Displaying publications 321 - 340 of 493 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Uzir MUH, Al Halbusi H, Lim R, Jerin I, Abdul Hamid AB, Ramayah T, et al.
    Technol Soc, 2021 Nov;67:101780.
    PMID: 34697510 DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101780
    The evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of human life, including healthcare. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, AI-enabled smartwatches are being used to help users to self-monitor and self-manage their health. Using a framework based on Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theory, this present study aimed to explore the use of AI-enabled smartwatches for health purposes, in particular the effects of product quality, service quality, perceived convenience, and perceived ease of use on user experience, trust and user satisfaction. Based on a purposive survey sample of 486 smartphone users in Bangladesh, data collected was analyzed using SPSS software for elementary analyses and PLS-SEM for hypotheses testing. The findings showed that the predictors, namely product quality, service quality, perceived convenience, and perceived ease of use, significantly affected user experience and trust. Similarly, user experience and trust were influential on user satisfaction and played partial mediating roles between predictors and user satisfaction. Besides, gender and age moderate the relationships of experience and trust with customer satisfaction. These findings support the S-O-R theoretical framework and have practical implications for brand and marketing managers of smartwatches in developing product features and understanding users' attitudes and behaviours.
  2. Qureshi N, Da Silva MLR, Abdul-Hamid H, Weng SF, Kai J, Leonardi-Bee J
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2021 Oct 07;10(10):CD012985.
    PMID: 34617591 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012985.pub2
    BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia is a common inherited condition that is associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, resulting from high levels of cholesterol since birth, can be prevented by starting lipid-lowering therapy. However, the majority of patients in the UK and worldwide remain undiagnosed. Established diagnostic criteria in current clinical practice are the Simon-Broome and Dutch Lipid Clinical network criteria and patients are classified as having probable, possible or definite familial hypercholesterolaemia.

    OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of healthcare interventions strategies to systematically improve identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings compared to usual care (incidental approaches to identify familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings).

    SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register. Date of last search: 13 September 2021. We also searched databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) as well as handsearching relevant conference proceedings, reference lists of included articles, and the grey literature. Date of last searches: 05 March 2020.  SELECTION CRITERIA: As per the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group guidelines, we planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI). Eligible NRSI were non-randomised controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, controlled before-and-after studies, and interrupted-time-series studies. We planned to selected studies with healthcare interventions strategies that aimed to systematically identify people with possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia, in primary care and other community settings. These strategies would be compared with usual care or no intervention. We considered participants of any age from the general population who access primary care and other community settings.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors planned to independently select studies according to the inclusion criteria, to extract data and assess for risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence (according to the GRADE criteria). We contacted corresponding study authors in order to obtain further information for all the studies considered in the review.

    MAIN RESULTS: No eligible RCTs or NRSIs were identified for inclusion, however, we excluded 28 studies.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are no RCTs or controlled NRSI evidence to determine the most appropriate healthcare strategy to systematically identify possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care or other community settings. Uncontrolled before-and-after studies were identified, but were not eligible for inclusion. Further studies assessing healthcare strategies of systematic identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia need to be conducted with diagnosis confirmed by genetic testing or validated through clinical phenotype (or both).

  3. Azmi NE, Ramli NI, Abdullah J, Abdul Hamid MA, Sidek H, Abd Rahman S, et al.
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2015 May 15;67:129-33.
    PMID: 25113659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2014.07.056
    A novel optical detection system consisting of combination of uricase/HRP-CdS quantum dots (QDs) for the determination of uric acid in urine sample is described. The QDs was used as an indicator to reveal fluorescence property of the system resulting from enzymatic reaction of uricase and HRP (horseradish peroxidase), which is involved in oxidizing uric acid to allaintoin and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide produced was able to quench the QDs fluorescence, which was proportional to uric acid concentration. The system demonstrated sufficient activity of uricase and HRP at a ratio of 5U:5U and pH 7.0. The linearity of the system toward uric acid was in the concentration range of 125-1000 µM with detection limit of 125 µM.
