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Motor function outcome in postnatal insult-related cerebral palsy

Fauzi AA, Mustafah NM, Zohdi WN

J Pediatr Rehabil Med, 2013;6(3):181-4.
PMID: 24240839 DOI: 10.3233/PRM-130251

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was developed to establish uniform communication between healthcare providers, patients, and the patients' families. It is also used to prognosticate the outcome of motor function. Based on previous reports, prognostication of ambulation status in cerebral palsy is based on the motor development curve, which shows a plateau at a certain known age.
Effect of plasmolysis on protocorm-like bodies of Dendrobium Bobby Messina orchid following cryopreservation with encapsulation-dehydration method

Antony JJ, Mubbarakh SA, Mahmood M, Subramaniam S

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2014 Feb;172(3):1433-44.
PMID: 24218184 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-013-0636-x

Histological observation and scanning electron microscopy analyses in Dendrobium Bobby Messina indicates the cellular process of cryopreserved protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) was different comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs. The cellular process was not only modified by the freezing and thawing effect but also due to the dehydration process itself during the cryopreservation procedure. Histological observation in Dendrobium Bobby Messina in encapsulation-dehydration method indicated that the degree of plasmolysis causes more cellular changes to the cryopreserved PLBs comparative to non-cryopreserved and stock culture PLBs. These results revealed higher amount of homogenous cell population and denser cytoplasm in cryopreserved PLBs. Histological analysis also revealed more voluminous nucleus in cryopreserved PLBs comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs and PLBs stock culture. In contrast, scanning electron microscope analysis showed severe damages in cryopreserved PLBs and non-cryopreserved PLBs comparative to the PLBs stock culture which in return could be the possible reason of no regrowth in encapsulation-dehydration method. Damages incurred were on top part, side part, and at the stomata of the PLBs. Histological observation and scanning electron microscopy analyses in Dendrobium Bobby Messina indicates that the degree of plasmolysis causes changes in the cellular process of PLBs from cryopreserved PLBs was different comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs.
Fulltext Noise-induced hearing loss among quarry workers in a north-eastern state of malaysia: a study on knowledge, attitude and practice

Ismail AF, Daud A, Ismail Z, Abdullah B

Oman Med J, 2013 Sep;28(5):331-6.
PMID: 24044059 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2013.96

Noise is known to be one of the environmental and occupational hazards listed in the Factory and Machinery Act 1967. Quarries with loud deafening sounds from trucks and machineries pose the risk of noise-induced hearing loss to workers. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards noise-induced hearing loss and to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and its associated factors among quarry workers in a north-eastern state of Malaysia.
Photocatalytic degradation of resorcinol, an endocrine disrupter, by TiO2 and ZnO suspensions

Lam SM, Sin JC, Abdullah AZ, Mohamed AR

Environ Technol, 2013 May-Jun;34(9-12):1097-106.
PMID: 24191441

In the work presented here, photocatalytic systems using TiO2 and ZnO suspensions were utilized to evaluate the degradation of resorcinol (ReOH). The effects of catalyst concentration and solution pH were investigated and optimized using multivariate analysis based on response surface methodology. The results indicated that ZnO showed greater degradation and mineralization activities compared to TiO2 under optimized conditions. Using certain radical scavengers, a positive hole, together with the participation of hydroxyl radicals, were the oxidative species responsible for ReOH degradation on TiO2 whereas, the ZnO photocatalysis occurred principally via hydroxyl radicals. Some hitherto unreported pathway intermediates of ReOH degradation were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A tentative reaction mechanism for the formation of these intermediates was proposed. Moreover, the figure-of-merit electrical energy per order was employed to estimate the electrical energy consumption.
Milk thistle: a future potential anti-osteoporotic and fracture healing agent

