Displaying publications 201 - 220 of 777 in total

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  1. Kharisu, C. S., Koki, I. B., Ikram, R., Low, K. H.
    MyJurnal
    The concentrations of Cd, As, Pb, Se, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in acid-digested onion samples
    were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the corresponding
    elemental profiles were evaluated by using chemometric techniques. Results from principal
    component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the spatial variations were
    highly associated with As, Se, Pb, Zn, and Cd, which advocated dominance of the site related
    impacts over colour variant of the onions. Such variation pattern could be partly attributed to
    the consequences of industrialisation and/or urbanisation. From the safety assessment data,
    concentrations of hazardous elements such as As, Cd, and Pb, were found beyond the World
    Health Organisation and Food and Agricultural Organisation permissible levels, but within the
    Malaysian regulatory limits except for Pb. The presence of elevated levels of toxic elements
    beyond the reference limits in the onion varieties could be of health concern if ingested.
  2. Krishnamoorthy R., Bibhu Prasad Panda, Shivashekaregowda N. K. H., Low B. S., Bhattamisra S. K.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Second generation functionalized nanocrystal is the advancement of nanocrystal technology with great potential to accommodate BCS (Biopharmaceutical Classification System) class II drugs to meet their formulation and drug delivery challenges. Gliclazide is a BCS class II drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, shows poor water solubility and low rate of dissolution, leads to poor and variable oral bioavailability. The second generation poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) based functionalized nanocrystals of gliclazide were prepared by a combination method of emulsion diffusion-high pressure homogenization-solvent evaporation. Methods: Gliclazide second generation nanocrystals were fabricated with taguchi orthogonal experimental design in combination of step up and top down nanoformulation strategies using drug-polymer (PLGA) ratio at 1:0.5, 1:0.75, 1:1 with HPMC(0.5, 0.75, 1% w/v) as stabilizer. The formulated gliclazide PLGA-HPMC nanocrystals were investigated on particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, solubility study, drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and surface morphology and compatibility studies. The gliclazide PLGA nanocrystals formulation was prepared with Drug : PLGA at 1: 1 ratio with concentrations 0.75% w/v HPMC at 5 homogenization cycles with 1000bar produce optimized gliclazide nanocrystals. Results: The optimized MSGNC8 formulation
    showed particle size of 239.9 nm, entrapment efficiency 98.62%, and drug release of 43.75%, 82.12% and 98.08% at 3hrs, 24hrs, and 48hrs compared to pure gliclazide % drug release of 28.73%, 67.51% and 78.41% at 3hrs, 24hrs, 48hrs respectively. The solubility study of optimized formulation shows eight folds increased in saturation solubility compared to pure drug. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the gliclazide nanocrystals revealed that
    gliclazide retained its crystal morphology in polymeric nanocrystals. Further, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies on gliclazide PLGA-HPMC nanocrystals emphasize drug and excipient compatibility in development of gliclazide nanocrystals. Conclusion: The potential outcomes of research findings emphasize that the developed gliclazide second-generation nanocrystals, which resulted in increase in drug solubility and rate of dissolution with delayed modified release, can be explored in delivery of gliclazide for type 2 diabetes management.
  3. Kathleen, M.M., Samuel, L., Felecia, C., Ng K. H., Lesley, M.B., Kasing, A.
    MyJurnal
    (GTG)5 PCR is a type of repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR which amplifies the (GTG)5 repetitive element that lays throughout the bacterial genome. In this study, fifty, thirty-nine and forty-nine unknown bacteria were isolated from aquaculture farms in Miri, Limbang and Lundu, respectively. (GTG)5 PCR was used to screen for clonal diversity among the isolates according to sampling sites. Banding profiles obtained from electrophoresed (GTG)5 PCR products were analyzed by RAPDistance Software to generate a dendrogram of neighbor joining tree (NJT) format. Based on the constructed dendrogram, representative isolates were selected for further identification. Conserved 16S rRNA region of the selected bacteria isolates were amplified and purified DNA products were sequenced. (GTG)5 PCR is useful in differentiation of unknown bacterial isolates and 16S rRNA analysis species identity of the bacteria in Sarawak aquaculture environment. The high diversity of bacteria in aquaculture environment may be caused by contamination from various sources.
  4. Yeoh KH, Chew KH, Yoon TL, Chang YHR, Ong DS
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2021 Nov 03;23(42):24222-24232.
    PMID: 34668497 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp03565g
