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Rate of tree carbon accumulation increases continuously with tree size

Stephenson NL, Das AJ, Condit R, Russo SE, Baker PJ, Beckman NG, et al.

Nature, 2014 Mar 6;507(7490):90-3.
PMID: 24429523 DOI: 10.1038/nature12914

Forests are major components of the global carbon cycle, providing substantial feedback to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Our ability to understand and predict changes in the forest carbon cycle--particularly net primary productivity and carbon storage--increasingly relies on models that represent biological processes across several scales of biological organization, from tree leaves to forest stands. Yet, despite advances in our understanding of productivity at the scales of leaves and stands, no consensus exists about the nature of productivity at the scale of the individual tree, in part because we lack a broad empirical assessment of whether rates of absolute tree mass growth (and thus carbon accumulation) decrease, remain constant, or increase as trees increase in size and age. Here we present a global analysis of 403 tropical and temperate tree species, showing that for most species mass growth rate increases continuously with tree size. Thus, large, old trees do not act simply as senescent carbon reservoirs but actively fix large amounts of carbon compared to smaller trees; at the extreme, a single big tree can add the same amount of carbon to the forest within a year as is contained in an entire mid-sized tree. The apparent paradoxes of individual tree growth increasing with tree size despite declining leaf-level and stand-level productivity can be explained, respectively, by increases in a tree's total leaf area that outpace declines in productivity per unit of leaf area and, among other factors, age-related reductions in population density. Our results resolve conflicting assumptions about the nature of tree growth, inform efforts to undertand and model forest carbon dynamics, and have additional implications for theories of resource allocation and plant senescence.
Fulltext Long-term ventilatory support in an infant with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia--a case report

Sivarajah RS, Koh MT, Tan P, Ooi SE, Ong G

Med J Malaysia, 1984 Mar;39(1):88-91.
PMID: 6549042

Long-term ventilatory support of a child with bronchopulmonary dysplasia is described. Dedicated nursing care and emotional support of child and family were two important factors in the management of the child in intensive care, and in the weaning of the child from the ventilator.
Development and validation of a new vision screening test algorithm for public use mobile application- A pilot study

Siti Nor Aishah AR, Mutalib A, Asma H, Baig AA, Naing NN, Hashim SE, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):685-690.
PMID: 33219178

OBJECTIVES: To design and develop a simple vision test algorithm for mobile application and perform a pilot study to determine its validity and reliability as a tool for vision test in the community.
METHODS: A simple visual acuity test algorithm in the form of a single letter E display was designed as the optotype for development of a mobile application. The standardised optotype is presented at random to test visual acuity for corresponding level of 3/60, 6/60, 6/18, and 6/12. The final result is auto-generated based on the classification of the WHO for visual impairment and blindness. The Snellen chart was used as the gold standard to determine its validity while five different users were involved to determine its inter-rater reliability. A pilot study was performed between April till November 2019, in the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Medical Centre (UMC) at Kuala Nerus and Mooris Optometrist Centre at Marang, Terengganu. A total of 279 participants aged four years old and above were involved in this study.
RESULTS: The highest sensitivity was found at the vision level cut-off point of 6/12 with the percentage of 92.7% and 86.8% for the right and left eye, respectively. The specificity was more than 89% for all vision levels in both eyes. The Krippendorff's alpha value for the inter-rater reliability was 0.87 and 0.83.
CONCLUSION: The relatively high level of validity and reliability obtained indicate the feasibility of using the designed optotype to develop a valid and reliable mobile app for vision test. The app can be used to screen vision by nonmedical persons, at anytime and anywhere to help improve public awareness and capability to correctly determine their visual status.
Fulltext Morphometric and meristic variation in two congeneric archer fishes Toxotes chatareus (Hamilton 1822) and Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas 1767) inhabiting Malaysian coastal waters