  4. Mohd Azamai ES, Sulaiman S, Mohd Habib SH, Looi ML, Das S, Abdul Hamid NA, et al.
    J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2009 Jan;10(1):14-21.
    PMID: 19198018 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B0820168
    Chlorella vulgaris (CV) has been reported to have antioxidant and anticancer properties. We evaluated the effect of CV on apoptotic regulator protein expression in liver cancer-induced rats. Male Wistar rats (200~250 g) were divided into eight groups: control group (normal diet), CDE group (choline deficient diet supplemented with ethionine in drinking water to induce hepatocarcinogenesis), CV groups with three different doses of CV (50, 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight), and CDE groups treated with different doses of CV (50, 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight). Rats were sacrificed at various weeks and liver tissues were embedded in paraffin blocks for immunohistochemistry studies. CV, at increasing doses, decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, but increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein, caspase 8, in CDE rats, which was correlated with decreased hepatocytes proliferation and increased apoptosis as determined by bromodeoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeling and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Our study shows that CV has definite chemopreventive effect by inducing apoptosis via decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and increasing the expression of caspase 8 in hepatocarcinogenesis-induced rats.
  5. Abdul Hamid S, Rahmat K, Ramli MT, Fadzli F, Jamaris S, See MH, et al.
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2018 Aug;97(31):e11412.
    PMID: 30075507 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011412
    Phyllodes tumor or cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare fibroepithelial neoplasm which arises from the periductal stroma of the breast. They are classified as benign, borderline, and malignant based on the histologic features. However, all phyllodes tumor (PT) subtypes are regarded as having malignant potential and correct diagnosis is important for surgical management and optimal care. This study is a retrospective review of 76 women diagnosed as PT with highlights on the imaging characteristics, pathology, and surgical treatment over a 7-year period in a tertiary medical center of urban population in Malaysia. There were 45 benign, 16 borderline, and 15 malignant PT. The median age for benign PT was 43, borderline 48.5, and malignant 42 years. The Malay ethnic group constitute 52.6% of cases, with 27.6% and 18.4% in Chinese and Indian ethnic groups, respectively. On mammograms, most benign (64.3%) and 33.3% of malignant PT showed high-density lesions. Calcifications were only seen in 2 benign PT. On ultrasound, 86% of benign PT was well-circumscribed whilst 50.0% of malignant PT had irregular outline. Cystic spaces were seen in 40.0% of malignant and 9.5% of benign PT. 80% of malignant PT lesions were heterogenous. Malignant PT demonstrates tumor heterogeneity, cystic spaces, and posterior acoustic enhancement on ultrasound. Half of malignant PT showed regular borders on ultrasound and appear well circumscribed on mammogram. A total of 46 patients had wide local excision or excision biopsy whilst 30 underwent mastectomy as primary treatment. The majority of the borderline and malignant PTs in our study (75.0% and 85.7% respectively) and only 5 out of the 43 (11.6%) benign PT underwent mastectomy. There were 2 tumor recurrence in the benign PT group and 1 case in the borderline and malignant group respectively.
  6. Hasan UA, Mohd Hairon S, Yaacob NM, Daud A, Abdul Hamid A, Hassan N, et al.
    PMID: 31247892 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132251
    BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetic patients are major users of medical sharps in the community. Proper sharp disposal practice among them, however, was reported to be low. The current study was aimed to determine the factors contributing to sharp waste disposal at a health care facility among Type 2 diabetic patients.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, Type 2 diabetic patients who were on insulin therapy attending health clinics were randomly selected and interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied.

    RESULTS: Out of 304 respondents, only 11.5% of them brought their used sharps to be disposed at health care facilities. Previous advice on sharp disposal from health care providers, knowledge score, and duration of diabetes were significant contributing factors for sharp waste disposal at health care facilities: (Adj. OR 6.31; 95% CI: 2.63, 15.12; p < 0.001), (Adj. OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.08; p < 0.001), and (Adj. OR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.93; p = 0.036), respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Continuous education and a locally adapted safe sharp disposal option must be available to increase awareness and facilitate diabetic patients adopting proper sharp disposal behavior.

