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Fulltext Exploring the experiences and perceptions of haemodialysis patients observing Ramadan fasting: a qualitative study

Adanan NIH, Adnan WAHWM, Khosla P, Karupaiah T, Daud ZAM

BMC Nephrol, 2021 02 02;22(1):48.
PMID: 33530941 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-021-02255-8

BACKGROUND: The festival of Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide. During Ramadan, Muslims are required to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Although exempted from fasting, many patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (HD) opt to participate in this religious practice. Many studies have explored the effects of Ramadan on health outcomes, however, the exploration from patients' own point of view pertaining to this religious practice is lacking. Thus, we aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of Muslim HD patients observing Ramadan fasting from three HD centres in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
METHOD: An exploratory phenomenology qualitative study was conducted whereby subjects were purposively selected based on previous experience in observing Ramadan fasting. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted, and study data were analyzed thematically and iteratively coded using a constant comparison method.
RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the data, namely: (i) "fasting experiences", (ii) "perceived side effects of fasting", (iii) "health-seeking behavior" and, (iv) "education and awareness needs". Patients expressed the significance of Ramadan fasting as well as the perceived impact of fasting on their health. Additionally, there is lack of health-seeking behaviour observed among patients thus, raising needs for awareness and education related to Ramadan fasting.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study shed light on patients' experiences and perceptions regarding Ramadan fasting which warrants the needs for an effective communication between patients and health care practitioners through a structured-Ramadan specific education program.
Fulltext Length of hospital stay among oral and maxillofacial patients: a retrospective study

Tan FY, Selvaraju K, Audimulam H, Yong ZC, Adnan TH, Balasundram S

J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2021 Feb 28;47(1):25-33.
PMID: 33632974 DOI: 10.5125/jkaoms.2021.47.1.25

OBJECTIVES: : Many conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region require hospitalization and in-patient care. The average length of stay (LOS) of these patients varies and is usually affected by multiple confounding variables. However, even with an increasing number of hospital admissions, published evidence on the factors that affect the LOS of oral and maxillofacial patients is lacking. Therefore, this study assessed the LOS of in-patients at the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of a government-funded, multi-specialty hospital in Malaysia, based on their reasons for admission and other factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our samples were collected retrospectively over a 5-year period and included patients with maxillofacial infections, post-trauma stabilization, facial bone fracture surgery, benign and malignant lesion surgery, dentoalveolar surgery, and other maxillofacial surgeries as reasons for admission. Factors potentially affecting LOS were also recorded, and their significance was determined using multiple logistic regression analyses. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 1,380 patients were included in this study. Most (84.5%) of our in-patients were of Malay ethnicity, and males outnumbered females in our sample by 502 subjects. The median LOS of our in-patients was 3 days. Sex, ethnicity, age, reason for admission, and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification were factors that significantly affected LOS.
CONCLUSION: The median LOS reported in this study was 3 days. LOS was significantly affected by sex, ethnicity, age, reason of admission and ASA classification.
Fulltext Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activities of Graphene Oxide/metal Oxides Nanocomposites: A Review

Jamjoum HAA, Umar K, Adnan R, Razali MR, Mohamad Ibrahim MN

Front Chem, 2021;9:752276.
PMID: 34621725 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.752276

Sustainable water processing techniques have been extensively investigated and are capable of improving water quality. Among the techniques, photocatalytic technology has shown great potential in recent years as a low cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable technology. However, the major challenge in the industrial development of photocatalyst technology is to develop an ideal photocatalyst which must have high photocatalytic activity, a large specific surface area, harvest sunlight and shows recyclability. Keeping these views, the present review highlighted the synthesis approaches of graphene/metal oxide nanocomposite, characterization techniques and their prominent applications in photocatalysis. Various parameters such as photocatalyst loading, structure of photocatalyst, temperature, pH, effect of oxidizing species and wavelength of light were addressed which could affect the rate of degradation. Moreover, the formation of intermediates during photo-oxidation of organic pollutants using these photocatalysts is also discussed. The analysis concluded with a synopsis of the importance of graphene-based materials in pollutant removal. Finally, a brief overview of the problems and future approaches in the field is also presented.
Crosstalk between protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress during ageing and their role in age-related disorders

Hemagirri M, Chen Y, Gopinath SCB, Sahreen S, Adnan M, Sasidharan S

Biochimie, 2023 Nov 02.
PMID: 37918463 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.10.019

