MyMedR

Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 89 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Uptake of Recommended Vaccines and Its Associated Factors Among Malaysian Pilgrims During Hajj and Umrah 2018

Goni MD, Naing NN, Hasan H, Wan-Arfah N, Deris ZZ, Arifin WN, et al.

Front Public Health, 2019;7:268.
PMID: 31620419 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00268

This study aimed to assess the uptake of recommended vaccines and to identify the factors associated with the vaccines' uptake among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. A cross-sectional survey among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 2018. The uptake of the recommended vaccines was surveyed through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to pilgrims attending a pre-departure Hajj/Umrah orientation course. Descriptive statistics were used for elaborating the demographic characteristics and vaccines uptake of the respondents. Multiple logistic regression was used for predicting the factors associated with the vaccines' uptake. A total of 1,274 pilgrims participated in the study with a mean age (standard deviation) of 42.42 (15.6). A total of 833 (65.4%) participants were females and 232 of the participants (18.2%) had at least more than one chronic disease. The uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were 28.6% (364/1,274) and 25.4% (324/1,274), respectively. Among the 527 pilgrims who were "at increased risk" of infections, 168 (31.9%) and 184 (34.9%) received influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, respectively. Gender, marital status and occupation were the common predictors associated with vaccines uptake. The vaccination uptake among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims is low and declining from previous years. Educating the pilgrims toward vaccine uptake is essential and exploring the barriers for vaccination.
Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Sinus Membrane Osteogenicity Subsequent to Internal Sinus Lifting and Implant Placement

Qabbani AA, Bayatti SWA, Hasan H, Samsudin AB, Kawas SA

J Craniofac Surg, 2020 1 3;31(3):e233-e236.
PMID: 31895847 DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006106

To evaluate the ability of the maxillary sinus membrane to produce bone after internal sinus lifting and implant placement without adding exogenous bone graft, and to assess the quality of bone that has been produced 6 months postoperatively.In this retrospective study, 10 subjects who underwent maxillary sinus floor lifting and met the inclusion criteria were selected and then subdivided into: Group-A underwent internal sinus elevation and placement of implants without the use of bone graft and Group-B underwent classical internal sinus lifting and placement of bovine bone particles and then placement of the implant as a control group. Radiofrequency analysis (RFA) values for measuring the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) of all implants were measured by Osstell device. CBCT was performed involving linear measurements of the site of sinus lifting for both groups.High RFA values demonstrating excellent biomechanical stability were observed in Group-A compared to Group-B at 6 months postoperatively. Group-A showed a median of ISQ value;78 (8), 77(12), 79(3.5) and 77(4.50). Group-A was significantly higher in ISQ values than Group-B, which showed median and interquartile range (IQR) of ISQ value of [51(12.50), 54(14.50), 55(9), and 55(7.50)]. However, the amount of bone available in group B was significantly higher than group A; [3.5 mm (0.75) and 3.8 mm (0.69)].Internal sinus lifting without bone graft has the ability of bone formation by osteogenic potential of the sinus membrane. Nevertheless, the high quality of bone being produced is of high importance for the success of an implant without the need for an exogenous bone graft. The newly formed bone was significantly of a better quality in Group-A. Thus, it is recommended to perform internal sinus lifting, without adding bone graft material and allow the osteogenic potential of the maxillary sinus membrane to produce its own osteogenic cells.
Production of cationic antifungal peptides from kenaf seed protein as natural bio preservatives to prolong the shelf-life of tomato puree

Arulrajah B, Muhialdin BJ, Qoms MS, Zarei M, Hussin ASM, Hasan H, et al.

