Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 539 in total

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  1. Nasopharyngeal undifferentiated carcinoma with sarcomatoid features: Pitfalls in the immunohistochemistry
    Lee M, Son HJ, Kim NY, Kim SJ, Yu IK
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Aug;41(2):201-206.
    PMID: 31427557
    We present a case of an undifferentiated subtype of non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (NK-SCC) with sarcomatoid features in the nasopharynx in a 69-year-old man who was difficult to diagnose due to spindle-shaped malignant cells. He was admitted because of a right nasal obstruction and right headache, and imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhanced irregularly shaped mass at the nasopharynx. Histopathologically, the tumour was partially organised, and the tumour cells were epithelioid or spindle-shaped. Initially, we erroneously diagnosed the tumour as an angiosarcoma owing to its false-negative immunoreaction for cytokeratins and a mistaken interpretation for CD31. After in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus was positive, a consultation and additional immunostaining (including re-staining for cytokeratin with varying dilutions) were performed, and the diagnosis was revised to NK-SCC with sarcomatoid features. We believe that sarcomatoid features may be observed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in this case, immunostaining using various epithelial markers is necessary and careful attention should be paid to the interpretation of immunostaining.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  2. Fulltext Promoting Malaysians to spend on health: what it takes to encourage Malaysians to spend on health promotion?
    Yong, Kang Cheah
    Int J Public Health Res, 2014;4(1):391-398.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction. In light of the important role of health-promoting expenditure in health, the objective of this study was to investigate the socio-demographic determinants of health-promoting expenditure such as purchase of medical equipment and services, food supplements and health education services and products among Malaysian adults.
    Methods Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) consisting of 28771 observations was used for analysis. It was the latest nationally representative cross-sectional population-based survey conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia from April 2006 to January 2007. A censored regression model
    (Tobit) was applied to examine the factors affecting health-promoting expenditure.
    Results The results showed that age, income, gender, ethnicity, education, marital status, employment status and location of residence were able to affect health promoting expenditure. In particular, individuals who were younger, poor, males, Indian/others, less educated, unmarried, unemployed and residing in rural areas tended to spend less money on health promotion compared to others.
    Conclusions This study reached a conclusion that socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with individual’s preferences for health promotion. Therefore, the government should devote its attention to these factors when
    formulating nationwide health policies.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS-2006)
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  3. Fulltext Associations between knowledge on optimal control of serum phosphate, perceived social support, dietary phosphorus intake and phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients
    Muhammad Darwish Asyraf Mohd Isa, Fiona Jie Wei Lai, Shen Yi Chong, Nur Amrina Rasyada Ismail, Kar Fei Chan, Yoke Mun Chan
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):140-147.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is common among hemodialysis patients, often accompanies with unfavourable clinical outcomes. Several factors affect phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients, with lack of such infor- mation at the local context. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations of sociodemographic factors, knowledge on optimal control of serum phosphate, perceived social support from family, dietary phospho- rus intake and phosphate compliance among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic factors, knowledge, family social support and dietary phosphorus intakes of hemodialysis patients, with serum phosphate level was used as the surrogate marker for phosphate compliance. Results: A total of 76 patients (Mean age of 52 years old) were recruited. Hyperphosphatemia was prevalent with ap- proximately 60% of the patients failed to achieve the target. Approximately 90% of the patients perceived low level of family social support. Young patients had significant higher serum phosphate compared to their older counterparts (r = -0.297, p =0.009). Serum phosphate was positively correlated with dietary intake of phosphorus, dialysis vintage (r = 0.301, p = 0.006) and comorbidity score (r = 0.325, p = 0.008) while negatively correlated with dialysis dose (r = -0.582, p = 0.002) and family social support (r = -0.263, p = 0.024). Conclusion: The promising role of dietary phosphorus intake in managing hyperphosphatemia deserves further attention. Innovative approaches are needed to promote self-adherence on serum phosphate especially the younger patients. It is imperative to promote family social support in the management of hyperphosphatemia among hemodialysis patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  4. Fulltext Validity and acceptability of image-based food record in assessing nutrient intake among selected Malaysian undergraduates
    Kai Sze Chan, Yit Siew Chin
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):69-76.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Recognising the limitations of present dietary assessments method, recent attention had been drawn to image-based food record (IBFR) to assess dietary intake of the population. Thus, the present study aimed to compare nutrient intake assessed using IBFR with 24-hour diet recall (24DR) among nutrition and dietetics student. Method: There were 46 nutrition and dietetic undergraduates participated in the study, and information on the socio-demo- graphic background and acceptability toward IBFR were obtained. Respondents were trained to complete one-day IBFR, and they were interviewed by researchers on the following day for their 24DR. Result: The mean age of respon- dents was 21.4±1.7 years old. The present study revealed that there were significantly higher protein and beta-caro- tene, but lower vitamin C reported by IBFR compared to 24DR. Medium to strong correlations were found between IBFR and 24DR for energy and nutrients intakes. The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a good level of agreement between IBFR and 24DR for energy and macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat), respectively. The mean differences between IBFR and 24DR were -36 kcal for total daily energy intake, while mean differences of -12.24g, 0.79g, and 1.52g were reported for carbohydrates protein, and fat, respectively. Moderate level of agreement toward acceptability was demonstrated, and most of them (67.4%) preferred IBFR method. Conclusion: The present study re- vealed that IBFR showed a good level of agreement with 24DR in assessing nutrient intake. However, more extensive works should be considered to improve IBFR in assessing the energy and nutrients intake for the general population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  5. Geospatial Insights for Retail Recommendation Using Similarity Measures
    Ting CY, Ho CC, Yee HJ
    Big Data, 2020 12;8(6):519-527.