    Based on first-principles calculations, we propose a new two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure that can be used as a photocatalyst for water splitting. The heterostructure consists of vertically stacked 2D NbSe2H and graphene-like ZnO (g-ZnO). Depending on the stacking orders, we identified two configurations that have high binding energies with an energy band gap of >2.6 eV. These 2D systems form a type-II heterostructure which enables the separation of photoexcited electrons and holes. The presence of a strong electrostatic potential difference across the 2D NbSe2H and g-ZnO interface is expected to suppress the electron-hole recombination leading to an enhancement in the efficiency of the photocatalytic activity. Our study also shows that the 2D NbSe2H/g-ZnO vdW heterostructure has good thermodynamic properties for water splitting. Furthermore, the optical absorption of the 2D NbSe2H/g-ZnO vdW heterostructure extends into the visible light region. Our results suggest that the 2D NbSe2H/g-ZnO vdW heterostructure is a promising photocatalytic material for water splitting.
  5. Yeoh KH, Chang YHR, Chew KH, Jiang J, Yoon TL, Ong DS, et al.
    Langmuir, 2024 Feb 08.
    PMID: 38329924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03188
    The search for high-performance catalysts to improve the catalytic activity for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for developing a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Using the first-principles method, we have performed computational screening on a series of transition metal (TM) atoms embedded in monolayer Nb2S2C to enhance the ORR activity. Through the scaling relationship and volcano plot, our results reveal that the introduction of a single Ni or Rh atom through substitutional doping into monolayer Nb2S2C yields promising ORR catalysts with low overpotentials of 0.52 and 0.42 V, respectively. These doped atoms remain intact on the monolayer Nb2S2C even at elevated temperatures. Importantly, the catalytic activity of the Nb2S2C doped with a TM atom can be effectively correlated with an intrinsic descriptor, which can be computed based on the number of d orbital electrons and the electronegativity of TM and O atoms.
  6. Yeoh KH, Chew KH, Chang YHR, Yoon TL, Ong DS
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2022 Dec 05.
    PMID: 36468660 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05102h
    The electromechanical properties of monolayer 1-T NiTe2 under charge actuation were investigated using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Monolayer 1-T NiTe2 in its pristine form has a work area density per cycle of up to 5.38 MJ m-3 nm upon charge injection and it can generate a strain and a stress of 1.51% and 0.96 N m-1, respectively. We found that defects in the form of vacancies can be exploited to modulate the electromechanical properties of this material. The presence of Ni-vacancies can further enhance the generated stress by 22.5%. On the other hand, with Te-vacancies, it is possible to improve the work area density per cycle by at least 145% and also to enhance the induced strain from 1.51% to 2.92%. The effect of charge polarity on the contraction and expansion of monolayer 1T-NiTe2 was investigated. Due to its excellent environmental stability and good electromechanical properties, monolayer NiTe2 is considered to be a promising electrode material for electroactive polymer (EAP) based actuators.
  7. Atin KH, Christianus A, Fatin N, Lutas AC, Shabanimofrad M, Subha B
    Genet. Mol. Res., 2017 Aug 17;16(3).
    PMID: 28829885 DOI: 10.4238/gmr16035685
    The Malaysian giant prawn is among the most commonly cultured species of the genus Macrobrachium. Stocks of giant prawns from four rivers in Peninsular Malaysia have been used for aquaculture over the past 25 years, which has led to repeated harvesting, restocking, and transplantation between rivers. Consequently, a stock improvement program is now important to avoid the depletion of wild stocks and the loss of genetic diversity. However, the success of such an improvement program depends on our knowledge of the genetic variation of these base populations. The aim of the current study was to estimate genetic variation and differentiation of these riverine sources using novel expressed sequence tag-microsatellite (EST-SSR) markers, which not only are informative on genetic diversity but also provide information on immune and metabolic traits. Our findings indicated that the tested stocks have inbreeding depression due to a significant deficiency in heterozygotes, and FIS was estimated as 0.15538 to 0.31938. An F-statistics analysis suggested that the stocks are composed of one large panmictic population. Among the four locations, stocks from Johor, in the southern region of the peninsular, showed higher allelic and genetic diversity than the other stocks. To overcome inbreeding problems, the Johor population could be used as a base population in a stock improvement program by crossing to the other populations. The study demonstrated that EST-SSR markers can be incorporated in future marker assisted breeding to aid the proper management of the stocks by breeders and stakeholders in Malaysia.
  8. Beshir SA, Aziz Z, Yap LB, Chee KH, Lo YL
    J Clin Pharm Ther, 2018 Apr;43(2):209-219.
    PMID: 29030869 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12634
    WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Bleeding risk scores (BRSs) aid in the assessment of oral anticoagulant-related bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Ideally, the applicability of a BRS needs to be assessed, prior to its routine use in a population other than the original derivation cohort. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of 6 established BRSs to predict major or clinically relevant bleeding (CRB) events associated with the use of oral anticoagulant (OAC) among Malaysian patients.

