Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 258 in total

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  1. Fulltext Food security status: It’s association with inflammatory marker and lipid profile among young adult
    Nur Atiqah, A., Norazmir, M.N., Khairil Anuar, M.I., Mohd Fahmi, M., Norazlanshah, H.
    International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(5):1855-1863.
    MyJurnal
    Food insecurity, the inability to have sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life, was found to be closely associated with adverse health outcomes. However, limited studies can be found that clearly explains lipid profile and inflammatory events among food secure and insecure individuals, especially among young adults in university, thus creating the need for further research. This study investigated both groups including their gender distribution to determine lipid profile such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and inflammatory marker, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), with waist circumference (WC), fat mass index (FMI) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHTR). A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among participants aged between 18 to 25 years old (N=124) who were selected through the Adults Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) and participated in blood draw procedures. Well-established blood markers of lipid profile and inflammatory marker were measured. Percentage of food secure individuals (56.5%) was slightly higher than food insecure (43.5%). Although mean (M) of Hs-CRP for male and female (M=1.000, M=0.645) was higher in food secure group, all other variables showed higher measurements among the food insecure groups. Lipid profiles, TC (M=5.175, M=5.062) and LDL (M=3.100, M=2.914) were high for both male and female respectively, while TG is high for male (M=0.817) (p=0.037) and HDL for female (M=1.826). For body composition such as FMI (M=4.494, M=5.452), WC (M=77.46, M=76.82) and WHtR (M=0.471, M=0.497), male and female respectively, in food insecure group showed higher results but only FMI showed a significant difference (p = 0.016). Statistics showed an association between food security status and lipid profile (TG) and with FMI. However, no significant association was found with inflammatory marker. This study will continue further in depth in gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-y) and endothelial dysfunction to better understand this issue. Regardless, current data provides knowledge and understanding of food insecurity experienced by young adults in university campus and may help them in making healthier food choices and be appreciative of the risk of chronic illnesses.
  2. Kajian ketumpatan lineamen dalam penilaian potensi jatuhan batuan di kawasan Lembah Kinta
    Uhammad Fahmi Abdul Ghani, Simon N, Goh TL, Tuan Rosli Tuan Mohamed, Abdul Ghani Rafek
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1509-1516.
    Perbukitan batu kapur di Lembah Kinta membentuk landskap muka bumi yang unik dan indah hasil daripada proses pelarutan batuan karbonat. Namun begitu, bergantung kepada kawasan perbukitan batu kapur tersebut, kehadiran pelbagai struktur geologi seperti struktur retakan dan kekar yang ekstensif mampu memberi ancaman kepada manusia dan harta benda. Kajian ini bertujuan melihat hubungan antara ketumpatan lineamen dan tahap kestabilan tujuh cerun gunung batu kapur di Lembah Kinta, Malaysia. Kajian ini terbahagi kepada dua peringkat, iaitu pemetaan ketumpatan lineamen dan penilaian kestabilan cerun dengan menggunakan kaedah Kekuatan Jasad Batuan (RMS). Sebanyak 599 lineamen rantau dikenal pasti dengan panjang keseluruhan lineamen mencapai 317 km. Seterusnya, peta ketumpatan lineamen yang dihasilkan dikelaskan kepada tiga kelas: Rendah (137.0-84.23) m, sederhana (84.22-46.83) m dan tinggi (46.82-0.0) m. Kaedah RMS yang dijalankan di lapangan pula adalah bertujuan bagi mengesahkan peta ketumpatan lineamen yang dihasilkan. Sebanyak dua belas stesen dinilai dengan tujuh parameter RMS iaitu kekuatan bahan batuan, tahap luluhawa, bukaan kekar, orientasi kekar, kelebaran kekar, ketakselanjaran dan aliran air bawah tanah. Setiap cerun yang dinilai dikelaskan kepada lima kumpulan daripada sangat lemah hingga sangat kuat. Skor RMS berdasarkan jumlah akhir setiap parameter yang dinilai. Hampir kesemua stesen yang dicerap berada pada kelas sederhana (Gunung Rapat, Datok, Kandu, Panjang, A, Tempurung) manakala hanya satu stesen (Gunung Lang) berada pada kelas lemah. Korelasi antara peta ketumpatan lineamen dan skor RMS menunjukkan korelasi yang baik dengan 73% ketepatan. Ini menunjukkan bahawa kestabilan cerun di Lembah Kinta dipengaruhi secara langsung oleh ketumpatan lineamen rantau.
