Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 340 in total

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  1. Liber AC, Ross H, Omar M, Chaloupka FJ
    Tob Control, 2015 Jul;24 Suppl 3:iii83-iii87.
    PMID: 25808666 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-052028
    Study the effects of the 2011 Malaysian minimum price law (MPL) on prices of licit and illicit cigarette brands. Identify barriers to the MPL achieving positive public health effects.
  2. Stucki G, Pollock A, Engkasan JP, Selb M
    Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2019 Jun;55(3):384-394.
    PMID: 30990004 DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05808-8
    Rehabilitation aims to optimize functioning of persons experiencing functioning limitations. As such the comparative evaluation of rehabilitation interventions relies on the analysis of the differences between the change in patient functioning after a specific rehabilitation intervention versus the change following another intervention. A robust health information reference system that can facilitate the comparative evaluation of changes in functioning in rehabilitation studies and the standardized reporting of rehabilitation interventions is the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The objective of this paper is to present recommendations that Cochrane Rehabilitation could adopt for using the ICF in rehabilitation studies by: 1) defining the functioning categories to be included in a rehabilitation study; 2) specifying selected functioning categories and selecting suitable data collection instruments; 3) examining aspects of functioning that have been documented in a study; 4) reporting functioning data collected with various data collection instruments; and 5) communicating results in an accessible, meaningful and easily understandable way. The authors provide examples of concrete studies that underscore these recommendations, whereby also emphasizing the need for future research on the implementation of specific recommendations, e.g. in meta-analysis in systematic literature reviews. Furthermore, the paper outlines how the ICF can complement or be integrated in established Cochrane and rehabilitation research structures and methods, e.g. use of standard mean difference to compare cross-study data collected using different measures, in developing core outcome sets for rehabilitation, and the use of the PICO model.
  3. Quintero-Yanes A, Lee CM, Monson R, Salmond G
    Environ Microbiol, 2020 07;22(7):2921-2938.
    PMID: 32352190 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15048
    Serratia sp. ATCC 39006 produces intracellular gas vesicles to enable upward flotation in water columns. It also uses flagellar rotation to swim through liquid and swarm across semi-solid surfaces. Flotation and motility can be co-regulated with production of a β-lactam antibiotic (carbapenem carboxylate) and a linear tripyrrole red antibiotic, prodigiosin. Production of gas vesicles, carbapenem and prodigiosin antibiotics, and motility are controlled by master transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators, including the SmaI/SmaR-based quorum sensing system and the mRNA binding protein, RsmA. Recently, the ribose operon repressor, RbsR, was also defined as a pleiotropic regulator of flotation and virulence factor elaboration in this strain. Here, we report the discovery of a new global regulator (FloR; a DeoR family transcription factor) that modulates flotation through control of gas vesicle morphogenesis. The floR mutation is highly pleiotropic, down-regulating production of gas vesicles, carbapenem and prodigiosin antibiotics, and infection in Caenorhabditis elegans, but up-regulating flagellar motility. Detailed proteomic analysis using TMT peptide labelling and LC-MS/MS revealed that FloR is a physiological master regulator that operates through subordinate pleiotropic regulators including Rap, RpoS, RsmA, PigU, PstS and PigT.
  4. Hwong-Ruey Leow A, Chang JV, Goh KL
    Helicobacter, 2020 Oct;25(5):e12723.
    PMID: 32713104 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12723
    BACKGROUND & AIMS: We compared a high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) with rabeprazole and amoxicillin and compared it with a standard triple therapy (STT) with rabeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 2 weeks for H pylori eradication in treatment naïve patients.

    METHODS: H pylori-positive patients were randomly assigned to either a rabeparzole (Pariet) 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin (Ospamox) 1 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin (Klacid) 500 mg b.i.d. for 14 days or rabeprazole (Pariet) 20 mg q.i.d., amoxicillin (Ospamox) 1 g q.i.d. also for 14 days. Eradication was tested for by the C13 -UBT at least 4 weeks after the completion of therapy.

    RESULTS: H pylori was eradicated in 86.2% of patients (81/94) (95% CI: 77.8-91.7) in the STT group compared with 92.8% (90/97) (95% CI: 85.9-96.5) in the HDDT group on ITT analysis. On PP analysis, H pylori was eradicated in 91.0% of patients (81/89) (95% CI: 83.3-95.4) in the STT group compared with 93.8% (90/96) (95% CI: 87.0-97.1) in the HDDT group. Side effects were few although many patients in the STT arm complained of bitter taste. The HDDT arm was well tolerated by patients.

    CONCLUSIONS: The HDDT gave a high eradication rate comparable to the STT for 2 weeks and was a well-tolerated regimen for H pylori eradication.