Int J Food Microbiol, 2021 Dec 02;359:109418.
PMID: 34607033 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109418

This study determined the favourable fermentation conditions for the production of antifungal peptides from kenaf seeds and their effectiveness in extending the shelf-life of tomato puree. The optimum fermentation conditions for the maximum activity of the antifungal peptides were 8.4% (w/v), 7 days and 3.7% for substrate/water ratio, fermentation time and glucose concentration, respectively. Eight cationic peptides of low molecular weight ranging from 840 to 1876 Da were identified in kenaf seed peptides mixture (KSPM). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of KSPM against Fusarium sp. were 0.18 mg/mL and 0.70 mg/mL, respectively, while those for Aspergillus niger were 1.41 mg/mL and 2.81 mg/mL respectively. KSPM exhibited a fungicidal effect and a prolonged lag phase, with increased fungal membrane permeability as the concentration of KSPM increased, as evidenced by the release of intracellular constituents. The treatment of tomato puree with 1000 mg/kg KSPM delayed fungal growth for up to 14 and 23 days at 25 °C and 4 °C respectively, significantly reducing Aspergillus niger and Fusarium sp. counts. In conclusion, kenaf seed peptides prepared by lacto-fermentation possess antifungal activity, hence can be applied as natural bio preservatives to extend the shelf-life of food products such as tomato puree.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori cagA, babA2, and dupA genotypes and correlation with clinical outcome in Malaysian patients with dyspepsia

Osman HA, Hasan H, Suppian R, Hassan S, Andee DZ, Abdul Majid N, et al.

Turk J Med Sci, 2015;45(4):940-6.
PMID: 26422871

BACKGROUND/AIM: The severity of disease outcome in dyspepsia has been attributed to Helicobacter pylori virulence genes. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of H. pylori virulence genes (cagA, babA2, and dupA) and to determine whether or not there arises a significant correlation with clinical dyspepsia outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: H. pylori genotypes cagA, babA2, and dupA were identified by polymerase chain reactions from gastric biopsy samples in 105 H. pylori-positive patients.
RESULTS: The positive rates for cagA, babA2, and dupA genes in H. pylori dyspeptic patients were 69.5%, 41.0%, and 22.9%, respectivel cagA was more prevalent in Indians (39.7%), babA2 was more prevalent in Malays (39.5%), and dupA detection occurred more frequently in both Indians and Malays and at the same rate (37.5%). The Chinese inhabitants had the lowest prevalence of the three genes. Nonulcer disease patients had a significantly higher distribution of cagA (76.7%), babA2 (74.4%), and dupA (75.0%). There was no apparent association between these virulence genes and the clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSION: The lower prevalence of these genes and variations among different ethnicities implies that the strains are geographically and ethnically dependent. None of the virulence genes were knowingly beneficial in predicting the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection in our subjects.
Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge process for non-aerated aquaculture wastewater treatment

Fan S, Ji B, Abu Hasan H, Fan J, Guo S, Wang J, et al.

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2021 Aug;44(8):1733-1739.
PMID: 33772637 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-021-02556-0

Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) process has become a focal point in treating municipal wastewater. However, it remains elusive whether the emerging process can be applied for the treatment of aquaculture wastewater, which contains considerable concentrations of nitrate and nitrite. This study evaluated the feasibility of MBGS process for aquaculture wastewater treatment. Result showed that the MBGS process was competent to remove respective 64.8%, 84.9%, 70.8%, 50.0% and 84.2% of chemical oxygen demand, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorus under non-aerated conditions within 8 h. The dominant microalgae and bacteria were identified to be Coelastrella and Rhodobacteraceae, respectively. Further metagenomics analysis implied that microbial assimilation was the main contributor in organics, nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Specifically, considerable nitrate and nitrite removals were also obtained with the synergy between microalgae and bacteria. Consequently, this work demonstrated that the MBGS process showed a prospect of becoming an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative in aquaculture wastewater treatment.
Increasing Lovastatin Production by Re-routing the Precursors Flow of Aspergillus terreus via Metabolic Engineering

Hasan H, Abd Rahim MH, Campbell L, Carter D, Abbas A, Montoya A

Mol Biotechnol, 2022 Jan;64(1):90-99.
PMID: 34546548 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00393-w