Maintaining the proteome is crucial to retaining cell functionality and response to multiple intrinsic and extrinsic stressors. Protein misfolding increased the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activated the adaptive unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore cell homeostasis. Apoptosis occurs when ER stress is prolonged or the adaptive response fails. In healthy young cells, the ratio of protein folding machinery to quantities of misfolded proteins is balanced under normal circumstances. However, the age-related deterioration of the complex systems for handling protein misfolding is accompanied by ageing-related disruption of protein homeostasis, which results in the build-up of misfolded and aggregated proteins. This ultimately results in decreased cell viability and forms the basis of common age-related diseases called protein misfolding diseases. Proteins or protein fragments convert from their ordinarily soluble forms to insoluble fibrils or plaques in many of these disorders, which build up in various organs such as the liver, brain, or spleen. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type II diabetes, and cancer are diseases in this group commonly manifest in later life. Thus, protein misfolding and its prevention by chaperones and different degradation paths are becoming understood from molecular perspectives. Proteodynamics information will likely affect future interventional techniques to combat cellular stress and support healthy ageing by avoiding and treating protein conformational disorders. This review provides an overview of the diverse proteostasis machinery, protein misfolding, and ER stress involvement, which activates the UPR sensors. Here, we will discuss the crosstalk between protein misfolding and ER stress and their role in developing age-related diseases.
Fulltext Social media reporting on agricultural adaptation to climate change in Pakistan: Measures and implications for sustainability

Javed MN, Adnan HM, Hanan MA, Sarmiti NZ, Adeeb H, Khan A, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21579.
PMID: 38027868 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21579

The agricultural sector is the backbone and single-largest sector of the Pakistani economy. Pakistan's agricultural productivity is suffering due to climate change. The study aimed at finding how social media reporting can change patterns of attitudes among farmers to cope with sudden weather changes. A correlation-experimental research design was used to find the relationships and effects of climate change on agriculture in Punjab (Pakistan) and the mediating effect of social media reporting. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect samples from 120 male farmers. Online surveys, with the help of Google Docs, were used to collect participants' responses about the type of behavior they used to adopt when getting information about climate change through social media. After determining their reliability and validity through piloting, two self-constructed questionnaires were used: (i) Measuring Farmers' Behavior Influenced by Social Media Reporting of Climate Change and (ii) Effects of Social Media Reporting of Climate Change on Agriculture. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21, and correlation analysis was done to find out the relationship between social media reporting and farmers' behavior. Linear regression was used to measure the functional relationship between social media reporting about climate change and farmers' attitudes towards adopting precautions to increase annual yield. The coefficient of social media reporting was positively and significantly related to farmers' attitudes towards the selection of crops, land management, and water storage. Based on the findings, the social media reports significantly predicted patterns of farmers' behavior towards the adaptation of advanced measures to select crops, reduce pest attacks, manage land, and store water.
The Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry: Profile of Patients Presenting for Cataract Surgery

Salowi MA, Goh PP, Lee MY, Adnan TH, Ismail M

Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila), 2015;4(4):191-6.
PMID: 26172075 DOI: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000068

PURPOSE: To investigate the change in the profile of patients who had cataract surgery at Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Malaysia.
DESIGN: Secondary analysis on Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry data.
METHODS: The Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry, a MOH-initiated registry, collects data on patients who had cataract surgery at the 36 MOH ophthalmology departments including demography, causes of cataract, systemic and ocular comorbidity, preoperative visual acuity (VA), operative details, and postoperative outcomes. This article reviews data on patient profiles from 2002 to 2004 and 2007 to 2011.
RESULTS: The coverage of cataract surgery was 91.5% (171,482/185,388). Mean patient age was 64.5 years, and 51.6% were women. A high proportion of patients had hypertension (48.9%), diabetes mellitus (37.1%), and diabetic retinopathy (10.7%). Most had senile cataract (93.4%) and one third had second eye surgery. Most patients (82.0%) had preoperative unaided VA of worse than 6/12. Eyes presenting with unaided VA of worse than 3/60 decreased from 62.6% in 2002 to 47.7% in 2011, whereas those with 6/18 to 3/60 increased from 35.2% to 48.5% (P < 0.001). Patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction had worse preoperative VA than those who had phacoemulsification (81.3% vs 40% had vision worse than 3/60).
CONCLUSIONS: The obvious change in patient profiles was the decreasing number of eyes presenting with worse than 3/60 vision. Compared with developed countries, patients who had cataract surgery at MOH hospitals in Malaysia were younger and had higher associations with diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy.
Fulltext The Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry: Cataract Surgery Practice Pattern

