MyMedR

Zakaria L, Yaakop AS, Salleh B, Zakaria M

Trop Life Sci Res, 2010 Aug;21(1):101-7.

Endophytic fungi were isolated from different parts of healthy paddy plants (Oryza sativa). The most common endophytic fungal genus recovered was Fusarium, followed by Aspergillus, Curvularia, Penicillium, Gilmaniella and Arthrobotrys foliicola. Fusarium and Curvularia had higher occurrences in the seeds compared with the other fungi. Aspergillus was recovered mostly from leaf blades and Penicillium from the leaf sheath. Gilmaniella and A. foliicola were isolated only from the roots and leaf blade, respectively. The assemblage of endophytic fungi in healthy tissues of paddy plants may indicate that some of the fungi are possible latent pathogens and some may become saprophytic.

Effects of ranibizumab on the extracellular matrix production by human Tenon's fibroblast

Md Noh SM, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Bannur ZM, Froemming GA, Abdul Hamid Hasani N, Mohd Nawawi H, et al.

Exp Eye Res, 2014 Oct;127:236-42.

PMID: 25139730 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.08.005

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (Anti-VEGF) agents have received recent interest as potential anti-fibrotic agents for their concurrent use with trabeculectomy. Preliminary cohort studies have revealed improved bleb morphology following trabeculectomy augmented with ranibizumab. The effects of this humanized monoclonal antibody on human Tenon's fibroblast (HTF), the key player of post trabeculectomy scar formation, are not fully understood. This study was conducted to understand the effects of ranibizumab on extracellular matrix production by HTF. The effect of ranibizumab on HTF proliferation and cell viability was determined using MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazone-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium). Ranibizumab at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/mL were administered for 24, 48 and 72 h in serum and serum free conditions. Supernatants and cell lysates from samples were assessed for collagen type 1 alpha 1 and fibronectin mRNA and protein level using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 48-h, ranibizumab at 0.5 mg/mL, significantly induced cell death under serum-free culture conditions (p

Screening of dental staff nurses for noise induced hearing loss

Daud MK, Noh NF, Sidek DS, Abd Rahman N, Abd Rani N, Zakaria MN

B-ENT, 2011;7(4):245-9.

PMID: 22338236

The effect of noise on employees of dental clinics is debatable. The purposes of this study were to determine the intensity and frequency components of dental instruments used by dental staff nurses and the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss.

Relationships among rat numbers, abundance of oil palm fruit and damage levels to fruit in an oil palm plantation

Puan CL, Goldizen AW, Zakaria M, Hafidzi MN, Baxter GS

Integr Zool, 2011 Jun;6(2):130-139.

PMID: 21645277 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00231.x

The relationships between vertebrate pests and crop damage are often complex and difficult to study. In palm oil plantations rodents remain the major pests, causing substantial monetary losses. The present study examined the numerical and functional responses of rodents to changes in the availability of oil palm fruit and the damage associated with that response. For the study, 200 traps were set in pairs on a 10 × 10 trapping grid for 3 consecutive nights in each of 6 study plots at 8-week intervals in a 2569 ha oil palm plantation at Labu, Negeri Sembilan state in Peninsular Malaysia over 14 months. A total of 1292 individual rats were captured over 25 200 trap-nights. Animals were identified, aged, sexed, weighed and measured. An index of the relative abundance of rats was calculated based on trapping success. Damage to infructescences was assessed at each trap point. Regardless of the age of palms, there were positive and significant relationships between the relative abundance of rats and numbers of infructescences. The levels of damage to infructescences were significantly correlated with the relative abundance of rats. A steep increase in damage was observed with an increase in mature infructescences, indicating a feeding preference of rats for mature infructescences. For both males and females of all rat species, there were weak and non-significant correlations between body condition and infructescence numbers. These results indicated that there was a numerical and a functional response by rats to the availability of palm fruit and a resulting increase in depredation of oil palm fruits. The ways in which this information might aid in future pest control are discussed.

Fulltext Third ventricular cavernous angioma

Zakaria MA, Abdullah JM, George JP, Mutum SS, Lee NN

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):229-32.