  3. Fulltext Peripheral visual attention superiority in athletes and non-athletes
    Muhammad Aiman Ramlan, Mohammad Fitri Fahmi Mohd Arif, Mohd Zulfaezal Che, Azemin Norsham Ahmad
    Journal of Optometry, Eye and Health Research, 2019;1(1):7-12.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The purpose of the study was to compare the size of visual field in horizontal and vertical, peripheral retinal sensitivity at mid- and far-peripheral temporal viewing using different sizes of stimuli between football athletes and age-gender matched non-athlete subjects. Methods: The participants comprised 9 experienced male football (23.44 ± 2.74 years) players and the control group comprised 9 age-matched male non-athletes (23.33 ± 2.96 years). The parameters were measured using Oculus Twinfield automated perimeter. Horizontal and vertical size of visual field was measured using manual kinetic strategy. The mid-peripheral (60deg) and far-peripheral (90deg) temporal retinal sensitivity in different sizes of stimuli were measured using manual static strategy. The measurement of each test was repeated three times, and then the most reliable value was taken from the three readings. Results: The results from athletes and non-athletes did not differ in regards to peripheral visual attention in all measured parameters (p>0.05). However, athletes group showed slightly better results than non-athletes group. Conclusions: Improved visual performance in selected parameters among athlete group in this study supports previous studies with hypothesis of visual skill in athletes is better compared to non-athletes.
  4. Kesan gabungan aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim terhadap kualiti sumber air: kajian kes di Terusan Utara, Kedah
    Mohd. Suhaimi Ahmad, Muhammad Ridwan Fahmi, Mustaqqim Abdul Rahim, Naimah Ibrahim
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1857-1867.
    Suatu kajian untuk menilai kesan gabungan aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim terhadap kualiti sumber air telah dijalankan di Terusan Utara, Kedah. Kajian ini dijalankan di lima stesen terpilih selama 12 bulan berdasarkan Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) dan Piawaian Interim Kualiti Air Kebangsaan (INWQS). Kajian mendapati kualiti air di Terusan Utara berada pada Kelas III dan berlaku peningkatan kualiti air dari hulu ke hilir. Hampir semua stesen berpotensi sebagai punca pencemaran berdasarkan aktiviti guna tanah terutamanya di Pelubang, Jitra serta Tunjang. Kajian menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan ketika perubahan musim pada DO, TSS serta BOD, namun tidak pada ammonia, pH dan COD. Secara amnya, kombinasi aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim boleh mempengaruhi atau memberi kesan terhadap kualiti sumber air. Oleh itu, tindakan segera perlu dilakukan untuk mengawal punca pencemaran bagi memastikan kualiti sumber air di Terusan Utara kekal terpelihara.
  5. Enhanced photodegradation of phenol by ZnO nanoparticles synthesized through sol-gel method
    Nikathirah Yusoff, Li-ngee Ho, Soon-an Ong, Yee-shian Wong, Wanfadhilah Khalik, Muhammad Fahmi Ridzwan
    Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:2507-2514.