Lovastatin is an anti-cholesterol medicine that is commonly prescribed to manage cholesterol levels, and minimise the risk of suffering from heart-related diseases. Aspergillus terreus (ATCC 20542) supplied with carbohydrates or sugar alcohols can produce lovastatin. The present work explored the application of metabolic engineering in A. terreus to re-route the precursor flow towards the lovastatin biosynthetic pathway by simultaneously overexpressing the gene for acetyl-CoA carboxylase (acc) to increase the precursor flux, and eliminate ( +)-geodin biosynthesis (a competing secondary metabolite) by removing the gene for emodin anthrone polyketide synthase (gedC). Alterations to metabolic flux in the double mutant (gedCΔ*accox) strain and the effects of using two different substrate formulations were examined. The gedCΔ*accox strain, when cultivated with a mixture of glycerol and lactose, significantly (p
New developments and clinical transition of hyaluronic acid-based nanotherapeutics for treatment of cancer: reversing multidrug resistance, tumour-specific targetability and improved anticancer efficacy

Safdar MH, Hussain Z, Abourehab MAS, Hasan H, Afzal S, Thu HE

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol, 2018 Dec;46(8):1967-1980.
PMID: 29082766 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2017.1397001

This review aims to overview and critically analyses recent developments in achieving tumour-specific delivery of anticancer agents, maximizing anticancer efficacy, and mitigating tumour progression and off-target effects. Stemming from critical needs to develop target-specific delivery vehicles in cancer therapy, various hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated nanomedicines have been fabricated owing to their biocompatibility, safety, tumour-specific targetability of drugs and genes, and proficient interaction with cluster-determinant-44 (CD44) receptors over-expressed on the surface of tumour cells. HA-based conjugation or surface modulation of anticancer drugs encapsulated nanocarriers have shown promising efficacy against the various types of carcinomas of liver, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, skin, ovarian, cervical, head and neck and gastric. The success of this emerging platform is assessed in achieving the rapid internalization of anticancer payloads into the tumour cells, impeding cancer cells division and proliferation, induction of cancer-specific apoptosis and prevention of metastasis (tumour progression). This review extends detailed insight into the engineering of HA-based nanomedicines, characterization, utilization for the diagnosis or treatment of CD44 over-expressing cancer subtypes and emphasizing the transition of nanomedicines to clinical cancer therapy.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is associated with lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: results of the Mother-Infant Study Cohort

Radwan H, Hashim M, Hasan H, Abbas N, Obaid RRS, Al Ghazal H, et al.

Br J Nutr, 2022 Oct 14;128(7):1401-1412.
PMID: 34294166 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114521002762

During the first 1000 d of life, gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are considered critical determinants of nutritional status. This study examined the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy on GWG and PPWR at 2 and 6 months among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using data from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort. The latter is a prospective study, for which pregnant women were recruited (n 243) during their third trimester and were followed up for 18 months. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. An eighty-six-item FFQ was used to examine dietary intake during pregnancy. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the alternate MD (aMED) and the Lebanese MD (LMD). Adherence to the MD, PPWR2 (2 months) and PPWR6 (6 months) were considered high if participants belonged to the third tertile of the respective measures. Results indicated that 57·5 % of participants had excessive GWG while 50·7 % and 45 % retained ≥ 5 kg at 2 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. After adjustment, adherence to both MD scores was associated with lower odds of excessive GWG (aMED, OR:0·41, 95 % CI:0·18, 0·93; LMD, OR:0·40, 95 % CI: 0·16, 0·98). Adherence to MD was also associated with PPWR2 (aMED: OR: 0·23, 95 % CI: 0·06, 0·88) and PPWR6 (aMED OR:0·26; 95 % CI:0·08-0·86; LMD, OR:0·32; 95 % CI: 0·1, 0·98). The findings of this study showed that adherence to the MD may reduce GWG and PPWR and, hence, underscored the importance of promoting the MD for better health of the mother and infant.
Fulltext Diagnostic performance of an in-house multiplex PCR assay and the retrospective surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens at a teaching hospital, Kelantan, Malaysia

Nik Zuraina NMN, Mohamad S, Hasan H, Goni MD, Suraiya S

Pathog Glob Health, 2023 Feb;117(1):63-75.
PMID: 35331083 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2028378