  5. Nor Shamsudin M, Sekawi Z, van Belkum A, Neela V
    J Med Microbiol, 2008 Sep;57(Pt 9):1180-1181.
    PMID: 18719195 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47844-0
  6. Isidro CM, McIntyre N, Lechner AM, Callow I
    Sci Total Environ, 2018 Sep 01;634:1554-1562.
    PMID: 29710653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.006
    The management of suspended solids and associated contaminants in rivers requires knowledge of sediment sources. In-situ sampling can only describe the integrated impact of the upstream sources. Empirical models that use surface reflectance from satellite images to estimate total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations can be used to supplement measurements and provide spatially continuous maps. However, there are few examples, especially in narrow, shallow and hydrologically dynamic rivers found in mountainous areas. A case study of the Didipio catchment in Philippines was used to address these issues. Four 5-m resolution RapidEye images, from between the years 2014 and 2016, and near-simultaneous ground measurements of TSS concentrations were used to develop a power law model that approximates the relationship between TSS and reflectance for each of four spectral bands. A second dataset using two 2-m resolution Pleiades-1A and a third using a 6-m resolution SPOT-6 image along with ground-based measurements, were consistent with the model when using the red band data. Using that model, encompassing data from all three datasets, gave an R2 value of 65% and a root mean square error of 519mgL-1. A linear relationship between reflectance and TSS exists from 1mgL-1 to approximately 500mgL-1. In contrast, for TSS measurements between 500mgL-1 and 3580mgL-1 reflectance increases at a generally lower and more variable rate. The results were not sensitive to changing the pixel location within the vicinity of the ground sampling location. The model was used to generate a continuous map of TSS concentration within the catchment. Further ground-based measurements including TSS concentrations that are higher than 3580mgL-1 would allow the model to be developed and applied more confidently over the full relevant range of TSS.
  7. Croot A, Othman MZ, Conejeros S, Fox N, Allan N
    J Phys Condens Matter, 2018 Aug 31.
    PMID: 30168449 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/aade16
    Substitutional clusters of multiple light element dopants are a promising route to the elusive shallow donor in diamond. To understand the behaviour of co-dopants, this report presents an extensive first principles study of possible clusters of boron and nitrogen. We use periodic hybrid density functional calculations to predict the geometry, stability and electronic excitation energies of a range of clusters containing up to five N and/or B atoms. Excitation energies from hybrid calculations are compared to those from the empirical marker method, and are in good agreement. When a boron-rich or nitrogen-rich cluster consists of 3 - 5 atoms, the minority dopant element - a nitrogen or boron atom respectively - can be in either a central or peripheral position. We find B-rich clusters are most stable when N sits centrally, whereas N-rich clusters are most stable with B in a peripheral position. In the former case, excitation energies mimic those of the single boron acceptor, while the latter produce deep levels in the band-gap. Implications for probable clusters that would arise in high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) co-doped diamond and their properties are discussed.
  8. Wang Z, Lechner AM, Yang Y, Baumgartl T, Wu J
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 May 15;717:137214.
    PMID: 32062237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137214
    Open-cut coal mining can seriously disturb and reshape natural landscapes which results in a range of impacts on local ecosystems and the services they provide. To address the negative impacts of disturbance, progressive rehabilitation is commonly advocated. However, there is little research focusing on how these impacts affect ecosystem services within mine sites and changes over time. The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative impacts of mining disturbance and rehabilitation on ecosystem services through mapping and quantifying changes at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Four ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, air quality regulation, soil conservation and water yield were assessed in 1989, 1997, 2005 and 2013. Disturbance and rehabilitation was mapped using LandTrendr algorithm with Landsat. We mapped spatial patterns and pixel values for each ecosystem service with corresponding model and the landscape changes were analyzed with landscape metrics. In addition, we assessed synergies and trade-offs using Spearman's correlation coefficient for different landscape classes and scales. The results showed that carbon sequestration, air quality regulation and water yield services were both positively and negatively affected by vegetation cover changes due to mined land disturbance and rehabilitation, while soil conservation service were mainly influenced by topographic changes. There were strong interactions between carbon sequestration, air quality regulation and water yield, which were steady among different spatial scales and landscape types. Soil conservation correlations were weak and changed substantially due to differences of spatial scales and landscape types. Although there are limitations associated with data accessibility, this study provides a new research method for mapping impacts of mining on ecosystem services, which offer spatially explicit information for decision-makers and environmental regulators to carry out feasible policies, balancing mining development with ecosystem services provision.
  9. Barratt DT, Sia AT, Tan EC, Somogyi AA
    Pain Med, 2021 Nov 26;22(11):2648-2660.
    PMID: 34015137 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab172
    OBJECTIVE: Pain severity and opioid requirements in the postoperative period show substantial and clinically significant inter-patient variation due mainly to factors such as age, surgery type, and duration. Genetic factors have not been adequately assessed except for the neuronal OPRM1 rs1799971 and COMT rs4680, whereas the contribution of innate immune signaling pathway genetics has seldom been investigated.

