Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 156 in total

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  1. Fulltext Polymorphism analysis of pfmdr1 gene in Plasmodium falciparum isolates 11 years post-adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Saudi Arabia
    Al-Mekhlafi HM, Madkhali AM, Abdulhaq AA, Atroosh WM, Ghzwani AH, Zain KA, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2022 01 11;12(1):517.
    PMID: 35017593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04450-x
    A total of 227 Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia were amplified for the P. falciparum multi-drug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) gene to detect point mutations 11 years after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Saudi Arabia. The pfmdr1 86Y mutation was found in 11.5% (26/227) of the isolates while the N86 wild allele was detected in 88.5%. Moreover, 184F point mutations dominated (86.3%) the instances of pfmdr1 polymorphism while no mutation was observed at codons 1034, 1042 and 1246. Three pfmdr1 haplotypes were identified, NFSND (74.9%), NYSND (13.7%) and YFSND (11.4%). Associations of the prevalence of 86Y mutation and YFSND haplotype with participants' nationality, residency and parasitaemia level were found to be significant (P 
  2. Fulltext Morphological characterization of the progenies of pure and reciprocal crosses of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
    Okomoda TV, Koh ICC, Hassan A, Amornsakun T, Shahreza SM
    Sci Rep, 2018 02 28;8(1):3827.
    PMID: 29491444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22149-4
    Twenty-five traditional and thirty-four geometric morphometric comparisons were carried out on pure and reciprocal crosses of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Thirty fish samples each of the C. gariepinus (CH), P. hypophthalmus (PH), Pangapinus (♀PH × ♂CG) and the two distinct morphotypes of the Clariothalmus (♀CG × ♂PH) (Clarias-like and Panga-like) between the ages of four and six months were used for this study. Phenotypically, the Clarias-like Clariothalmus and the Pangapinus progenies were indistinguishable from their maternal parents while the Panga-like Clariothalmus was a phenotypic intermediary of the putative parents but looks more closely to the paternal parent. Hence, both univariate proportion and multivariate analysis of the collected data successfully separated the different fishes into three multivariate spaces. The analysis of the dendrogram with complete linkage and Euclidean distance further showed the close relationship of the isolated Panga-like Clariothalmus progenies to the paternal parent, however, Clarias-like Clariothalmus and the Pangapinus were completely intermingled with their maternal parents. The most important index of discrimination of these fishes into different multivariate spaces was the fin characteristic which showed 100% exclusive ranges for the individual groups in many cases.
  3. Fulltext Extraction and characterization of gelatin from camel skin (potential halal gelatin) and production of gelatin nanoparticles
    Ahmed MA, Al-Kahtani HA, Jaswir I, AbuTarboush H, Ismail EA
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Jun;27(6):1596-1601.
    PMID: 32489300 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.03.022
    Gelatin is used as an ingredient in both food and non-food industries as a gelling agent, stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, and film former. Porcine skins, bovine hides, and cattle bones are the most common sources of gelatin. However, mammalian gelatins are rejected by some consumers due to social, cultural, religious, or health-related concerns. In the present study, gelatin was obtained from camel skin as an alternative source using a combination of processing steps. Central composite design combined with response surface methodology was used to achieve high gelatin yields under different extraction conditions: temperatures of 40, 60, and 80 °C; pH values of 1, 4, and 7; and extraction times of 0.5, 2.0, and 3.5 min. Maximum gelatin yield from camel skin (29.1%) was achieved at 71.87 °C and pH 5.26 after 2.58 min. The extracted gelatin samples were characterized for amino acid profile, foaming capacity, film formation, foam stability, and gel strength (Bloom value). Gelatin nanoparticles were produced, and their morphology and zeta potential were determined. Bloom value of the camel skin gelatin was 340 g. Amino acid analysis revealed that the extracted gelatin showed high glycine and proline contents. Analysis of camel skin gelatin nanoparticle and functional properties revealed high suitability for food and non-food applications, with potential use in the growing global halal food market.
  4. Fulltext A cross-sectional assessment of health-related quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Al-Aboudi IS, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Hassan A, Alrasheedy AA
    SAGE Open Med, 2015;3:2050312115610129.