Lee MY, Goh PP, Salowi MA, Adnan TH, Ismail M

Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila), 2014;3(6):343-7.
PMID: 26107976 DOI: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000030

PURPOSE: To present the cataract surgery practice pattern among the ophthalmic surgeons in hospitals managed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Malaysia.
DESIGN: Secondary data analysis on Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry (CSR).
METHODS: The Malaysian CSR collected data on cataract surgeries done at all the ophthalmology departments in MOH from year 2002 to 2004 (paper-based) and 2007 to 2011 (web-based). Data collected include type of admission, surgical techniques, type of anesthesia, and intraocular lens (IOL). Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed.
RESULTS: Of the 185,388 cataract surgeries done over 8 years, 171,482 (91.5%) were captured in CSR. There was a steep rise in phacoemulsification cataract surgery from 39.7% in 2002 to 78.0% in 2011 with a corresponding fall in extracapsular cataract extraction from 54.0% to 17.3% in the respective years. This explained the surge in the use of foldable IOL from 26.5% in 2002 to 88.3% in 2011. The proportion of cataract surgery with IOL implantation was 97.5% in 2012 and 98.2% in 2011. The proportion of day-care cataract surgery was low, with 39.3% in 2002 to 52.3% in 2011. Vitreoretinal surgery was the commonest type of combined surgery performed.
CONCLUSIONS: Although phacoemulsification was performed in two thirds of the patients who presented to MOH hospitals in Malaysia, extracapsular cataract extraction was still being performed because of a significant proportion of cataract that were brunescent and limited access to phacoemulsification machines and consumables. There is a need to increase day-care cataract surgery as it will eventually save cost.
Fulltext Overview of Retention Strategies for Medical Doctors in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and Their Effectiveness: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Jinah N, Abdullah Sharin I, Bakit P, Adnan IK, Lee KY

JMIR Res Protoc, 2024 Jan 08;13:e52938.
PMID: 38190235 DOI: 10.2196/52938

BACKGROUND: The global shortage and maldistribution of health care workers, especially medical doctors, pose a significant threat to achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goal 3 of ensuring well-being and healthy lives for all. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by this crisis, with a high rate of brain drain from rural to urban areas, as well as to high-income countries. Various retention strategies have been implemented in different settings and organizations. However, their effectiveness remains underexplored, particularly in LMICs.
OBJECTIVE: We aim to review the available retention strategies for medical doctors in LMICs and to determine the effectiveness of the various strategies. This review aims to compile relevant research findings on this issue to generate a thorough summary of all the retention strategies practiced in LMICs and, more importantly, to provide the current state of evidence of the effectiveness of these strategies in retaining medical doctors in countries with limited resources and high disease burden.
METHODS: The structured framework given by Arksey and O'Malley will serve as the basis for conducting this scoping review. A comprehensive search strategy will be conducted across 4 electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCOHost, Scopus, and ScienceDirect). A systematic approach following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines will be executed to search, screen, review, and extract data from studies that meet predefined inclusion criteria. Data encompassing bibliographical information, study location, retention strategies, influencing factors, and outcomes (effectiveness) will be obtained from the selected studies using standardized data extraction. Endnote and Microsoft Excel will be used for reference management and removal of duplicate studies. A narrative synthesis will be performed after categorizing and analyzing all the extracted data to identify recurrent themes.
RESULTS: This ongoing review will generate a comprehensive compilation of retention strategies implemented in LMICs to prevent brain drain among medical doctors. Data extraction is currently in progress, and completion is expected by early 2024. Themes regarding the types of strategies, influencing factors, and outcomes will be synthesized. The findings will highlight effective retention strategies, gaps, and challenges in implementation for the benefits of future research. By identifying common barriers and facilitators, this review will provide insights into enhancing the policies and initiatives for doctor retention in LMICs.
CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review explores the retention strategies practiced in LMICs and attempts to identify effective strategies from existing research. By evaluating the barriers and challenges that influence the effectiveness of these strategies, policymakers and health care leaders can strive to obtain balanced and optimal health human resources in their respective organizations and countries.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR) ID-23-01994-OGW; https://nmrr.gov.my/research-directory/ac4f5b88-8619-4b2b-b6c7-9abcef65fdcd.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52938.
Iron deficiency in healthy, term infants aged five months, in a pediatric outpatient clinic: a prospective study

