major public health priority in answering this challenge. This article discusses the role of public health nutrition in achieving the SDGs. It also examines the role of APACPH in education and advocacy and in fulfilling the educational needs of public health students in public health nutrition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  8. Sivaraman MAF
    Asian Bioeth Rev, 2019 Dec;11(4):409-435.
    PMID: 33717326 DOI: 10.1007/s41649-019-00103-4
    One of the goals of medicine is to improve well-being, in line with the principle of beneficence (do no harm). Likewise, scientists claim that the goal of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is to find treatments for diseases. In hESC research, stem cells are harvested from a 5-day-old embryo. Surplus embryos from infertility treatments or embryos created for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells are used in the research, and in the process the embryos get destroyed. The use of human embryos for research purpose raises ethical concern. In this context, the religious leaders play the role to be the moral compass and "reality check" to engage with the public. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has outlined the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, reflecting on Islamic principles. Since there has not been much focus on the viewpoints of other faiths in Malaysia, this study attempts to (i) explore the ethical guiding principles deliberated by religious leaders from the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions and (ii) identify if there is a common ground between the mainstream religious views and principles of medical ethics, in relation to hESC research. Eleven religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions were interviewed. Interestingly, though reasoning of religious leaders came from different angles, their underlying concerns revolve around the values of "do no harm" and "intention to save lives". These values are also the key principles in medical ethics. The findings are applied to answer the question as to whether religious and medical guiding principles can co-exist and complement in ethical decision-making, without compromising the values.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  9. Seng LB, Yamada Y, Rajagopal N, Mohammad AA, Teranishi T, Miyatani K, et al.
    Asian J Neurosurg, 2018 11 22;13(4):1148-1157.
    PMID: 30459884 DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_159_18
    Introduction: Basilar aneurysms represent 5%-7% of all intracranial aneurysms. The main goal of open surgery is to achieve complete obliteration of the aneurysmal sac using minimal invasive technique while emphasizing on avoidance of complication.

    Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of nine cases of unruptured basilar tip aneurysm referred to the Fujita Health University Banbuntane-Hotokukai Hospital, Japan. The objective of the study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of unruptured basilar tip aneurysm.

    Results: Nine patients with unruptured basilar tip aneurysm were referred to our hospital between 2015 and 2017. The median size of the aneurysm and age were 4.00 mm (interquartile range [IQR] = 3.25-6.75 mm) and 58 years (IQR = 54-70 years), respectively. Five patients (55.6%) were presented with multiple intracranial aneurysms. Surgical adjuncts such as intraoperative neuromonitoring, intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography with dual-image videoangiography (DIVA), and neuroendoscope were used. Two patients developed transient postoperative oculomotor nerve palsy which resolved spontaneously. The median duration of surgery and days of hospitalization were 292 min (IQR = 237.5-350.5 min) and 12 days (IQR = 12-25 days), respectively. There was no mortality recorded in this case series.

    Conclusion: Microsurgical clipping of basilar tip aneurysm is safe in unruptured basilar tip aneurysm with a low risk of postoperative mortality or morbidity. All complications reported in this case series were transient with no long-term sequalae. The improved safety profile of microsurgical technique is due to the availability of intraoperative neuromonitoring, neuroendoscope, ICG, and DIVA. The application of multimodality technique in neurovascular surgery has also helped to achieve complication avoidance. The obliteration of the aneurysmal sac helps to restore the laminar blood flow in the bifurcation and distal blood vessels and improves the brain perfusion.

    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  10. Lee CK, Chan CY, Kwan MK
    Asian Spine J, 2015 Dec;9(6):962-5.
    PMID: 26713131 DOI: 10.4184/asj.2015.9.6.962
    Managing multiple level spinal metastases is challenging. We report the case of a 58-year-old female with advanced lung cancer who presented with multiple pathological fractures of the thoracic spine (T5, T6, T7, and T8 vertebrae). She was treated with palliative radiotherapy. Her resting pain improved, but the instability pain persisted. One month later, she had a trivial fall leading to a pathological fracture of the L2 vertebra with cauda equine syndrome. The patient was treated surgically with minimally invasive decompression of the L2 and with percutaneous instrumented stabilization using an ultra-long construct from T3 to L5 (15 spinal levels), spanning the previously radiated zone and the decompression site. Postoperatively, she had significant improvements in pain and neurology. There were no surgical complications. Ultra long construct minimally invasive spinal stabilization is the ideal approach for symptomatic multicentric spinal metastasis with poor prognostic scores. Using this technique, the goals of spinal stabilization and direct neural decompression can be achieved with minimal morbidity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  11. Hull TH, Larson A
    Asia Pac Econ Lit, 1987 May;1(1):25-59.
    PMID: 12314890
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals*
  12. PMID: 12277967
    PIP: The goals of the Malaysian Family Planning Program are not only to reduce population growth from 3% to 2% by 1985 and to bring the crude birth rate to 28.2 from 30.3, but to generally improve the health of the family, and to enhance the government's efforts to raise the per capita income. The work program is divided into the Creative Unit, the Media Unit, the Production Unit, and the Field Diffusion Unit. The objectives are to build up strong support from political, community, and opinion leaders, and to run educational campaigns aimed at motivating potential acceptors. The program also runs centers training medical and paramedical personnel. The program is combined with development programs for women, especially useful among the rural population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals*
  13. Dawson A, Rashid A, Shuib R, Wickramage K, Budiharsana M, Hidayana IM, et al.
    Aust N Z J Public Health, 2020 Feb;44(1):8-10.
    PMID: 31825567 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12956
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  14. Upadhyay DK, Mohamed Ibrahim MI, Mishra P, Alurkar VM
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2015;15:57.
    PMID: 25888828 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0715-5
    Patient satisfaction is the ultimate goal of healthcare system which can be achieved from good patient-healthcare professional relationship and quality of healthcare services provided. Study was conducted to determine the baseline satisfaction level of newly diagnosed diabetics and to explore the impact of pharmaceutical care intervention on patients' satisfaction during their follow-ups in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  15. Mad' Atari MFB, Folta KM
    BMC Res Notes, 2019 Mar 15;12(1):144.
    PMID: 30876440 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4117-3
    OBJECTIVE: The treatment of plant tissue with Agrobacterium tumefaciens is often a critical first step to both stable and transient plant transformation. In both applications bacterial suspensions are oftentimes physically introduced into plant tissues using hand-driven pressure from a needleless syringe. While effective, this approach has several drawbacks that limit reproducibility. Pressure must be provided with the syringe perfectly perpendicular to the tissue surface. The researcher must also attempt to provide even and consistent pressure, both within and between experimental replicates. These factors mean that the procedures do not always translate well between research groups or biological replicates.

