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  1. Fulltext Endocrinopathies in HIV infected patients
    Rosdina Zamrud Ahmad Akbar, Sharifah Faradila Wan Muhammad Hatta, Rosnida Mohd Noh, Fatimah Zaherah Mohd Shah, Thuhairah Abdul Rahman, Rohana Abdul Ghani, et al.
    Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2020;5(2):39-45.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Hormonal abnormality is one of many clinical manifestations of HIV infections
    that is not well understood. However, the consequences could affect quality of life and are
    potentially treatable. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated
    factors of thyroid, adrenal and gonadal dysfunctions among HIV-infected patients. Methods:
    This is a single centre cross-sectional study involving 150 HIV-infected patients attending the
    HIV clinic. Each subject was required to answer specific symptoms questionnaire and their
    medical records were reviewed for relevant clinical and biochemical data. Blood for was
    collected and thyroid hormones, cortisol, ACTH, FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol were
    analysed using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. Thyroid, adrenal and gonadal axes
    abnormalities were identified. Results: Hypogonadism had the highest prevalence amongst
    the endocrine abnormalities, which was detected in 23 patients (15.3%), followed by thyroid
    dysfunction in 18 patients (12%) and hypocortisolism in 2 patients (1.3%). There was
    significant correlation between CD4 count, BMI and age with the hormone levels. Conclusion:
    Prevalence of endocrine abnormalities was low in these well-treated HIV-positive patients,
    with hypogonadism being the most common. However, significant correlations between CD4
    count, age and BMI with the hormonal levels were detected. Clinical symptoms in relation to
    endocrinopathy are not specific as a screening tool thus underscoring the need for
    biochemical tests to identify these treatable conditions.
  2. Fulltext Circulating purification of cutting fluid: an overview
    Wu X, Li C, Zhou Z, Nie X, Chen Y, Zhang Y, et al.
    Int J Adv Manuf Technol, 2021;117(9-10):2565-2600.
    PMID: 34465936 DOI: 10.1007/s00170-021-07854-1
    Cutting fluid has cooling and lubricating properties and is an important part of the field of metal machining. Owing to harmful additives, base oils with poor biodegradability, defects in processing methods, and unreasonable emissions of waste cutting fluids, cutting fluids have serious pollution problems, which pose challenges to global carbon emissions laws and regulations. However, the current research on cutting fluid and its circulating purification technique lacks systematic review papers to provide scientific technical guidance for actual production. In this study, the key scientific issues in the research achievements of eco-friendly cutting fluid and waste fluid treatment are clarified. First, the preparation and mechanism of organic additives are summarized, and the influence of the physical and chemical properties of vegetable base oils on lubricating properties is analyzed. Then, the process characteristics of cutting fluid reduction supply methods are systematically evaluated. Second, the treatment of oil mist and miscellaneous oil, the removal mechanism and approach of microorganisms, and the design principles of integrated recycling equipment are outlined. The conclusion is concluded that the synergistic effect of organic additives, biodegradable vegetable base oils and recycling purification effectively reduces the environmental pollution of cutting fluids. Finally, in view of the limitations of the cutting fluid and its circulating purification technique, the prospects of amino acid additive development, self-adapting jet parameter supply system, matching mechanism between processing conditions and cutting fluid are put forward, which provides the basis and support for the engineering application and development of cutting fluid and its circulating purification.
  3. Emerging challenges of air pollution and particulate matter in China, India, and Pakistan and mitigating solutions
    Anwar MN, Shabbir M, Tahir E, Iftikhar M, Saif H, Tahir A, et al.
    J Hazard Mater, 2021 08 15;416:125851.