    PMID: 26770806 DOI: 10.1177/2050312115610129
    This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life profile among type 2 diabetes patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  5. Radiation dose assessment at amang processing plants in Malaysia
    Omar M, Sulaiman I, Hassan A, Wood AK
    Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2007;124(4):400-6.
    PMID: 17510205
    Measurements of external radiation level, radon/thoron daughters concentrations in air and uranium/thorium concentrations in airborne mineral dust at 16 amang plants in Malaysia were carried out for three consecutive months to assess radiation dose to workers. Estimated occupational dose was within the range of 1.7-10.9 mSv y(-1). The mean total dose at the amang plants was 4.1 mSv y(-1). Overall, it was found that the major dose contribution of 80% came from external radiation. Radon/thoron daughters and airborne mineral dust contributed to only 11 and 9% of the total dose, respectively.
  6. Radiation exposure during travelling in Malaysia
    Omar M, Hassan A, Sulaiman I
    Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2006;121(4):456-60.
    PMID: 16702237
    Absorbed dose rates in vehicles during travelling by different modes of transport in Malaysia were measured. Radiation levels measured on roads in Peninsular Malaysia were within a broad range, i.e. between 36 and 1560 nGy h(-1). The highest reading, recorded while travelling near monazite and zircon mineral dumps, was 13 times the mean environmental radiation level of Malaysia. It is evident that radioactive material dumps on the roadsides can influence the radiation level on the road. The absorbed dose rates measured while travelling on an ordinary train were between 60 and 350 nGy h(-1). The highest reading was measured when the train passed a tunnel built through a granite rock hill. The measurement during sea travelling by ferries gave the lowest radiation level owing to merely cosmic radiation at the sea level.
  7. Fulltext Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Montmorillonite-Reinforced Polypropylene/Rice Husk Hybrid Nanocomposites
    Majeed K, Ahmed A, Abu Bakar MS, Indra Mahlia TM, Saba N, Hassan A, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2019 Sep 25;11(10).
    PMID: 31557811 DOI: 10.3390/polym11101557
    In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of natural fibers as potential reinforcing fillers in polymer composites despite their hydrophilicity, which limits their widespread commercial application. The present study explored the fabrication of nanocomposites by melt mixing, using an internal mixer followed by a compression molding technique, and incorporating rice husk (RH) as a renewable natural filler, montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay as water-resistant reinforcing nanoparticles, and polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) as a compatibilizing agent. To correlate the effect of MMT delamination and MMT/RH dispersion in the composites, the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were studied. XRD analysis revealed delamination of MMT platelets due to an increase in their interlayer spacing, and SEM micrographs indicated improved dispersion of the filler(s) from the use of compatibilizers. The mechanical properties were improved by the incorporation of MMT into the PP/RH system and the reinforcing effect was remarkable as a result of the use of compatibilizing agent. Prolonged water exposure of the prepared samples decreased their tensile and flexural properties. Interestingly, the maximum decrease was observed for PP/RH composites and the minimum was for MMT-reinforced and PP-g-MAH-compatibilized PP/RH composites. DSC results revealed an increase in crystallinity with the addition of filler(s), while the melting and crystallization temperatures remained unaltered. TGA revealed that MMT addition and its delamination in the composite systems improved the thermal stability of the developed nanocomposites. Overall, we conclude that MMT nanoclay is an effective water-resistant reinforcing nanoparticle that enhances the durability, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of composites.
  8. Fulltext UV-Curable Urethane Acrylate Resin from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate
    Teo KT, Hassan A, Gan SN
    Polymers (Basel), 2018 Dec 11;10(12).