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), including pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis, are among the leading causes of death worldwide. The use of accurate diagnostic tests is crucial to initiate proper treatment and therapy to reduce the mortality rates for RTIs. A PCR assay for simultaneous detection of six respiratory bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, was developed in our lab. The current study aimed to evaluate the performance of this assay along with the retrospective surveillance of respiratory pathogens at a teaching hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia. Leftover sputa (n = 200) from clinical laboratories were collected and undergone DNA template preparation for PCR analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PCR assay were determined in comparison with the gold standard sputum culture. Overall, the accuracy performance of this assay was 94.67% (95% CI: 90.87% to 97.21%) with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 91.67%, 87.1% and 100%, respectively. Based on the organisms detected from sputa, K. pneumoniae ranked as the top isolate (n = 48), followed by P. aeruginosa (n = 13) and H. influenzae (n = 10). Surveillance among the patients showed that the associations of bacterial positive with gender and means of acquisition were found significant (p values = 0.049 and 0.001, respectively). Besides the promising performance of this ready-to-use molecular-based assay for the rapid detection of selected bacteria pathogens, this study also highlighted significant spread of K. pneumoniae RTIs in the community.
Fulltext Counting Footsteps with a Pedometer to Improve HMW Adiponectin and Metabolic Syndrome among Young Female Adults in the United Arab Emirates

Hasan H, Attlee A, Jan Bin Jan Mohamed H, Aris N, Bin Wan Muda WAM

J Obes, 2018;2018:1597840.
PMID: 30631594 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1597840

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) may improve cardiometabolic fitness and increase high-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMW-Adip). The pedometer is an effective, user-friendly device to monitor PA with the aim of improving health. This study examined how counting footsteps, using a pedometer, might affect HMW-Adip and MetS components among young females.
METHODS: Fifty-two females (21.43 ± 4.8 years) were divided into "normal" (BMI = 18-24.9 kg/m2) and "high" (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) BMI groups. Participants wore pedometers throughout the day for nine weeks. Pre-post intervention tests performed on anthropometric, biochemical, and nutrient intake variables were tested at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS: Participants walked 7056 ± 1570 footsteps/day without a significant difference between normal (7488.49 ± 1098) and high (6739.18 ± 1793) BMI groups. After week 9, the normal BMI group improved significantly in BMI, body fat mass (BFM), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Additionally, percent body fat, waist circumference (WC), and visceral fat area also reduced significantly in the high BMI group. A significant decrease in triglycerides (TG) (71.62 ± 29.22 vs. 62.50 ± 29.16 mg/dl, p=0.003) and insulin (21.7 ± 8.33 µU/l vs. 18.64 ± 8.25 µU/l, p=0.046) and increase in HMW-Adip (3.77 ± 0.46 vs. 3.80 ± 0.44 μg/ml, p=0.034) were recorded in the high BMI group. All participants exhibited significant inverse correlations between daily footsteps and BMI (r=-0.33, p=0.017), BFM (r=-0.29, p=0.037), WHR (r=-0.401, p=0.003), and MetS score (r=-0.49, p < 0.001) and positive correlation with HMW-Adip (r=0.331, p=0.017). A positive correlation with systolic (r=0.46, p=0.011) and diastolic (r=0.39, p=0.031) blood pressures and inverse correlation with the MetS score (r=-0.5, p=0.005) were evident in the high BMI group.
CONCLUSION: Counting footsteps using a pedometer is effective in improving MetS components (obesity, TG) and increasing HMW-Adip levels.
Fulltext Quantitative proteomics analysis of permethrin and temephos-resistant Ae. aegypti revealed diverse differentially expressed proteins associated with insecticide resistance from Penang Island, Malaysia

Shettima A, Ishak IH, Lau B, Abu Hasan H, Miswan N, Othman N

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2023 Sep;17(9):e0011604.
PMID: 37721966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011604