    PMID: 34492802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125851
    This study examines point and non-point sources of air pollution and particulate matter and their associated socioeconomic and health impacts in South Asian countries, primarily India, China, and Pakistan. The legislative frameworks, policy gaps, and targeted solutions are also scrutinized. The major cities in these countries have surpassed the permissible limits defined by WHO for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide. As a result, they are facing widespread health problems, disabilities, and causalities at extreme events. Populations in these countries are comparatively more prone to air pollution effects because they spend more time in the open air, increasing their likelihood of exposure to air pollutants. The elevated level of air pollutants and their long-term exposure increases the susceptibility to several chronic/acute diseases, i.e., obstructive pulmonary diseases, acute respiratory distress, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. More in-depth spatial-temporal air pollution monitoring studies in China, India, and Pakistan are recommended. The study findings suggest that policymakers at the local, national, and regional levels should devise targeted policies by considering all the relevant parameters, including the country's economic status, local meteorological conditions, industrial interests, public lifestyle, and national literacy rate. This approach will also help design and implement more efficient policies which are less likely to fail when brought into practice.
  4. Fulltext Effect of Addition of Palm Oil Biodiesel in Waste Plastic Oil on Diesel Engine Performance, Emission, and Lubricity
    Awang MSN, Mohd Zulkifli NW, Abbas MM, Amzar Zulkifli S, Kalam MA, Ahmad MH, et al.
    ACS Omega, 2021 Aug 24;6(33):21655-21675.
    PMID: 34471769 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03073
    This research was aimed to examine the diesel engine's performance and emission of secondary fuels (SFs), comprising waste plastic oil (WPO) and palm oil biodiesel (POB), and to analyze their tribological properties. Their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Five SFs (10-50% POB in WPO) were prepared by mechanical stirring. The results were compared to blank WPO (WPO100) and Malaysian commercial diesel (B10). WPO90 showed the maximum brake power (BP) and brake torque (BT) among the SFs, and their values were 0.52 and 0.59% higher compared to B10, respectively. The increase in POB ratio (20-50%) showed a negligible difference in BP and BT. WPO70 showed the lowest brake-specific fuel consumption among the SFs. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased with POB composition. The maximum reductions in emission of hydrocarbon (HC, 37.21%) and carbon monoxide (CO, 27.10%) were achieved by WPO50 among the SFs. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in CO2 emission (6.78%). Increasing the POB composition reduced the CO emissions and increased the CO2 emissions. All SFs showed a higher coefficient of friction (COF) than WPO100. WPO50 showed the minimal increase in COF of 2.45%. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in wear scar diameter (WSD), by 10.34%, compared to B10. Among the secondary contaminated samples, SAE40-WPO90 showed the lowest COF, with 5.98% reduction compared to SAE40-WPO100. However, with increasing POB content in the secondary contaminated samples, the COF increased. The same trend was also observed in their WSD. Overall, WPO90 is the optimal SF with excellent potential for diesel engines.
  5. Fulltext Comparative Analysis of Erosive Wear Behaviour of Epoxy, Polyester and Vinyl Esters Based Thermosetting Polymer Composites for Human Prosthetic Applications Using Taguchi Design
    Khare JM, Dahiya S, Gangil B, Ranakoti L, Sharma S, Huzaifah MRM, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Oct 19;13(20).
    PMID: 34685366 DOI: 10.3390/polym13203607
    In polymer composites, synthetic fibers are primarily used as a chief reinforcing material, with a wide range of applications, and are therefore essential to study. In the present work, we carried out the erosive wear of natural and synthetic fiber-based polymer composites. Glass fiber with jute and Grewia optiva fiber was reinforced in three different polymer resins: epoxy, vinyl ester and polyester. The hand lay-up method was used for the fabrication of composites. L16 orthogonal array of Taguchi method used to identify the most significant parameters (impact velocity, fiber content, and impingement angle) in the analysis of erosive wear. ANOVA analysis revealed that the most influential parameter was in the erosive wear analysis was impact velocity followed by fiber content and impingement angle. It was also observed that polyester-based composites exhibited the highest erosive wear followed by vinyl ester-based composites, and epoxy-based composites showed the lowest erosive wear. From the present study, it may be attributed that the low hardness of the polyester resulting in low resistance against the impact of erodent particles. The SEM analysis furthermore illustrates the mechanism took place during the wear examination of all three types of composites at highest fiber loading. A thorough assessment uncovers brittle fractures in certain regions, implying that a marginal amount of impact forces was also acting on the fabricated samples. The developed fiber-reinforced polymer sandwich composite materials possess excellent biocompatibility, desirable promising properties for prosthetic, orthopaedic, and bone-fracture implant uses.
