Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 124 in total

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  1. Salahshourifar I, Halim AS, Sulaiman WA, Ariffin R, Naili Muhamad Nor N, Zilfalil BA
    Cytogenet Genome Res, 2011;134(2):83-7.
    PMID: 21447942 DOI: 10.1159/000325541
    Microdeletion of the Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) critical region is a relatively rare event, and only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature. The extent of the deletion and the genotype-phenotype correlation are 2 crucial issues.
  2. Salahshourifar I, Wan Sulaiman WA, Halim AS, Zilfalil BA
    Eur J Med Genet, 2012 Jun;55(6-7):389-93.
    PMID: 22440537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2012.02.006
    Non-syndromic oral clefts share the main clinical features of Van der Woude Syndrome (VWS), with the exception of the lower lip pit. Thus, about 15% of VWS cases are indistinguishable from cases with non-syndromic oral clefts. IRF6 mutations are the major cause of VWS; however, variants in this gene show strong association with non-syndromic oral clefts, with a higher increased risk among cases with cleft lip only (CLO). A total of 39 individuals, including 16 patients with CLO and 23 patients with a family history of cleft, were examined for IRF6 mutations in the present study. Seven variants, including five known (c.-75-4 A>; G, c.-73T>; C, c.459G>; T 5, c.820G>; A, and c.1060 + 37C>; T) and two novel (c.-75-23G>; C and c.1380G>; T), were found. Both novel variants were inherited from non-affected parents and we did not find also in the 120 control chromosomes. In silico analysis revealed that both c.1380G>; T and c.-75-23G>; C variants may disrupts a putative exonic splicing enhancer and intronic splicing binding site for SC35, respectively. Taken together, the presence of deleterious IRF6 variants in patients with non-syndromic oral clefts could be most likely an evidence for VWS. While, IRF6 variants could, at best, contribute to clefting as part of a complex inheritance pattern, with both additional genes and environmental factors having a role.
  3. Hanifi N, Halim AS, Aleas CF, Singh J, Marzuki M, Win TT, et al.
    Exp Clin Transplant, 2015 Jun;13(3):273-8.
    PMID: 26086837
    Skin grafting has been evolving as an important application in reconstructive surgery. Mixed reports about the survival of allogeneic and xenogeneic keratinocytes require further substantiation to determine the role of these cells in wound healing.
  4. Rosli MA, Wan Ismail WF, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Zin NA, Abdul Halim S, Mat Johar F, et al.
    Foot Ankle Int, 2021 Dec;42(12):1570-1578.
    PMID: 34286617 DOI: 10.1177/10711007211025280
    BACKGROUND: Advances in limb-salvage techniques have made total calcanectomy and primary reconstruction possible in managing calcaneal aggressive benign tumors and selected cases of intraosseous malignant tumors. However, there is still no consensus on the operative approach, oncologic margin, and the best reconstruction method to date. These 2 cases describe our experience in calcaneal reconstruction with the free deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) osseocutaneous flap in benign aggressive calcaneal tumors.

    METHODS: We reported 2 consecutive male and female patients, with an average age of 25 years (age 19 and 31, respectively), who underwent total calcanectomy and primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flaps for calcaneal chondroblastoma and giant cell tumor. A marginal resection of the entire calcaneus through the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints (intra-articular approach) was performed in the first case and a wide local resection leaving 1 cm normal calcaneal bone margin anterosuperiorly (intraosseous approach) was performed in the second case.

    RESULTS: The follow-up period averaged 48 months. Negative oncologic margins were achieved in both cases. The first case was complicated with venous thrombosis; however, the graft remained viable after emergency reexploration. Normal foot function was restored with good solid osseous union and bony hypertrophy observed. Both patients achieved good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes with no donor site pain or disability. No local recurrence was reported either.

    CONCLUSION: Primary calcaneal reconstruction with the free DCIA osseocutaneous flap can lead to good short-term functional and aesthetic outcomes.

    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

  5. Othman Z, Abdul Halim AS, Azman KF, Ahmad AH, Zakaria R, Sirajudeen KNS, et al.
    Front Aging Neurosci, 2022;14:876159.
    PMID: 35572132 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.876159
    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to profile the cognitive aging research landscape from 1956 to 2021.

    METHODS: A total of 3,779 documents were retrieved from the Scopus database for the bibliometric analysis and network visualization. By comparing each keyword's overall connection strength (centrality), frequency (density), and average year of publication (novelty) to the calculated median values acquired from the overlay view of the VOSviewer map, the enhanced strategic diagrams (ESDs) were constructed.