    PMID: 30961299 DOI: 10.3390/polym10121374
    Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), is a by-product of the crude palm oil refining process. It comprises mainly of free fatty acids-around 45% palmitic and 33% oleic acids-as the major components. Ultra-violet (UV) curable urethane acrylate (UA) oligomers could be synthesized from PFAD, by the following procedure. A hydroxyl terminated macromer was first prepared by reacting PFAD with a mixture of isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, neopentagylcol (NPG), and pentaerythritol. The macromer was then reacted with 2-hydroxylethylacrylate (2HEA) and toluene diisocynate (TDI) to generate a resin, containing acrylate side chains for UV curable application. A series of UA resins were prepared by using 15, 25, 45, 55, and 70% of PFAD, respectively. The UA resin has Mw in the range of 3,200 to 27,000. They could be cured by UV irradiation at an intensity of 225 mW/cm². Glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured film was measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and hardness of the film was determined by a pendulum hardness tester, according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)4366. The resins were used in a wood-coating application. All of the cured films showed good adhesion, hardness, and chemical resistance except for the one using the 70% PFAD, which did not cure properly.
  9. Fulltext Erratum: pH Sensitive Hydrogels in Drug Delivery: Brief History, Properties, Swelling, and Release Mechanism, Material Selection and Applications. Polymers 2017, 9, 137
    Rizwan M, Yahya R, Hassan A, Yar M, Azzahari AD, Selvanathan V, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2017 06 14;9(6).
    PMID: 30970902 DOI: 10.3390/polym9060225
    The authors wish to make a change to their published paper [1]. [...].
  10. Fulltext The Effect of Graphene Oxide and SEBS-g-MAH Compatibilizer on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/Talc Composite
    Joynal Abedin FN, Hamid HA, Alkarkhi AFM, Amr SSA, Khalil NA, Ahmad Yahaya AN, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Sep 19;13(18).
    PMID: 34578081 DOI: 10.3390/polym13183180
    In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/talc/graphene oxide/SEBS-g-MAH (ABS/Talc/GO/SEBS-g-MAH) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/graphene oxide/SEBS-g-MAH (ABS/GO/SEBS-g-MAH) composites were isolated with varying graphene oxide (0.5 to 2.0 phr) as a filler and SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer (4 to 8 phr), with an ABS:talc ratio of 90:10 by percentage. The influences of graphene oxide and SEBS-g-MAH loading in ABS/talc composites were determined on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. It was found that the incorporation of talc reduces the stiffness of composites. The analyses of mechanical and thermal properties of composites revealed that the inclusion of graphene oxide as a filler and SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer in the ABS polymer matrix significantly improved the mechanical and thermal properties. ABS/talc was prepared through melt mixing to study the fusion characteristic. The mechanical properties showed an increase of 30%, 15%, and 90% in tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), and flexural modulus (FM), respectively. The impact strength (IS) resulted in comparable properties to ABS, and it was better than the ABS/talc composite due to the influence of talc in the composite that stiffens and reduces the extensibility of plastic. The incorporation of GO and SEBS-g-MA also shows a relatively higher thermal stability in both composites with and without talc. The finding of the present study reveals that the graphene oxide and SEBS-g-MAH could be utilized as a filler and a compatibilizer in ABS/talc composites to enhance the thermo-mechanical stability because of the superior interfacial adhesion between the matrix and filler.
  11. Fulltext Ferrocene-Based Terpolyamides and Their PDMS-Containing Block Copolymers: Synthesis and Physical Properties
    Mushtaq I, Jabeen E, Akhter Z, Javed F, Hassan A, Khan MSU, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2022 Nov 23;14(23).
    PMID: 36501482 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235087
    Aromatic polyamides are well-known as high-performance materials due to their outstanding properties making them useful in a wide range of applications. However, their limited solubility in common organic solvents restricts their processability and becomes a hurdle in their applicability. This study is focused on the synthesis of processable ferrocene-based terpolyamides and their polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-containing block copolymers, using low-temperature solution polycondensation methodology. All the synthesized materials were structurally characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The ferrocene-based terpolymers and block copolymers were soluble in common organic solvents, while the organic analogs were found only soluble in sulfuric acid. WXRD analysis showed the amorphous nature of the materials, while the SEM analysis exposed the modified surface of the ferrocene-based block copolymers. The structure-property relationship of the materials was further elucidated by their water absorption and thermal behavior. These materials showed low to no water absorption along with their high limiting oxygen index (LOI) values depicting their good flame-retardant behavior. DFT studies also supported the role of various monomers in the polycondensation reaction where the electron pair donation from HOMO of diamine monomer to the LUMO of acyl chloride was predicted, along with the calculation of various other parameters of the representative terpolymers and block copolymers.