  7. Hasan UA, Mohd Hairon S, Yaacob NM, Daud A, Abdul Hamid A, Hassan N, et al.
    PMID: 31514391 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183356
    Background: Structured education is needed to cultivate safe sharp disposal behavior among diabetic patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Diabetes Community Sharp Disposal Education Module in improving knowledge and sharp disposal practice among Malaysian Type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at primary health clinics in two districts in Kelantan, a state in the North-East Region of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 132 Type 2 diabetic patients on insulin therapy were involved, with 68 participants in each control and intervention group. The health education intervention was based on the validated Diabetes Community Sharp Disposal Education Module. The knowledge and practices were measured using a validated questionnaire at baseline, one month, and three months after the intervention. Results: There was a significant increment in the mean knowledge score for intervention group; from baseline to one month follow up and from baseline to three months follow up [Greenhouse-Geisser; F(1.5, 199.7) = 62.38, p < 0.001; effect size (η2) = 0.318]. Intervention group had significantly higher mean knowledge score as compared to control group; at one month and three months follow up [F(1, 134) = 17.38, p < 0.001; effect size (η2) = 0.115]. There was a statistically significant increment in the proportion of participants in the intervention group who practiced the proper community sharp disposal method over time, X2(2) = 52.061, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The Diabetes Community Sharp Disposal Education Module was an effective health education tool to improve knowledge and encourage Malaysian diabetic patients to engage with proper sharp disposal practices.
  8. Hussin M, Abdul Hamid A, Abas F, Ramli NS, Jaafar AH, Roowi S, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Sep 03;24(17).
    PMID: 31484470 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24173208
    Herbs that are usually recognized as medicinal plants are well known for their therapeutic effects and are traditionally used to treat numerous diseases, including aging. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolite variations among six selected herbs namely Curcurmalonga, Oenanthejavanica, Vitex negundo, Plucheaindica, Cosmoscaudatus and Persicariaminus using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) coupled with multivariate data analysis (MVDA). The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The anti-aging property was characterized by anti-elastase and anti-collagenase inhibitory activities. The results revealed that P. minus showed the highest radical scavenging activities and anti-aging properties. The partial least squares (PLS) biplot indicated the presence of potent metabolites in P. minus such as quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (quercitrin), myricetin derivatives, catechin, isorhamnetin, astragalin and apigenin. It can be concluded that P. minus can be considered as a potential source for an anti-aging ingredient and also a good free radical eradicator. Therefore, P. minus could be used in future development in anti-aging researches and medicinal ingredient preparations.
  9. Abdul Wahab S, Hassan A, Latif MT, Vadiveel Y, Jeyabalan T, Soo CI, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 07 01;20(7):1959-1965.
    PMID: 31350951 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.1959
    Objective: Epidemiological studies have reported the close relationship between risk for lung cancers and air pollution
    in particular, for non-smoking related lung cancers. However, most studies used residential address as proxies which may
    not estimate accurately an individual’s air pollution exposure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify risk factors
    such as occupation and mode of transportation associated with lung cancer diagnosis and death. Methods: Subjects
    with lung cancer (n=514) were evaluated both by chart reviews for clinical data and interviews to determine residential
    address for ten years, main occupation and main mode of transportation. Annual particulate matter with diameter size
    less than 2.5 micrometre (PM2.5) concentration were calculated based on particulate matter with diameter size less than
    10 micrometre (PM10) data recorded by Malaysian Department of Environment. Logistic regression analysis, cluster
    analysis and the Cox regression analysis were performed to the studied variables. Results: This study concurred with
    previous studies that lung adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in predominantly younger, female non-smokers compared
    to the other types of lung cancers. Lung adenocarcinoma subjects had annual PM2.5 that was almost twice higher than
    squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and other histological subtypes (p=0.024). Independent of smoking,
    the κ -means cluster analysis revealed two clusters in which the high risk cluster involves occupation risk with air
    pollution of more than four hours per day, main transportation involving motorcycle and trucks and mean annual PM2.5
    concentration of more than 30 based on residential address for more than ten years. The increased risk for the high-risk
    cluster was more than five times for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma (OR=5.69, 95% CI=3.14-7.21, p<0.001).