  6. Gellan Gum Hydrogels Filled Edible Oil Microemulsion for Biomedical Materials: Phase Diagram, Mechanical Behavior, and In Vivo Studies
    Muktar MZ, Bakar MAA, Amin KAM, Che Rose L, Wan Ismail WI, Razali MH, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Sep 26;13(19).
    PMID: 34641095 DOI: 10.3390/polym13193281
    The demand for wound care products, especially advanced and active wound care products is huge. In this study, gellan gum (GG) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) were utilized to develop microemulsion-based hydrogel for wound dressing materials. A ternary phase diagram was constructed to obtain an optimized ratio of VCO, water, and surfactant to produce VCO microemulsion. The VCO microemulsion was incorporated into gellan gum (GG) hydrogel (GVCO) and their chemical interaction, mechanical performance, physical properties, and thermal behavior were examined. The stress-at-break (σ) and Young's modulus (YM) of GVCO hydrogel films were increased along with thermal behavior with the inclusion of VCO microemulsion. The swelling degree of GVCO hydrogel decreased as the VCO microemulsion increased and the water vapor transmission rate of GVCO hydrogels was comparable to commercial dressing in the range of 332-391 g m-2 d-1. The qualitative antibacterial activities do not show any inhibition against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. In vivo studies on Sprague-Dawley rats show the wound contraction of GVCO hydrogel is best (95 ± 2%) after the 14th day compared to a commercial dressing of Smith and Nephew Opsite post-op waterproof dressing, and this result is supported by the ultrasound images of wound skin and histological evaluation of the wound. The findings suggest that GVCO hydrogel has the potential to be developed as a biomedical material.
  7. Cell membrane cloaked nanomedicines for bio-imaging and immunotherapy of cancer: Improved pharmacokinetics, cell internalization and anticancer efficacy
    Hussain Z, Rahim MA, Jan N, Shah H, Rawas-Qalaji M, Khan S, et al.
    J Control Release, 2021 07 10;335:130-157.
    PMID: 34015400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.018
    Despite enormous advancements in the field of oncology, the innocuous and effectual treatment of various types of malignancies remained a colossal challenge. The conventional modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have been remained the most viable options for cancer treatment, but lacking of target-specificity, optimum safety and efficacy, and pharmacokinetic disparities are their impliable shortcomings. Though, in recent decades, numerous encroachments in the field of onco-targeted drug delivery have been adapted but several limitations (i.e., short plasma half-life, early clearance by reticuloendothelial system, immunogenicity, inadequate internalization and localization into the onco-tissues, chemoresistance, and deficient therapeutic efficacy) associated with these onco-targeted delivery systems limits their clinical viability. To abolish the aforementioned inadequacies, a promising approach has been emerged in which stealthing of synthetic nanocarriers has been attained by cloaking them into the natural cell membranes. These biomimetic nanomedicines not only retain characteristics features of the synthetic nanocarriers but also inherit the cell-membrane intrinsic functionalities. In this review, we have summarized preparation methods, mechanism of cloaking, and pharmaceutical and therapeutic superiority of cell-membrane camouflaged nanomedicines in improving the bio-imaging and immunotherapy against various types of malignancies. These pliable adaptations have revolutionized the current drug delivery strategies by optimizing the plasma circulation time, improving the permeation into the cancerous microenvironment, escaping the immune evasion and rapid clearance from the systemic circulation, minimizing the immunogenicity, and enabling the cell-cell communication via cell membrane markers of biomimetic nanomedicines. Moreover, the preeminence of cell-membrane cloaked nanomedicines in improving the bio-imaging and theranostic applications, alone or in combination with phototherapy or radiotherapy, have also been pondered.