Simon KD, Bakar Y, Temple SE, Mazlan AG

J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2010 Nov;11(11):871-9.
PMID: 21043056 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B1000054

A simple yet useful criterion based on external markings and/or number of dorsal spines is currently used to differentiate two congeneric archer fish species Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix. Here we investigate other morphometric and meristic characters that can also be used to differentiate these two species. Principal component and/or discriminant functions revealed that meristic characters were highly correlated with pectoral fin ray count, number of lateral line scales, as well as number of anal fin rays. The results indicate that T. chatareus can be distinguished from T. jaculatrix by having a greater number of lateral line scales, a lower number of pectoral fin rays, and a higher number of anal fin rays. In contrast, morphometric discriminant analyses gave relatively low distinction: 76.1% of fish were ascribed to the correct species cluster. The observed morphometric differences came from the dorsal and anal spines lengths, with T. chatareus having shorter dorsal and longer anal spines than T. jaculatrix. Overall, meristic traits were more useful than morphometrics in differentiating the two species; nevertheless, meristics and morphometrics together provide information about the morphological differentiation between these two closely related archer fishes.
Fulltext A cross-sectional study of hypertensive outpatients to determine the necessity of asking about erectile dysfunction symptoms

Sharifuddin N, Abdul Aziz AF, Sheikh Hamzah M, Abdul Rashid R, Zainuddin Z, Wan Puteh SE, et al.

South African Family Practice, 2011;53:384-389.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common amongst hypertensive men. Hypertensive patients often attribute it to antihypertensive drugs, although conflicting evidence linking ED with antihypertensive medication exists. The objectives were to determine the prevalence and severity of ED, the type of treatment sought, and the risk factors for ED among hypertensive men.
Method: A cross-sectional survey conducted over six months from June to November 2008 at University Kebangsaan, Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Inclusion criteria included hypertensive men above 30 years old, with essential hypertension for at least three months. We excluded diabetics, a history of pelvic surgery and known psychiatric illnesses. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) assessment was used with a standardised checklist. We analysed data using SPSS, to assess the prevalence and association of ED with selected variables.
Results: Of the 200 participants screened, 35.5% perceived that they had ED. However, prevalence increased to 69% after screening using an IIEF-5 questionnaire. Forty-eight per cent were reported to have moderate-to severe ED. ED was significantly associated with age (p-value = 0.0001). No significant associations were found between ED and the duration of the hypertension (p-value = 0.505), hypertension control (p-value > 0.05), smoking status (p-value = 0.858) or number of antihypertensive medication taken (p-value > 0.05). Among perceived and proven ED patients, traditional medicines were mainly used for treatment (18.3% and 17.2% respectively).
Conclusion: ED is a problem among hypertensive patients. It was associated with age but not with hypertension duration, control, number of antihypertensive drugs or smoking. Physicians should enquire about ED symptoms in hypertensive patients, as most of them resorted to self-treatment with traditional medicines. © SAAFP.
Fulltext A young man with chronic dry cough

Shalihin SE, Osman IF, Harun Z, Mukhali HB, Gnathimin B

Malays Fam Physician, 2020;15(1):68-70.
PMID: 32284811 MyJurnal

In primary care, chest X-rays are commonly performed to assess patients presenting with a prolonged
cough. However, the extent to which the flms are accurately interpreted depends on the skill of the
doctors. Doctors with insufcient experience may miss an exact diagnosis when evaluating a flm,
especially in patients with nonspecifc symptoms, such as in the case discussed in this paper.
( Copied from article ).
Anti-diabetic medication burden amongst older persons with diabetes and associated quality of life