    The hazard ratio for the high-risk cluster was 3.89 (95% CI=2.12-4.56, p=0.02) for lung adenocarcinoma mortality at
    1 year. Conclusion: High-risk cluster including PM2.5, occupation risk and mode of transportation as surrogates for
    air-pollution exposure was identified and highly associated with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis and 1-year mortality.
  10. Abdul Majid N, Abdul Hamid A, Salleh SZ, Saari N, Abas F, Pak Dek MS, et al.
    Phytochem Anal, 2020 Mar;31(2):191-203.
    PMID: 31381209 DOI: 10.1002/pca.2880
    INTRODUCTION: Natural products are obtaining much acceptance as ergogenic aid, not only among athletes but also among the general population including people with excess body fat. Under normal circumstances, an obese person will have the desire and ability to exercise reduced; mainly because they are easily fatigued. Thus, they need to boost their energy production so that they can be more active and healthier.

    OBJECTIVE: In this present work, Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract (MLE) which is believed to possess ergogenic property, was evaluated on its effect on an obese animal model using 1 H-NMR based metabolomics.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks for obese development. Once this was achieved, all the rats underwent endurance exercise (forced swimming test) every 2 weeks for 8 weeks together with treatment. The time to exhaustion was recorded for each rat. Three different dosages of MLE: 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of body weight were used together with two positive controls: 5 mg/kg caffeine and 100 mg/kg green tea. Blood was collected before and after treatments for metabolomics study.

    RESULTS: Findings showed that feeding the rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight MLE significantly prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of the rats, and altered the metabolites present in their serum. Discriminating metabolites involved were the product of various metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, lipids metabolism and energy metabolism. Treatment with 200 mg/kg body weight MLE resulted in significant improvement in the metabolic perturbations where the proximity of the obese exercised treated group to that of normal exercised group in the partial least squares discriminant analysis score plot was observed.

    CONCLUSION: The present work demonstrated ergogenic property of MLE based on the improved metabolic perturbation in exercised obese rats.

  11. Wong PL, Fauzi NA, Mohamed Yunus SN, Abdul Hamid NA, Abd Ghafar SZ, Azizan A, et al.
    Molecules, 2020 Jul 06;25(13).
    PMID: 32640504 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133067
    Plants and plant-based products have been used for a long time for medicinal purposes. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase activities of eight selected underutilized plants in Malaysia: Leucaena leucocephala, Muntingia calabura, Spondias dulcis, Annona squamosa, Ardisia elliptica, Cynometra cauliflora, Ficus auriculata, and Averrhoa bilimbi. This study showed that the 70% ethanolic extract of all plants exhibited total phenolic content (TPC) ranging from 51 to 344 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight. A. elliptica showed strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.17 and 49.43 μg/mL, respectively. Most of the tested plant extracts showed higher inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme activity than the standard, quercetin, particularly A. elliptica, F. auriculata, and M. calabura extracts with IC50 values of 0.29, 0.36, and 0.51 μg/mL, respectively. A total of 62 metabolites including flavonoids, triterpenoids, benzoquinones, and fatty acids were tentatively identified in the most active plant, i.e., A. elliptica leaf extract, by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI) Orbitrap MS. This study suggests a potential natural source of antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitors from A. elliptica.