    PMID: 33347366 DOI: 10.1089/big.2020.0028
    Recommending a retail business given a particular location of interest is nontrivial. Such a recommendation process requires careful study of demographics, trade area characteristics, sales performance, traffic, and environmental features. It is not only human effort taxing but often introduces inconsistency due to subjectivity in expert opinions. The process becomes more challenging when no sales data can be used to make a recommendation. As an attempt to overcome the challenges, this study used the machine learning approach that utilizes similarity measures to perform the recommendation. However, two challenges required careful attention when using the machine learning approach: (1) how to prepare a feature set that can commonly represent different types of retail business and (2) which similarity measure approach produces optimal recommendation accuracy? The data sets used in this study consist of points of interest, population, property, job type, and education level. Empirical studies were conducted to investigate (1) the overall accuracy of proposed similarity measure approaches to the retail business recommendation, and (2) whether the proposed approaches have a bias toward certain retail categories. In summary, the findings suggested that the proposed similarity-based techniques elicited an accuracy of above 70% and demonstrated higher accuracy when the recommendation was made within a set of similar retail businesses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  6. Fulltext The Development Impacts of COVID-19 at Home and Abroad: Politics and Implications of Government Action
    Henson S, Kambhampati U, Mogues T, Olsen W, Prowse M, Ramos R, et al.
    Eur J Dev Res, 2020 Nov 19.
    PMID: 33230373 DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00334-4
    What is COVID-19's impact on development? What lessons can be drawn from development studies regarding the effects of and recovery from COVID-19? The unprecedented scale and scope of government interventions carry implications at all levels: global, national, and local. In this introduction, our team of Editors underline the importance of systematic substantive study to further knowledge acquisition, and rigorous global-, national-, or context-specific evaluation to inform evidence-based policymaking. The 12 articles summarised here capture these values and sense of "high quality". In particular, despite early considerations in the first year of the pandemic, they illuminate the need for diverse responses beyond business-as-usual, attention to the multiplicity of impact of policies formulated, and progressive strategies to counteract the impacts of this disaster around the world. The path of future research is clear: studies need to consider and give voice to marginalised groups to counteract the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  7. Fulltext Labour pain and satisfaction toward labour support among partrurient mothers
    Aishairma Aris, Ling Ming Jing, Aida Kalok, Yang Wai Wai
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):2-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Severe labour pain and dissatisfaction towards supports received from midwives during labour are common experiencesamong parturient mothers. Thesenegative emotional experiences need to be given attention as they are associated with higher acute stress reactions and postpartum depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study examinedthe labour pain and satisfaction toward labour support and their influential factors. Methods: A total of 136 parturient mothersregistered for a labour in the UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre were included in this studyusing simple random sampling. The mothers had met the eligibility criteria; live and singleton pregnancy, able to communicate in English, Malay or Mandarin. Visual anologue scale and Bryanton Adaptation of the Nursing Support in Labor Questionnaire (BASILIQ) which contained both quantitative and qualitative questions were used to measure the pain and satisfaction level respectively. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and also content analysis wereutilised to analyse the data. Results: Labour pain was low (Mean=2.24, SD=2.20) and satisfaction toward the labour support was high (Mean=76.9, SD=8.75). Both the pain and satisfaction were not significantly related to each other and also to any of the mothers’ demographic (p > 0.05) and obstetrical data (p > 0.05). However, 32.9% (n=25) out of 76 subjectswho responded to the qualitative questions had highlighted the need of havingfriendly and helpful nurses during their labour.In addition, 56% (n=14) out of 25 subjects who provided additional comments had suggested to include theemotional support to reduce their labour pain, fear and anxiety. Conclusion: Friendly and helpful nurses are part of the emotional support for labour. There- fore, it is recommended that a structured emotional laboursupport should be made availableto parturient mothers. Further research examining the effectiveness of the emotional support on the pain and satisfaction, nevertheless, is warranted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  8. Hungarian layer: A novel interpretable neural layer for paraphrase identification
    Xiao H
    Neural Netw, 2020 Nov;131:172-184.