  8. Fulltext Widespread pandemic, wide-ranging response: student-led virtual telemedicine and digital community-based healthcare provision in a university healthcare centre in response to coronavirus quarantine measures
    Muhammad Syafiq Abdullah, Nicholas Pang, Sharinah Abd Kassim, Flora Aurora AmatUdat, NurZiana Ulkaya, NuraisyahNurullah, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):13-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Isolation and border control measures, with home quarantine measures, are essential to stem the spread of the newly emergent novel Covid-19. Such measures are doomed to fail if reliant on traditional isolation methods, which entail small numbers of overworked healthcare staff screening and surveilling large numbers of well individuals who are potential false positives. Innovative method employed by Hospital UMS to overcome these logistics difficulties. Methods: A total of 440 returning China students to UMS were planned for home quarantine measures for 14 days. In the intervening 14 days, groups of ten quarantined individuals were assigned to 1 Manda- rin-speaking medical student liaison officer (LO). LOs performed assessment toolkit for 14 consecutive days virtually via WhatsApp and WeChat and reported back to NCOV central command if any symptoms ensued. Results: 45 China students have been put on home quarantine. Two (2) students with symptoms were monitored virtually till resolution of symptoms. Also, five (5) students with uncontactable phone numbers required tracking down, using var- ious methods eg: retrieval from close contacts through wide-bore virtual search. No cases so far have been positive for NCOV or have required referral to tertiary hospitals. Qualitatively, such methods are a vital public health inter- vention, as task shifting happens to semi-professionals. Hospital UMS first trial of two cherished founding principles: community-based rather than healthcare-facility center healthcare delivery, and judicious use of digital health com- munications, applications, and rudimentary telemedicine. Conclusion: Student-led virtual telemedicine and digital health delivery has potential in public health crises like NCOV, freeing frontline healthcare staff to devote energies to their specialties of screening and treatment. Integration of video and biometrics to incorporate true telemedicine, allowing individuals to be “hospitalized” in a community setting in situations of low risk.
  9. Fulltext A staff-initiated quality improvement project: from paper to web report
    Daphne Clemente, Nurul Amiella Abdullah, ZurianahJusmin Jasmin, Muhammad Syafiq Abdullah, Helen Benedict Lasimbang, Wendy Diana Shoesmith, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):14-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Continuous quality improvement of system is essential to improve efficiency of working environ- ment. Limited financial allocation in low resource setting results in the vicious circle of having inadequate money to purchase a new system and print paper documents that are required for the operation of clinic. A staff-initiated system improvement with the name of “PRW UMS Staff Portal” was attempted to break-free from the vicious cycle. Methods: An online system covering different aspects of routine clinical work of healthcare workers was created in Dec 2019 and implemented in Feb 2020 using Google SiteTM by the nurses of a local university community clinic, which included: submission of daily reports of nurses and assistant medical officers, submission of reports of all programmes conducted by the clinic, surveillance of health status of working staffs, announcement and request of working roster, archiving of documents, and medication inventory. The system could only be accessed using official working email for general documents while accesses to sensitive documents were restricted to relevant staffs to pro- tect privacy and confidentiality of information. Qualitative interviews were performed with all nursing staff involved. Results: Qualitative feeling of improvement in coordination of workflow was reported by all 23 staffs working in the clinic in view of the easy access of system using smartphone and computer at workstation. It also reduced the need to move away from the working station in order to access, replenish, or submit the printed documents and reports. Significant amount of paper and printing were saved monthly. Conclusions: Despite positive feedback from the staffs, the system requires further improvement in terms of function and security. Further evaluation on cost-efficiency of the system can be done to promote the system to other universities.

  10. Fulltext Effects of nerol on paracetamol-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats
    Islam MT, Quispe C, Islam MA, Ali ES, Saha S, Asha UH, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2021 Aug;140:111732.
    PMID: 34130201 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111732
    Nerol, a monoterpene is evident to possess diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anthelmintic, and anti-arrhythmias. This study aims to evaluate its hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in a rat model. Five groups of rats (n = 7) were orally treated (once daily) with 0.05% tween 80 dissolved in 0.9% NaCl solution (vehicle), paracetamol 640 mg/kg (negative control), 50 mg/kg silymarin (positive control), or nerol (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 14 days, followed by the hepatotoxicity induction using paracetamol (PCM). The blood samples and livers of the animals were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. The histological findings suggest that paracetamol caused lymphocyte infiltration and marked necrosis, whereas maintenance of the normal hepatic structural was observed in group pre-treated with silymarin and nerol. The rats pre-treated with nerol significantly and dose-dependently reduced the hepatotoxic markers in animals. Nerol at 100 mg/kg significantly reversed the paracetamol-induced altered situations, including the liver enzymes, plasma proteins, antioxidant enzymes and serum bilirubin, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cholesterol [e.g., total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c)] levels in animals. Taken together, nerol exerted significant hepatoprotective activity in rats in a dose-dependent manner. PCM-induced toxicity and nerol induced hepatoprotective effects based on expression of inflammatory and apoptosis factors will be future line of work for establishing the precise mechanism of action of nerol in Wistar albino rats.