Adnan NA, Breen E, Tan CA, Wang CC, Jalaludin MY, Lum LCS

BMC Pediatr, 2024 Jan 23;24(1):74.
PMID: 38263022 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04277-7

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is prevalent in Malaysian children. The incidence of ID in infants under 6 months of age is unknown. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in healthy, term infants aged below 6 months in our hospital population.
METHODS: A prospective longitudinal pilot study of mother-infant pairs was conducted on infants receiving routine immunizations in a mother and child clinic at a university hospital, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mothers completed standardized questionnaires at 3- and 5-month postnatal visits. Maternal and infant full blood count, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured at 3 months and for the infants repeated at 5 months. Infant anthropometric measurements were obtained at both visits. We conducted a univariate analysis to identify factors associated with ID and IDA.
RESULTS: Altogether, 91 mother-infant pairs were enrolled, with 88 completing the study. No infant had ID or IDA at 3 months; the lowest ferritin level was 16.6 µg/L. At 5 months, 5.9% (5/85) of infants had ID, and 2.4% (2/85) had IDA. Median (interquartile range) infant ferritin levels significantly declined from 113.4 (65.0-183.6) µg/L at 3 months to 50.9 (29.2-70.4) µg/L at 5 months, p
Fulltext Global Trends in Halal Food Standards: A Review

Akbar J, Gul M, Jahangir M, Adnan M, Saud S, Hassan S, et al.

Foods, 2023 Nov 21;12(23).
PMID: 38231601 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234200

The demand for ethical foods is rising, with halal foods playing a significant role in this trend. However, halal standards vary globally, which can have substantial implications. Multiple Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs) can approve food products but they often prioritize national regulations over international alignment. To explore the similarities and differences in halal standards, we conducted a critical analysis of various standards, including Pakistan's halal standards, the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore, Majelis Ulama Indonesia, GCC Standardization Organization, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, ASEAN General Guideline, and the halal standards of Thailand, Iran, and Brunei, through a literature survey. While some commonalities exist, differences stemming from various Islamic schools of thought pose challenges for regulators, consumers, and food producers. Controversial issues include stunning, slaughtering, aquatic animals, insects, and labeling requirements. For example, all standards except the GSO allow non-Muslim slaughterers, and stunning is permitted in all standards except those of Pakistan. These disparities underscore the need for standardization and harmonization in the halal food industry to meet the growing demand for ethical foods.
Oil palm frond-derived cellulose nanocrystals: Effect of pretreatment and elucidating its reinforcing potential in hydrogel beads

Hamidon TS, Idris NN, Adnan R, Haafiz MKM, Zahari A, Hussin MH

Int J Biol Macromol, 2024 Mar;262(Pt 2):130239.
PMID: 38367788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130239

Herein, cellulose nanocrystals were synthesized from oil palm fronds (CNC-OPF) involving two pretreatment approaches, viz. autohydrolysis and soda pulping. The pretreatments were applied individually to OPF fibers to assess their influence on CNCs' physicochemical and thermal properties. CNC-OPF samples were assessed using complementary characterization techniques, which confirmed their purity and characteristics. CP/MAS 13C NMR and TEM studies revealed that autohydrolysis pretreatment yielded CNCs with effective hemicellulose and extractives removal compared to that of soda pulping. XRD analysis demonstrated that autohydrolysis-treated CNC-OPF contained a much higher crystallinity index compared to soda pulping treatment. BET measurement disclosed a relatively higher surface area and wider pore diameter of autohydrolysis-treated CNC-OPF. Autohydrolysis-treated CNCs were applied as a reinforcement filler in alginate-based hydrogel beads for the removal of 4-chlorophenol from water, which attained a qmax of 19.168 mg g-1. BET analysis revealed the less porous nature of CNC-ALG hydrogel beads which could have contributed to hydrogel beads' relatively lower adsorption capacity. The point of zero charge of CNC-ALG hydrogel beads was 4.82, suggesting their applicability only within a short solution pH range. This study directs future studies to unveil the possibilities of functionalizing CNCs in order to enhance the adsorption performance of CNC-immobilized hydrogel beads towards 4-chlorophenol and other organic contaminants.
Fulltext Incidence, Characteristics and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury among Dengue Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Mallhi TH, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Sarriff A, Khan YH, Jummaat F