    METHODS: The pharmacy supply database and the medical records of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving warfarin, dabigatran or rivaroxaban at two tertiary hospitals were reviewed. Patients who experienced an OAC-associated major or CRB event within 12 months of follow-up, or who have received OAC therapy for at least 1 year, were identified. The BRSs were fitted separately into patient data. The discrimination and the calibration of these BRSs as well as the factors associated with bleeding events were then assessed.

    RESULTS: A total of 1017 patients with at least 1-year follow-up period, or those who developed a bleeding event within 1 year of OAC use, were recruited. Of which, 23 patients experienced a first major bleeding event, whereas 76 patients, a first CRB event. Multivariate logistic regression results show that age of 75 or older, prior bleeding and male gender are associated with major bleeding events. On the other hand, prior gastrointestinal bleeding, a haematocrit value of less than 30% and renal impairment are independent predictors of CRB events. All the BRSs show a satisfactory calibration for major and CRB events. Among these BRSs, only HEMORR2 HAGES (C-statistic = 0.71, 95% CI 0.60-0.82, P 

  9. Lin Y, Koh JKH, Koponen S, Li S
    Zookeys, 2017.
    PMID: 28769602 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.661.10677
    Eight species of armored spiders belonging to two families, Pacullidae Simon, 1894 and Tetrablemmidae O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873, are reported from Singapore. Five species are documented as new to science: Paculla bukittimahensis Lin & Li, sp. n. (male and female), Paculla globosa Lin & Li, sp. n. (male and female), Ablemma malacca Lin & Li, sp. n. (male and female), Singaporemma lenachanae Lin & Li, sp. n. (male and female), and Sulaimania brevis Lin & Li, sp. n. (male). The three known species are Brignoliella besutensis Lin, Li & Jäger, 2012, Brignoliella michaeli Lehtinen, 1981, and Singaporemma singulare Shear, 1978, of which the female of Brignoliella besutensis is described for the first time. For comparison, types of Singaporemma adjacens Lehtinen, 1981 from Vietnam, Singaporemma halongense Lehtinen, 1981 from Vietnam, Singaporemma singulare from Singapore and Sulaimania vigelandi Lehtinen, 1981 from Malaysia are studied and photographed.
  10. Siar CH, Ng KH, Chia TY, Kulkarni MG
    Singapore Med J, 1988 Feb;29(1):83-5.
    PMID: 3406779
    The aetiology, clinical and histological features of neurilemmomas of the oral and paraoral regions are briefly outlined. Two cases of atypical neurilemmomas of the tongue are described with an intent to document the partial encapsulation and multilobular distribution of the neurogenic tissue noted in these two lesions.
  11. Kamaluddin MR, Othman A, Ismail KH, Mat Saat GA
    Malays J Pathol, 2017 Dec;39(3):217-226.
    PMID: 29279583 MyJurnal
    The horrific nature of murder using different types of weapons has been an important focal point of many criminological studies. Weapons that are used in murders seem to play dominant roles in murder investigations as they may provide information leading to arrest. The established factors for weapon usage include environmental context, demography and availability of weapons. However, there is insufficient research attention on the psychological functioning of murderers for particular weapon usage. In light of this, the current study seeks to narrow this gap of information by identifying the influences of psychological traits on weapon usage among a sample of male murderers. The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 male murderers incarcerated in 11 prisons within Peninsular Malaysia. The selection of the sample was based on predetermined selection criteria using a purposive sampling method. A guided self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemography variables and four Malay validated psychometric instruments: Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-40-Cross-Culture, Self-control Scale, "How I Think" Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire; was used. Independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score differences of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple weapons while Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the differences between the specific types of weapons used among the murderers. Following this, one-way ANOVA was carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences among the murderers according to the different sources of weapon. Results indicated specific psychological traits influenced the number(s), source(s) and type(s) of weapon used in committing murder. The findings have implications for the psychological profiling of unknown murderers within the Malaysian context.
  12. Goh CC, Koh KH, Goh S, Koh Y, Tan NC
    Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(2):10-18.
    PMID: 30302178
    INTRODUCTION: Achieving optimal glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients mitigates macro- and micro-vascular complications, which is the key treatment goal in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients in an urban community with T2DM and the above modifiable conditions attaining triple vascular treatment goals based on current practice guidelines.

    METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to adult Asian patients with dyslipidemia at two primary care clinics (polyclinics) in northeastern Singapore. The demographic and clinical data for this sub-population with both T2DM and dyslipidemia were collated with laboratory and treatment information retrieved from their electronic health records. The combined data was then analyzed to determine the proportion of patients who attained triple treatment goals, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with this outcome.

    RESULTS: 665 eligible patients [60.5% female, 30.5% Chinese, 35% Malays, and 34.4% Indians] with a mean age of 60.6 years were recruited. Of these patients, 71% achieved LDL-C ≤2.6 mmol/L, 70.4% had BP

  13. Choo CC, Chew PKH, Ho RC
    PMID: 29621197 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15040691
    An important risk factor for suicide assessment is the suicide precipitant. This study explores suicide attempt precipitants across the lifespan. Three years of medical records related to suicide attempters who were admitted to the emergency department of a large teaching hospital in Singapore were subjected to analysis. These cases were divided into three age groups: Adolescence, Early Adulthood, and Middle Adulthood. A total of 540 cases were examined (70.9% females; 63.7% Chinese, 13.7% Malays, 15.9% Indians), whose ages ranged from 12 to 62. There were eight cases above the age of 65 years which were excluded from the analysis. Significant differences were found in precipitants for suicide attempts across the lifespan. Middle adults had relatively fewer relationship problems, and adolescents had comparatively fewer financial and medical problems. The models to predict medically severe attempts across the age groups using suicide precipitants were not significant. The findings were discussed in regards to implications in suicide assessment and primary prevention in Singapore, as well as limitations and recommendations for future research.
  14. Siar CH, Ng KH, Ngui CH, Chuah CH
    J Laryngol Otol, 1990 Mar;104(3):252-4.
    PMID: 2341785
    Clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of the peripheral ameloblastoma are briefly outlined. A case found occurring in the palate and presenting with atypical histological features is reported. The differential diagnosis of this lesion, its treatment and histogenesis are discussed.
  15. Karim MKA, Sabarudin A, Muhammad NA, Ng KH
    Radiol Phys Technol, 2019 Dec;12(4):374-381.
    PMID: 31468370 DOI: 10.1007/s12194-019-00532-8
    This study aimed to evaluate effective dose and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) of computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination using an anthropomorphic phantom. We included three CTA examination protocols to evaluate the intra- and extra-cranial arteries, pulmonary artery (CTPA), and abdominal vessels. Patient SSDEs were measured retrospectively to estimate patient dose, relative to the bodyweight of the patient and volume CT dose index (CTDIvol). Our findings revealed that the highest dose was absorbed by the left lobe of the thyroid gland during intra-/extra-cranial CTA and CTPA, that is, 14.11 ± 0.24 mGy and 16.20 ± 3.95 mGy, respectively. However, the highest absorbed dose in abdominal/pelvic CTA was the gonads (8.98 ± 0.30 mGy), while other radiosensitive organs in intra- and extra-cranial CTA, CTPA, and abdominal/pelvic CTA did not demonstrate significant differences between organs/structures with p value 0.88, 0.11, and 0.54, respectively. The estimated effective dose in intra-/extra-cranial CTA was lower in patients (0.80 ± 0.60 mSv) than in the phantom (0.83 mSv), but it was the opposite for CTPA, with the effective dose being higher in patients (7.54 ± 3.09 mSv) than in the phantom (6.68 mSv). Similar to the effective dose, only CTPA SSDEs were significantly higher in men than in women (19.74 ± 4.79 mGy versus 7.9 mGy). Effective dose and SSDE are clinically relevant parameters that can help estimate a more accurate patient dose based on a patient's size.
  16. Hossain MG, Mahmud MM, Nazir KHMNH, Ueda K
    Int J Mol Sci, 2020 Jan 15;21(2).
    PMID: 31952213 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020546
    Mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome can potentially lead to vaccination failure, diagnostic escape, and disease progression. However, there are no reports on viral gene expression and large hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) antigenicity alterations due to mutations in HBV isolated from a Bangladeshi population. Here, we sequenced the full genome of the HBV isolated from a clinically infected patient in Bangladesh. The open reading frames (ORFs) (P, S, C, and X) of the isolated HBV strain were successfully amplified and cloned into a mammalian expression vector. The HBV isolate was identified as genotype C (sub-genotype C2), serotype adr, and evolutionarily related to strains isolated in Indonesia, Malaysia, and China. Clinically significant mutations, such as preS1 C2964A, reverse transcriptase domain I91L, and small HBsAg N3S, were identified. The viral P, S, C, and X genes were expressed in HEK-293T and HepG2 cells by transient transfection with a native subcellular distribution pattern analyzed by immunofluorescence assay. Western blotting of large HBsAg using preS1 antibody showed no staining, and preS1 ELISA showed a significant reduction in reactivity due to amino acid mutations. This mutated preS1 sequence has been identified in several Asian countries. To our knowledge, this is the first report investigating changes in large HBsAg antigenicity due to preS1 mutations.
  17. Teh KH, Ruben JK, Chan CK, Abbas AA
    Malays Orthop J, 2020 Jul;14(2):134-137.
    PMID: 32983389 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2007.022
    Avascular necrosis and non-union are two most dreaded complications of femoral neck fracture fixations. Hip replacement seems to be a simple solution for this complex problem. However, the long-term efficacy of prosthetic replacement in the young population with higher functional demand is still questionable. Femoral head preserving valgus subtrochanteric osteotomies in properly selected cases have strong support from literature. The conventional technique of valgus subtrochanteric osteotomy involves lateral based wedge resection. Alternatively, a simpler sliding oblique subtrochanteric osteotomy without any wedge removal can also be performed. We hereby describe a successful case of sliding subtrochanteric osteotomy with 135° dynamic hip screw (DHS) plate fixation in treating non-union neck of femur fracture in a young gentleman.
  18. Jamani NA, Said AH, AbdAziz KH, AbdRahman MA
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 03;75(2):158-163.
    PMID: 32281598
    OBJECTIVES: Body weight perception may determine the practice of proper weight management. The objective of this study was to measure the agreement between body weight perception and actual body weight status and its associated factors among late adolescents in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2018 among 479 adolescents aged 17-19 years old from seven institutions of higher learning in Kuantan. Body weight status was described as body mass index (BMI). Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Validated, self-administered Figure Rating Scale (FRS) questionnaires were used. Agreement between BMI and body weight perception was calculated using Kappa statistics. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association between body weight perception and sociodemographic variables.

