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  1. Fulltext Low-Velocity Impact Analysis of Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) Hybrid Composites
    Najeeb MI, Hameed Sultan MT, Md Shah AU, Muhammad Amir SM, Safri SNA, Jawaid M, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Sep 21;13(18).
    PMID: 34578095 DOI: 10.3390/polym13183194
    The low-velocity impact behaviour of pineapple leaf fiber, PALF reinforce epoxy composite (P), PALF hybrid (GPG), and four-layer woven glass fiber (GGGG) composite was investigated. As for post-impact analysis, the damage evaluation was assessed through photographic images and X-ray computed tomography, using CT scan techniques. The key findings from this study are that a positive hybrid effect of PALF as a reinforcement was seen where the GPG shows the delayed time taken for damage initiation and propagation through the whole sample compared to GGGG. This clearly shows that the addition of fibers does have comparable composite properties with a fully synthetic composite. Through the visual inspection captured by photographic image, the presence of woven fiber glass mat in GPG presents a different damage mode compared to P. Moreover, CT scan results show extended internal damage at the cross-section of all impacted composite.
  2. Fulltext Effectiveness of the movement control measures during the third wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia
    Md Zamri ASS, Singh S, Ghazali SM, Herng LC, Dass SC, Aris T, et al.
    Epidemiol Health, 2021 Sep 23.
    PMID: 34607399 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2021073
    Objectives: Since March 2020, several phases of the movement control measures were instituted in Malaysia to break the COVID-19 chain of transmission. In this study, we developed Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) models to examine the effects of the various movement control phases on the disease transmissibility and case trends during the third COVID-19 wave in Malaysia.

    Methods: Three SEIR models were developed using the R programming software ODIN interface based on COVID-19 case data from 1 September 2020 to 29 March 2021. The models were validated and subsequently used to provide forecasts of daily cases from 14 October 2020 to 29 March 2021 based on three movement control phases.

    Results: We found that the R values had reduced by 59.1% from an initial high of 2.2 during the Nationwide Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) to 0.9 during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional MCO (CMCO) phases. In addition, the observed cumulative and daily highest cases were much lower compared to the forecast cumulative and daily highest cases at 64.4% to 98.9% and 68.8% to 99.8%, respectively.

    Conclusion: We conclude that the movement control measures were able to progressively reduce the R values during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, more stringent movement control measures such as the MCO and CMCO were effective in reducing the R values and case numbers further during the third wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia due to their higher stringency levels compared to the Nationwide RMCO.

  3. Intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in preterm-infants during hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
    Yap PS, Ahmad Kamar A, Chong CW, Yap IK, Thong KL, Choo YM, et al.
    Pathog Glob Health, 2016 Sep;110(6):238-246.
    PMID: 27650884
    The prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of intestinal carriage of Gram-negative bacteria among preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia were determined. A total of 34 stool specimens were obtained from preterm infants upon admission and once weekly up to two weeks during hospitalization. The presumptive colonies of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were selected for identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and subtyping by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Out of 76 Gram-negative isolates, highest resistance was detected for amoxicillin/clavulanate (30.8%, n = 16), ceftriaxone (42.3%, n = 22), ceftazidime (28.8%, n = 15), cefoxitin (28.8%, n = 15), aztreonam (36.5%, n = 19), and polymyxin B (23.1%, n = 12). Three colistin resistant K. pneumoniae have also been detected based on E-test analysis. Thirty-nine isolates of K. pneumoniae and 20 isolates of E. coli were resistant to more than three antimicrobial classes and were categorized as multidrug resistant (MDR). PFGE analysis revealed a higher diversity in pulsotypes for K. pneumoniae (18 pulsotypes) in comparison to E. coli (four pulsotypes). In addition, a total of fifteen pulsotypes was observed from 39 MDR K. pneumoniae. The risk factors for antibiotic resistance were assessed using random forest analysis. Gender was found to be the most important predictor for colistin resistant while length, OFC, and delivery mode were showing greater predictive power in the polymyxin B resistance. This study revealed worrying prevalence rates of intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae and E. coli of hospitalized preterm infants in Malaysia, particularly high resistance to polymyxins.
  4. Fulltext Standard restrictive sternal precautions and modified sternal precautions had similar effects in people after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy ('SMART' Trial): a randomised trial
    Katijjahbe MA, Granger CL, Denehy L, Royse A, Royse C, Bates R, et al.
    J Physiother, 2018 04;64(2):97-106.
    PMID: 29602750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2018.02.013
    QUESTION: In people who have undergone cardiac surgery via median sternotomy, does modifying usual sternal precautions to make them less restrictive improve physical function, pain, kinesiophobia and health-related quality of life?