PLoS One, 2015;10(9):e0138465.
PMID: 26421839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138465

BACKGROUND: Dengue induced acute kidney injury (AKI) imposes heavy burden of illness in terms of morbidity and mortality. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate incidence, characteristics, risk factors and clinical outcomes of AKI among dengue patients.
METHODOLOGY: A total 667 dengue patients (2008-2013) were retrospectively evaluated and were stratified into AKI and non-AKI groups by using AKIN criteria. Two groups were compared by using appropriate statistical methods.
RESULTS: There were 95 patients (14.2%) who had AKI, with AKIN-I, AKIN-II and AKIN-III in 76.8%, 16.8% and 6.4% patients, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) in demographics and clinico-laboratory characteristics were observed between patients with and without AKI. Presence of dengue hemorrhagic fever [OR (95% CI): 8.0 (3.64–17.59), P<0.001],rhabdomyolysis [OR (95% CI): 7.9 (3.04–20.49)], multiple organ dysfunction OR (95% CI):17.9 (9.14–35.12), P<0.001], diabetes mellitus [OR (95% CI): 4.7 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.034], late hospitalization [OR (95% CI): 2.1 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.033] and use of nephrotoxic drugs [OR(95% CI): 2.9 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.006] were associated with AKI. Longer hospital stay (>3days) was also observed among AKI patients (OR = 1.3, P = 0.044) [corrected].Additionally, 48.4% AKI patients had renal insufficiencies at discharge that were signicantly associated with severe dengue, secondary infection and diabetes mellitus. Overall mortality was 1.2% and all fatal cases had AKI.
CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AKI is high at 14.2% among dengue patients, and those with AKI portended significant morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stay and poor renal outcomes. Our findings suggest that AKI in dengue is likely to increase healthcare burden that underscores the need of clinicians' alertness to this highly morbid and potentially fatal complication for optimal prevention and management.
Fulltext Chronic Kidney Disease, Fluid Overload and Diuretics: A Complicated Triangle

Khan YH, Sarriff A, Adnan AS, Khan AH, Mallhi TH

PLoS One, 2016;11(7):e0159335.
PMID: 27442587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159335

BACKGROUND: Despite promising role of diuretics to manage fluid overload among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, their use is associated with adverse renal outcomes. Current study aimed to determine the extent of renal deterioration with diuretic therapy.
METHODS: A total 312 non-dialysis dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients were prospectively followed-up for one year. Fluid overload was assessed via bioimpedance spectroscopy. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine values by using Chronic Kidney Disease- Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation.
RESULTS: Out of 312 patients, 64 (20.5%) were hypovolemic while euvolemia and hypervolemia were observed in 113 (36.1%) and 135 (43.4%) patients. Overall 144 patients were using diuretics among which 98 (72.6%) were hypervolemic, 35 (30.9%) euvolemic and 11 (17.2%) were hypovolemic. The mean decline in estimated GFR of entire cohort was -2.5 ± 1.4 ml/min/1.73m2 at the end of follow up. The use of diuretics was significantly associated with decline in eGFR. A total of 36 (11.5%) patients initiated renal replacement therapy (RRT) and need of RRT was more profound among diuretic users.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of diuretics was associated with adverse renal outcomes indicated by decline in eGFR and increasing risk of RRT initiation in our cohort of NDD-CKD patients. Therefore, it is cautiously suggested to carefully prescribe diuretics by keeping in view benefit versus harm for each patient.
Fulltext Perceived Threat of COVID-19 Contagion and Frontline Paramedics' Agonistic Behaviour: Employing a Stressor-Strain-Outcome Perspective

Shahzad F, Du J, Khan I, Fateh A, Shahbaz M, Abbas A, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 Jul 15;17(14).
PMID: 32679748 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145102