    RESULTS: The findings showed an increasing trend in the number of publications. The United States leads the contributing countries in cognitive aging research. The scientific productivity pattern obeyed Lotka's law. The most productive researcher was Deary, I. J., with the highest number of publications. The collaborative index showed an increasing trend from 1980 onwards. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience is the most prestigious journal in the field of cognitive aging research. In Bradford core journals zone 1, the top 10 core journals of cognitive aging research provided more than half of the total articles (697, or 55.36 percent).

    CONCLUSIONS: For the next decades, the trending topics in cognitive aging research include neuropsychological assessment, functional connectivity, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), decision-making, gender, compensation, default mode network, learning and memory, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), obesity, D-galactose, epigenetics, frailty, mortality, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), anxiety, and gait speed.

  6. Hamzan MI, Hamid AR, Halim AS, Mat Saad AZ
    Hemodial Int, 2020 04;24(2):E33-E36.
    PMID: 32141217 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12832
    A young lady with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula on hemodialysis was referred for surgical management following a failed endovascular approach to relieve central venous occlusion. She had an obstructed left brachiocephalic vein with a history of numerous central vein catheter placements. Alternative routes for new arteriovenous fistula creation had been exhausted due to previous contralateral upper limb fistula rupture and ligation. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases of airway obstruction in central venous occlusion occurring in hemodialysis patients with AV fistula have been reported. The importance of identifying the possible emergency red flags in hemodialysis patients with central venous occlusion is important to prevent unwanted consequences.
  7. Mat Saad AZ, Khoo TL, Halim AS
    ISRN Endocrinol, 2013;2013:608313.
    PMID: 23476800 DOI: 10.1155/2013/608313
    The escalating incidence of diabetic mellitus has given rise to the increasing problems of chronic diabetic ulcers that confront the practice of medicine. Peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, and infection contribute to the multifactorial pathogenesis of diabetic ulcers. Approaches to the management of diabetic ulcers should start with an assessment and optimization of the patient's general conditions, followed by considerations of the local and regional factors. This paper aims to address the management strategies for wound bed preparation in chronic diabetic foot ulcers and also emphasizes the importance of preventive measures and future directions. The "TIME" framework in wound bed preparation encompasses tissue management, inflammation and infection control, moisture balance, and epithelial (edge) advancement. Tissue management aims to remove the necrotic tissue burden via various methods of debridement. Infection and inflammation control restores bacterial balance with the reduction of bacterial biofilms. Achieving a moist wound healing environment without excessive wound moisture or dryness will result in moisture balance. Epithelial advancement is promoted via removing the physical and biochemical barriers for migration of epithelium from wound edges. These systematic and holistic approaches will potentiate the healing abilities of the chronic diabetic ulcers, including those that are recalcitrant.
  8. Halim AS, Khoo TL, Saad AZ
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2012 May;45(2):193-202.
    PMID: 23162216 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.101277