    SETTING: Hospital surgical ward.

    SUBJECTS: Women (107 Indian, 184 Malay, and 750 Han Chinese) undergoing total hysterectomy surgery.

    METHODS: Morphine consumption, preoperative pain, and postoperative pain were evaluated in relation to genetic variability comprising 19 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 genes involved in glial activation, inflammatory signaling, and neuronal regulation, plus OPRM1 (1 SNP) and COMT (3 SNPs).

    RESULTS: Pre- and postoperative pain and age were associated with increased and decreased morphine consumption, respectively. In Chinese patients, only 8% of the variability in consumption could be explained by these nongenetic and genetic (BDNF, IL1B, IL6R, CRP, OPRM1, COMT, MYD88) factors. However, in Indian patients, 41% of morphine consumption variability could be explained by age (explaining <3%) and variants in OPRM1 rs1799971, CRP rs2794521, TLR4 rs4986790, IL2 rs2069762, COMT rs4818, TGFB1 rs1800469, and IL6R rs8192284 without controlling for postoperative pain.

    CONCLUSIONS: This is the highest known value reported for genetic contributions (38%) to morphine use in the acute postoperative pain setting. Our findings highlight the need to incorporate both genetic and nongenetic factors and consider ethnicity-dependent and nonadditive genotypic models in the assessment of factors that contribute to variability in opioid use.

  10. Singh H, Singh J, Abdullah BT, Matthews A
    Singapore Med J, 2002 May;43(5):251-3.
    PMID: 12188078
    Tuberculous paraplegia in pregnancy is reported to be rare. Paraplegia due to tuberculosis has a good prognosis if surgical decompression and stabilisation are done early together with chemotherapy. Vaginal delivery is not contraindicated in pregnancy complicated by paraplegia, but is associated with problems related to the initiation and progression of labour. Performing spinal nursing on an unstable spine with a rapidly enlarging gravid uterus in the third trimester of pregnancy poses a significant challenge. We report successful simultaneous Caesarean section and surgical treatment of a paraplegic spine due to tuberculosis.
  11. Jin S, Lim JT, Dickens BL, Cook AR
    IJID Reg, 2023 Mar;6:135-141.
    PMID: 36466213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.11.013
    BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a fall of over 70% in international travel, resulting in substantial economic damages. The impact is especially pronounced in the Asia-Pacific region, where governments have been slow to relax border restrictions.

    METHODS: A retrospective approach was used to construct notional epidemic trajectories for eight Asia-Pacific countries or regions, from June to November 2021, under hypothetical scenarios of earlier resumption of international travel and selective border reopening. The numbers of local infections and deaths over the prediction window were calculated accordingly.

    RESULTS: Had quarantine-free entry been permitted for all travellers from all the regions investigated, and travel volumes recovered to the 2019 levels, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore would have been the three most severely affected regions, with at least doubled number of deaths, while infections would have increased marginally (< 5%) for Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand.

    CONCLUSIONS: Earlier resumption of travel in Asia-Pacific, while maintaining a controlled degree of importation risk, could have been implemented through selective border-reopening strategies and on-arrival testing. Once countries had experienced large, localized COVID-19 outbreaks, earlier relaxation of border containment measures would not have resulted in a great increase in morbidity and mortality.