  11. Fulltext Association between fruit and vegetable intake and body mass index of postgraduate students at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
    Rui Fen Teoh, Norhasniza Yaacob, Sitti Junaina Musa, Muhammad Asyaari Zakaria, Hui Yuan Lau, Wun Chin Leong, et al.
    Life Sciences, Medicine and Biomedicine, 2021;5(1):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    Background: The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommended that at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables be consumed daily. However, is there a relationship between daily fruit and vegetable intake and body mass index (BMI)? The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and BMI among postgraduate students in the health sciences. Methodogy: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 44 postgraduate students from the 2019/2020 batch of health sciences took partn in this study. Respondents were asked to complete three parts of the questionnaire: socio-demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and self-administered questions. Results: The majority of respondents are female (n=44, 77.3%), and they are mainly Malay (n=22, 50.0%). The average BMI of all respondents is 23.76±4.83. This study found that majority of respondents did not meet the recommended daily fruit (n=31, 70.5%) and vegetable intake (n=23, 52.3%). Discussion: The study discovered a significant relationship (p0.05) between gender, age, BMI, waist circumference, and daily fruit intake. Moreover, neither daily fruit nor vegetable intake predicted changes in BMI. Conclusion: This study found that the consumption of fruits and vegetables among postgraduate students was unsatisfactory and lower than recommended guidelines.
  12. Fulltext Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about Mental Health Challenges among Healthcare Students of a Private University
    Zahid Iqbal M, Rathi R, Prajapati SK, Zi Qing MS, Pheng TS, Wei Kee H, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2021;13(1):136-142.
    PMID: 34084060 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_297_20
    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare students (Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry) in a private university about mental health challenges (MHC).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A research cross-sectional observational was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students towards MHC at a private university in Malaysia. A validated questionnaire was distributed to 284 students studying in three different selected faculties, namely the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 24.0 was used to analyze the data.

    RESULTS: Upon evaluation of knowledge, male students were having less-adequate knowledge than females (P = 0.006). Malay students were having adequate knowledge than other races about MHC. Faculty of Medicine was having adequate knowledge than other faculties (P ≤ 0.001). Regarding attitude, the Faculty of Pharmacy students had the highest positive attitudes (P = 0.001). Final year students were having a more positive attitude than pre-final year students. For the evaluation of practice, the Faculty of Dentistry students had the lowest practice compared with other faculties.

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, overall, good knowledge was seen among the students of the private medical university about MHC. The medical students had adequate knowledge when compared with other faculties in the university.

  13. Fulltext A Taphonomic Study of Crocodylus porosus (Crocodylidae) and Tomistoma schlegelii (Gavialidae) Remains from Western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo: Applications for Public Education
    Ruhana Hassan, Nur Fatimah Mohd Azizi, Muhammad Amirul Arib Md Adzhar, Mohd Izwan Zulaini Abdul Gani, Rambli Ahmad, Charles Leh Moi Ung
    Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    This study documented details of the dentitions, skulls and other skeletal remains of Crocodylus porosus and Tomistoma schlegelii, from western part of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The remains of both reptiles were exhumed, followed by standard cleaning procedures and then detail morphological assessments were carried out accordingly. Both species show similar structure of vertebral columns, but T. schlegelii has the following unique structures: a long and narrower snout, D-shaped eye sockets, long and sharp pointed protruding quadratojugal bones, straight maxillae and dentary, a smooth surfaced skull, elongated triangular suborbital fenestrae, round shaped internal nares and visible supraoccipital from a dorsal view. C. porosus has heterodont dentition with blunt-pointed and irregular size of teeth whereas T. schlegelii has almost homodont dentition with sharp and similar size teeth. This is the first collection of teeth, skulls and other skeletal remains of both species obtained from Sarawak, and the materials have been used regularly to educate the public through science exhibitions, hoping they will spark the interests of young budding scientists to be involved in wildlife taphonomic studies in the future.