    DESIGN: Two-centre, randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis.

    PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two adults who had undergone cardiac surgery via a median sternotomy were included.

    INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups at 4 (SD 1) days after surgery. The control group received the usual advice to restrict their upper limb use for 4 to 6 weeks (ie, restrictive sternal precautions). The experimental group received advice to use pain and discomfort as the safe limits for their upper limb use during daily activities (ie, less restrictive precautions) for the same period. Both groups received postoperative individualised education in hospital and via weekly telephone calls for 6 weeks.

    OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was physical function assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Secondary outcomes included upper limb function, pain, kinesophobia, and health-related quality of life. Outcomes were measured before hospital discharge and at 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Adherence to sternal precautions was recorded.

    RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in physical function between the groups at 4 weeks (MD 1.0, 95% CI -0.2 to 2.3) and 12 weeks (MD 0.4, 95% CI -0.9 to 1.6) postoperatively. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in secondary outcomes.

    CONCLUSION: Modified (ie, less restrictive) sternal precautions for people following cardiac surgery had similar effects on physical recovery, pain and health-related quality of life as usual restrictive sternal precautions. Similar outcomes can be anticipated regardless of whether people following cardiac surgery are managed with traditional or modified sternal precautions.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTRN12615000968572. [Katijjahbe MA, Granger CL, Denehy L, Royse A, Royse C, Bates R, Logie S, Nur Ayub MA, Clarke S, El-Ansary D (2018) Standard restrictive sternal precautions and modified sternal precautions had similar effects in people after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy ('SMART' Trial): a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 64: 97-106].

  5. Fulltext Risk of Preeclampsia and Pregnancy Complications in Women With a History of Acute Kidney Injury
    Tangren JS, Wan Md Adnan WAH, Powe CE, Ecker J, Bramham K, Hladunewich MA, et al.
    Hypertension, 2018 08;72(2):451-459.
    PMID: 29915020 DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11161
    An episode of clinically recovered acute kidney injury (r-AKI) has been identified as a risk factor for future hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to assess whether r-AKI was associated with future preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes and to identify whether severity of AKI or time interval between AKI and pregnancy was associated with pregnancy complications. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who delivered infants between 1998 and 2016 at Massachusetts General Hospital. AKI was defined using the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes laboratory criteria with subsequent clinical recovery (estimate glomerular filtration rate, >90 mL/min per 1.73 m2 before conception). AKI was further classified by severity (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stages 1-3) and time interval between AKI episode and the start of pregnancy. Women with r-AKI had an increased rate of preeclampsia compared with women without previous r-AKI (22% versus 9%; P<0.001). Infants of women with r-AKI were born earlier (gestational age, 38.2±3.0 versus 39.0±2.2 weeks; P<0.001) and were more likely to be small for gestational age (9% versus 5%; P=0.002). Increasing severity of r-AKI was associated with increased risk of preeclampsia for stages 2 and 3 AKI (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.7 and adjusted odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-12.0, respectively), but not for stage 1 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-3.2). A history of AKI before pregnancy, despite apparent full recovery, was associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications. Severity and timing of the AKI episode modified the risk.
  6. Performance of Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol by virtual trials in the Malaysian intensive care unit
    Jamaludin UK, M Suhaimi F, Abdul Razak NN, Md Ralib A, Mat Nor MB, Pretty CG, et al.
    Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2018 Aug;162:149-155.
    PMID: 29903481 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.03.001
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Blood glucose variability is common in healthcare and it is not related or influenced by diabetes mellitus. To minimise the risk of high blood glucose in critically ill patients, Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol is used in intensive care unit at hospitals worldwide. Thus, this study focuses on the performance of stochastic modelling protocol in comparison to the current blood glucose management protocols in the Malaysian intensive care unit. Also, this study is to assess the effectiveness of Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol when it is applied to a cohort of diabetic patients.