    Zinc oxide (ZnO) utilization in advanced oxidation process (AOP) via solar-photocatalytic process was a promising method for alternative treating wastewater containing phenol. The ZnO photocatalyst semiconductor was synthesized by sol-gel method. The morphology of the ZnO nanostructures was observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the crystallite phase of the ZnO was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The objective of this study was to synthesis ZnO nanoparticles through a sol-gel method for application as a photocatalyst in the photodegradation of phenol under solar light irradiation. The photodegradation rate of phenol increased with the increasing of ZnO loading from 0.2 until 1.0 g. Only 2 h were required for synthesized ZnO to fully degrade the phenol. The synthesized ZnO are capable to totally degrade high initial concentration up until 45 mg L-1 within 6 h of reaction time. The photodegradation of phenol by ZnO are most favoured under the acidic condition (pH3) where the 100% removal achieved after 2 h of reaction. The mineralization of phenol was monitored through chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction and 92.6% or removal was achieved. This study distinctly utilized natural sunlight as the sole sources of irradiation which safe, inexpensive; to initiate the photocatalyst for degradation of phenol.
  6. Fulltext Analysis of DICOM Image Compression Alternative Using Huffman Coding
    Rahmat RF, Andreas TSM, Fahmi F, Pasha MF, Alzahrani MY, Budiarto R
    J Healthc Eng, 2019;2019:5810540.
    PMID: 31316743 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5810540
    Compression, in general, aims to reduce file size, with or without decreasing data quality of the original file. Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) is a medical imaging file standard used to store multiple information such as patient data, imaging procedures, and the image itself. With the rising usage of medical imaging in clinical diagnosis, there is a need for a fast and secure method to share large number of medical images between healthcare practitioners, and compression has always been an option. This work analyses the Huffman coding compression method, one of the lossless compression techniques, as an alternative method to compress a DICOM file in open PACS settings. The idea of the Huffman coding compression method is to provide codeword with less number of bits for the symbol that has a higher value of byte frequency distribution. Experiments using different type of DICOM images are conducted, and the analysis on the performances in terms of compression ratio and compression/decompression time, as well as security, is provided. The experimental results showed that the Huffman coding technique has the capability to compress the DICOM file up to 1 : 3.7010 ratio and up to 72.98% space savings.
  7. Fulltext Does the duration of smoking cessation have an impact on hospital admission and health-related quality of life amongst COPD patients?
    Abu Hassan H, Abd Aziz N, Hassan Y, Hassan F
    Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis, 2014;9:493-8.
    PMID: 24868154 DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S56637
    BACKGROUND: Lack of awareness among ex-smokers on the benefits of sustaining smoking cessation may be the main cause of their smoking relapse. This study explored health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and hospital admission amongst chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients according to the duration of smoking cessation.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study recruited COPD patients from a chest clinic who agreed to participate in a medication therapy-adherence program from January to June 2013. They were interviewed during their visits to obtain information regarding their smoking history and HRQoL. They were divided into three groups according to smoking status (sustained quitters, quit ≥5 years; quitters, quit <5 years; and smokers, smoking at least one cigarette/day). The effects of the duration of cessation on HRQoL and hospital admission were analyzed using a multinomial logistic model.
    RESULTS: A total of 117 participants with moderate COPD met the inclusion criteria, who were comprised of 41 sustained quitters, 40 quitters, and 36 smokers. Several features were similar across the groups. Most of them were married elderly men (aged >64 years) with low-to-middle level of education, who smoked more than 33 cigarettes per day and had high levels of adherence to the medication regimen. The results showed that sustained quitters were less likely to have respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm and dyspnea) than smokers (odds ratio 0.02, confidence interval 0-0.12; P<0.001). The hospital admission rate per year was increased in quitters compared to smokers (odds ratio 4.5, confidence interval 1.91-10.59; P<0.005).
    CONCLUSION: A longer duration of quitting smoking will increase the benefits to COPD patients, even if they experience increased episodic respiratory symptoms in the early period of the cessation. Thus, the findings of this study show the benefits of early smoking cessation.