Synthetic insecticides are the primary vector control method used globally. However, the widespread use of insecticides is a major cause of insecticide-resistance in mosquitoes. Hence, this study aimed at elucidating permethrin and temephos-resistant protein expression profiles in Ae. aegypti using quantitative proteomics. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti from Penang Island dengue hotspot and non-hotspot against 0.75% permethrin and 31.25 mg/l temephos using WHO bioassay method. Protein extracts from the mosquitoes were then analysed using LC-ESI-MS/MS for protein identification and quantification via label-free quantitative proteomics (LFQ). Next, Perseus 1.6.14.0 statistical software was used to perform differential protein expression analysis using ANOVA and Student's t-test. The t-test selected proteins with≥2.0-fold change (FC) and ≥2 unique peptides for gene expression validation via qPCR. Finally, STRING software was used for functional ontology enrichment and protein-protein interactions (PPI). The WHO bioassay showed resistance with 28% and 53% mortalities in adult mosquitoes exposed to permethrin from the hotspot and non-hotspot areas. Meanwhile, the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti larvae revealed high resistance to temephos in hotspot and non-hotspot regions with 80% and 91% mortalities. The LFQ analyses revealed 501 and 557 (q-value <0.05) differentially expressed proteins in adults and larvae Ae. aegypti. The t-test showed 114 upregulated and 74 downregulated proteins in adult resistant versus laboratory strains exposed to permethrin. Meanwhile, 13 upregulated and 105 downregulated proteins were observed in larvae resistant versus laboratory strains exposed to temephos. The t-test revealed the upregulation of sodium/potassium-dependent ATPase β2 in adult permethrin resistant strain, H15 domain-containing protein, 60S ribosomal protein, and PB protein in larvae temephos resistant strain. The downregulation of troponin I, enolase phosphatase E1, glucosidase 2β was observed in adult permethrin resistant strain and tubulin β chain in larvae temephos resistant strain. Furthermore, the gene expression by qPCR revealed similar gene expression patterns in the above eight differentially expressed proteins. The PPI of differentially expressed proteins showed a p-value at <1.0 x 10-16 in permethrin and temephos resistant Ae. aegypti. Significantly enriched pathways in differentially expressed proteins revealed metabolic pathways, oxidative phosphorylation, carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, glycolysis, and citrate cycle. In conclusion, this study has shown differentially expressed proteins and highlighted upregulated and downregulated proteins associated with insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti. The validated differentially expressed proteins merit further investigation as a potential protein marker to monitor and predict insecticide resistance in field Ae. aegypti. The LC-MS/MS data were submitted into the MASSIVE database with identifier no: MSV000089259.
Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and practice towards pelvic floor muscle training among childbearing women

Mohd Fauzey NF, Muda SM, Hasan H, Nusee Z, Mustapa Kamal Basha MA

Arch Ital Urol Androl, 2023 May 29;95(2):11298.
PMID: 37254928 DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2023.11298

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify knowledge, attitude, and practice of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and to identify the prevalence of urinary incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The method used was a cross-sectional study. Self-administered knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaires were distributed among childbearing women attending Maternal & Child Health Clinics in the East Coast region of Malaysia.
RESULTS: The findings revealed that most respondents (N = 896) had good or moderate knowledge (80.1%) and attitudes (77.3%) regarding PFMT but most of them (87.2%) still lacked practice. However, there was no association between urinary incontinence and PFMT practice. On the contrary, married women showed a higher risk of urinary incontinence.
CONCLUSIONS: The practice of pelvic floor muscle training should be recommended and emphasized to childbearing women by healthcare professionals.
Prevalence of multi-antimicrobial resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella isolated from filth flies at wet markets in Klang, Malaysia, and their survival in the simulated gastric fluid

Sandrasaigaran P, Mohan S, Segaran NS, Lee TY, Radu S, Hasan H

Int J Food Microbiol, 2023 Dec 16;407:110390.
PMID: 37722349 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110390