    METHODS: Retrospective data from 210 patients were obtained from a general hospital in Malaysia from May 2014 until June 2015, where 123 patients were having comorbid diabetes mellitus. The comparison of blood glucose control protocol performance between both protocol simulations was conducted through blood glucose fitted with physiological modelling on top of virtual trial simulations, mean calculation of simulation error and several graphical comparisons using stochastic modelling.

    RESULTS: Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol reduces hyperglycaemia by 16% in diabetic and 9% in nondiabetic cohorts. The protocol helps to control blood glucose level in the targeted range of 4.0-10.0 mmol/L for 71.8% in diabetic and 82.7% in nondiabetic cohorts, besides minimising the treatment hour up to 71 h for 123 diabetic patients and 39 h for 87 nondiabetic patients.

    CONCLUSION: It is concluded that Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol is good in reducing hyperglycaemia as compared to the current blood glucose management protocol in the Malaysian intensive care unit. Hence, the current Malaysian intensive care unit protocols need to be modified to enhance their performance, especially in the integration of insulin and nutrition intervention in decreasing the hyperglycaemia incidences. Improvement in Stochastic Targeted Blood Glucose Control Protocol in terms of uen model is also a must to adapt with the diabetic cohort.

  7. Giant Intradiverticular Bladder Tumor
    Md Noh MS, Abdul Aziz AF, Mohd Ghani KA, Lee Kheng Siang C, Yunus R, Mohd Yusof M
    Am J Case Rep, 2017 Mar 01;18:212-216.
    PMID: 28246375
    BACKGROUND Intradiverticular bladder tumors are rare. This renders diagnosis of an intradiverticular bladder tumor difficult. Imaging plays a vital role in achieving the diagnosis, and subsequently staging of the disease. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old male presented to our center with a few months history of constitutional symptoms. Upon further history, he reported hematuria two months prior to presentation, which stopped temporarily, only to recur a few days prior to coming to the hospital. The patient admitted to having lower urinary tract symptoms. However, there was no dysuria, no sandy urine, and no fever. Palpation of his abdomen revealed a vague mass at the suprapubic region, which was non tender. In view of his history and the clinical examination findings, an ultrasound of the abdomen and computed tomography (CT) was arranged. These investigations revealed a giant tumor that seemed to be arising from a bladder diverticulum, with a mass effect and hydronephrosis. He later underwent operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS Intradiverticular bladder tumors may present a challenge to the treating physician in an atypical presentation; thus requiring a high index of suspicion and knowledge of tumor pathophysiology. As illustrated in our case, CT with its wide availability and multiplanar imaging capabilities offers a useful means for diagnosis, disease staging, operative planning, and follow-up.
  8. Fulltext Clinical and Mutational Analysis of the GCDH Gene in Malaysian Patients with Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
    Abdul Wahab SA, Yakob Y, Abdul Azize NA, Md Yunus Z, Huey Yin L, Mohd Khalid MK, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:4074365.
    PMID: 27672653
    Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme encoded by the GCDH gene. In this study, we presented the clinical and molecular findings of seven GA1 patients in Malaysia. All the patients were symptomatic from infancy and diagnosed clinically from large excretion of glutaric and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids. Bidirectional sequencing of the GCDH gene revealed ten mutations, three of which were novel (Gln76Pro, Glu131Val, and Gly390Trp). The spectrum of mutations included eight missense mutations, a nonsense mutation, and a splice site mutation. Two mutations (Gln76Pro and Arg386Gln) were homozygous in two patients with parental consanguinity. All mutations were predicted to be disease causing by MutationTaster2. In conclusion, this is the first report of both clinical and molecular aspects of GA1 in Malaysian patients. Despite the lack of genotype and phenotype correlation, early diagnosis and timely treatment remained the most important determinant of patient outcome.