  12. Fulltext Enhanced Flexibility of Biodegradable Polylactic Acid/Starch Blends Using Epoxidized Palm Oil as Plasticizer
    Awale RJ, Ali FB, Azmi AS, Puad NIM, Anuar H, Hassan A
    Polymers (Basel), 2018 Sep 02;10(9).
    PMID: 30960902 DOI: 10.3390/polym10090977
    The brittleness of polylactic acid (PLA) has always limited its usage, although it has good mechanical strength. In this study, flexibility of PLA/starch (PSt) blend was enhanced using epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as the green plasticizer. The PLA/starch/EPO (PSE) blends were prepared while using the solution casting method by fixing the content of starch and varying ratio of EPO. The thermal properties, such as glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and crystallization temperature (Tcc) were decreased by increasing the amount of EPO into PSt, indicating that EPO increases the chain mobility. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that thermal degradation resistance of PSE was higher when compared to PSt. The mechanical testing revealed that EPO at all contents improved the mechanical properties, such as increment of the elongation-at-break and impact strength. Whereas, dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the addition of filler into PLA decreased the storage modulus of PLA. The carbonyl group of the aliphatic ester remained the same in the PSE blends. The morphological study verified the ductility of PSE blends surface when compared to the brittle surface of PSt. As for the soil burial tests, EPO accelerated the degradation of blends. From these results, it can be concluded that EPO improved the flexibility of PLA blends.
  13. Fulltext Multivariate analysis of factors affecting presence and/or agenesis of third molar tooth
    Alam MK, Hamza MA, Khafiz MA, Rahman SA, Shaari R, Hassan A
    PLoS One, 2014;9(6):e101157.
    PMID: 24967595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101157
    To investigate the presence and/or agenesis of third molar (M3) tooth germs in orthodontics patients in Malaysian Malay and Chinese population and evaluate the relationship between presence and/or agenesis of M3 with different skeletal malocclusion patterns and sagittal maxillomandibular jaw dimensions. Pretreatment records of 300 orthodontic patients (140 males and 160 females, 219 Malaysian Malay and 81 Chinese, average age was 16.27±4.59) were used. Third-molar agenesis was calculated with respect to race, genders, number of missing teeth, jaws, skeletal malocclusion patterns and sagittal maxillomandibular jaw dimensions. The Pearson chi-square test and ANOVA was performed to determine potential differences. Associations between various factors and M3 presence/agenesis groups were assessed using logistic regression analysis. The percentages of subjects with 1 or more M3 agenesis were 30%, 33% and 31% in the Malaysian Malay, Chinese and total population, respectively. Overall prevalence of M3 agenesis in male and female was equal (P>0.05). The frequency of the agenesis of M3s is greater in maxilla as well in the right side (P>0.05). The prevalence of M3 agenesis in those with a Class III and Class II malocclusion was relatively higher in Malaysian Malay and Malaysian Chinese population respectively. Using stepwise regression analyses, significant associations were found between Mx (P<0.05) and ANB (P<0.05) and M3 agenesis. This multivariate analysis suggested that Mx and ANB were significantly correlated with the M3 presence/agenesis.
  14. Fulltext Performance of the Malay Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life-18 and Associates of Quality of Life among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from Major Ethnic Groups of Malaysia
    Daher AM, AlMashoor SH, Winn T
    PLoS One, 2016;11(10):e0163701.
    PMID: 27695086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163701
    INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is notorious for its metabolic effect, acute and chronic complications and impact on Quality of Life (QoL). Successful intervention to improve QoL necessitates a valid and reliable measurement tool to identify areas of concern to patients with diabetes.
    OBJECTIVES: To (1) assess the factor structure of the Malay Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life-18 (ADDQoL-18) questionnaire; (2) determine the impact of DM on QoL; and (3) identify areas of concern to patients with type 2 DM from three major ethnic groups in Malaysia.
    METHODS: Data was obtained from a cross sectional study involving 256 patients with type 2 DM attending the diabetes clinic of the National University of Malaysia Medical Centre. The Malay version of ADDQoL-18 survey was translated from its English version according to standard guidelines and administered by a trained research assistant. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with oblimin rotation was used to determine factor structure of the data. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the factor structure. Hierarchical liner regression was used to determine factors associated with QoL.