Mohd Fozi NF, Mazlan M, Shuid AN, Isa Naina M

Curr Drug Targets, 2013 Dec;14(14):1659-66.
PMID: 24093748

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease of the skeleton characterised by bone fragility due to a reduction in bone mass and possibly to alteration in bone architecture that lead to a propensity to fracture with minimum trauma. Most osteoporotic fractures occur at locations rich in trabecular or cancellous bone and usually related to post menopausal women. Recently, silymarin received attention due to its alternative beneficial effect on bone formation. It is a mixture of flavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties. This review focuses on the use of milk thistle or silymarin for the treatment of osteoporosis that may be related to fracture bone. Silymarin shows potent antioxidant herb that may modulate multiple genes in favour of helping to build bone and prevent bone loss. In the mouse fracture healing model, silymarin supplementation improved tibial healing with elevated BMD and serum levels of ALP and osteocalcin. Silymarin also demonstrated clear estrogenic antiosteoporotic effects in bone structure. Silymarin appears to play a crucial role to prevent bone loss and might regulate osteogenesis and may be beneficial for fracture healing. If silymarin is considered for the use of post menopausal women, it may be used for the treatment of osteoporosis. It would be of great benefit to postmenopausal women to develop an oestrogen antagonist that is as potent and efficacious as oestrogen in preventing bone loss without the major side effect associated with HRT.
Application of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis for rapid estimation of butter adulteration

Fadzlillah NA, Rohman A, Ismail A, Mustafa S, Khatib A

J Oleo Sci, 2013;62(8):555-62.
PMID: 23985484

In dairy product sector, butter is one of the potential sources of fat soluble vitamins, namely vitamin A, D, E, K; consequently, butter is taken into account as high valuable price from other dairy products. This fact has attracted unscrupulous market players to blind butter with other animal fats to gain economic profit. Animal fats like mutton fat (MF) are potential to be mixed with butter due to the similarity in terms of fatty acid composition. This study focused on the application of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy in conjunction with chemometrics for classification and quantification of MF as adulterant in butter. The FTIR spectral region of 3910-710 cm⁻¹ was used for classification between butter and butter blended with MF at various concentrations with the aid of discriminant analysis (DA). DA is able to classify butter and adulterated butter without any mistakenly grouped. For quantitative analysis, partial least square (PLS) regression was used to develop a calibration model at the frequency regions of 3910-710 cm⁻¹. The equation obtained for the relationship between actual value of MF and FTIR predicted values of MF in PLS calibration model was y = 0.998x + 1.033, with the values of coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error of calibration are 0.998 and 0.046% (v/v), respectively. The PLS calibration model was subsequently used for the prediction of independent samples containing butter in the binary mixtures with MF. Using 9 principal components, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) is 1.68% (v/v). The results showed that FTIR spectroscopy can be used for the classification and quantification of MF in butter formulation for verification purposes.
Fulltext Standard treatment guidelines for malaria: Challenges in its implementation in Islamabad (federal capital) and Rawalpindi (twin city), Pakistan

Malik M, Hussain A, Hassali MA, Shafie AA

Saudi Pharm J, 2013 Jan;21(1):123-4.
PMID: 23960827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2012.02.005
Fulltext 3,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate interleaved into anionic clay for controlled release formulation of a new environmentally friendly agrochemical

Sheikh Mohd Ghazali SA, Hussein MZ, Sarijo SH

Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013;8(1):362.
PMID: 23968197 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-362

A new layered organic-inorganic nanohybrid material, zinc-aluminum-3,4-dicholorophenoxyacetate (N3,4-D) in which an agrochemical, 3,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (3,4-D), is intercalated into zinc-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (ZAL), was synthesized by coprecipitation method. A well-ordered nanomaterial was formed with a percentage loading of 53.5% (w/w). Due to the inclusion of 3,4-D, basal spacing expanded from 8.9 Å in ZAL to 18.7 Å in N3,4-D. The Fourier transform infrared study shows that the absorption bands of the resulting nanohybrid composed of both the 3,4-D and ZAL further confirmed the intercalation episode. Thermal analysis shows that ZAL host enhances the thermal stability of 3,4-D. Controlled-release experiment shows that the release of 3,4-D in the aqueous media is in the order of phosphate > carbonate > sulfate > chloride. These studies demonstrate the successful intercalation of the 3,4-D and its controlled release property in various aqueous media.
Reconstruction of a tibial defect with a previously fractured fibula including the fractured segment as a free osteoseptocutaneous flap

Sadek AF, Halim AS, Ismail FW, Imran YM

Ann Plast Surg, 2014 Oct;73(4):402-4.
PMID: 23851368 DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0b013e31827fb387

Reconstruction of major bone defects using free fibular transfer provides a good biological option in unsound situations. Most authors recommend selection of the recipient blood vessels outside the zone of injury to achieve successful free fibular transfer. Occasionally, in polytraumatized patients, the surgeon has to use a previously fractured fibula as a graft, with increased risk of inclusion of the injury zone that may lead to failure.
Physiological assessment of in vivo human knee articular cartilage using sodium MR imaging at 1.5 T