  9. Microfluidic dielectrophoretic cell manipulation towards stable cell contact assemblies
    Md Ali MA, Kayani ABA, Yeo LY, Chrimes AF, Ahmad MZ, Ostrikov KK, et al.
    Biomed Microdevices, 2018 11 06;20(4):95.
    PMID: 30402766 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-018-0341-1
    Cell contact formation, which is the process by which cells are brought into close proximity is an important biotechnological process in cell and molecular biology. Such manipulation is achieved by various means, among which dielectrophoresis (DEP) is widely used due to its simplicity. Here, we show the advantages in the judicious choice of the DEP microelectrode configuration in terms of limiting undesirable effects of dielectric heating on the cells, which could lead to their inactivation or death, as well as the possibility for cell clustering, which is particularly advantageous over the linear cell chain arrangement typically achieved to date with DEP. This study comprises of experimental work as well as mathematical modeling using COMSOL. In particular, we establish the parameters in a capillary-based microfluidic system giving rise to these optimum cell-cell contact configurations, together with the possibility for facilitating other cell manipulations such as spinning and rotation, thus providing useful protocols for application into microfluidic bioparticle manipulation systems for diagnostics, therapeutics or for furthering research in cellular bioelectricity and intercellular interactions.
  10. Fulltext Gelam honey promotes ex vivo corneal fibroblasts wound healing
    Md Yusof A, Abd Ghafar N, Kamarudin TA, Chua KH, Azmi MF, Ng SL, et al.
    Cytotechnology, 2019 Dec;71(6):1121-1135.
    PMID: 31606844 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-019-00349-8
    This study evaluated the effects of Gelam honey (GH) on ex vivo corneal fibroblast ulcer model via wound healing assay, gene expression and immunocytochemistry. Corneal fibroblasts from New Zealand white rabbits were culture expanded. The corneal fibroblast wound healing capacity was observed by creating a circular wound onto confluent monolayer cells cultured in basal medium (BM), BM with GH, serum-enriched basal medium (BMS) and BMS with GH respectively. Wound healing assay and phenotypic characterization of the corneal fibroblast were performed at different stages of wound closure. Expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), lumican, collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP 12) were measured at day 1, day 3 and complete wound closure day. Corneal fibroblast cultured in BMS with GH demonstrated the fastest wound closure, at day 5 post wounding. The gene expressions of ALDH and vimentin were higher than control groups while α-SMA expression was lower, in GH enriched media. The expressions of lumican, collagen I and MMP 12 were also higher in cells cultured in GH enriched media compared to the control groups. GH was shown to promote in vitro corneal fibroblast wound healing and may be a potential natural adjunct in the treatment of corneal wound.
  11. Fulltext An Electrochemical DNA Biosensor for Carcinogenicity of Anticancer Compounds Based on Competition between Methylene Blue and Oligonucleotides
    Md Sani ND, Ariffin EY, Sheryn W, Shamsuddin MA, Heng LY, Latip J, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 Nov 22;19(23).
    PMID: 31766637 DOI: 10.3390/s19235111