    RESULTS: Unforced factor solution yielded two factors for the whole sample. Forced one factor solution was ascertained for the whole sample and for each ethnic group. Loadings ranged between 0.588 and 0.949. Reliability coefficients were all higher than 0.955. CFA showed that the two factor model had better fit statistics. QoL was associated with the use of insulin and desired glycaemic control, longer diabetes duration, worry about diabetes, and diabetes complications.
    CONCLUSIONS: The Malay ADDQoL-18 is a valid tool to be used among patients with diabetes from different ethnic groups in Malaysia. The use of insulin to achieve desired glycaemic control had more negative impact on QoL than the use of tablets and/or dietary changes.
  15. Fulltext Development of a reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid and direct visual detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
    Lau YL, Ismail IB, Mustapa NIB, Lai MY, Tuan Soh TS, Haji Hassan A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(1):e0245164.
    PMID: 33406112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245164
    Rapid diagnosis is an important intervention in managing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak. Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) remains the primary means for diagnosing the new virus strain but it is time consuming and costly. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an isothermal amplification assay that does not require a PCR machine. It is an affordable, rapid, and simple assay. In this study, we developed and optimized a sensitive reverse transcription (RT)-RPA assay for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using SYBR Green I and/or lateral flow (LF) strip. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the RT-RPA assay were tested by using 10-fold serial diluted synthetic RNA and genomic RNA of similar viruses, respectively. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of the RT-RPA assay were carried out using 78 positive and 35 negative nasopharyngeal samples. The detection limit of both RPA and RT-qPCR assays was 7.659 and 5 copies/μL RNA, respectively with no cross reactivity with other viruses. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of RT-RPA were 98% and 100%, respectively. Our study showed that RT-RPA represents a viable alternative to RT-qPCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, especially in areas with limited infrastructure.
  16. Fulltext Urinary Tract Infection among Renal Transplant Recipients in Yemen
    Gondos AS, Al-Moyed KA, Al-Robasi AB, Al-Shamahy HA, Alyousefi NA
    PLoS One, 2015;10(12):e0144266.
    PMID: 26657128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144266
    Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common complication following kidney transplantation (KT), which could result in losing the graft. This study aims to identify the prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen and to determine the predisposing factors associated with post renal transplantation UTI. A cross sectional study included of 150 patients, who underwent KT was conducted between June 2010 and January 2011. A Morning mid-stream urine specimen was collected for culture and antibiotic susceptibility test from each recipient. Bacterial UTI was found in 50 patients (33.3%). The prevalence among females 40.3% was higher than males 29%. The UTI was higher in the age group between 41-50 years with a percentage of 28% and this result was statistically significant. Predisposing factors as diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder and polycystic kidney showed significant association. High relative risks were found for polycystic kidney = 13.5 and neurogenic bladder = 13.5. The most prevalent bacteria to cause UTI was Escherichia coli represent 44%, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus 34%. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against gram-negative isolates while Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In conclusion, there is high prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen. Diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, polycystic kidney and calculi were the main predisposing factors.
  17. Fulltext Optimization of the cytogenetic protocol for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) and Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
    Okomoda VT, Koh ICC, Hassan A, Amornsakun T, Moh JHZ, Shahreza SM
    PeerJ, 2018;6:e5712.
    PMID: 30416879 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5712
    To obtain well spread chromosomes, the cytogenetic protocol for Pangasianodon hypophthalmus and Clarias gariepinus were optimized. This includes, the colchicine concentration (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%)/exposure duration (1, 3, and 5 h), hypotonic solution (distilled water or 0.075M KCl solution)/exposure duration (30 min, 1, and 2 h), the time of cell suspension preparation (at hypotonic treatment or before slide preparation) and chromosome aging period (0, 3, and 7 days in Carnoy's fixative). In addition, the type (i.e., fin, gill or kidney) and the amount of tissue (10, 50, 100 or 150 mg) were also investigated. Regardless of the species, the result obtained showed that well-spread chromosomes could be obtained using the following optimized protocol: Juveniles are injected with 0.05% colchicine (at one ml kg-1) and allowed to swim for 3 h. Then, 50 mg of gill tissue is made into cell suspension in 0.075M KCl for 1 h. The cell suspension is treated in Carnoy's fixative (changed three times at 20 min interval) and then aged for 3 days. Finally, chromosome slides are made and stained with 10% Giemsa for 1 h.