Hani AF, Kumar D, Malik AS, Razak R

Magn Reson Imaging, 2013 Sep;31(7):1059-67.
PMID: 23731535 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2013.01.007

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that is most prevalent in the knee joint. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) can be characterized by the gradual loss of articular cartilage (AC). Formation of lesion, fissures and cracks on the cartilage surface has been associated with degenerative AC and can be measured by morphological assessment. In addition, loss of proteoglycan from extracellular matrix of the AC can be measured at early stage of cartilage degradation by physiological assessment. In this case, a biochemical phenomenon of cartilage is used to assess the changes at early degeneration of AC. In this paper, a method to measure local sodium concentration in AC due to proteoglycan has been investigated. A clinical 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with multinuclear spectroscopic facility is used to acquire sodium images and quantify local sodium content of AC. An optimised 3D gradient-echo sequence with low echo time has been used for MR scan. The estimated sodium concentration in AC region from four different data sets is found to be ~225±19mmol/l, which matches the values that has been reported for the normal AC. This study shows that sodium images acquired at clinical 1.5-T MRI system can generate an adequate quantitative data that enable the estimation of sodium concentration in AC. We conclude that this method is potentially suitable for non-invasive physiological (sodium content) measurement of articular cartilage.
Assessment of environmental (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K concentrations in the region of elevated radiation background in Segamat District, Johor, Malaysia

Saleh MA, Ramli AT, Alajerami Y, Aliyu AS

J Environ Radioact, 2013 Oct;124:130-40.
PMID: 23727880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.04.013

Extensive environmental survey and measurements of gamma radioactivity in the soil samples collected from Segamat District were conducted. Two gamma detectors were used for the measurements of background radiation in the area and the results were used in the computation of the mean external radiation dose rate and mean weighted dose rate, which are 276 nGy h(-1) and 1.169 mSv y(-1), respectively. A high purity germanium (HPGe) detector was used in the assessment of activity concentrations of (232)Th, (226)Ra and (40)K. The results of the gamma spectrometry range from 11 ± 1 to 1210 ± 41 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th, 12 ± 1 to 968 ± 27 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, and 12 ± 2 to 2450 ± 86 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K. Gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations range from 170 ± 50 to 4360 ± 170 Bq kg(-1) and 70 ± 20 to 4690 ± 90 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These results were used in the plotting of digital maps (using ARCGIS 9.3) for isodose. The results are compared with values giving in UNSCEAR 2000.
Effect of Conway Medium and f/2 Medium on the growth of six genera of South China Sea marine microalgae

Lananan F, Jusoh A, Ali N, Lam SS, Endut A

Bioresour Technol, 2013 Aug;141:75-82.
PMID: 23562179 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.006

A study was performed to determine the effect of Conway and f/2 media on the growth of microalgae genera. Genera of Chlorella sp., Dunaliella sp., Isochrysis sp., Chaetoceros sp., Pavlova sp. and Tetraselmis sp. were isolated from the South China Sea. During the cultivation period, the density of cells were determined using Syringe Liquid Sampler Particle Measuring System (SLS-PMS) that also generated the population distribution curve based on the size of the cells. The population of the microalgae genera is thought to consist of mother and daughter generations since these microalgae genera reproduce by releasing small non-motile reproductive cells (autospores). It was found that the reproduction of Tetraselmis sp., Dunaliella sp. and Pavlova sp. could be sustained longer in f/2 Medium. Higher cell density was achieved by genus Dunaliella, Chlorella and Isochrysis in Conway Medium. Different genera of microalgae had a preference for different types of cultivation media.
Fulltext Dengue related maculopathy and foveolitis

Juanarita J, Azmi MN, Azhany Y, Liza-Sharmini AT

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;2(9):755-6.
PMID: 23570008 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60223-8

A 24 year-old Malay lady presented with high grade fever, myalgia, generalized rashes, severe headache and was positive for dengue serology test. Her lowest platelet count was 45 × 10(9) cells/L. She complained of sudden onset of painlessness, profound loss of vision bilaterally 7 days after the onset of fever. On examination, her right eye best corrected vision was 6/30 and left eye was 6/120. Her anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Funduscopy revealed there were multiple retinal haemorrhages found at posterior pole of both fundi and elevation at fovea area with subretinal fluid. Systemic examination revealed normal findings except for residual petechial rashes. She was managed conservatively. Her vision improved tremendously after 2 months. The retinal hemorrhages and foveal elevation showed sign of resolving. Ocular manifestations following dengue fever is rare. However, bilateral visual loss can occur if both fovea are involved.
Assessment of methane emission and oxidation at Air Hitam Landfill site cover soil in wet tropical climate