Shalihin SE, Fauzi A, Zulkifli NA, Aziz AA

Med J Malaysia, 2020 09;75(5):525-530.
PMID: 32918421

BACKGROUND: Older persons with diabetes are the major demographic of diabetic patients followed up in primary health clinics. Despite their increasing age and morbidities, they are still being managed strictly towards good sugar control in order to achieve the ideal HbA1c level without taking their quality of life into consideration. This study aimed to determine the prevalence in the use of antidiabetic drugs among older persons with diabetes and its association with their quality of life.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 269 older persons with diabetes in all government health clinics in Kuantan using Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used for the statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Majority of the respondents were females (61%), Malays (84.8%), pensioners (54.3%) with education up to primary school (52%) and are staying with family members (93.7%). Most of the patients were on two antidiabetic agents (48%) followed by a single antidiabetic agent (32%). Despite the risk of hypoglycaemia, 0.4% of them are on glibenclamide. The use of insulin is still common among 21% of them that are on intermediate-acting insulin, 15.6% on premixed insulin and 7.8% on short-acting insulin. Those taking a higher number of antidiabetic agents were found to be associated with poorer quality of life (p=0.001) compared to those taking one or two antidiabetic medications. Those on insulin also have significantly poorer quality of life score (p=0.012).
CONCLUSION: Despite aiming for controlled diabetes, older persons suffer poor quality of life with further intensification of their antidiabetic medications according to the guidelines. This includes the complexity of insulin usage and polypharmacy, which contribute to the low quality of life score.
Fulltext Non-specific skin purpura

Shalihin SE, Harun Z, Osman IF

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(2):39-41.
PMID: 30302184 MyJurnal

Essential thrombocythemia is one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms. Palpable purpura is a rare manifestation that may delay diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of essential thrombocythemia in a 50-year-old man, who presented with recurrent thigh pain for the past one year with nonspecific localized purpura. His full blood count revealed isolated thrombocytosis of 880,000/µL with an impression of myeloproliferative disorder from peripheral blood film. He was referred urgently to the hematology team, which proceeded with a venesection. His condition improved with hydroxyurea. This was a rare case of chronic presentation of myeloproliferative neoplasm detected at a primary care clinic.
The clinical implications of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its detection methods - a systematic review

Shalihin MSE, Suhaimi NAN, Hamzah HA, Abidin S, Aidid ME, Musa R

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Nov;78(6):830-844.
PMID: 38031228

INTRODUCTION: Mounting evidence has shown the significant correlation between periodontitis and the development of other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease due to periodontopathogenic bacterial migration and colonisation. As the main etiologic agent of periodontitis, the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) has been widely explored as the main culprit and its early detection is crucial to control the exacerbation of diseases. This review aims to identify and summarise all clinical diseases that potentially developed due to the presence of P. gingivalis and discover all its detection methods that have been developed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Full-text articles of case report, case control, cohort and cross-sectional studies that were published from 1st January 2012 until 30th June 2022, were searched using PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus. Periodontal related diseases were excluded in this review due to its wellknown associated disease with P. gingivalis. A comparison studies of detection methods were also excluded in this review.
RESULTS: Out of 612 articles that were screened, only 106 met the eligibility criteria to be selected for further review. Risk of bias was performed using FEAT principles and reviewers' discussion. A total of 21 final articles that were reviewed showed significant correlation with P. gingivalis and were classified into several clinical domains. Twelve out of 13 detection methods showed high sensitivity and specificity with short duration analysis.
CONCLUSION: Due to asymptomatic periodontal disease and the high prevalence of P. gingivalis-associated clinical diseases, this review suggests the need for oral public health awareness and early screening for the bacterium detection especially among elderly groups to maintain their quality of life.
Search for a Light CP-odd Higgs Boson and Low-Mass Dark Matter at the Belle Experiment

Seong IS, Vahsen SE, Adachi I, Aihara H, Al Said S, Asner DM, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2019 Jan 11;122(1):011801.
PMID: 31012694 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.011801