    KEYWORDS: HRQoL; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); hospital admission and hospital stay
    Study site: Chest Clinic, Hospital Melaka, Malaysia
  8. Optimization of headspace solid-phase microextraction technique for extraction of volatile smokeless powder compounds in forensic applications
    Chang KH, Yew CH, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2014 Jul;59(4):1100-8.
    PMID: 24611488 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12440
    Smokeless powders are low explosives and are potentially found in cases involving firearms and improvised explosive devices. Apart from inorganic compound analysis, forensic determination of organic components of these materials appears as a promising alternative, especially the chromatographic techniques. This work describes the optimization of a solid-phase microextraction technique using an 85 μm polyacrylate fiber followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for smokeless powder. A multivariate experimental design was performed to optimize extraction-influencing parameters. A 2(4) factorial first-order design revealed that sample temperature and extraction time were the major influencing parameters. Doehlert matrix design has subsequently selected 66°C and 21 min as the compromised conditions for the two predetermined parameters. This extraction technique has successfully detected the headspace compounds of smokeless powders from different ammunition types and allowed for their differentiation. The novel technique allows more rapid sample preparation for chromatographic detection of smokeless powders.
  9. An outbreak of Streptococcus agalactiae infection in cage-cultured golden pompano, Trachinotus blochii (Lacépède), in Malaysia
    Amal MN, Zamri-Saad M, Iftikhar AR, Siti-Zahrah A, Aziel S, Fahmi S
    J Fish Dis, 2012 Nov;35(11):849-52.
    PMID: 22913387 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2012.01443.x
  10. Enhancement of seminal stains using background correction algorithm with colour filters
    Lee WC, Khoo BE, Abdullah AFL
    Forensic Sci Int, 2016 06;263:1-9.
    PMID: 27061146 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.03.046
    Evidence in crime scenes available in the form of biological stains which cannot be visualized during naked eye examination can be detected by imaging their fluorescence using a combination of excitation lights and suitable filters. These combinations selectively allow the passage of fluorescence light emitted from the targeted stains. However, interference from the fluorescence generated by many of the surface materials bearing the stains often renders it difficult to visualize the stains during forensic photography. This report describes the use of background correction algorithm (BCA) to enhance the visibility of seminal stain, a biological evidence that fluoresces. While earlier reports described the use of narrow band-pass filters for other fluorescing evidences, here, we utilize BCA to enhance images captured using commonly available colour filters, yellow, orange and red. Mean-based contrast adjustment was incorporated into BCA to adjust the background brightness for achieving similarity of images' background appearance, a crucial step for ensuring success while implementing BCA. Experiment results demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed colour filters' approach using the improved BCA in enhancing the visibility of seminal stains in varying dilutions on selected surfaces.
  11. Study of the Behaviors of Gunshot Residues from Spent Cartridges by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatographic Techniques
    Chang KH, Yew CH, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2015 Jul;60(4):869-77.
    PMID: 25771708 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12745
    Gunshot residues, produced after shooting activity, have acquired their importance in analysis due to the notoriety of firearms-related crimes. In this study, solid-phase microextraction was performed to extract the headspace composition of spent cartridges using 85-μm polyacrylate fiber at 66°C for 21 min. Organic compounds, that is, naphthalene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, and dibutyl phthalate were detected and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection technique. Evaluation of chromatograms for diphenylamine, dibutyl phthalate, and naphthalene indicates the period after a gunshot was discharged, whether it was 1 days, 2-4 days, <5 days, 10 days, 20 days, or more than 30 days ago. This study revealed the potential effects of environmental factors such as occasional wind blow and direct sunlight on the estimation of time after spent cartridges were discharged. In conclusion, we proposed reliable alternative in analyzing the headspace composition of spent cartridges in a simulated crime scene.
  12. Fulltext Root architecture, rooting profiles and physiological responses of potential slope plants grown on acidic soil
    Dorairaj D, Suradi MF, Mansor NS, Osman N
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e9595.