  12. Jamaluddin JAF, Mohammed Akib NA, Ahmad SZ, Abdul Halim SAA, Abdul Hamid NK, Mohd Nor SA
    PMID: 31012766 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2019.1597073
    A total of 74 shrimp specimens were sequenced at a 584 bp segment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to examine patterns of DNA barcode variation in a mangrove biodiversity hotspot. The Maximum Likelihood tree, barcode gap analysis, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery analysis and sequence comparisons with data available from Barcode of Life Data System and GenBank recovered 18 taxa of which 15 were identified to species level, 2 at genus level and a single taxon at order level. Two deep mitochondrial DNA lineage divergences were found in the giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon. It is suggested that one of the lineages is a consequence of an introduction from aquaculture activity. These results have provided a reliable barcode library for cataloguing shrimps in this area.
  13. Abdul Hamid N, Sadiq MB, Ramanoon SZ, Mansor R, Watanabe M, Md Isa NM, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2020 Jul 06;10(7).
    PMID: 32640507 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071139
    (1) Background: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in meats of cattle, goat and sheep from wet markets in Klang Valley, and abattoirs in Selangor, Malaysia; (2) Methods: A total of 192 meat samples were purchased from 51 wet markets in six districts in Klang Valley (Gombak, Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Langat, Petaling and Putrajaya). Meanwhile, a total of 200 diaphragm samples were collected from two government abattoirs located in Shah Alam and Banting, Selangor. All meat juices from samples were subjected to an indirect-ELISA kit for the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies. Furthermore, all 184 meat samples of goat and sheep were subjected to conventional nested PCR (B1 genes) for the detection of T. gondii DNA; (3) Results: T. gondii antibodies were detected in 25% (n = 98/392) of the samples with seroprevalence of 9.1% (19/208, CI: 5.9%-13.8%) in cattle meat; 54.7% (41/75, 95% CI: 43.5%-65.4%) in goat meat and 34.9% (38/109, CI: 26.6%-44.2%) in sheep meat. No T. gondii DNA was detected in any of the meat samples of goat and sheep. T. gondii seropositivity in wet market samples was higher in goat (OR = 37.1 CI 12.4-110.3) and sheep meat (OR 9.03 CI: 3.28-24.8) compared to cattle meat (OR = 1.0) At univariate level, meat from non-licensed abattoirs (OR = 6.0 CI: 2.9-12.3) and female animals (OR = 6.7; CI 1.9-22.6) had higher risks of being seropositive for T. gondii antibodies than licensed abattoirs and male animals, respectively. (4) Conclusions: This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. gondii in ruminant meats for human consumption in Malaysia. The findings signified high exposure of meat samples from wet markets to T. gondii and the need for control measures to reduce the likelihood of infection when such raw or undercooked meats are consumed.
  14. Mohamed AS, Hanafi NI, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Md Noor J, Abdul Hamid Hasani N, Ab Rahim S, et al.
    Cell Biochem Funct, 2017 Oct;35(7):453-463.
    PMID: 29027248 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3303
    In hepatocytes, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) activates cell signalling pathways such as p53, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-receptor via Gαi -coupled-receptor. Recently, UDCA has been shown to protect the heart against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. However, it is not clear whether UDCA cardioprotection against hypoxia acts through a transcriptional mediator of cells stress, HIF-1α and p53. Therefore, in here, we aimed to investigate whether UDCA could protect cardiomyocytes (CMs) against hypoxia by regulating expression of HIF-1α, p53, [Ca2+ ]i , and S1P-Gαi -coupled-receptor. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from newborn rats (0-2 days), and hypoxia was induced by using cobalt chloride (CoCl2 ). Cardiomyocytes were treated with UDCA and cotreated with either FTY720 (S1P-receptor agonist) or pertussis toxin (PTX; Gαi inhibitor). Cells were subjected for proliferation assay, beating frequency, QuantiGene Plex assay, western blot, immunofluorescence, and calcium imaging. Our findings showed that UDCA counteracted the effects of CoCl2 on cell viability, beating frequency, HIF-1α, and p53 protein expression. We found that these cardioprotection effects of UDCA were similar to FTY720, S1P agonist. Furthermore, we observed that UDCA protects CMs against CoCl2 -induced [Ca2+ ]i dynamic alteration. Pharmacological inhibition of the Gαi -sensitive receptor did not abolish the cardioprotection of UDCA against CoCl2 detrimental effects, except for cell viability and [Ca2+ ]i . Pertussis toxin is partially effective in inhibiting UDCA protection against CoCl2 effects on CM cell viability. Interestingly, PTX fully inhibits UDCA cardioprotection on CoCl2 -induced [Ca2+ ]i dynamic changes. We conclude that UDCA cardioprotection against CoCl2 -induced hypoxia is similar to FTY720, and its actions are not fully mediated by the Gαi -coupled protein sensitive pathways. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the most hydrophilic bile acid and is currently used to treat liver diseases. Recently, UDCA is shown to have a cardioprotection effects; however, the mechanism of UDCA cardioprotection is still poorly understood. The current data generated were the first to show that UDCA is able to inhibit the activation of HIF-1α and p53 protein during CoCl2 -induced hypoxia in cardiomyocytes. This study provides an insight of UDCA mechanism in protecting cardiomyocytes against hypoxia.