Filth flies at wet markets can be a vector harbouring multiple antimicrobial-resistant (MAR) nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS), and such strains are a significant threat to public health as they may cause severe infections in humans. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant NTS, especially Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium harboured by filth flies at wet markets, and investigate their survival in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF). Filth flies (n = 90) were captured from wet markets in Klang, Malaysia, and processed to isolate Salmonella spp. The isolates (n = 16) were identified using the multiplex-touchdown PCR and assessed their antimicrobial susceptibility against 11 antimicrobial agents. Finally, three isolates with the highest MAR index were subjected to SGF survival tests. It was observed that 17.8 % of flies (n = 16/90) harbouring Salmonella, out of which 10 % (n = 9/90) was S. Enteritidis, 2.2 % (n = 2/90) was S. Typhimurium, and 5.6 % was unidentified serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. I. 43.8 % (n = 7/16) were confirmed as MAR, and they were observed to be resistant against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, streptomycin, and nalidixic acid. Three strains, F35, F75, and F85 demonstrated the highest MAR index and were able to survive (>6-log10) in the SGF (180 min), indicating their potential virulence and invasiveness. This study provides significant insights into the prevalence and severity of MAR nontyphoidal Salmonella harboured by filth flies in wet markets, which may help inform strategies for controlling the spread and outbreak of foodborne disease.
Fulltext Impact of a Health Education Intervention on the Incidence of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) During Hajj via Smartphone Application

Goni MD, Hasan H, Naing NN, Wan-Arfah N, Deris ZZ, Arifin WN, et al.

J Immigr Minor Health, 2023 Aug;25(4):870-881.
PMID: 36695987 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-022-01443-4

This study was aimed at demonstrating the impact of a health education intervention on reducing the incidence of influenza-like illnesses symptoms among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This study utilizes a quasi-experimental study in the evaluation of the impact of the intervention. Participants were recruited during Hajj orientation courses organized by private Hajj companies. Participants from two companies were assigned to an intervention group and control group, respectively. The intervention group received a smartphone-based health education intervention guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), while the control group received a regular Hajj guide intervention smartphone application before departure to Hajj. Data on the incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) were collected from participants from two Hajj companies before and after returning from Hajj. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS with descriptive analysis, and analytical tests were conducted at 5% significance level. A total of 102 pilgrims completed the study in both intervention and control groups. The incidence of ILI and Non-ILI symptoms were statistically significant when the intervention and control groups (p = 0.049) were compared. In conclusion, health education has an impact on reducing the incidence of ILI and non-ILI among Hajj pilgrims.
Effects of Individual and Combined Fermentation Factors on Antimicrobial Activity of Nisin by Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454

Mohd Rasid NH, Abdul Halid N, Song AA, Sabri S, Saari N, Hasan H

Mol Biotechnol, 2023 Jun;65(6):861-870.
PMID: 36273370 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00584-z

There is an increasing demand for natural food preservatives due to consumers' concern on the negative effects of chemical preservatives in food products. Nisin (bacteriocin) is an effective food biopreservative that has been approved globally. However, its low yield proves to be a limiting factor and must be addressed to meet the increasingly high demand from the food industry. The present work thus investigated the effects of individual and combined fermentation factors on Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454 growth and nisin activity using the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method. The level of each factor that gave the highest nisin production was then selected and combined to further improve its activity. The best combined conditions for highest cell growth and nisin activity were 30 °C, pH 6.0, and mild agitation with the addition of 1.0% w/v glucose, 1.0% w/v skim milk, and 0.5% v/v Tween 20. This increased nisin production by 22.7% as compared to control (basic condition). The present work provided critical information on the relationship between fermentation conditions, growth, and nisin activity of L. lactis ATCC 11454 that could be explored to understand the potential and limitation of the strain. This fermentation strategy can also serve as a benchmark to further enhance the production of bacteriocin or other biopreservative compounds.
Fulltext Preference of treatment facilities among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims for acute respiratory symptoms

Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Naing NN, Othman NH

Saudi Med J, 2009 Aug;30(8):1103-4.
PMID: 19668898
Fulltext Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR- TB) Compared with Non-MDR-TB Infections in Peninsular Malaysia

Elmi OS, Hasan H, Abdullah S, Mat Jeab MZ, Ba Z, Naing NN

Malays J Med Sci, 2016 Jul;23(4):17-25.
PMID: 27660541 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.4.3