  14. Fulltext Evaluation on the Mechanical Properties of Ground Granulated Blast Slag (GGBS) and Fly Ash Stabilized Soil via Geopolymer Process
    Abdila SR, Abdullah MMAB, Ahmad R, Rahim SZA, Rychta M, Wnuk I, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 May 26;14(11).
    PMID: 34073169 DOI: 10.3390/ma14112833
    This study intended to address the problem of damaged (collapsed, cracked and decreased soil strength) road pavement structure built on clay soil due to clay soil properties such as low shear strength, high soil compressibility, low soil permeability, low soil strength, and high soil plasticity. Previous research reported that ground granulated blast slag (GGBS) and fly ash can be used for clay soil stabilizations, but the results of past research indicate that the road pavement construction standards remained unfulfilled, especially in terms of clay's subgrade soil. Due to this reason, this study is carried out to further investigate soil stabilization using GGBS and fly ash-based geopolymer processes. This study investigates the effects of GGBS and ratios of fly ash (solid) to alkaline activator (liquid) of 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, and 3:1, cured for 1 and 7 days. The molarity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and the ratio of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was fixed at 10 molar and 2.0 weight ratio. The mechanical properties of the soil stabilization based geopolymer process were tested using an unconfined compression test, while the characterization of soil stabilization was investigated using the plastic limit test, liquid limit test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the highest strength obtained was 3.15 MPA with a GGBS to alkaline activator ratio of 1.5 and Na2SiO3 to NaOH ratio of 2.0 at 7 days curing time. These findings are useful in enhancing knowledge in the field of soil stabilization-based geopolymer, especially for applications in pavement construction. In addition, it can be used as a reference for academicians, civil engineers, and geotechnical engineers.
  15. Fulltext Associations between knowledge on optimal control of serum phosphate, perceived social support, dietary phosphorus intake and phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients
    Muhammad Darwish Asyraf Mohd Isa, Fiona Jie Wei Lai, Shen Yi Chong, Nur Amrina Rasyada Ismail, Kar Fei Chan, Yoke Mun Chan
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):140-147.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is common among hemodialysis patients, often accompanies with unfavourable clinical outcomes. Several factors affect phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients, with lack of such infor- mation at the local context. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations of sociodemographic factors, knowledge on optimal control of serum phosphate, perceived social support from family, dietary phospho- rus intake and phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic factors, knowledge, family social support and dietary phosphorus intakes of hemodialysis patients, with serum phosphate level was used as the surrogate marker for phosphate compliance. Results: A total of 76 patients (Mean age of 52 years old) were recruited. Hyperphosphatemia was prevalent with ap- proximately 60% of the patients failed to achieve the target. Approximately 90% of the patients perceived low level of family social support. Young patients had significant higher serum phosphate compared to their older counterparts (r = -0.297, p =0.009). Serum phosphate was positively correlated with dietary intake of phosphorus, dialysis vintage (r = 0.301, p = 0.006) and comorbidity score (r = 0.325, p = 0.008) while negatively correlated with dialysis dose (r = -0.582, p = 0.002) and family social support (r = -0.263, p = 0.024). Conclusion: The promising role of dietary phosphorus intake in managing hyperphosphatemia deserves further attention. Innovative approaches are needed to promote self-adherence on serum phosphate especially the younger patients. It is imperative to promote family social support in the management of hyperphosphatemia among hemodialysis patients.