    RESULTS: More than one-third (35.3%) of the respondents misjudged their own body weight. More than one third of the respondents (38.7%) who were underweight, misperceived themselves as having normal weight whilst 31.7% of obese respondents identified themselves as overweight. The agreement between body weight perception and body mass index was moderate (k0.46, p<0.01).

    CONCLUSION: Body weight perception was in moderate agreement with actual weight in late adolescents. Accurate body weight perception is an important factor in late adolescent's weight management behaviour. Hence, health education related to body weight management should be emphasized among this age group.

  19. Razak KAA, Ghani KHA, Musa AA
    Injury, 2021 Jan;52(1):90-94.
    PMID: 33168201 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2020.11.004
    BACKGROUND: Acetabular fractures in childhood are rare and the literature is scarce to describe a standard protocol in surgical management of these injuries. As the patient is still growing, it warrants a detailed assessment with a sound surgical plan if operative intervention is deemed necessary to prevent late complications. Throughout literature, most fixation rely on using pins, screws, plates or combination of the three which require large surgical exposure and risk of secondary physeal injury, hence we come up with a method of using the Titanium Elastic Nail System (TENS) to overcome this issue. We describe a novel technique in managing acetabular fractures in this group of patients using the TENS.

    METHOD: An 8 year old girl with a diagnosis of right anterior column posterior hemitransverse acetabular fracture was fixed with 3 TENS for supra-acetabular, anterior column and posterior column fragments. Surgery was performed in a minimally invasive manner. No drilling was performed during the surgery and implant insertion is done manually.

    RESULTS: Advantages of this procedure include minimally invasive surgery with smaller wounds, minimal intraoperative bleeding and theoretically reduces the risk of premature fusion of the triradiate cartilage. Patient is allowed early rehabilitation with this method.

    CONCLUSION: This novel method provides an alternative to traditional usage of wires, pins, plates and screws as is described in most literature. However, it requires the surgeon to appreciate that the safe corridors for the implant are much narrower than adults. We recommend this technique for fractures that are deemed suitable for intramedullary fixation and further research in the future will be needed.

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