  15. Tani N, Abdul Hamid ZA, Joseph N, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, Arai T, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 01 20;10(1):650.
    PMID: 31959766 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57170-8
    Oil palm is an important crop for global vegetable oil production, and is widely grown in the humid tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Projected future climate change may well threaten palm oil production. However, oil palm plantations currently produce large amounts of unutilised biological waste. Oil palm stems - which comprise two-thirds of the waste - are especially relevant because they can contain high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) that can serve as feedstock for biorefineries. The NSC in stem are also considered a potent buffer to source-sink imbalances. In the present study, we monitored stem NSC levels and female reproductive growth. We then applied convergent cross mapping (CCM) to assess the causal relationship between the time-series. Mutual causal relationships between female reproductive growth and the stem NSC were detected, with the exception of a relationship between female reproductive organ growth and starch levels. The NSC levels were also influenced by long-term cumulative temperature, with the relationship showing a seven-month time lag. The dynamic between NSC levels and long-term cumulative rainfall showed a shorter time lag. The lower temperatures and higher cumulative rainfall observed from October to December identify this as a period with maximum stem NSC stocks.
  16. Sawalha H, Abiri R, Sanusi R, Shaharuddin NA, Noor AAM, Ab Shukor NA, et al.
    Plants (Basel), 2021 May 07;10(5).
    PMID: 34066925 DOI: 10.3390/plants10050929
    Nanotechnology is a promising tool that has opened the doors of improvement to the quality of human's lives through its potential in numerous technological aspects. Green chemistry of nanoscale materials (1-100 nm) is as an effective and sustainable strategy to manufacture homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties, thus making the synthesis of green NPs, especially metal nanoparticles (MNPs), the scientist's core theme. Researchers have tested different organisms to manufacture MNPs and the results of experiments confirmed that plants tend to be the ideal candidate amongst all entities and are suitable to synthesize a wide variety of MNPs. Natural and cultivated Eucalyptus forests are among woody plants used for landscape beautification and as forest products. The present review has been written to reflect the efficacious role of Eucalyptus in the synthesis of MNPs. To better understand this, the route of extracting MNPs from plants, in general, and Eucalyptus, in particular, are discussed. Furthermore, the crucial factors influencing the process of MNP synthesis from Eucalyptus as well as their characterization and recent applications are highlighted. Information gathered in this review is useful to build a basis for new prospective research ideas on how to exploit this woody species in the production of MNPs. Nevertheless, there is a necessity to feed the scientific field with further investigations on wider applications of Eucalyptus-derived MNPs.
  17. Bahrom NH, Ramli AS, Isa MR, Abdul-Hamid H, Badlishah-Sham SF, Baharudin N, et al.
    J Prim Care Community Health, 2020 6 9;11:2150132720931301.