We report on the first Belle search for a light CP-odd Higgs boson, A^{0}, that decays into low mass dark matter, χ, in final states with a single photon and missing energy. We search for events produced via the dipion transition ϒ(2S)→ϒ(1S)π^{+}π^{-}, followed by the on-shell process ϒ(1S)→γA^{0} with A^{0}→χχ, or by the off-shell process ϒ(1S)→γχχ. Utilizing a data sample of 157.3×10^{6} ϒ(2S) decays, we find no evidence for a signal. We set limits on the branching fractions of such processes in the mass ranges M_{A^{0}}<8.97 GeV/c^{2} and M_{χ}<4.44 GeV/c^{2}. We then use the limits on the off-shell process to set competitive limits on WIMP-nucleon scattering in the WIMP mass range below 5 GeV/c^{2}.
Effect of an extract of Erioglossum edule on the central nervous system

Sattar MA, Gan EK, Loke SE, Mah KF, Wong WH

J Ethnopharmacol, 1989 Apr;25(2):217-20.
PMID: 2747256
Cigarette smoking and the influencing factors among adolescents in a secondary school in Malaysia

Santhna LP, Khalid Z, Selamat S, Ho SE, Mat S

Clin Ter, 2013;164(6):507-12.
PMID: 24424214 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1628

BACKGROUND: Smoking has always been a huge problem in Malaysia and its surrounding nations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to identify the influencing factors associated with smoking habits among adolescents.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 226 respondents, using a questionnaire which had 4 sections: socio-demographic data, personal information, family information and social information. Data was analyzed using SPSS® version 16. For categorical variables, comparisons were made using Chi-square and for numerical variables a t-test was performed.
RESULTS: The current smoker prevalence rate was 20.8% which showed a significant association between smoking and individual factors: level of knowledge on the effects of smoking (p < 0.05), significant association was seen between smoking and marital status of parents, smoking status of male siblings and various other aspects of the individuals themselves.
CONCLUSIONS: Concerted efforts involving various parties should be taken to curb or prevent this problem or the number of teenage smokers in the country will increase. This in the long run will invite problems to the well being of the adolescents themselves, their families, community and the nation as a whole.
Fulltext Sharps injury in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM): experiences of health care workers and students

Santhna LP, Samsiah M, Raja Lexshimi RG, Roshdinom R, Ho SE, Hamidah H

Medicine & Health, 2007;2(1):86-92.
MyJurnal

Sharps injury among health care workers in HUKM has received serious attention lately due to the possible transmission of diseases like HIV, Hepatits B and Hepatitis C, which can cause serious consequences for the victim. The aim of the study was to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional problems experienced by health care workers who had incurred a sharps injury and the coping strategies adopted by them to overcome the problem. A 28 item semi-structured questionnaire was designed by the supervisors and the researcher as there was no existing questionnaire to be adopted, as no research had been carried out in this area prior to this. The target group consisted of 64 health care workers of different categories working in HUKM. Data was collected over a period of five months from November 2000 to March 2001. The results of the study revealed that the most frequently injured were the staff nurses, nearly 90% of whom were emotionally upset and were worried that they might contract a disease. There was no significant difference in the emotional stress experienced by the different categories of the health care workers, all were equally upset about the injury but each category of staff adopted different methods to overcome the tragedy. Open comments and opinions about prevention and the management of the sharps injury in HUKM as given by the respondents here are taken into account. Several views given by the participants were explored and discussed. Finally, several implications for nursing and recommendations have been presented.
Study site: Wards and the general operating theatres in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The ideal measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients: an urban study

Samsiah M, Das S, Chee SY, Rashidah R, Siti H, Ruth P, et al.