Abushammala MF, Basri NE, Elfithri R

Environ Monit Assess, 2013 Dec;185(12):9967-78.
PMID: 23797636

Methane (CH₄) emissions and oxidation were measured at the Air Hitam sanitary landfill in Malaysia and were modeled using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change waste model to estimate the CH₄ generation rate constant, k. The emissions were measured at several locations using a fabricated static flux chamber. A combination of gas concentrations in soil profiles and surface CH₄ and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions at four monitoring locations were used to estimate the CH₄ oxidation capacity. The temporal variations in CH₄ and CO₂ emissions were also investigated in this study. Geospatial means using point kriging and inverse distance weight (IDW), as well as arithmetic and geometric means, were used to estimate total CH₄ emissions. The point kriging, IDW, and arithmetic means were almost identical and were two times higher than the geometric mean. The CH₄ emission geospatial means estimated using the kriging and IDW methods were 30.81 and 30.49 gm(−2) day(−1), respectively. The total CH₄ emissions from the studied area were 53.8 kg day(−1). The mean of the CH₄ oxidation capacity was 27.5 %. The estimated value of k is 0.138 year(−1). Special consideration must be given to the CH₄ oxidation in the wet tropical climate for enhancing CH₄ emission reduction.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract: outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery at five-year follow up

Gendeh BS, Zahedi FD, Ahmad H, Kew TY

J Laryngol Otol, 2013 May;127(5):511-5.
PMID: 23570560 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215113000480

To study the outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract over a five-year follow-up period.
Association of a functional FAAH polymorphism with methamphetamine-induced symptoms and dependence in a Malaysian population

Sim MS, Hatim A, Reynolds GP, Mohamed Z

Pharmacogenomics, 2013 Apr;14(5):505-14.
PMID: 23556448 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.13.25

FAAH is a membrane enzyme that terminates the activity of a large class of endogenous signaling lipids. Recent studies suggest that the FAAH Pro129Thr polymorphism is a common mutation in the FAAH gene that is significantly associated with drug-addictive traits. This study investigated the association of the Pro129Thr polymorphism of the FAAH gene with methamphetamine dependence, methamphetamine-induced psychosis, manic episodes and panic disorder in a Malaysian population.
S-band multiwavelength ring Brillouin/Raman fiber laser with 20 GHz channel spacing

Ahmad H, Zulkifli MZ, Hassan NA, Harun SW

Appl Opt, 2012 Apr 10;51(11):1811-5.
PMID: 22505174 DOI: 10.1364/AO.51.001811

We propose and demonstrate a tunable S-band multiwavelength Brillouin/Raman fiber laser (MBRFL) with a tuning range of between 1490 to 1530 nm. The proposed MBRFL is designed around a 7.7 km long dispersion compensating fiber in a simple ring configuration, acting as a nonlinear medium for the generation of multiple wavelengths from stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and also as a nonlinear gain medium for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) amplification. A laser source with a maximum power of 12 dBm acts as the Brillouin pump (BP), while two 1420 nm laser diodes with a total power of 26 dBm act as the Raman pumps (RPs). The MBRFL can generate a multiwavelength comb consisting of even and odd Stokes at an average power of -12 dBm and -14 dBm respectively, and by separating the even and odd Stokes outputs, a 20 GHz channel spacing is obtained between two consecutive wavelengths. Due to the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect, anti-Stokes lines are also observed. The multiwavelength comb generated is not dependent on the BP, thus providing high stability and repeatability and making it a highly potential source for many real-world applications. This is the first time, to the knowledge of the authors, that a tunable MBRFL has been developed using SRS to obtain gain in the S-band region.
Kinetic modeling of bioregeneration of chlorophenol-loaded granular activated carbon in simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation processes

Oh WD, Lim PE, Seng CE, Sujari AN

Bioresour Technol, 2012 Jun;114:179-87.
PMID: 22503192 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.03.065