  12. Ho AZJ, Abdul Wahab AH, Rozhan A
    Cureus, 2024 Jun;16(6):e61712.
    PMID: 38975550 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61712
    Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a common malignancy originating from the thyroid gland. In rare cases, it can invade the trachea, resulting in airway obstruction. Subsequent surgical planning may be complicated as the technique selected depends on a case-by-case basis. Here, we report a case of PTC with tracheal involvement and a literature review on the latest surgical options. A 56-year-old gentleman presented with an anterior neck swelling of 3 x 3 cm for 3 months. Flexible endoscopy showed irregular mass in the subglottic region. Subsequent aspiration for cytology confirmed a diagnosis of PTC. Neck contrast enhanced computed tomography showed an ill-defined lesion in the right thyroid (3.1 x 3.8 x 2.9 cm) with a subtle irregularity of the adjacent tracheal wall suggestive of infiltration. The findings indicated a clinical staging of cT4aN0M0 (Stage III) with Shin's staging of Stage IV. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy and a single-stage partial cricoid-tracheal resection with anastomosis. There were no immediate post-operative complications reported. Unfortunately, the patient suffered from pulmonary embolism, which eventually resulted in his demise. A subsequent histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of PTC. Surgical planning for such cases may be complicated. The risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is increased as the site of resection is close to the nerve. Multiple intraoperative nerve monitoring systems may be required. Meticulous planning of intraoperative airway management is needed as a large intraluminal tumor may interfere with intubation. Generally, extensive tracheal invasion would require radical surgical approaches such as circumferential resection and total laryngectomy. Less extensive cases can be treated with shave excision or window resection. PTC with tracheal invasion is an uncommon condition, and surgical excision is indicated for cases with high Shin's staging.
  13. Ho AZJ, Ishak NIB, Wong EHC
    Cureus, 2024 Jun;16(6):e61855.
    PMID: 38975544 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61855
    Introduction Persistent olfactory dysfunction was seen in many patients upon coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection recovery. However, research on its management was very limited, especially among the Southeast Asian population. Objectives We aim to investigate the role of olfactory rehabilitation and topical corticosteroids among post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction patients in Malaysia, and at the same time to determine factors leading to olfactory recovery post-COVID-19 infection. Methods Adult Malaysians with persistent olfactory dysfunction one month post-COVID-19 recovery were recruited. Thirty-one patients were randomly assigned into three groups with 10 patients being given olfactory training (Group 1), another 10 being given mometasone furoate nasal spray/olfactory training (Group 2), and 11 patients being assigned to the control group (Group 3). All groups were followed up for an average duration of six months. Olfactory function was evaluated by Top International Biotech Smell Identification Test (TIBSIT) scores and Olfactory Disorder Questionnaire (eODQ) prior to randomization, at three and six months after recruitment. Results The baseline characteristics of patients were similar in all groups. Generally, patients of all three groups showed a statistically significant improvement in the TIBSIT scores after six months. The TIBSIT scores for Group 2 were statistically significantly higher than the control at three months but not at six months. As for Group 1, no statistically significant differences in TIBSIT scores at both three and six months were noted when compared to control. Statistically significant improvements were seen in the eODQ scores in all three groups. Conclusion No superiority of intervention for post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction was seen compared to control.
  14. Jin S, Lin L, Larson HJ, Cook AR
    Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2024 Feb;43:100840.
    PMID: 38371748 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100840
    BACKGROUND: COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduced the severity of the pandemic, but the mass rollout was challenged by vaccine hesitancy, which was related to heterogenous factors-such as religiosity, mistrust, and a lack of scientific knowledge-around the globe. Distinguishing these potential influencers and quantifying their impacts would help authorities to tailor strategies that boost vaccine confidence and acceptance.

    METHODS: We conducted a large-scale, data-driven analysis on vaccine acceptance and actual uptake in eight Western Pacific countries before (2021) and after (2022) the mass COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. We compared vaccine acceptance or uptake rates between different subpopulations using Bootstrap methods and further constructed a logistic model to investigate the relationship between vaccine endorsement and diverse socio-demographic or trust-related determinants at these two time points.

    FINDINGS: Substantial between-country differences in vaccine acceptance and uptake were observed across the Western Pacific, with Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia being more pro-vaccine than the other three countries (Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines). Actual vaccination rates in 2022 were all higher than predicted from the 2021 responses. Influencers for vaccine endorsement were country-specific, but generally, groups susceptible to vaccine hesitancy included females, the less-educated, and those distrusting vaccines or health care providers.

    INTERPRETATION: Our findings demonstrate the successful translation of vaccine intent to actual uptake with the deployment of COVID-19 vaccination in the Western Pacific. Increasing vaccine confidence and supressing dissemination of misinformation may play an essential role in reducing vaccine hesitancy and ramping up immunisation.

    FUNDING: AIR@InnoHK.

  15. Keating G, Freeman J, Macmillan A, Neuwelt P, Monasterio E
    N Z Med J, 2016 Feb 19;129(1430):7-13.
    PMID: 26914417
  16. Cheen Hoe AK, Hamzah F, Abdul Khader MA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Sep-Oct;21(5):75-7.
    PMID: 25977638 MyJurnal
    The detection rate of thyroid incidentalomas is increasing; in fact, as many as 2.3% of patients undergoing FDG PET-CT for other indications have been found to have thyroid incidentalomas. The risk of malignancy in these thyroid incidentalomas can be as high as 47%. The increased uptake and the focal uptake pattern of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the thyroid during positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT), and the calcification of the thyroid incidentaloma, are associated with even higher risk of malignancy. We report a case of a lady undergoing FDG PET-CT for breast cancer staging but noted to have a calcified thyroid incidentaloma, which was proven to be follicular thyroid carcinoma.
  17. Ahmad NFD, Ren Jye AK, Zulkifli Z, Bujang MA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Dec;27(6):128-143.
    PMID: 33447140 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.6.12
    Background: This study aims to develop and validate a job satisfaction questionnaire (JS-Q) for health workforce who are employed by a healthcare institution.