Clin Ter, 2011;162(3):209-15.
PMID: 21717044

There is paucity of literature on the measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients in the developing countries. The main objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of post stroke patients.
Fulltext Bifurcation/chaos and their practical relevance to chemical and biological systems

Said S. E. H. Elnashaie

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2014;22(2):337-364.
MyJurnal

Bifurcation and chaos are important phenomena affecting many physical and chemical systems. They are also related to the stability/instability and multiplicity phenomena associated with these systems. The phenomena are not only of theoretical/mathematical interest but are also important for laboratory, pilot plant and commercial units. This paper concentrates on 3 systems:

1. The novel auto-thermic Circulating Fluidized Membrane Steam Reformer (CFBMSR) for the efficient production of the clean fuel hydrogen and which shows multiplicity of the steady state (static bifurcation)

2. A novel fermentor for the efficient production of bio-ethanol that shows static/dynamic bifurcation as well as chaotic behaviour

3. The neurocycle of the acetylcholine transmitter in the brain using diffusion-reaction models in order to gain insight into their possible connection to Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases (AD/PD); these are preliminary efforts to investigate the bifurcation and chaotic behaviour of this neurocycle.
Root and canal morphology of maxillary premolar teeth in an Egyptian subpopulation using two classification systems: a cone beam computed tomography study

Saber SEDM, Ahmed MHM, Obeid M, Ahmed HMA

Int Endod J, 2019 Mar;52(3):267-278.
PMID: 30225932 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13016

AIM: To investigate the number of roots and root canal configurations using two coding systems and the root canal diverging and merging levels in extracted maxillary premolars in an Egyptian subpopulation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
METHODOLOGY: A total of 700 maxillary premolars were examined using CBCT in an Egyptian subpopulation. The number of roots was identified, and root canal configurations were classified according to Vertucci's classification and a new system for classifying root and canal morphology. In addition, the position where roots bifurcated and the levels where canals merged or diverged were identified. Fisher's exact test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis, and the level of significance was set at 0.05 (P = 0.05).
RESULTS: More than half of maxillary first premolars were double-rooted, and the majority of maxillary second premolars were single-rooted (P
Review on characteristics of biomaterial and nanomaterials based polymeric nanocomposite membranes for seawater treatment application

S E, G A, A F I, P S G, Y LT

Environ Res, 2021 06;197:111177.
PMID: 33864792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111177

Membrane technology, especially nanofiltration (NF) has great attention to provide an imperative solution for water issues. The membrane is considered to be the heart in the separation plant. Understanding the membrane characteristics could allow predicting and optimizing the membrane performance namely flux, rejection and reduced fouling. The membrane development using biomaterials and nanomaterials provides a remarkable opportunity in the water application. This review focuses on the membrane characteristics of biomaterials and nanomaterials based nanofiltration. In this review, recent researches based on biomaterials and nanomaterials loaded membrane for salt rejection have been analyzed. Membrane fouling depends on the membrane characteristics and this review defined fouling as a ubiquitous bottleneck challenge that hampers the NF blooming applications. Fouling mitigation strategies via membrane modification using biomaterial (chitosan, curcumin and vanillin) and various other nanomaterials are critically reviewed. This review also highlights the membrane cleaning and focuses on concentrates disposal methods with zero liquid discharge system for resource recovery. Finally, the conclusion and future prospects of membrane technology are discussed. From this current review, it is apparent that the biomaterial and various other nanomaterials acquire exclusive properties that facilitate membrane advancement with improved capability for water treatment. Regardless of membrane material developments, still exist considerable difficulties in membrane commercialization. Thus, additional studies related to this field are needed to produce membranes with better performance for large‒scale applications.
Fulltext A study on anxiety and depression level among high risk inpatient pregnant women in an obstetric ward