PMID: 16898318 MyJurnal

Third ventricular cavernous angiomas are rare vascular malformations of the brain. We report an eight-year old boy with a rare third ventricular cavernous angioma that hemorrhaged presenting with symptoms of acute hydrocephalus. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a heterogenous ill-defined, solid and cystic intraventricular mass in the third ventricle which was mildly enhanced with contrast and there was associated hydrocephalus. The mass was removed with success and follow up after two years revealed no neurological abnormalities.

Gender differences in coping skills of parents with hearing-impaired children

Md Daud MK, Noor SS, Yusoff MN, Abd Rahman N, Zakaria MN

B-ENT, 2013;9(4):319-23.

PMID: 24597108

To assess differences between the coping strategies of the mothers and fathers with hearing-impaired children.

Vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopaenia purpura in autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Wan Jamaludin WF, Kok WH, Loong L, Palaniappan SK, Zakaria MZ, Ong TC, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2018 12;73(6):430-432.

PMID: 30647224

Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) secondary to vaccinations is rare, especially after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A 31-yearold female received autologous HSCT for relapsed Hodgkin Disease, with platelet engraftment at Day+14. One week after receiving second scheduled vaccinations, she developed severe thrombocytopenia (3x109/L) associated with pharyngeal hematoma. Bone marrow (BM) examinations were consistent with ITP, possibly secondary to Influenza vaccine. Platelet increment was poor despite high dose corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), Danazol and Eltrombopag. A repeated BM biopsy was in agreement with ITP. Re-treatment with tapering doses of prednisolone resulted in stable platelet counts at 120x109/L a year later.

Thyroid storm: Is there a role for thyroid function test?

Tengku Ibrahim TZ, Thambiah SC, Samsudin IN, Nasuruddin AN, Zakaria MH

Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):355-358.

PMID: 31901922

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid storm (TS) is an endocrine emergency. Early diagnosis for prompt treatment is essential as it has a high mortality rate.

CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old lady with underlying hyperthyroidism, dilated cardiomyopathy with severe mitral regurgitation presented with shortness of breath. She was intubated and admitted due to decreasing Glasgow Coma Score. Her blood investigations revealed increased white cell count, raised free thyroxine with suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone, deranged liver, renal and coagulation profiles. As her condition did not improve with initial treatment, plasmapheresis was commenced on day 4. Biochemically, her thyroid function test (TFT) showed improvement; however, she succumbed due to multi-organ failure.

DISCUSSION: Plasmapheresis is considered in TS if there is no clinical improvement within 24-48 hours of initial treatment. The improvement in patient's TFT post plasmapheresis signifies its role in treating TS. Unfortunately, there was a delay in commencing plasmapheresis due to haemodynamic instability in this patient.

Distribution and conservation of endangered Temoleh, Probarbus jullieni (Sauvage, 1880)

Zakaria MH, Amin SM, Rahman MA, Arshad A, Christianus A, Siraj SS

Pak J Biol Sci, 2012 Jul 01;15(13):604-9.

PMID: 24218929

The freshwater fish, Probarbus jullieni (Sauvage), locally referred to as "Temoleh", is a high-valued freshwater fish in Malaysia and has both cultural and conservational significance. It is widely distributed in the North-east Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. During the recent past, the natural stocks of P. jullieni have been decreased severely due to habitat degradation and man-induced hazards in aquatic ecosystem. Despite the vast research that has been conducted on various carp species, little attention has been given to P. jullieni. This study reviewed the published information on the status, distribution, reproduction and biodiversity of this commercially important fish species. The findings would greatly be helpful towards the species conservation and aquaculture development of the highly endangered P. jullieni.

Establishing transducers-dependent sensorineural acuity level normative data among young Malaysian adults

Zakaria MN, Ensin EG, Awang MA, Salim R, Nik Othman NA, Rashid MFN

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Dec;78(7):901-906.

PMID: 38159926

INTRODUCTION: The sensorineural acuity level (SAL) test was developed as an alternative assessment to estimate bone conduction (BC) thresholds in cases where masking problems occur in pure tone audiometry (PTA). Nevertheless, prior to its clinical application, the respective SAL normative data must be made available. As such, the present study was carried out to establish SAL normative data using an insert earphone and two different commercially available bone transducers. Additionally, to determine the effect of earphone type on SAL test results, it was also of interest to compare the present study's findings with those of a previous study (that used a headphone to derive SAL normative data).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this repeated-measures study, 40 Malaysian adults (aged 19-26 years) with normal hearing bilaterally (based on PTA results) were enrolled. They then underwent the SAL test based on the recommended protocol by Jerger and Tillman (1960). The SAL normative data for each ear were obtained by calculating the differences between air conduction (AC) thresholds in quiet and AC thresholds in noise by means of insert earphone, B71 and B81 bone vibrators.