    A toxicity electrochemical DNA biosensor has been constructed for the detection of carcinogens using 24 base guanine DNA rich single stranded DNA, and methylene blue (MB) as the electroactive indicator. This amine terminated ssDNA was immobilized onto silica nanospheres and deposited on gold nanoparticle modified carbon-paste screen printed electrodes (SPEs). The modified SPE was initially exposed to a carcinogen, followed by immersion in methylene blue for an optimized duration. The biosensor response was measured using differential pulse voltammetry. The performance of the biosensor was identified on several anti-cancer compounds. The toxicity DNA biosensor demonstrated a linear response range to the cadmium chloride from 0.0005 ppm to 0.01 ppm (R2 = 0.928) with a limit of detection at 0.0004 ppm. The biosensor also exhibited its versatility to screen the carcinogenicity of potential anti-cancer compounds.
  12. Fulltext Kenaf Composites for Automotive Components: Enhancement in Machinability and Moldability
    Mohd Radzuan NA, Ismail NF, Fadzly Md Radzi MK, Razak ZB, Tharizi IB, Sulong AB, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2019 Oct 17;11(10).
    PMID: 31627431 DOI: 10.3390/polym11101707
    To date, the mechanical performance of kenaf composites is still unsatisfied in term of its mechanical performance. Therefore, research focuses on kenaf composites fabrication through the selection of polymer resin, including epoxy, polypropylene, and polylactic acid. The incorporated kenaf fibre at 10 wt % to 40 wt % loadings was conducted using injection and a compression moulding process. The compressed materials indicated high tensile strength at 240 MPa compared to inject materials (60 MPa). Significant improvement on impact strength (9 kJ/m2) was due to the unpulled-out fibre that dispersed homogenously and hence minimize the microcrack acquire. Meanwhile, high flexural strength (180 MPa) obtained by kenaf/epoxy composites due to the fibre orientate perpendicular to the loading directions, which improve its mechanical properties. The findings indicate that the kenaf fibre reinforced thermoset materials exhibit better mechanical properties as a function to the battery tray applications.
  13. Fulltext Indirect immunofluorescence screening of potential arthritic autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
    Selvaraja M, Che Ku Daud CKD, Abdul Jalil M, Md. Shah A, Amin Nordin S, Ahmad Bajari Z, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(103):1-4.
    MyJurnal
    Joint involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, however, screening for joint specific autoantibodies in patients is not routinely performed. This may be due to the lack of known antigens and available tissue. The rat musculoskeletal tissue may be a suitable source of antigen to detect arthritic autoantibodies.
    Method: We tested plasma of SLE patients, with arthritis (N=9) and without arthritis (N=7) as well as plasma from normal individuals (N=7) on fresh sectioned tissue from rat plantar hind paw using indirect immunofluorescence method.
    Results: Binding of autoantibodies to striation in skeletal muscle cells in the tissue was clearly demonstrable in all samples from SLE with arthritis but not on slides incubated with plasma from normal or SLE without arthritis.
    Conclusion: Thus, rat plantar tissue may be suitable for detecting autoantibodies from SLE patients that may be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus arthritis.
  14. Fulltext Dermatoglyphics: comparison between Negritos Orang Asli and the Malays, Chinese and Indian
    Ismail E, Abdul Razak S, Selamat L, Gurusamy R, Zariman H, Shahrudin MS, et al.
    Sains Malaysiana, 2009 6;38:947-952.
    Dermatoglyphic traits are formed under genetic control during early gestation and do not change through the entire life. A few studies have shown that dermatoglyphic traits were conservative in their evolution and were different between and within population groups. The objective of this study was to compare the variability of palm dermatoglyphs in three main populations i.e. Malay, Chinese, Indian and five sub-ethnic population of Negritos’ Orang Asli i.e. Bateq, Jahai, Kintak, Kensiu and Lanoh. We utilised fingerprints and palms of 390 healthy adult individuals, counted the total ridge for ten fingers