  16. Fulltext Knowledge, awareness and practices on the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among community in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur
    Zulhabri Othman, Nur Asmidar Abdul Aleem, Muhammad Danial Che Ramli, Sarina Sariman, Haniza Harun, Marini Ab Rahman, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(101):72-81.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disease which are related to the heart and its circulations. The main modifiable risk factors of the CVD disease are hypertension, hyperglycemia and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice on cardiovascular disease risk factors among Gombak community in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire and anthropomet- ric measurement among 388 subjects in Gombak District, Kuala Lumpur. Descriptive data analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression were carried to identify demographic and factors associated. Results: The prevalence of the risk factors was high among study subjects, including obesity (24.2%), hypertension (42.3%) and hyperglycemia (26.8%). More than half (64.4%) of the study subjects having at least one of the risk factor. The multivariate binary logistic model factor illustrated that compare to Malays, Chinese were 37% less likely to have obesity (CPR=0.67; 95% Cl: 0.26-1.69). Gombak district community are more likely to have the knowledge on the CVD risk factor but lack of awareness and poor in practicing the prevention action. The Indian ethnic group was less likely to be aware (APR: 0.33, Cl: 0.05-2.31) and others bumiputera ethnic group were less likely to prevent (APR: 0.58, CI: 0.20-1.65) the risk of CVD. The Chinese ethnic less likely to have the knowledge (APR: 0.88, Cl: 0.35-2.22). Conclusion: Gom- bak community was more likely to have the knowledge but less likely to be aware and lack of practice of prevention of the risk factors of CVD.
  17. Fulltext Beginner crisis communication for nurses: an introductory module of Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah
    Megawanah Mohd Razalee, Prisia Jibin, Sabrina Paul, Muhammad Syafiq Abdullah, Helen Benedict Lasimbang, Wendy Diana Shoesmith, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):65-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Crisis communication is an important skill for healthcare professionals, especially during disaster peri- od including the current 2019-nCoV pandemic. Nevertheless, the skill of crisis communication is not commonly an integral part of Malaysian nursing diploma and degree course. Methods: A half days session on how to communicate in the context of crisis was incorporated into an experiential learning workshop to 25 existing and newly recruited nurses together with 7 other healthcare professionals. The topics of nature of disaster, disease outbreak, preparation for disaster, principles and responsibility of crisis communication, preparing statement for press conference, and corporate communication were covered through brief lecture, round table discussion and tabletop simulations. Real time example of 2019-nCoV crisis communication was used to illustrate the skills required in the situation. Results: All participants confirmed that this was the first exposure to hands-on training on crisis communication and enlightening although majority of them were uncertain that they are capable to perform it during the crisis despite the ongoing 2019-nCoV issue in view of their the position that they are holding. Most nursing curriculums focus on clinical theory and clinical skill competency acquisition without addressing the need of learning how to commu- nicate beyond clinical setting in the situation of disaster and panic, which is mostly learned at job. The limitation included the practice in tabletop simulations might not be immediately translatable into real life practice. Conclu- sion: Regular reinforcement through more workshops and incorporation into disaster may potentially be a solution to improve the competency of healthcare professionals in crisis communication. Further assessment on the practice of the participants in performing crisis communication is needed to ensure the competency level has been achieved and to evaluate the efficiency of the workshop delivery method.
  18. Fulltext Monitoring Aedes population using ovitrap index and larval abundance in an urban university residence
    Emma Aishah, A., Muhammad Firdaus, M.F., Nur Syafiqah, T., Rozana, M.S., Sugasini, S.L., Syamsa Rizal, A., et al.
    Medicine & Health, 2020;15(2):224-235.