    PMID: 32904129 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9595
    Globally, there has been an increase in the frequency of landslides which is the result of slope failures. The combination of high intensity rainfall and high temperature resulted in the formation of acidic soil which is detrimental to the healthy growth of plants. Proper plant coverage on slopes is a prerequisite to mitigate and rehabilitate the soil. However, not all plant species are able to grow in marginal land. Thus, this study was undertaken to find a suitable slope plant species. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil pH on root profiles and growth of three different potential slope plant species namely, Melastoma malabathricum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Syzygium campanulatum. M. malabathricum showed the highest tolerance to acidic soil as it recorded the highest plant height and photosynthetic rate. The root systems of M. malabathricum, H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum were identified as M, VH- and R-types, respectively. The study proposed M. malabathricum which possessed dense and shallow roots to be planted at the toe or top of the slope while H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum to be planted in the middle of a slope. S. campanulatum consistently recorded high root length and root length density across all three types of soil pH while M. malabathricum showed progressive increase in length as the soil pH increased. The root average diameter and root volume of M. malabathricum outperformed the other two plant species irrespective of soil pH. In terms of biomass, M. malabathricum exhibited the highest root and shoot dry weights followed by S. campanulatum. Thus, we propose M. malabathricum to be planted on slopes as a form of soil rehabilitation. The plant species displayed denser rooting, hence a stronger root anchorage that can hold the soil particles together which will be beneficial for slope stabilization.
  13. Fulltext The impact of a combined intervention program: an educational and clinical pharmacist's intervention to improve prescribing pattern in hospitalized geriatric patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Najjar MF, Sulaiman SAS, Al Jeraisy M, Balubaid H
    Ther Clin Risk Manag, 2018;14:557-564.
    PMID: 29588595 DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S157469
    Background: There is a difference between evidence-based guidelines for geriatric patients and clinical practice of physicians. Prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) can be attributed to the fact that many physicians are not aware of PIMs usage.

    Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined intervention program comprising an educational and clinical pharmacist intervention to reduce the incidence of PIMs among hospitalized geriatric patients.

    Methods: This was a prospective pre-test versus post-test design study. The screening tool of older persons' prescriptions, 2nd version, and 2015 American Geriatric Society Beers' criteria were used to assess the appropriateness of medications prescribed for geriatric inpatients. The study was carried out in the medical wards of the Department of Medicine at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Results: Four hundred geriatric patients were enrolled in the study: 200 in a pre-intervention group (control) and 200 in the intervention group. After the combined intervention, the incidence rate of PIMs decreased significantly from 61% to 29.5% (p<0.001). Out of 317 recommendations given by the clinical pharmacist, the physicians accepted a total of 196 (61.83%) recommendations. The most common PIMs to avoid regardless of diagnosis of geriatric patients before interventions were first-generation antihistamines (46%), sliding scale insulin (18.5%), antipsychotics (6.5%), benzodiazepines (9.5%), and antiarrhythmic drugs (15%).

    Conclusion: Using a combined intervention program that comprises an educational intervention of updated evidence-based guidelines and clinical pharmacist intervention would add a significant value to improve prescribing patterns in hospitalized geriatric patients.

  14. Forensic Significance of Gunshot Impact Marks on Inanimate Objects: The Need for Translational Research
    Nordin FA, Bominathan UR, Abdullah AFL, Chang KH
    J Forensic Sci, 2020 Jan;65(1):11-25.
    PMID: 31373699 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14142
    Wherever an impact mark is found, either on the surface or on the recovered projectile, it is important for forensic investigators to extract useful information in solving shooting-related cases. This article reviews a collection of works on examination of impact marks upon striking of projectiles on inanimate objects, emphasizing on the retrievable information from a shooting scene and their forensic significance in shooting event reconstruction. Literature suggested that impact marks on target surfaces and the degree of deformation on striking projectiles vary according to different combinations of ammunition and surface materials. It was noted that conditions in real-case scenarios further differed unpredictably in comparison with controlled studies, where forensic investigation should be treated as case-specific basis. Furthermore, the way forensic science is researched and applied operationally has to be reconsidered to reduce the gap via translational approach for more effective use of forensic evidence.