Raja Lexshimi RG, Ho SE, Hamidah H, Rohani M, Syed Zulkifli SZ

Medicine & Health, 2007;2(1):34-41.
MyJurnal

Pregnancy is perceived by many pregnant mothers as a period of happiness in anticipation of motherhood. Not all pregnant mothers experience cheerfulness as some may experience a high anxiety and depression level for unknown reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women and the factors that contribute to their level of anxiety and depression. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 high risk mothers whose stay in hospital exceeded more than three days in the obstetric ward of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A self assessment questionnaire “Hospital Anxiety Depression scale” was used to measure the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women. Of the 38 participants, 16 (42.1%) women experienced a mild level of anxiety and 22 (57.9%) experienced a severe level of anxiety. Seventeen (44.7%) women was classified as having mild depression and 21 (55.3%) severe depression. The factors contributing to the level of anxiety and depression, include those related with “lack of information on disease”, “family matters” and “finance”. High risk pregnant women in this study experienced a significant level of anxiety and depression during their stay in hospital. It is therefore important for nurses and doctors to be aware and sensitive to the influencing factors that cause anxiety and depression as to enable high risk pregnant mothers to enjoy their pregnancy and childbirth.
Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext The association between lower educational attainment and depression owing to shared genetic effects? Results in ~25,000 subjects

Peyrot WJ, Lee SH, Milaneschi Y, Abdellaoui A, Byrne EM, Esko T, et al.

Mol Psychiatry, 2015 Jun;20(6):735-43.
PMID: 25917368 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.50

An association between lower educational attainment (EA) and an increased risk for depression has been confirmed in various western countries. This study examines whether pleiotropic genetic effects contribute to this association. Therefore, data were analyzed from a total of 9662 major depressive disorder (MDD) cases and 14,949 controls (with no lifetime MDD diagnosis) from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium with additional Dutch and Estonian data. The association of EA and MDD was assessed with logistic regression in 15,138 individuals indicating a significantly negative association in our sample with an odds ratio for MDD 0.78 (0.75-0.82) per standard deviation increase in EA. With data of 884,105 autosomal common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), three methods were applied to test for pleiotropy between MDD and EA: (i) genetic profile risk scores (GPRS) derived from training data for EA (independent meta-analysis on ~120,000 subjects) and MDD (using a 10-fold leave-one-out procedure in the current sample), (ii) bivariate genomic-relationship-matrix restricted maximum likelihood (GREML) and (iii) SNP effect concordance analysis (SECA). With these methods, we found (i) that the EA-GPRS did not predict MDD status, and MDD-GPRS did not predict EA, (ii) a weak negative genetic correlation with bivariate GREML analyses, but this correlation was not consistently significant, (iii) no evidence for concordance of MDD and EA SNP effects with SECA analysis. To conclude, our study confirms an association of lower EA and MDD risk, but this association was not because of measurable pleiotropic genetic effects, which suggests that environmental factors could be involved, for example, socioeconomic status.
Fulltext Detrimental Effect of Tannin on Growth Performance, Visceras Weight and Blood Biochemistry in Broiler Chickens Reared Under Tropical Area

Pertiwi H, Rochmy SE, Chwen LT

Arch Razi Inst, 2023 Aug;78(4):1269-1275.
PMID: 38226375 DOI: 10.32592/ARI.2023.78.4.1269

Restriction of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in Indonesia reduces broiler production due to bacterial diseases. Some poultry farmers have attempted to replace AGP with phytogenic compounds, such as tannin as an in-feed additive. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of tannin administration on the production performance, viscera weight, and lipoprotein levels of tropically-raised broiler chickens. Cobb Strain broiler chicks aged one day were used in an experiment with a completely random design, three treatments, and four replicate pens, each containing nine birds. Three dietary treatments were assigned to the birds: basal diet (negative control), basal diet+0.03% Zn Bacitracyn (positive control), and basal diet+0.05% tannin for the starter phase of 1-21 days and the grower phase of 22-42 days, respectively. Tannin supplementation significantly increased the feed conversion ratio in all phases relative to the control group. Tannin supplementation in the diet significantly reduced daily feed intake during the grower phase, final body weight, carcass weight, intestine weight, liver weight, and total visceral weight, compared to the control group. Tannin had lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase but higher levels of low-density lipoprotein and alanine aminotransferase. Tannin addition in broiler diets might not improve growth performance and health. Therefore, it is not suggested as a substitute for AGPs in broiler diets.

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