    (TRC), a-b ridge counts (a-b RC) on palms, examined widening of the atd-angle, and classified the digital pattern configuration of arches, whorls, ulnar, and radial loops for all fingers. Variables obtained from both palm did not show any differences between males and females for all populations. TRC, a-b RC and atd-angle were the highest for Kensiu and were later on specially described to be in a group of its own by ANOVA and TUKEY test for TRC and a-b RC. The same test has put Chinese in a group of its own for atd-angle. Only a-b RC clearly separate Orang Asli populations from the three main races. Whorls and ulnar loops were the most predominant pattern in all groups. Malays and Chinese had similar distributional patterns for each ten fingers. Indian and Jahai similarly mimic each other, while Bateq has the reversal pattern distribution to them both. Kintak and Lanoh halfly mimics each other pattern and Kensiu had its own unique pattern. In conclusion, races, patterns, and pattern frequencies were related to each other and can be used to differentiate different races or Orang Asli
    sub-ethnics. This study documents for the first time the comparative dermatoglyphic traits between Malaysian main races with Orang Asli populations show a list of informative variables that can be used to identify them as well as suggesting it’s used as a tool in tracing the etnohistorical background of populations.
  15. Removal efficiency of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using a natural coagulant during coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes
    Sha'arani S, Azizan SNF, Md Akhir FN, Muhammad Yuzir MA, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Water Sci Technol, 2019 Nov;80(9):1787-1795.
    PMID: 32039910 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.433
    Staphylococcus sp. as Gram-positive and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative are bacterial pathogens and can cause primary bloodstream infections and food poisoning. Coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes could be a reliable treatment for bacterial removal because suspended, colloidal, and soluble particles can be removed. Chemical coagulants, such as alum, are commonly used. However, these chemical coagulants are not environmentally friendly. This present study evaluated the effectiveness of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes for removing Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli using diatomite with standard jar test equipment at different pH values. Staphylococcus sp. demonstrated 85.61% and 77.23% significant removal in diatomite and alum, respectively, at pH 5. At pH 7, the removal efficiency decreased to 79.41% and 64.13% for Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli, respectively. At pH 9, there was a decrease in Staphylococcus sp. after adding diatomite or alum compared with that of E. coli. The different removal efficiencies of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria could be owing to the membrane composition and different structures in the bacteria. This study indicates that diatomite has higher efficiency in removing bacteria at pH 5 and can be considered as a potential coagulant to replace alum for removing bacteria by the coagulation process.
  16. Diagnostic performance of anti-RA33 antibody as a serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis
    Syed Mohamed Suhail SM, Nur Atiqah I, Nur Salimi Zakirah ZA, Lailatul Syazwani Z, Batis WW, Md Monoto EM, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):259-265.
    PMID: 31901910
    INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed based on the 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria whereby rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibody are the serological markers included in these criteria. Anti-RA33 antibody has the potential to provide additional diagnostic value in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic performance of anti-RA33 antibody as a serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirtyfour patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 34 non-rheumatoid arthritis individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were performed on all samples.

    RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were 41.1%, 97.1%, 93.3%, 62.3% and 64.7%, 79.4%, 75.9%, 69.2% respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity if either anti-RA33 antibody or rheumatoid factor are positive were 79.4% and 76.47% respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Anti-RA33 antibody showed good specificity and positive predictive value and could be considered as a potential serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

  17. The role of gas-phase dynamics in interfacial phenomena during few-layer graphene growth through atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition
    Fauzi FB, Ismail E, Syed Abu Bakar SN, Ismail AF, Mohamed MA, Md Din MF, et al.
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2020 Feb 12;22(6):3481-3489.
    PMID: 31989130 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05346h
    The complicated chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is currently the most viable method of producing graphene. Most studies have extensively focused on chemical aspects either through experiments or computational studies. However, gas-phase dynamics in CVD reportedly plays an important role in improving graphene quality. Given that mass transport is the rate-limiting step for graphene deposition in atmospheric-pressure CVD (APCVD), the interfacial phenomena at the gas-solid interface (i.e., the boundary layer) are a crucial controlling factor. Accordingly, only by understanding and controlling the boundary-layer thickness can uniform full-coverage graphene deposition be achieved. In this study, a simplified computational fluid dynamics analysis of APCVD was performed to investigate gas-phase dynamics during deposition. Boundary-layer thickness was also estimated through the development of a customised homogeneous gas model. Interfacial phenomena, particularly the boundary layer and mass transport within it, were studied. The effects of Reynolds number on these factors were explored and compared with experimentally obtained results of the characterised graphene deposit. We then discussed and elucidated the important relation of fluid dynamics to graphene growth through APCVD.
  18. Fulltext Improving Performance of Electrospun Nylon 6,6 Nanofiber Membrane for Produced Water Filtration via Solvent Vapor Treatment
    Abd Halim NS, Wirzal MDH, Bilad MR, Md Nordin NAH, Adi Putra Z, Sambudi NS, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2019 Dec 17;11(12).
    PMID: 31861059 DOI: 10.3390/polym11122117
    Electrospun nanofiber membrane (NFM) has a high potential to be applied as a filter for produced water treatment due to its highly porous structure and great permeability. However, it faces fouling issues and has low mechanical properties, which reduces the performance and lifespan of the membrane. NFM has a low integrity and the fine mat easily detaches from the sheet. In this study, nylon 6,6 was selected as the polymer since it offers great hydrophilicity. In order to increase mechanical strength and separation performance of NFM, solvent vapor treatment was implemented where the vapor induces the fusion of fibers. The fabricated nylon 6,6 NFMs were treated with different exposure times of formic acid vapor. Results show that solvent vapor treatment helps to induce the fusion of overlapping fibers. The optimum exposure time for solvent vapor is 5 h to offer full retention of dispersed oil (100% of oil rejection), has 62% higher in tensile strength (1950 MPa) compared to untreated nylon 6,6 NFM (738 MPa), and has the final permeability closest to the untreated nylon 6,6 NFM (733 L/m2.h.bar). It also took more time to get fouled (220 min) compared to untreated NFM (160 min).
  19. Fulltext Amino Anthraquinone: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Application as an Active Material in Environmental Sensors
    Ali S, Tahir M, Mehboob N, Wahab F, J Langford S, Mohd Said S, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2020 Feb 21;13(4).
    PMID: 32098037 DOI: 10.3390/ma13040960
    This work reports synthesis, thin film characterizations, and study of an organic semiconductor 2-aminoanthraquinone (AAq) for humidity and temperature sensing applications. The morphological and phase studies of AAq thin films are carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To study the sensing properties of AAq, a surface type Au/AAq/Au sensor is fabricated by thermally depositing a 60 nm layer of AAq at a pressure of ~10-5 mbar on a pre-patterned gold (Au) electrodes with inter-electrode gap of 45 µm. To measure sensing capability of the Au/AAq/Au device, the variations in its capacitance and resistance are studied as a function of humidity and temperature. The Au/AAq/Au device measures and exhibits a linear change in capacitance and resistance when relative humidity (%RH) and temperature are varied. The AAq is a hydrophobic material which makes it one of the best candidates to be used as an active material in humidity sensors; on the other hand, its high melting point (575 K) is another appealing property that enables it for its potential applications in temperature sensors.
  20. Study on Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus Bleeker, 1854) model
    Amal MNA, Ismail A, Saad MZ, Md Yasin IS, Nasruddin NS, Mastor SS, et al.
    Microb Pathog, 2019 Jun;131:47-52.
    PMID: 30940607 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.03.034
    This study determines the median lethal dose, and describes the clinico-pathological changes and disease development following Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Javanese medaka model. Javanese medakas were infected with S. agalactiae via intraperitoneal (IP) from 104 to 108 CFU/mL, and immersion (IM) route from 103 to 107 CFU/mL. The LD50-240h and clinico-pathological changes of the fish was determined until 240 h post infection (hpi). Next, the disease development was determined for 96 hpi in the fish following IP and IM infection at 103 CFU/mL and 104 CFU/mL, respectively. The LD50-240h of S. agalactiae in Javanese medaka was lower following IP injection (4.5 × 102 CFU/mL), compared to IM route (3.5 × 103 CFU/mL). The clinical signs included separating from the schooling group, swimming at the surface of water column, lethargy, erratic swimming pattern, corneal opacity and exophthalmia. Histopathological examinations revealed generalized congestion in almost all internal organs, particularly in liver and brain, while the kidney displayed tubular necrosis. Both IP and IM routes showed significant positive correlation (p 
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