A kinetic model incorporating adsorption, desorption and biodegradation processes was developed to describe the bioregeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) loaded with 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), respectively, in simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation processes. The model was numerically solved and the results showed that the kinetic model was well-fitted (R(2)>0.83) to the experimental data at different GAC dosages and at various initial 4-CP and 2,4-DCP concentrations. The rate of bioregeneration in simultaneous adsorption and biodegradation processes was influenced by the ratio of initial chlorophenol concentration to GAC dosage. Enhancement in the rate of bioregeneration was achieved by using the lowest ratio under either one of the following experimental conditions: (1) increasing initial chlorophenol concentration at constant GAC dosage and (2) increasing GAC dosage at constant initial chlorophenol concentration. It was found that the rate enhancement was more pronounced under the second experimental condition.
Extent and severity of groundwater contamination based on hydrochemistry mechanism of sandy tropical coastal aquifer

Isa NM, Aris AZ, Sulaiman WN

Sci Total Environ, 2012 Nov 1;438:414-25.
PMID: 23022725 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.08.069

Small islands are susceptible to anthropogenic and natural activities, especially in respect of their freshwater supply. The freshwater supply in small islands may be threatened by the encroachment of seawater into freshwater aquifers, usually caused by over pumping. This study focused on the hydrochemistry of the Kapas Island aquifer, which controls the groundwater composition. Groundwater samples were taken from six constructed boreholes for the analysis and measurement of its in-situ and major ions. The experimental results show a positive and significant correlation between Na-Cl (r=0.907; p<0.01), which can be defined as the effect of salinization. The mechanisms involved in groundwater chemistry changes were ion exchange and mineralization. These processes can be demonstrated using Piper's diagram in which the water type has shifted into a Na-HCO(3) water type from a Ca-HCO(3) water type. Saturation indices have been calculated in order to determine the saturation condition related to dissolution or the precipitation state of the aquifer bedrock. About 76% of collected data (n=108) were found to be in the dissolution process of carbonate minerals. Moreover, the correlation between total CEC and Ca shows a positive and strong relationship (r=0.995; p<0.01). This indicates that the major mineral component in Kapas Island is Ca ion, which contributes to the groundwater chemical composition. The output of this research explains the chemical mechanism attributed to the groundwater condition of the Kapas Island aquifer.
Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications among older residents of Malaysian nursing homes

Chen LL, Tangiisuran B, Shafie AA, Hassali MA

Int J Clin Pharm, 2012 Aug;34(4):596-603.
PMID: 22622593 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-012-9651-1

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing evidence of medicines related issues such as inappropriate prescribing among older people. Inappropriate prescribing is an important risk factor for adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations in the older people.
OBJECTIVE: To assess and characterize the prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) in nursing home care in Malaysia as defined by Screening Tool of Older Peoples Prescriptions (STOPP) and Beers criteria.
SETTING: Four Nursing Homes situated in Penang, Malaysia.
METHODS: A multicenter and cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months period at four large non-governmental organizations nursing homes in Penang, Malaysia. The study population included older residents (≥65 years old) taking at least one medication. Residents who had been diagnosed with dementia or taking anti dementia drugs, delirium, too frail or refused to give consent were excluded. Demographic, clinical data and concurrent medications were collected through direct interview and also by reviewing medical records. STOPP and Beers criteria were applied in the medical review to screen for PIMs.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Potentially Inappropriate Medication using STOPP and Beers criteria.
RESULTS: Two hundred eleven residents were included in the study with the median age of 77 (inter quartile range (IQR) 72-82) years. Median number of prescription medicines was 4 (IQR 1-14). STOPP identified less residents (50 residents, 23.7 %) being prescribed on PIMs compared with Beers criteria (69 residents, 32.7 %) (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the number of residents with PIMs detected by STOPP (23.7 %) and by Beers criteria (32.7 %), p < 0.001. The common identified PIMs by Beers criteria included nifedipine short acting, chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine. The STOPP identified first generation antihistamines, duplication of drug classes, glibenclamide and anticholinergic agents. Higher number of medications (OR = 1.405 [1.193-1.654]; OR = 1.447 [1.215-1.723]) and longer stay at nursing home (OR = 1.132 [1.045-1.226]; OR = 1.133 [1.034-1.241]) were identified as predictors for both Beers and STOPP PIMs.
CONCLUSION: Potentially inappropriate medications are highly prevalent among older residents living in the nursing homes and are associated with number of medications and longer nursing home stay. Further research is warranted to study the impact of PIMs towards health related outcomes in these elderly.

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