Historically, infectious diseases have been the leading cause of human psychosomatic strain and death tolls. This research investigated the recent threat of COVID-19 contagion, especially its impact among frontline paramedics treating patients with COVID-19, and their perception of self-infection, which ultimately increases their agonistic behaviour. Based on the stressor-strain-outcome paradigm, a research model was proposed and investigated using survey-based data through a structured questionnaire. The results found that the perceived threat of COVID-19 contagion (emotional and cognitive threat) was positively correlated with physiological anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion, which led toward agonistic behaviour. Further, perceived social support was a key moderator that negatively affected the relationships between agonistic behaviour and physiological anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. These findings significantly contributed to the current literature concerning COVID-19 and pandemic-related effects on human behaviour. This study also theorized the concept of human agonistic behaviour, which has key implications for future researchers.
Evaluation of the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of methylene blue using nascent and Ag+ ions-modified TiO2

Saqib NU, Shah I, Adnan R, Zaman F, Imam SS, Jan HA, et al.

Photochem Photobiol Sci, 2024 Feb;23(2):245-256.
PMID: 38105417 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00513-2

In photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants, adsorption and degradation are two important processes that take place. Various instrumental techniques and trapping experiments have been used to identify the reactive species and the mechanism of photodegradation. The present work focuses on investigating the mechanism of photo-induced degradation from the comparative characterization of fresh and used samples, isotherm models, competitive adsorption, and desorption studies of pure and Ag+-modified TiO2 NPs. The comparative characterizations of fresh and used NPs were carried out with FT-IR, EDX, and XRF analyses after methylene blue (MB) degradation. The Ag+ doped TiO2 used in this study was fabricated using simple impregnation technique. The prepared NPs were characterized using techniques including XPS, XRD, SEM/EDX, XRF, UV-DRS, and pH point-zero charge analyses (pHPZC). The Ag+-modified TiO2 NPs showed improved efficiency compared to pure TiO2 NPs using normal compact fluorescent light (CFL). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to test the adsorption behavior on the surface photocatalysts. The investigational data finest fitted to the Langmuir isotherms model compared to Freundlich model, suggesting the homogeneous monolayer adsorption followed by degradations. The competitive removal of MB in the presence of a photo-generated electrons trapper (Cd2+) was enhanced almost 3-folds (115 mg/L) compared to the removal from a single MB solution (40 mg/L). The characterization of the used samples as well as adsorption in the dark and negligible desorption of used samples support the involvement of the proposed photo-induced degradation mechanism.
Fulltext Superficial acral fibromyxoma: insights from case management and comprehensive literature review

Tan HL, Ahmad TS, Sankara Kumar C, Khirusman Adnan Y, Looi LM, Gunasagaran J

EFORT Open Rev, 2024 Feb 01;9(2):129-137.
PMID: 38306799 DOI: 10.1530/EOR-23-0151

Superficial acral fibromyxoma, also known as digital fibromyxoma, is a slow-growing, benign, solitary soft tissue tumor. First described in 2001 by Fetsch et al., it is a condition that often occurs in middle-aged individuals. However, it has also been reported across a wide range of ages, ranging from 4 to 86 years, with males more commonly reported. The condition often presents as solitary soft tissue swelling over the periungual or subungual. We present the management experience of the rare presentation of this rare tumor and a detailed review of the past literature on this condition. Detailed management of the condition has been described, along with the outcome after 2 years of follow-up and treatment experience. Our detailed analysis shows that 2 years is the shortest duration of follow-up to rule out recurrence. Hence, most of the cases reported earlier had given the false sense of the recurrence rate of the tumor, which could lead to undertreatment of the condition. The purpose of this article is to allow the readers to understand better the tumor's characteristics with bone involvement and the tumor's diagnostic strategies and treatment options.
Fulltext Recent Advances, Approaches and Challenges in the Development of Universal Influenza Vaccines

Lim CML, Komarasamy TV, Adnan NAAB, Radhakrishnan AK, Balasubramaniam VRMT

Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 2024 Mar;18(3):e13276.
PMID: 38513364 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13276