    Wound bed preparation has been performed for over two decades, and the concept is well accepted. The 'TIME' acronym, consisting of tissue debridement, infection or inflammation, moisture balance and edge effect, has assisted clinicians systematically in wound assessment and management. While the focus has usually been concentrated around the wound, the evolving concept of wound bed preparation promotes the treatment of the patient as a whole. This article discusses wound bed preparation and its clinical management components along with the principles of advanced wound care management at the present time. Management of tissue necrosis can be tailored according to the wound and local expertise. It ranges from simple to modern techniques like wet to dry dressing, enzymatic, biological and surgical debridement. Restoration of the bacterial balance is also an important element in managing chronic wounds that are critically colonized. Achieving a balance moist wound will hasten healing and correct biochemical imbalance by removing the excessive enzymes and growth factors. This can be achieved will multitude of dressing materials. The negative pressure wound therapy being one of the great breakthroughs. The progress and understanding on scientific basis of the wound bed preparation over the last two decades are discussed further in this article in the clinical perspectives.
  9. Halim AS, Khoo TL, Mohd Yussof SJ
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2010 Sep;43(Suppl):S23-8.
    PMID: 21321652 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.70712
    The current trend of burn wound care has shifted to more holistic approach of improvement in the long-term form and function of the healed burn wounds and quality of life. This has demanded the emergence of various skin substitutes in the management of acute burn injury as well as post burn reconstructions. Skin substitutes have important roles in the treatment of deep dermal and full thickness wounds of various aetiologies. At present, there is no ideal substitute in the market. Skin substitutes can be divided into two main classes, namely, biological and synthetic substitutes. The biological skin substitutes have a more intact extracellular matrix structure, while the synthetic skin substitutes can be synthesised on demand and can be modulated for specific purposes. Each class has its advantages and disadvantages. The biological skin substitutes may allow the construction of a more natural new dermis and allow excellent re-epithelialisation characteristics due to the presence of a basement membrane. Synthetic skin substitutes demonstrate the advantages of increase control over scaffold composition. The ultimate goal is to achieve an ideal skin substitute that provides an effective and scar-free wound healing.
  10. Nasir NAM, Saad AZM, Bachok NS, Rashid AHA, Ujang Z, Noorsal K, et al.
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2023 Feb;56(1):44-52.
    PMID: 36998939 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759503
    Background  This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of chitosan derivative hydrogel paste (CDHP) as a wound bed preparation for wounds with cavities. Methods  This study enrolled 287 patients, with 143 patients randomized into the CDHP group (treatment) and 144 patients randomized into the commercial hydroactive gel (CHG) group (control). The granulation tissue, necrotic tissue, patient comfort, clinical signs, symptoms, and patient convenience during the application and removal of the dressing were assessed. Results  The study was completed by 111 and 105 patients from the treatment and control groups, respectively. Both groups showed an increasing mean percentage of wound granulation over time when the initial wound size and comorbidity were adjusted (F(10,198) = 4.61; p  
  11. Sukur SM, Halim AS, Singh KK
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2011 Jan;44(1):112-7.
    PMID: 21713196 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.81459
    AIM: The effect of Tualang honey on wound healing in bacterial contaminated full-thickness burn wounds was evaluated in 36 male Sprague Dawley rats.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12/group). Three full-thickness burn wounds were created on each rat. Each group of rats was inoculated with a different organism in the burn wounds: Group A was inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Group B was inoculated with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Group C was inoculated with Acinetobacter baumannii. One wound on each rat was dressed with either Tualang honey, Chitosan gel or Hydrofibre silver. Each wound size was measured on day 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 of the study.