    MyJurnal
    Ovitrap autosidal berperanan penting dalam pemantauan dan kawalan vektor denggi, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Beberapa jenis ovitrap ini telah digunakan di Malaysia termasuklah Mosquito Larvae Trapping Device (MLTD) yang diperkenalkan oleh Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai kepadatan larva Aedes dan pembolehubah meteorologi setempat di sebuah penempatan pelajar di Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. MLTD (n=30) dengan umpan larutan baja NPK (5:5:5) organik telah digunakan. Pengumpulan larva dan penyelenggaraan ovitrap telah dilakukan setiap minggu selama lapan minggu. Pemeliharaan larva dan penentuan spesies telah dijalankan di makmal. Daripada sejumlah 2,152 larva Aedes, 85% merupakan Ae. albopictus manakala selebihnya Ae. aegypti. Ae. albopictus lebih banyak dikumpulkan di luar berbanding di dalam bangunan (purata larva per ovitrap, 9.28 lawan 6.08). Sebaliknya, Ae. aegypti lebih banyak dikumpulkan di dalam berbanding di luar bangunan (1.72 lawan 0.86). Ovitrap indeks yang paling tinggi adalah semasa minggu kelima (90%) dan keenam (93%). Minggu pertama menunjukkan ovitrap indeks yang paling rendah (30%). Analisis mendapati korelasi positif antara kepadatan larva Aedes dan suhu maksimum (r=0.830, p=0.011), manakala kelembapan relatif minimum menunjukkan korelasi negatif (r=-0.778, p=0.023). Pemantauan rutin bagi peringkat pramatang vektor denggi boleh memberikan maklumat mengenai kepadatan dan naik turun populasi nyamuk setempat. Apabila digandingkan dengan faktor meteorologi sejajar, maklumat ini dapat memberi panduan bagi perlaksanaan kawalan vektor sebagai sebahagian strategi pencegahan denggi.
  19. Fulltext COLOURFASTNESS PROPERTIES OF NATURAL DYE FROM TAGETES ERECTA ON SILK FABRIC USING DIFFERENT DYEING TECHNIQUES
    Nur Amirah Fadzlena Md Fadzli, Wan Syazehan Ruznan, Suraya Ahmad Suhaimi, Mohd Azlin Mohd Nor, Suhaidi Ariffin, Mohd Rozi Ahmad, et al.
    Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2021;9(1):166-172.
    MyJurnal
    Of late, dyeing fabrics with natural dyes have become an attraction because of its eco-friendly and less threatening disposition towards humankind. In the textile colouration industry, natural dyes play an important role because of the need for replacement synthetic dyes which have a great deal of tension with the environmental issues. This study focuses on the colour shade, colour coordinates, and fastness properties of dyed silk fabric from tagetes erecta (Mexican Marigold flower) using the water boiling extraction method. The dyeing was carried out using lemon juice as a natural mordant through the simultaneous mordanting method, using two different dyeing methods: infrared (IR) dyeing and exhaustion dyeing. The shades produced for exhaustion dyed fabric is light-yellow compared to the IR dyed fabric, which is medium-light yellow. These shades were confirmed with the CIELAB colour coordinates, L*a*b* values. The colourfastness to washing, perspiration, rubbing, and light of the fabrics were conducted to investigate the performance of the dye and mordant on the dyed silk fabrics. The colourfastness properties of the dyed silk fabric using infrared (IR) dyeing technique have better performance than using exhaustion dyeing technique.
  20. Fulltext The impact of different plant extracts on population suppression of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) yield under field conditions
    Ali S, Li Y, Haq IU, Abbas W, Shabbir MZ, Khan MM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260470.
    PMID: 34852006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260470
    Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) is a destructive pest of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) crop in Pakistan. Although insecticides are the primary management strategy used to control H. armigera, most of them are not effective due to considerable toxic residual effects on the fruits. Nonetheless, H. armigera is rapidly evolving resistance against the available pesticides for its management. This situation calls upon the need of alternative management options against the pest. Different plant extracts have been suggested as a viable, environment-friendly option for plant protection with minimal side effects. Furthermore, the plant extracts could also manage the insect species evolving resistance against pesticides. This study evaluated the efficacy of different plant extracts (i.e., Neem seed, turmeric, garlic and marsh pepper) against H. armigera. Furthermore, the impact of the plant extracts on growth and yield of tomato crop was also tested under field conditions. The results revealed that all plant extracts resulted in higher mortality of H. armigera compared to control. Similarly, the highest plant height was observed for the plants treated with the plant extracts compared to untreated plants. Moreover, the highest tomato yield was observed in plants treated with plant extracts, especially with neem seed (21.013 kg/plot) followed by pepper extract (19.25 kg/plot), and garlic extract 18.4 kg/plot) compared to the untreated plants (8.9 kg/plot). It is concluded that plant extracts can be used as eco-friendly approaches for improving tomato yield and resistance management of H. armigera.
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