    PMID: 32801109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2020.07.024
    Paraphrase identification serves as an important topic in natural language processing while sequence alignment and matching underlie the principle of this task. Traditional alignment methods take advantage of attention mechanism. Attention mechanism, i.e. weighting technique, could pick out the most similar/dissimilar parts, but is weak in modeling the aligned unmatched parts, which are the crucial evidence to identify paraphrases. In this paper, we empower neural architecture with Hungarian algorithm to extract the aligned unmatched parts. Specifically, first, our model applies BiLSTM/BERT to encode the input sentences into hidden representations. Then, Hungarian layer leverages the hidden representations to extract the aligned unmatched parts. Last, we apply cosine similarity to metric the aligned unmatched parts for a final discrimination. Extensive experiments show that our model outperforms other baselines, substantially and significantly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  9. Neural activation patterns and connectivity in visual attention during number and non-number processing: An ERP study using Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates
    Al-Marri F, Reza F, Begum T, Hitam WHW, Jin GK, Xiang J
    J Integr Neurosci, 2018 Aug 15;17(3):257-269.
    PMID: 30338955 DOI: 10.31083/JIN-170058
    Visual cognitive function is important in the construction of executive function in daily life. Perception of visual number form (e.g. Arabic digits) and numerosity (numeric magnitude) is of interest to cognitive neuroscientists. Neural correlates and the functional measurement of number representations are complex events when their semantic categories are assimilated together with concepts of shape and color. Color perception can be processed further to modulate visual cognition. The Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates are one of the best and most common screening tools for basic red-green color vision testing. However, there has been little study of visual cognitive function assessment using such pseudoisochromatic plates. 25 healthy normal trichromat volunteers were recruited and studied using a 128-sensor net to record event-related electroencephalogram. Subjects were asked to respond by pressing numbered buttons when they saw the number and non-number plates of the Ishihara color vision test. Amplitudes and latencies of N100 and P300 event related potential components were analyzed from 19 electrode sites in the international 10-20 system. A brain topographic map, cortical activation patterns, and Granger causation (effective connectivity) were analyzed from 128 electrode sites. No significant differences between N100 event related potential components for either stimulus indicates early selective attention processing was similar for number and non-number plate stimuli, but non-number plate stimuli evoked significantly higher amplitudes, longer latencies of the P300 event related potential component with a slower reaction time compared to number plate stimuli imply the allocation of attentional load was more in non-number plate processing. A different pattern of the asymmetric scalp voltage map was noticed for P300 components with a higher intensity in the left hemisphere for number plate tasks and higher intensity in the right hemisphere for non-number plate tasks. Asymmetric cortical activation and connectivity patterns revealed that number recognition occurred in the occipital and left frontal areas where as the consequence was limited to the occipital area during the non-number plate processing. Finally, results demonstrated that the visual recognition of numbers dissociates from the recognition of non-numbers at the level of defined neural networks. Number recognition was not only a process of visual perception and attention, but was also related to a higher level of cognitive function, that of language.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  10. Fulltext Sleep Promoting Effects of IQP-AO-101: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Exploratory Trial
    Bongartz U, Tan BK, Seibt S, Bothe G, Uebelhack R, Chong PW, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:9178218.
    PMID: 31186669 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9178218
    Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical benefit and tolerability of IQP-AO-101 in healthy subjects with sleep complaints.

    Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involved fifty subjects with sleep complaints. Subjects with a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score between 6 and 15 were randomized to receive either IQP-AO-101 or placebo for 6 weeks, following a run-in period of one week. Sleep parameters were assessed at baseline and after 1, 4, and 6 weeks using the modified Athens Insomnia Scale (mAIS). Subjects were also instructed to wear an activity tracker and keep a sleep diary during the study. Other questionnaires administered were the Frankfurt Attention Inventory (FAIR-2) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS-65). Blood samples for safety laboratory parameters were taken before and at the end of the study.

    Results: After 6 weeks, subjects who consumed IQP-AO-101 reported significant improvements in mAIS scores compared with placebo, including mAIS total score (11.76 ± 6.85 vs 4.00 ± 4.80; p < 0.001); night parameters composite score (5.20 ± 3.80 vs 2.04 ± 3.16; p = 0.001); and day parameters composite score (6.56 ± 4.10 vs 1.96 ± 2.65; p < 0.001). All individual parameters (Items 1 to 8) were also significantly improved from baseline after 6 weeks of IQP-AO-101 intake. Analysis of variance with baseline values as covariates showed statistically significant improvements across all individual parameters for IQP-AO-101 when compared to placebo. The measurements using the activity tracker, sleep diary, FAIR-2, and POMS did not reveal any significant differences between groups. No adverse effects related to the intake of IQP-AO-101 were reported. Tolerability was rated as very good by all the subjects and by the investigator for all cases.

    Conclusions: In this study, IQP-AO-101 was well tolerated and efficacious for promoting sleep and enhancing daytime performance in subjects with moderate sleep disturbances.

    Clinical Trial Registration: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT03114696.

    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  11. Nutrition in adverse environments, 3. The metabolic effects of a restricted food intake on men working in a tropical environment
    Crowdy JP, Consolazio CF, Forbes AL, Haisman MF, Worsley DE
    Hum Nutr Appl Nutr, 1982 Oct;36(5):325-44.
    PMID: 7141879
    As part of a research programme concerned with the need to lighten the load carried by soldiers engaged in long foot patrols, a field experiment was undertaken in West Malaysia. For 12 d a group of 15 men consumed 7.4 MJ/d (1770 kcal/d) whilst a control group of 14 men ate 12.9 MJ/d (3080 kcal/d); both groups expended on average about 15.8 MJ/d (3770 kcal/d). The low-energy group incurred an energy deficit of 98 MJ (23 410 kcal) with a weight loss of 3.9 kg, whereas corresponding figures for the control group were 37 MJ (8840 kcal) and 2.4 kg. Before, during and after the energy deprivation phase, assessment was made of work capacity (estimated VO2 max), vigilance and military skills but no difference was found between the groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  12. Fulltext Remedial education in specific reading retardation
    Tan CK, Malhotra KK, Woon TH
    Med J Malaysia, 1980 Mar;34(3):273-8.
    PMID: 7412667
    The concept of specific reading retardation was discussed, and compared with other terms used as synonymous with it viz. dyslexia and minimal brain dysfunction. It was suggested that specific reading retardation may be a more suitable term to use. The feature's of specific reading retardation, the evaluation of reading disability and management in terms of supportive psychotherapy, environmental manipulation and remedial education was described, using a case-report. of a 13-year old boy with such a disorder as an example.
    Study site: Psychiatric clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology
  13. Fulltext A Review of Placenta and Umbilical Cord-Derived Stem Cells and the Immunomodulatory Basis of Their Therapeutic Potential in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
    Chia WK, Cheah FC, Abdul Aziz NH, Kampan NC, Shuib S, Khong TY, et al.
    Front Pediatr, 2021;9:615508.
    PMID: 33791258 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.615508
    Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a devastating lung disorder of preterm infants as a result of an aberrant reparative response following exposures to various antenatal and postnatal insults. Despite sophisticated medical treatment in this modern era, the incidence of BPD remains unabated. The current strategies to prevent and treat BPD have met with limited success. The emergence of stem cell therapy may be a potential breakthrough in mitigating this complex chronic lung disorder. Over the last two decades, the human placenta and umbilical cord have gained increasing attention as a highly potential source of stem cells. Placenta-derived stem cells (PDSCs) and umbilical cord-derived stem cells (UCDSCs) display several advantages such as immune tolerance and are generally devoid of ethical constraints, in addition to their stemness qualities. They possess the characteristics of both embryonic and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells. Recently, there are many preclinical studies investigating the use of these cells as therapeutic agents in neonatal disease models for clinical applications. In this review, we describe the preclinical and clinical studies using PDSCs and UCDSCs as treatment in animal models of BPD. The source of these stem cells, routes of administration, and effects on immunomodulation, inflammation and regeneration in the injured lung are also discussed. Lastly, a brief description summarized the completed and ongoing clinical trials using PDSCs and UCDSCs as therapeutic agents in preventing or treating BPD. Due to the complexity of BPD, the development of a safe and efficient therapeutic agent remains a major challenge to both clinicians and researchers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  14. Wearable patch delivery system for artificial pancreas health diagnostic-therapeutic application: A review
    Nadia Ahmad NF, Nik Ghazali NN, Wong YH
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2021 May 30;189:113384.