    PMID: 32507012 DOI: 10.1177/2150132720931301
    Background: High activation level has been associated with higher education background, better self-rated health status, and having adequate health literacy. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the level of activation and the factors associated with it among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Malaysian primary care setting. Objectives: This study aims to determine activation levels and the factors associated with high activation among individuals with MetS in primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a university primary care clinic. Patient activation was measured using the Patient Activation Measure®-13 Malay version. Activation levels were dichotomized into "low activation" (levels 1 and 2) and "high activation" (levels 3 and 4). To determine the factors associated with high activation, simple logistic regressions (SLogR) followed by multiple logistic regressions (MLogR) were performed. Results: Of 333 participants, 280 (84.1%) were included in the final analysis. The mean activation score was 59.4 (SD ±10.20) and 61.8% had high activation level. Two variables were found to be significant on MLogR. Those who were employed have the odds of 3.135 (95% CI 1.442-6.816) of having high activation compared with those who were unemployed. Those with good self-reported health status have the odds of 6.482 (95% CI 1.243-33.792) of having high activation compared to those with poor self-reported health status. Conclusions: The majority of participants had high activation levels. Those who were employed and those who had good self-reported health status were more likely to have high activation levels. Findings of this study could be used to develop patient activation interventions to improve self-management skills among individuals with MetS in primary care. These may include problem solving support, individualized care plans, peer or family support, and skill building. Those in high activation group can be trained to become mentors to support their peers who have low activation level.
  18. Abiri R, Abdul-Hamid H, Sytar O, Abiri R, Bezerra de Almeida E, Sharma SK, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Jun 24;26(13).
    PMID: 34202844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133868
    The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the more general global increase in viral diseases, has led researchers to look to the plant kingdom as a potential source for antiviral compounds. Since ancient times, herbal medicines have been extensively applied in the treatment and prevention of various infectious diseases in different traditional systems. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential antiviral activity of plant compounds as effective and reliable agents against viral infections, especially by viruses from the coronavirus group. Various antiviral mechanisms shown by crude plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds are discussed. The understanding of the action mechanisms of complex plant extract and isolated plant-derived compounds will help pave the way towards the combat of this life-threatening disease. Further, molecular docking studies, in silico analyses of extracted compounds, and future prospects are included. The in vitro production of antiviral chemical compounds from plants using molecular pharming is also considered. Notably, hairy root cultures represent a promising and sustainable way to obtain a range of biologically active compounds that may be applied in the development of novel antiviral agents.
  19. Noordin NR, Lee PY, Mohd Bukhari FD, Fong MY, Abdul Hamid MH, Jelip J, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2020 09;103(3):1107-1110.
    PMID: 32618263 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0268
    Asymptomatic and/or low-density malaria infection has been acknowledged as an obstacle to achieving a malaria-free country. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic and/or low-density malaria infection in previously reported malarious localities using nested PCR in four states, namely, Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, and Selangor, between June 2019 and January 2020. Blood samples (n = 585) were collected and were extracted using a QIAamp blood kit. The DNA was concentrated and subjected to nested PCR. Thin and thick blood smears were examined as well. Of the 585 samples collected, 19 were positive: 10 for Plasmodium knowlesi, eight for Plasmodium vivax, and one for Plasmodium ovale. Asymptomatic and/or low-density malaria infection is a threat to malaria elimination initiatives. Eliminating countries should develop guidance policy on the importance of low-density malaria infection which includes detection and treatment policy.
  20. Mohd Zaki F, Ng KL, Te BC, Azman MH, Nur Aifaa L, Mohd Razali N, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2016 Jun;71(3):122-5.
    PMID: 27495885 MyJurnal
    Detection of neuraxial abnormality in neurologically asymptomatic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is crucial prior to surgery. It can only be detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was not routinely done in this group of patient. On the other hand, whole spine radiographs for measurement of Cobb angle have been routinely included during clinic follow-up. This study aimed to determine the correlation between Cobb angle progression and neuraxial abnormality finding on MRI in asymptomatic AIS.
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links