    RESULTS: We have devised a method to introduce Agrobacterium suspensions into plant leaves with greater reproducibility. Using a decommissioned dissecting microscope as an armature, a syringe body with the bacterial suspension is mounted to the nosepiece. Gentle, even pressure is applied by rotating the focus knob. The treatment force is measured using a basic kitchen scale. The development of the Standardized Pressure Agrobacterium Infiltration Device (SPAID) provides a means to deliver consistent amounts of bacterial suspensions into plant tissues with the goal of increasing reproducibility between replicates and laboratories.

    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  16. Sruamsiri R, Wagner AK, Ross-Degnan D, Lu CY, Dhippayom T, Ngorsuraches S, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2016;6(3):e008671.
    PMID: 26988346 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008671
    In 2008, the Thai government introduced the 'high-cost medicines E2 access program' as a part of the National List of Essential Medicines to increase patient access to medicines, improve clinical outcomes and make medicines more affordable. Our objective was to examine whether the 'high-cost medicines E2 access program' achieved its goals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  17. Pathak R, Pathak A
    Biol Trace Elem Res, 2020 Aug 26.
    PMID: 32851540 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02356-9
    Lithium is an integral drug used in the management of acute mania, unipolar and bipolar depression, and prophylaxis of bipolar disorders. Thyroid abnormalities have been associated with treatment with lithium. Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a role in several biological activities. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the potential role of zinc in the thyroid gland following lithium administration to explore the role of zinc under such conditions. To achieve this goal, male Wistar rats (150-195 g) were divided into four groups: Group 1 animals were fed standard pellet feed and tap water ad lib; Group 2 rats were fed lithium in the form of lithium carbonate through diet at a concentration of 1.1 g/kg body weight; Group 3 animals received zinc treatment in the form of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O) at a dose level of 227 mg/L mixed with drinking water of the animals; and Group 4 animals were given lithium and zinc in a similar manner as was given to the animals belonging to groups 2 and 4 respectively. The role of zinc on thyroid functions in lithium-treated rats was studied after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of different treatments. Zinc has been observed to have the capability to nearly normalize the altered 2-h uptake of 131I, biological and effective half-lives of 131I, and circulating T4 levels that were altered after lithium treatment. The present study concludes that zinc may be an effective agent in normalizing the adverse effects caused by lithium on thyroid functions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  18. Ho E
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e20.
    PMID: 21611012 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.1.e20
    Convention dictates that standards are a necessity rather than a luxury. Standards are supposed to improve the exchange of health and image data information resulting in improved quality and efficiency of patient care. True standardisation is some time away yet, as barriers exist with evolving equipment, storage formats and even the standards themselves. The explosive growth in the size and complexity of images such as those generated by multislice computed tomography have driven the need for digital image management, created problems of storage space and costs, and created a challenge for increasing or getting an adequate speed for transmitting, accessing and retrieving the image data. The search for a suitable and practical format for storing the data without loss of information and medico-legal implications has become a necessity and a matter of 'urgency'. Existing standards are either open or proprietary and must comply with local, regional or national laws. Currently there are the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS); Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM); Health Level 7 (HL7) and Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE). Issues in digital image management can be categorised as operational, procedural, technical and administrative. Standards must stay focussed on the ultimate goal - that is, improved patient care worldwide.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
  19. Mohd Aqmin Abdul Wahab, Adzleen Mohmood, Nur Khaliesah Jamadon, Amir Syahir
    MyJurnal
    The trend of global under-five child mortality rate showed a steady decrease at -3.14% per year
    approaching the United Nations millennium development goals target (-4.0% reduction per year
    from 1990-2015). This rate is usually inversely proportional to the nations GDP. However, the
    progress in the recent years (2006-2012) in Malaysia has raised a disturbing concern with an
    annual average increment of +0.81% per year. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify the
    reasons of such risky ecosystem. By analyzing recorded data on river pollution from 2007-
    2012, we found that river pollution has high correlation with the gross domestic products, not at
    the same year, but for two years prior that indicates a lag time. We also found that under-five
    child mortality has strong correlation with the river pollutions. The development-pollutionhealth
    triangular cycle needs to be put in a balanced to ensure the nation prosperity and
    sustainability of the nation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Goals
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