    PMID: 34090154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113384
    The advanced stimuli-responsive approaches for on-demand drug delivery systems have received tremendous attention as they have great potential to be integrated with sensing and multi-functional electronics on a flexible and stretchable single platform (all-in-one concept) in order to develop skin-integration with close-loop sensation for personalized diagnostic and therapeutic application. The wearable patch pumps have evolved from reservoir-based to matrix patch and drug-in-adhesive (single-layer or multi-layer) type. In this review, we presented the basic requirements of an artificial pancreas, surveyed the design and technologies used in commercial patch pumps available on the market and provided general information about the latest wearable patch pump. We summarized the various advanced delivery strategies with their mechanisms that have been developed to date and representative examples. Mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, acoustic and glucose-responsive approaches on patch form have been successfully utilized in the controllable transdermal drug delivery manner. We highlighted key challenges associated with wearable transdermal delivery systems, their research direction and future development trends.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  15. Changing NAFLD Epidemiology in China
    Lee HW, Wong VW
    Hepatology, 2019 Jul 12.
    PMID: 31298746 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30848
    In Factfulness, the late Dr. Hans Rosling illustrated how most people grossly underestimated education, income, life expectancy, and vaccination rates in low-income countries.(1) It is natural human psychology to have fixed images about the developing world. Nonetheless, the world is changing. According to the latest World Bank figures, 184 of 218 (84%) countries or regions are now classified as middle-income or high-income economies.(2) Many countries previously labeled as developing countries (such as Armenia, Colombia, Malaysia, and Serbia) are now classified as upper-middle-income economies. Although many problems remain and deserve our attention, Dr. Rosling emphasized that it is equally important to recognize that there is progress and many policies do work. Otherwise, we risk dismissing useful strategies and impeding their implementation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  16. Seeds, fermented foods, and agricultural by-products as sources of plant-derived antibacterial peptides
    Chai TT, Tan YN, Ee KY, Xiao J, Wong FC
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2019;59(sup1):S162-S177.
    PMID: 30663883 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1561418
    The emergence of bacterial resistance against conventional antibiotics and the growing interest in developing alternative, natural antibacterial agents have prompted the search for plant-derived antibacterial peptides in recent decades. Different classes of endogenous antibacterial peptides have been identified from various plant species. Moreover, protein hydrolysates and hydrolysate-derived peptides with potent antibacterial effects have also been identified from numerous plant sources. Antibacterial peptides are often cationic and amphipathic, consisting of fewer than 100 amino acids. They are able to disrupt bacterial membrane integrity via pore formation and/or compromise bacterial metabolic processes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the characteristics and modes of action of antibacterial peptides, as well as salient points concerning the production of antibacterial protein hydrolysates from plant proteins. Examples of plant-derived antibacterial hydrolysates and peptides will be highlighted, with particular attention to less explored seeds, fermented plant foods and agricultural by-products. Promising future research directions with regards to the application of plant-derived antibacterial hydrolysates and peptides in food preservation, farm animal disease management, and nutraceutical/functional food development will be proposed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  17. Fulltext Elucidation of Antimicrobial Activity of Non-Covalently Dispersed Carbon Nanotubes
    Saleemi MA, Fouladi MH, Yong PVC, Wong EH
    Materials (Basel), 2020 Apr 03;13(7):6-6.