    Methods: The study consists of six phases which begins with eliciting a conceptual understanding of the subject matter which is then followed by questions development, designing the overall structure and format of the questionnaire, assessing both its content validity and face validity, conducting a pilot study and finally a field test. A sample of study respondents who were permanent hospital staff above 18 years of age had been recruited from three government hospitals in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

    Results: The finalised JS-Q consists of a total of 34 questions that were based on 8 domains. For all these 8 domains, the minimum loading of each item on the factors was calculated to be at least 0.500, its coefficient of Cronbach's alpha was calculated to be at least 0.750 and its corrected item-total correlation was calculated to be at least 0.500. The goodness of fit of the model was determined to be satisfactory with a value of Chi-square/df < 3.0, and a value of root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) < 0.8 and finally with both Tucker Lewis index (TLI) and comparative fit index (CFI) > 0.9.

    Conclusion: This newly developed and validated questionnaire (JS-Q) is found to be a valid and reliable study instrument for assessing job satisfaction among health workforce.

  18. Suleiman AB, Mathews A, Jegasothy R, Ali R, Kandiah N
    Bull World Health Organ, 1999;77(2):190-3.
    PMID: 10083722
    A confidential system of enquiry into maternal mortality was introduced in Malaysia in 1991. The methods used and the findings obtained up to 1994 are reported below and an outline is given of the resulting recommendations and actions.
    PIP: This is a report on the methods, findings, resulting recommendations and actions of a study on maternal mortality in Malaysia during the period 1991-94. Maternal death was defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days following termination of pregnancy from any cause related to the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental causes. Between 1991 and 1994 there were 1066 reported maternal deaths, and the maternal mortality ratios for the successive years were respectively 44, 48, 46 and 39 per 100,000 live births. The primary causes of maternal death were postpartum hemorrhage (24%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (16%), obstetric pulmonary embolism (13%), and associated medical conditions (7%). Analysis of the 375 deaths from 1992 - 1993 showed that the maternal mortality ratio was 53/100,000 live births for deliveries performed at home, 36/100,000 in government hospitals, and 21/100,000 in private institutions. Shortcomings among health personnel were detected in several cases; these involved failure to diagnose, failure to appreciate the severity of a patient's condition, inadequate therapy, and inappropriate, delayed or failed adherence to protocols. The high proportion of maternal mortality associated with substandard care demonstrates that it is important to make the standard of care more widely available. Reports have been circulated to institutions and organizations providing maternal care and to medical schools. Articles and case histories have been published, and many new protocols and procedures have been developed. Furthermore, seminars have been organized and training modules have been distributed to all involved in the provision of maternity care.
  19. Suria, A.A., Nurdiayana, M.N., Huik, May L., Alex, Y.C.S, Noornabillah, R., Hud, M.A., et al.
    Medicine & Health, 2012;7(1):41-46.
    MyJurnal
    Red cell alloimmunisation is defined as the development of antibodies in response to foreign red cell antigens through transfusion or pregnancy. In pregnant women even without the history of previous blood transfusion, this is possible through previous or current pregnancy with the presence of paternal red cell antigen inherited by the fetus. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of red cell alloimmunisation among pregnant women without previous history of blood transfusion and the association with number of pregnancy and history of obstetric complications. This was a cross-sectional study in which 150 pregnant women were randomly selected from the antenatal clinic. Ten mls of peripheral blood was obtained for antibody screening using indirect antiglobulin test besides the routine antenatal screening. In this study, the majority (37.3%) of the women were primigravidae. Red cell alloantibodies were detected in two out of 150 (1.3%) patients which were subsequently identified as anti-C and anti-D. However none of the primigravida was alloimmunised. One woman of gravida 2 (2.9%) and gravida 3 (3.6%) each were positive for alloimmunisation. One of them also had a bad obstetric history. This study showed that the prevalence of red cell alloimmunisation among pregnant women was low in this centre. Nevertheless, red cell alloantibody screening test should be made available to reduce possible complications of alloimmunisation in mothers and fetuses.
    Study site: Antenatal clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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