RESULTS: The SAL normative values were comparable between the ears (p > 0.05), and the data were pooled for subsequent analyses (n = 80 ears). Relative to B81 bone transducer, B71 bone vibrator produced statistically higher SAL normative data at all frequencies (p < 0.05). The SAL normative values established by the present study were statistically lower than those of the previous study (that utilised headphones) at most of frequencies tested (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The SAL normative data produced by the two bone vibrators were significantly different. The SAL normative values were also affected by the type of earphone used. While conducting the SAL test on Malaysian patients, the information provided by this study can be useful to guide the respective clinicians in choosing the appropriate normative data.

Diagnosis and classification of optic neuritis

Petzold A, Fraser CL, Abegg M, Alroughani R, Alshowaeir D, Alvarenga R, et al.

Lancet Neurol, 2022 Dec;21(12):1120-1134.

PMID: 36179757 DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00200-9

There is no consensus regarding the classification of optic neuritis, and precise diagnostic criteria are not available. This reality means that the diagnosis of disorders that have optic neuritis as the first manifestation can be challenging. Accurate diagnosis of optic neuritis at presentation can facilitate the timely treatment of individuals with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Epidemiological data show that, cumulatively, optic neuritis is most frequently caused by many conditions other than multiple sclerosis. Worldwide, the cause and management of optic neuritis varies with geographical location, treatment availability, and ethnic background. We have developed diagnostic criteria for optic neuritis and a classification of optic neuritis subgroups. Our diagnostic criteria are based on clinical features that permit a diagnosis of possible optic neuritis; further paraclinical tests, utilising brain, orbital, and retinal imaging, together with antibody and other protein biomarker data, can lead to a diagnosis of definite optic neuritis. Paraclinical tests can also be applied retrospectively on stored samples and historical brain or retinal scans, which will be useful for future validation studies. Our criteria have the potential to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, provide information on optic neuritis disease course that can guide future treatment trial design, and enable physicians to judge the likelihood of a need for long-term pharmacological management, which might differ according to optic neuritis subgroups.

Search for displaced supersymmetry in events with an electron and a muon with large impact parameters

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Feb 13;114(6):061801.

PMID: 25723204

A search for new long-lived particles decaying to leptons is presented using proton-proton collisions produced by the LHC at √[s]=8 TeV. Data used for the analysis were collected by the CMS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1). Events are selected with an electron and muon with opposite charges that both have transverse impact parameter values between 0.02 and 2 cm. The search has been designed to be sensitive to a wide range of models with nonprompt e-μ final states. Limits are set on the "displaced supersymmetry" model, with pair production of top squarks decaying into an e-μ final state via R-parity-violating interactions. The results are the most restrictive to date on this model, with the most stringent limit being obtained for a top squark lifetime corresponding to cτ=2 cm, excluding masses below 790 GeV at 95% confidence level.

Study of vector boson scattering and search for new physics in events with two same-sign leptons and two jets

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Feb 6;114(5):051801.

PMID: 25699433

A study of vector boson scattering in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.4 fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector. Candidate events are selected with exactly two leptons of the same charge, two jets with large rapidity separation and high dijet mass, and moderate missing transverse energy. The signal region is expected to be dominated by electroweak same-sign W-boson pair production. The observation agrees with the standard model prediction. The observed significance is 2.0 standard deviations, where a significance of 3.1 standard deviations is expected based on the standard model. Cross section measurements for W(±)W(±) and WZ processes in the fiducial region are reported. Bounds on the structure of quartic vector-boson interactions are given in the framework of dimension-eight effective field theory operators, as well as limits on the production of doubly charged Higgs bosons.

Search for top squark and Higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Chatrchyan S, Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2014 Apr 25;112(16):161802.

PMID: 24815637

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top quark (the top squark) and the Higgs boson (Higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7 fb-1 of proton-proton collision data at s=8 TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the top squark mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the Higgsino mass.