    PMID: 32260216 MyJurnal DOI: 10.3390/ma13071676
    Microorganisms have begun to develop resistance because of inappropriate and extensive use of antibiotics in the hospital setting. Therefore, it seems to be necessary to find a way to tackle these pathogens by developing new and effective antimicrobial agents. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted growing attention because of their remarkable mechanical strength, electrical properties, and chemical and thermal stability for their potential applications in the field of biomedical as therapeutic and diagnostic nanotools. However, the impact of carbon nanotubes on microbial growth has not been fully investigated. The primary purpose of this research study is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of CNTs, particularly double-walled and multi-walled nanotubes on representative pathogenic strains such as Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and fungal strain Candida albicans. The dispersion ability of CNT types (double-walled and multi-walled) treated with a surfactant such as sodium dodecyl-benzenesulfonate (SDBS) and their impact on the microbial growth inhibition were also examined. A stock concentration 0.2 mg/mL of both double-walled and multi-walled CNTs was prepared homogenized by dispersing in surfactant solution by using probe sonication. UV-vis absorbance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterization of CNTs dispersed in the surfactant solution to study the interaction between molecules of surfactant and CNTs. Later, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate how CNTs interact with the microbial cells. The antimicrobial activity was determined by analyzing optical density growth curves and viable cell count. This study revealed that microbial growth inhibited by non-covalently dispersed CNTs was both depend on the concentration and treatment time. In conclusion, the binding of surfactant molecules to the surface of CNTs increases its ability to disperse in aqueous solution. Non-covalent method of CNTs dispersion preserved their structure and increased microbial growth inhibition as a result. Multi-walled CNTs exhibited higher antimicrobial activity compared to double-walled CNTs against selected pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
  18. Evaluation of attentional demands during motor learning: validity of a dual-task probe paradigm
    Goh HT, Gordon J, Sullivan KJ, Winstein CJ
    J Mot Behav, 2014;46(2):95-105.
    PMID: 24447033 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2013.868337
    The aim of this study was to examine the validity of a 2-choice audio-vocal reaction time (RT) probe task for measuring the changes in attentional demand during practice and learning of a discrete motor task. Twenty participants practiced the motor task across 3 days and were probed with the RT task during either the preparation or execution phase of the primary task. As practice progressed, participants improved in the primary task performance and shortened the RTs to the probe task. This indicated that less attention was required to plan and execute the movement and suggested that the RT probe task was a sensitive and valid tool to measure changes in attentional demands across practice. The authors implemented several additional experimental controls to address possible confounders including unintentional learning of the probe task, primary-secondary task trade-off effects, and compliance with task priority instructions. These experimental controls further ensured the validity of the probe paradigm and interpretability of the dual-task cost findings. Our experimental methods provided confirmatory evidence for the validity of the 2-choice RT task as a means to assess attentional demands during motor learning.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention/physiology*
  19. The effects of search-irrelevant working memory content on visual search
    Calleja MO, Willoughby AR
    Atten Percept Psychophys, 2023 Feb;85(2):293-300.
    PMID: 36596986 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-022-02634-9
    Previous experiments investigating visual search have shown that distractors that are semantically related to a search target can capture attention and slow the search process. In two experiments, we examine if distractors exactly matching, or semantically related to, search-irrelevant information held in working memory (WM) can also influence visual search while ruling out potential effects of color similarity. Participants first viewed and memorized an image of an everyday object, then they determined if a target item was present or absent in a two-object search array. On exact-match trials, the memorized object appeared as a distractor; on semantic-match trials, an object semantically related to the memorized object appeared as a distractor. Both exact-match and semantic-match distractors slowed search when the target was present in the search array. Our findings extend previous findings by demonstrating WM-driven attentional guidance by complex objects rather than simple features. The results also suggest that visual search can be influenced by distractors sharing only semantic features with a search-irrelevant, but active, WM representation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention*
  20. Fulltext What do men want from a health screening mobile app? A qualitative study
    Teo CH, Ng CJ, White A
    PLoS One, 2017;12(1):e0169435.
    PMID: 28060953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169435
    There is a lack of mobile app which aims to improve health screening uptake developed for men. As part of the study to develop an effective mobile app to increase health screening uptake in men, we conducted a needs assessment to find out what do men want from a health screening mobile app. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 31 men from a banking institution in Kuala Lumpur. The participants were purposely sampled according to their job position, age, ethnicity and screening status. The recruitment was stopped once data saturation was achieved. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic approach. Three themes emerged from the analysis and they were: content, feature and dissemination. In terms of the content, men wanted the app to provide information regarding health screening and functions that can assess their health; which must be personalized to them and are trustable. The app must have user-friendly features in terms of information delivery, ease of use, attention allocation and social connectivity. For dissemination, men proposed that advertisements, recommendations by health professionals, providing incentive and integrating the app as into existing systems may help to increase the dissemination of the app. This study identified important factors that need to be considered when developing a mobile app to improve health screening uptake. Future studies on mobile app development should elicit users' preference and need in terms of its content, features and dissemination strategies to improve the acceptability and the chance of successful implementation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attention
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