  15. Profiling of cured residue of solvent-based adhesives by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with chemometrics for forensic investigation
    Saman SA, Chang KH, Abdullah AFL
    J Forensic Sci, 2021 Mar;66(2):608-618.
    PMID: 33202056 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14625
    Abuse of solvent-based adhesives jeopardizes world population, especially the young generation. Adhesive-related exhibits encountered in forensic cases might need to be determined if they could have come from a particular source or to establish link between cases or persons. This study was aimed to discriminate solvent-based adhesives, especially to aid forensic investigation of glue sniffing activities. In this study, thirteen brands with three samples each, totaling at 39 adhesive samples, were analyzed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy followed by chemometric methods. Experimental output showed that adhesive samples utilized in this study were less likely to change in their ATR-FTIR profiles over time, at least up to 2 months. No interference from plastic materials was noticed based on ATR-FTIR profile comparison. Physical examination could differentiate the samples into two groups, namely contact adhesives and cement adhesives. A principal component analysis-score linear discriminative analysis (PC-score LDA) model resulted in 100% and 98.6% correct classification in discriminating the two groups of adhesive samples, forming seven discriminative clusters. Test set with adhesive samples applied glass slide and plastic substrates also demonstrated a 100% correct classification into their respective groups. As a conclusion, the method allowed for discrimination of adhesive samples based on the spectral features, displaying relationship among samples. It is hoped that this comparative information is beneficial to trace the possible source of solvent-based adhesives, whenever they are recovered from a crime scene, for forensic investigation.
  16. Fulltext Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Thin Films for Ultrahigh CO2 Gas Sensing Performance at Room Temperature
    Gupta M, Hawari HF, Kumar P, Burhanudin ZA, Tansu N
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Mar 03;11(3).
    PMID: 33802318 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030623
    The demand for carbon dioxide (CO2) gas detection is increasing nowadays. However, its fast detection at room temperature (RT) is a major challenge. Graphene is found to be the most promising sensing material for RT detection, owing to its high surface area and electrical conductivity. In this work, we report a highly edge functionalized chemically synthesized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) thin films to achieve fast sensing response for CO2 gas at room temperature. The high amount of edge functional groups is prominent for the sorption of CO2 molecules. Initially, rGO is synthesized by reduction of GO using ascorbic acid (AA) as a reducing agent. Three different concentrations of rGO are prepared using three AA concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg) to optimize the material properties such as functional groups and conductivity. Thin films of three different AA reduced rGO suspensions (AArGO25, AArGO50, AArGO100) are developed and later analyzed using standard FTIR, XRD, Raman, XPS, TEM, SEM, and four-point probe measurement techniques. We find that the highest edge functionality is achieved by the AArGO25 sample with a conductivity of ~1389 S/cm. The functionalized AArGO25 gas sensor shows recordable high sensing properties (response and recovery time) with good repeatability for CO2 at room temperature at 500 ppm and 50 ppm. Short response and recovery time of ~26 s and ~10 s, respectively, are achieved for 500 ppm CO2 gas with the sensitivity of ~50 Hz/µg. We believe that a highly functionalized AArGO CO2 gas sensor could be applicable for enhanced oil recovery, industrial and domestic safety applications.
  17. Fulltext Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Cross-Sectional Study among Adolescents in Selangor, Malaysia
    Teng NIMF, Juliana N, Izlin NL, Semaon NZ
    Nutrients, 2020 Nov 25;12(12).