Searches for electroweak production of charginos, neutralinos, and sleptons decaying to leptons and W, Z, and Higgs bosons in pp collisions at 8 TeV

CMS Collaboration, Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, et al.

Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2014 09 26;74(9):3036.

PMID: 25814912

Searches for the direct electroweak production of supersymmetric charginos, neutralinos, and sleptons in a variety of signatures with leptons and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and Higgs bosons are presented. Results are based on a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at center-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] with the CMS detector in 2012, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 [Formula: see text]. The observed event rates are in agreement with expectations from the standard model. These results probe charginos and neutralinos with masses up to 720 [Formula: see text], and sleptons up to 260 [Formula: see text], depending on the model details.

Search for Narrow Resonances Decaying to Dijets in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2016 Feb 19;116(7):071801.

PMID: 26943527 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.071801

A search for narrow resonances in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV is presented. The invariant mass distribution of the two leading jets is measured with the CMS detector using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.4 fb^{-1}. The highest observed dijet mass is 6.1 TeV. The distribution is smooth and no evidence for resonant particles is observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section for narrow resonances with masses above 1.5 TeV. When interpreted in the context of specific models, the limits exclude string resonances with masses below 7.0 TeV, scalar diquarks below 6.0 TeV, axigluons and colorons below 5.1 TeV, excited quarks below 5.0 TeV, color-octet scalars below 3.1 TeV, and W^{'} bosons below 2.6 TeV. These results significantly extend previously published limits.

Study of B Meson Production in p+Pb Collisions at √[S(NN)]=5.02 TeV Using Exclusive Hadronic Decays

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2016 Jan 22;116(3):032301.

PMID: 26849587 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.032301

The production cross sections of the B^{+}, B^{0}, and B_{s}^{0} mesons, and of their charge conjugates, are measured via exclusive hadronic decays in p+Pb collisions at the center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data set used for this analysis corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 34.6 nb^{-1}. The production cross sections are measured in the transverse momentum range between 10 and 60 GeV/c. No significant modification is observed compared to proton-proton perturbative QCD calculations scaled by the number of incoherent nucleon-nucleon collisions. These results provide a baseline for the study of in-medium b quark energy loss in Pb+Pb collisions.

Search for monotop signatures in proton-proton collisions at √s=8 TeV

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Bergauer T, Dragicevic M, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2015 Mar 13;114(10):101801.

PMID: 25815923

Results are presented from a search for new decaying massive particles whose presence is inferred from an imbalance in transverse momentum and which are produced in association with a single top quark that decays into a bottom quark and two light quarks. The measurement is performed using 19.7 fb^{-1} of data from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. No deviations from the standard model predictions are observed and lower limits are set on the masses of new invisible bosons. In particular, scalar and vector particles, with masses below 330 and 650 GeV, respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level, thereby substantially extending a previous limit published by the CDF Collaboration.

Fulltext Relative Modification of Prompt ψ(2S) and J/ψ Yields from pp to PbPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Asilar E, Bergauer T, Brandstetter J, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2017 Apr 21;118(16):162301.

PMID: 28474955 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.162301

The relative modification of the prompt ψ(2S) and J/ψ yields from pp to PbPb collisions, at the center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair, is presented. The analysis is based on pp and PbPb data samples collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2015, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 28.0 pb^{-1} and 464 μb^{-1}, respectively. The double ratio of measured yields of prompt charmonia reconstructed through their decays into muon pairs, (N_{ψ(2S)}/N_{J/ψ})_{PbPb}/(N_{ψ(2S)}/N_{J/ψ})_{pp}, is determined as a function of PbPb collision centrality and charmonium transverse momentum p_{T}, in two kinematic intervals: |y|<1.6 covering 6.5

Fulltext Observation of Charge-Dependent Azimuthal Correlations in p-Pb Collisions and Its Implication for the Search for the Chiral Magnetic Effect

Khachatryan V, Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2017 Mar 24;118(12):122301.

PMID: 28388204 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.122301

Charge-dependent azimuthal particle correlations with respect to the second-order event plane in p-Pb and PbPb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV have been studied with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measurement is performed with a three-particle correlation technique, using two particles with the same or opposite charge within the pseudorapidity range |η|<2.4, and a third particle measured in the hadron forward calorimeters (4.4

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