    RESULTS: The mean wound size of the Tualang honey-treated wounds was not statistically different than that of the Chitosan gel or Hydrofibre silver-treated wounds when the wounds were compared throughout the entire experiment (P > 0.05). However, comparing the mean wound size on day 21 alone revealed that the Tualang honey-treated wounds were smaller in comparison to that of the Chitosan gel and Hydrofibre silver-treated groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that topical application of Tualang honey on burn wounds contaminated with P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii gave the fastest rate of healing compared with other treatments.

  12. Mat Saad AZ, Khoo TL, Dorai AA, Halim AS
    Indian J Plast Surg, 2009;42(1):94-9.
    PMID: 19881027 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.53017
    Skin allografts have been used in medical practice for over a century owing to their unique composition as a biological dressing. Skin allografts can be obtained in several preparations such as cryopreserved, glycerol-preserved, and fresh allograft. A glycerol-preserved allograft (GPA) was introduced in the early 1980s. It has several advantages compared with other dressings such as ease of processing, storage and transport, lower cost, less antigenicity, antimicrobial properties, and neo-vascularisation promoting properties. Skin allografts are mainly used in the management of severe burn injuries, chronic ulcers, and complex, traumatic wounds. Published reports of the use of skin allografts in association with free flap surgery are few or non existent. We would like to share our experience of several cases of free tissue transfer that utilised GPA as a temporary wound dressing in multiple scenarios. On the basis of this case series, we would like to recommend that a GPA be used as a temporary dressing in conjunction with free flap surgery when required to protect the flap pedicle, allowing time for the edema to subside and the wound can then be closed for a better aesthetic outcome.
  13. Periayah MH, Halim AS, Hussein AR, Saad AZ, Rashid AH, Noorsal K
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2013 Jan;52:244-9.
    PMID: 23063426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2012.10.001
    Chitosan-derived hemostatic agents with various formulations may have distinct potential in hemostasis. This study assessed the ability of different grades and forms of chitosan derivatives as hemostatic agents to enhance platelet adhesion and aggregation in vitro. The chitosan derivatives utilized were 2% NO-CMC, 7% NO-CMC (with 0.45 mL collagen), 8% NO-CMC, O-C 52, 5% O-CMC-47, NO-CMC-35, and O-C 53. Samples of chitosan derivatives weighing 5mg were incubated at 37°C with 50 μL of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (pH 7.4) for 60 min. The morphological features of the platelets upon adherence to the chitosan were viewed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the platelet count was analyzed with an Automated Hematology Analyzer. For platelet aggregation, we added an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) agonist to induce the chitosan-adhered platelets. O-C 52 bound with platelets exhibited platelet aggregates and clumps on the surface of the membrane layer with approximately 70-80% coverage. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.01) for the platelet count was identified between the baseline value and the values at 10 min and 20 min. The results indicate that O-C 53 and O-C 52 were able to promote clotting have the potential to induce the release of platelets engaged in the process of hemostasis.
  14. Periayah MH, Halim AS, Saad AZ, Yaacob NS, Hussein AR, Karim FA, et al.
    Int J Clin Exp Med, 2015;8(9):15611-20.
    PMID: 26629055
    Chitosan-derived biomaterials have been reported to adhere when in contact with blood by encouraging platelets to adhere, activate and aggregate at the sites of vascular injury, thus enhanced wound healing capacity. This study investigated platelet morphology changes and the expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) in the adherence of two different types of chitosans in von Willebrand disease (vWD): N,O-carboxymethylchitosan (NO-CMC) and oligo-chitosan (O-C). Fourteen vWD voluntary subjects were recruited, and they provided written informed consent. Scanning electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test procedures were employed to achieve the objective of the study. The results suggest that the O-C group showed dramatic changes in the platelet's behaviors. Platelets extended filopodia and generated lamellipodia, leading to the formation of grape-like shaped aggregation. The platelet aggregation occurred depending on the severity of vWD. O-C was bound to platelets on approximately 90% of the surface membrane in vWD type 1; there was 70% and 50% coverage in vWD type II and III, respectively. The O-C chitosan group showed an elevated expression level of TGF-β1 and PDGF-AB. This finding suggests that O-C stimulates these mediators from the activated platelets to the early stage of restoring the damaged cells and tissues. This study demonstrated that the greater expression level of O-C assists in mediating the cytokine complex networks of TGF-β1 and PDGF-AB and induces platelet activities towards wound healing in vWD. With a better understanding of chitosan's mechanisms of action, researchers are able to accurately develop novel therapies to prevent hemorrhage.
  15. Zun AB, Ibrahim MI, Mokhtar AM, Halim AS, Wan Mansor WNA
    PMID: 31185665 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16112054
    BACKGROUND: Patient feedback is an important tool in assessing health system quality. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) was developed in 2006 as a standardized instrument to assess patient perceptions in the United States of America. This study aimed to translate and validate the HCAHPS questionnaire into the Malay language in order to assess patient perceptions of health services in Malaysia.

    METHODS: The original HCAPHS in English was translated into Malay based on the established guideline. The content validation involved an expert panel of 10 members, including patients. The face validation pilot testing of the HCAHPS-Malay version was conducted among 10 discharged patients. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) used principal axis factor, and varimax rotation was established based on a cross-sectional study conducted among 200 discharged patients from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM).

    RESULTS: The overall content validity index was 0.87, and the universal face validity index was 0.82. From the EFA, the factor loading value ranged from 0.652 to 0.961 within nine domains. The internal consistency reliability with Cronbach's alpha was 0.844.

    CONCLUSION: The HCAHPS-Malay is a reliable and valid tool to determine patients' perception of healthcare services among inpatients in Hospital USM based on the content and face validation result together with a good construct validity and excellent absolute reliability. Further testing on HCAHPS-Malay version in other settings in Malaysia needs to be done for cross-validation.