    PMID: 33255585 DOI: 10.3390/nu12123617
    This study aims to examine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of adolescents towards sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), together with the associated factors that determine their KAP. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that consisted of sociodemographic, the KAP for the SSB questionnaire, and the Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ). The respondents' heights, weights, waist circumferences and body fat percentages were measured. This study involved 439 adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years old, in public secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia. The results reveal that 35% of the adolescents were overweight, 26% had a high waist circumference, and 45% had a high body fat percentage. Caffeinated drinks and full cream milk were the most frequently consumed SSBs. The KAP score revealed a good attitude (88.4%), a moderate knowledge (51.8%) and a poor practice (40.5%). Those with a higher body fat percentage showed significantly good attitude scores (p < 0.05). Low household income groups, females, adolescents aged 16-17 years old and being from an urban area demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) positive determinant towards the KAP score. In conclusion, high awareness of negative health outcomes associated with SSBs among adolescents was not in accordance with the level of their lifestyle choices.
  18. Fulltext A Highly Sensitive Room Temperature CO2 Gas Sensor Based on SnO2-rGO Hybrid Composite
    Lee ZY, Hawari HFB, Djaswadi GWB, Kamarudin K
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Jan 22;14(3).
    PMID: 33498992 DOI: 10.3390/ma14030522
    A tin oxide (SnO2) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid composite gas sensor for high-performance carbon dioxide (CO2) gas detection at room temperature was studied. Since it can be used independently from a heater, it emerges as a promising candidate for reducing the complexity of device circuitry, packaging size, and fabrication cost; furthermore, it favors integration into portable devices with a low energy density battery. In this study, SnO2-rGO was prepared via an in-situ chemical reduction route. Dedicated material characterization techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted. The gas sensor based on the synthesized hybrid composite was successfully tested over a wide range of carbon dioxide concentrations where it exhibited excellent response magnitudes, good linearity, and low detection limit. The synergistic effect can explain the obtained hybrid gas sensor's prominent sensing properties between SnO2 and rGO that provide excellent charge transport capability and an abundance of sensing sites.
  19. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis via microfluidics
    Narayanamurthy V, Jeroish ZE, Bhuvaneshwari KS, Samsuri F
    Anal Methods, 2021 02 14;13(6):740-763.
    PMID: 33511975 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay02045a
    Humans are subjected to various diseases; hence, proper diagnosis helps avoid further disease consequences. One such severe issue that could cause significant damage to the human liver is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Several techniques are available to detect HCV under various categories, such as detection through antibodies, antigens, and RNA. Although immunoassays play a significant role in discovering hepatitis viruses, there is a need for point-of-care tests (POCT). Some developing strategies are required to ensure the appropriate selection of POCT for HCV detection, initiate appropriate antiviral therapy, and define associated risks, which will be critical in achieving optimal outcomes. Though molecular assays are precise, reproducible, sensitive, and specific, alternative strategies are required to enhance HCV diagnosis among the infected population. Herein, we described and assessed the potential of various microfluidic detection techniques and confirmatory approaches used in present communities. In addition, current key market players in HCV chip-based diagnosis and the future perspectives on the basis of which the diagnosis can be made easier are presented in the present review.
  20. Contactless Visualization of Latent Fingerprints on Nonporous Curved Surfaces of Circular Cross Section
    Low WZ, Khoo BE, Abdullah AF
    J Forensic Sci, 2016 07;61(4):1093-9.
    PMID: 27364293 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13063
    Nondestructive techniques for gathering evidence are important in the field of forensics. Due to the geometry of the substrates, nondestructive visualization of fingermarks on curved surfaces remains challenging. A novel contactless technique was developed for visualizing and recording fingermark patterns on nonporous curved surfaces of circular cross section. The technique utilizes a plane mirror to transmit rays from a light source to illuminate the area of interest for fingermark visualization. The fingermark acquisition system consists of a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, a plane mirror, and a white light source. Mathematical equations are used to calculate the mirror size. Experiments were performed on various curved surfaces to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the technique. Spectral Image Validation and Verification (SIVV) was used to analyze the captured images. The results of this study indicate that the technique described here is able to reveal fingermark patterns on curved surfaces of circular cross section.
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