Treating patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) strains is more complicated, complex, toxic, expensive, than treating patients with susceptible TB strains. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes and potential factors associated between patients with MDR-TB and non MDR TB infections in peninsular Malaysia.
Rice husk- and lemongrass-derived eco-enzymes as potential food contact surface disinfectants against biofilm-forming foodborne pathogens

Vimalanathan V, Hasan H, Kunasegaran V, Sarawanan K, Ilangovan M, Sandrasaigaran P

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2025 Jan 10;372.
PMID: 39756377 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnae116

This study aims to evaluate the rice husk (EE-R)- and lemongrass (EE-L)-derived eco-enzymes (EE) as alternatives to chemical-based disinfectants. The EE-R's and EE-L's antimicrobial activity were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus using a broth microdilution method. The antibiofilm activities of EE were determined using crystal violet staining. Lastly, the minimal contact time of EE for effectively reducing biofilm-forming pathogens (<25 CFU/ml) was assessed on various food contact surfaces (wood, glass, plastic, stainless steel, and marble). The results show that EE-R at 25%-50% concentration significantly inhibited P. aeruginosa and S. aureus while reducing the initial biofilm formation by 61% and 58%, respectively. In contrast, EE-L inhibited S. Typhimurium at a concentration of 12.5%-50% and P. aeruginosa at 25%-50%, with a strong preformed biofilm inhibition noticed for S. Typhimurium (70%). For the minimal contact time, EE-R superiorly inhibited P. aeruginosa (60 s) and S. aureus (120 s) on all contact surfaces, while EE-L needed 120 s to reduce P. aeruginosa and S. Typhimurium. These outcomes were comparable to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 2.5%). The study's outcomes implicate the potential application of EE-R and EE-L as surface disinfectants against biofilm-forming bacteria, thus promoting safer food processing practices while minimizing environmental impacts.
Evaluation of the Atlas Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test for diagnosis of infection in adult patients

Osman HA, Hasan H, Suppian R, Bahar N, Hussin NS, Rahim AA, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(13):5245-7.
PMID: 25040982

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important causes of dyspepsia and gastric cancer and diagnosis can be made by invasive or non-invasive methods. The Atlas Helicobacter pylori antigen test is a new rapid non-invasive method which is simple to conduct. The aim of this study was to determine its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between July 2012 and December 2013. Stool samples of 59 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper endoscopy were evaluated for H. pylori stool antigen.
RESULTS: From the 59 patients who participated in this study, there were 36 (61%) males and 23 (39%) females. H. pylori was diagnosed in 24 (40.7%) gastric biopsies, 22 (91.7 %) of these being positive for the Atlas H. pylori antigen test. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy were 91.7%, 100%, 100%, 94.6% and 96.6% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The Atlas H. pylori antigen test is a new non-invasive method which is simple to perform and avails reliable results in a few minutes. Thus it can be the best option for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection due to its high sensitivity and specificity.
Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Acute Respiratory Symptoms in Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims

Hasan H, Deris ZZ, Sulaiman SA, Abdul Wahab MS, Naing NN, Ab Rahman Z, et al.

J Immigr Minor Health, 2015 Aug;17(4):1114-9.
PMID: 24946936 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0059-y

Respiratory illness were a major problem and caused high hospital admission during hajj seasons. One of the contributing cause to this illness is infection. Various measures had been implemented to reduce respiratory infections. The aim on the study is to determine the effect of influenza vaccination against acute respiratory illness among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This is an observational cohort study. Influenza vaccination was given to pilgrims at least 2 weeks prior to departure. The occurrence of symptoms for respiratory illness such as cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose was monitored daily for 6 weeks during pilgrimage using a health diary. A total of 65 vaccinated hajj pilgrims and 41 controls were analyzed. There was no significant difference in pattern of occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness by duration of pilgrimage as well as the number of symptoms between both groups. Hajj pilgrims have frequent respiratory symptoms. We were unable to document benefit from influenza vaccination, but our study was limited by a small sample size and lack of laboratory testing for influenza.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links