Every year, influenza virus infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. They pose a substantial burden of disease, in terms of not only health but also the economy. Owing to the ability of influenza viruses to continuously evolve, annual seasonal influenza vaccines are necessary as a prophylaxis. However, current influenza vaccines against seasonal strains have limited effectiveness and require yearly reformulation due to the virus undergoing antigenic drift or shift. Vaccine mismatches are common, conferring suboptimal protection against seasonal outbreaks, and the threat of the next pandemic continues to loom. Therefore, there is a great need to develop a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) capable of providing broad and durable protection against all influenza virus strains. In the quest to develop a UIV that would obviate the need for annual vaccination and formulation, a multitude of strategies is currently underway. Promising approaches include targeting the highly conserved epitopes of haemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), M2 extracellular domain (M2e) and internal proteins of the influenza virus. The identification and characterization of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved regions of the viral HA protein, in particular, have provided important insight into novel vaccine designs and platforms. This review discusses universal vaccine approaches presently under development, with an emphasis on those targeting the highly conserved stalk of the HA protein, recent technological advancements used and the future prospects of a UIV in terms of its advantages, developmental obstacles and potential shortcomings.
Fulltext Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity using the lichen Parmotrema praesorediosum

Mie R, Samsudin MW, Din LB, Ahmad A, Ibrahim N, Adnan SN

Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:121-7.
PMID: 24379670 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S52306

Development of a green chemistry process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has become a focus of interest. This would offer numerous benefits, including ecofriendliness and compatibility for biomedical applications. Here we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the reduction of silver nitrate and an aqueous extract of the lichen Parmotrema praesorediosum as a reductant as well as a stabilizer. The physical appearance of these silver nanoparticles was characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that silver nanoparticles synthesized using P. praesorediosum have an average particle size of 19 nm with a cubic structure. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against eight micro-organisms using the disk diffusion method. The results reveal that silver nanoparticles synthesized using P. praesorediosum have potential antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
Fulltext Antioxidant Activity of Three Honey Samples in relation with Their Biochemical Components

Chua LS, Rahaman NL, Adnan NA, Eddie Tan TT

J Anal Methods Chem, 2013;2013:313798.
PMID: 24027653 DOI: 10.1155/2013/313798

The antioxidant activities based on the free radical scavenging, reducing power, and bleaching inhibition were investigated for the three commonly used honeys in Malaysia, namely, tualang, gelam, and acacia honey. The antioxidant capacity of the honey samples was correlated with their biochemical constituents such as total phenol, total flavonoid content, and total water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B1, B2, B3, B9, B12, and vitamin C). The total flavonoid content of honey samples was strongly correlated with the three antioxidative processes (r = 0.9276-0.9910). In contrast, the total water-soluble vitamins was found to be well correlated with the free radical scavenging activity (r = 0.8226). Vitamin B3 was likely to be in the highest concentration, which covered for 69-80% of the total vitamin content. A number of five phenolic acids, three flavonoids, and two organic acids had also been detected from the honey samples using UPLC-MS/MS, without sugar-removal procedure.
Fulltext Attributable causes of chronic kidney disease in adults: a five-year retrospective study in a tertiary-care hospital in the northeast of the Malaysian Peninsula

Salman M, Khan AH, Adnan AS, Sulaiman SA, Hussain K, Shehzadi N, et al.

Sao Paulo Med J, 2015;133(6):502-9.
PMID: 26760124 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2015.005

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an escalating medical and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Information concerning the causes of CKD, which is a prerequisite for reducing the disease burden, is sparse in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the attributable causes of CKD in an adult population at a tertiary referral hospital.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).
METHODS: This was an analysis based on medical records of adult patients at HUSM. Data regarding demographics, laboratory investigations, attributable causes and CKD stage were gathered.
RESULTS: A total of 851 eligible cases were included. The patients' mean age was 61.18 ± 13.37 years. CKD stage V was found in 333 cases (39.1%) whereas stages IV, IIIb, IIIa, and II were seen in 240 (28.2%), 186 (21.9%), 74 (8.7%) and 18 (2.1%), respectively. The percentage of CKD stage V patients receiving renal replacement therapy was 15.6%. The foremost attributable causes of CKD were diabetic nephropathy (DN) (44.9%), hypertension (HPT) (24.2%) and obstructive uropathy (9.2%). The difference in the prevalence of CKD due to DN, HPT and glomerulonephritis between patients ≤ 50 and > 50 years old was statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DN and HPT are the major attributable causes of CKD among patients at a Malaysian tertiary-care hospital. Furthermore, the results draw attention to the possibility that greater emphasis on primary prevention of diabetes and hypertension will have a great impact on reduction of hospital admissions due to CKD in Malaysia.

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