  16. Periayah MH, Halim AS, Mat Saad AZ
    Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res, 2017 Oct 01;11(4):319-327.
    PMID: 29340130
    Blood is considered to be precious because it is the basic necessity for health; our body needs a steady provision of oxygen, supplied via blood, to reach billions of tissues and cells. Hematopoiesis is the process that generates blood cells of all lineages. However, platelets are the smallest blood component produced from the very large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes and they play a fundamental role in thrombosis and hemostasis. Platelets contribute their hemostatic capacity via adhesion, activation and aggregation, which are triggered upon tissue injury, and these actions stimulate the coagulation factors and other mediators to achieve hemostasis. In addition, these coordinated series of events are the vital biological processes for wound healing phases. The aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the important pathways involved in achieving hemostasis that are ruled by platelets. In addition, this review also describes the mechanism action of platelets, including adhesion, activation, aggregation, and coagulation, as well as the factors that aid in hemostasis and wound healing.
  17. Farea M, Halim AS, Abdullah NA, Lim CK, Mokhtar KI, Berahim Z, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2013;14(6):11157-70.
    PMID: 23712356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140611157
    Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) cells play a pivotal role during root formation of the tooth and are able to form cementum-like tissue. The aim of the present study was to establish a HERS cell line for molecular and biochemical studies using a selective digestion method. Selective digestion was performed by the application of trypsin-EDTA for 2 min, which led to the detachment of fibroblast-like-cells, with the rounded cells attached to the culture plate. The HERS cells displayed a typical cuboidal/squamous-shaped appearance. Characterization of the HERS cells using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry analysis showed that these cells expressed pan-cytokeratin, E-cadherin, and p63 as epithelial markers. Moreover, RT-PCR confirmed that these cells expressed epithelial-related genes, such as cytokeratin 14, E-cadherin, and ΔNp63. Additionally, HERS cells showed low expression of CD44 and CD105 with absence of CD34 and amelogenin expressions. In conclusion, HERS cells have been successfully isolated using a selective digestion method, thus enabling future studies on the roles of these cells in the formation of cementum-like tissue in vitro.
  18. Keong LC, Halim AS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2009 Mar;10(3):1300-1313.
    PMID: 19399250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10031300
    One of the ultimate goals of wound healing research is to find effective healing techniques that utilize the regeneration of similar tissues. This involves the modification of various wound dressing biomaterials for proper wound management. The biopolymer chitosan (beta-1,4-D-glucosamine) has natural biocompatibility and biodegradability that render it suitable for wound management. By definition, a biocompatible biomaterial does not have toxic or injurious effects on biological systems. Chemical and physical modifications of chitosan influence its biocompatibility and biodegradability to an uncertain degree. Hence, the modified biomedical-grade of chitosan derivatives should be pre-examined in vitro in order to produce high-quality, biocompatible dressings. In vitro toxicity examinations are more favorable than those performed in vivo, as the results are more reproducible and predictive. In this paper, basic in vitro tools were used to evaluate cellular and molecular responses with regard to the biocompatibility of biomedical-grade chitosan. Three paramount experimental parameters of biocompatibility in vitro namely cytocompatibility, genotoxicity and skin pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, were generally reviewed for biomedical-grade chitosan as wound dressing.
  19. Zreaqat M, Hassan R, Halim AS
    Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2012 Jun;41(6):783-8.
    PMID: 22424709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2012.02.003
    This comparative cross-sectional study assessed the facial surface dimensions of a group of Malay children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compared them with a control group. 30 Malay children with UCLP aged 8-10 years and 30 unaffected age-matched children were voluntarily recruited from the Orthodontic Specialist Clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). For the cleft group, lip and palate were repaired and assessment was performed prior to alveolar bone grafting and orthodontic treatment. The investigation was carried out using 3D digital stereophotogrammetry. 23 variables and two ratios were compared three-dimensionally between both groups. Statistically significant dimensional differences (P<0.05) were found between the UCLP Malay group and the control group mainly in the nasolabial region. These include increased alar base and alar base root width, shorter upper lip length, and increased nose base/mouth width ratio in the UCLP group. There were significant differences between the facial surface morphology of UCLP Malay children and control subjects. Particular surgical procedures performed during primary surgeries may contribute to these differences and negatively affect the surgical outcome.
  20. Halim AS, Nor FM, Mat Saad AZ, Mohd Nasir NA, Norsa'adah B, Ujang Z
    J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2018 Dec;13(6):512-520.
    PMID: 31435371 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2018.10.004
    Objectives: Chitosan, the N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, has useful biological properties that promote haemostasis, analgesia, wound healing, and scar reduction; chitosan is bacteriostatic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. This study determined the efficacy of chitosan derivative film as a superficial wound dressing.

    Methods: This multicentre randomised controlled trial included 244 patients, of whom 86 were treated with chitosan derivative film and 84 with hydrocolloid. The percentage of epithelisation, as well as patient comfort, clinical signs, and patient convenience in application and removal of the dressings were assessed.

    Results: The primary outcome of this study was the percentage of epithelisation. Except for race (p = 0.04), there were no significant differences between groups in sex, age, antibiotic usage, or initial wound size (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean epithelisation percentage between groups (p = 0.29). Patients using chitosan derivative film experienced more pain during removal of dressing than those in the hydrocolloid group (p = 0.007). The chitosan derivative film group showed less exudate (p = 0.036) and less odour (p = 0.024) than the control group. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of adherence, ease of removal, wound drainage, erythema, itchiness, pain, and tenderness. No oedema or localised warmth was observed during the study.

    Conclusion: This study concluded that chitosan derivative film is equivalent to hydrocolloid dressing and can be an option in the management of superficial and abrasion wounds.

    Clinical trial No: NMRR-11-948-10565.

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