  18. Fulltext Real-time reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2
    Lau YL, Ismail I, Mustapa NI, Lai MY, Tuan Soh TS, Hassan A, et al.
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e9278.
    PMID: 32547882 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9278
    BACKGROUND: Highly sensitive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods have been developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. However, they are costly. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has emerged as a novel alternative isothermal amplification method for the detection of nucleic acid.

    METHODS: A rapid, sensitive and specific real-time reverse transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

    RESULTS: This assay detected one copy/reaction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 30 min. Both the clinical sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 100%. The RT-LAMP showed comparable performance with RT-qPCR. Combining simplicity and cost-effectiveness, this assay is therefore recommended for use in resource resource-limited settings.

  19. The return of chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum parasites in Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia over a decade after the adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapy: analysis of genetic mutations in the pfcrt gene
    Madkhali AM, Abdulhaq AA, Atroosh WM, Ghzwani AH, Zain KA, Ghailan KY, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2021 Nov;120(11):3771-3781.
    PMID: 34561749 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07323-4
    This study investigated the polymorphism in the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene 11 years after chloroquine (CQ) cessation in Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and thirty-five P. falciparum isolates were amplified to detect mutations in the pfcrt gene. The pfcrt 76 T molecular marker for CQ resistance was detected in 66.4% (156/235) of the isolates, while the K76 CQ-sensitive wild type was detected in 33.6%. The pfcrt 74I and pfcrt 75E point mutations were each found to be present in 56.2% of isolates, while only four isolates (1.7%) were found to carry the pfcrt 72S mutation. Moreover, four pfcrt haplotypes were identified as follows: the CVIET triple-allele (56.2%), SVMET double-allele (1.7%) and CVMNT single-allele (8.5%) mutant haplotypes and the CVMNK wild haplotype (33.6%). The analysis also revealed significant associations between the prevalence of mutant pfcrt alleles and haplotypes and the age group, governorate and nationality of the patients as well as the parasitaemia level (p 
  20. Fulltext Pattern of QTc prolongation in Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) subjects receiving different methadone dosages: A prospective cohort study
    Mohamad N, Abdul Jalal MI, Hassan A, Abdulkarim Ibrahim M, Salehuddin R, Abu Bakar NH
    Pak J Med Sci, 2013 Sep;29(5):1132-6.
    PMID: 24353706
    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the QTc interval between low and high dose methadone groups and evaluate the pattern of QTc variation.
    METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study conducted from December 2010 till August 2011 at Malaysian University of Science's Hospital. Forty six subjects, grouped in high dose (>80mg) and low dose (<80mg) oral methadone, were followed-up at 4-weekly for QTc measurements. Relevant demographic and biochemical profiles were taken at intervals with concurrent QTc measurements.
    RESULTS: No significant QTc differences between methadone dosage groups were found at Week 0 (434ms vs 444ms, p = 0.166) and week 8 (446.5ms vs 459ms, p = 0.076), but not at week 4(435ms vs 450ms, p = 0.029). However, there were significant associations between the groups with QTc prolongation at week 0 and 4 (OR 4.29(95% CI 1.01, 18.72) p=0.044 and OR 5.18 (95% CI 1.34, 20.06) p =0.013, respectively) but not at week 8 (OR 2.44 (95% CI 0.74, 8.01) p=0.139). On multivariate analysis, dose group was the sole significant factor for QTc prolongation for week 0 and 4 (p values 0.047 and 0.017, respectively), but not at week 8.
    CONCLUSION: High-dose methadone group is more likely to develop prolonged QTc than low-dose group. However, such effects were inconsistent and occurred even during chronic methadone therapy, mandating judicious QTc and serum methadone monitoring.
    KEYWORDS: High Dose; Low Dose; Methadone; QTc
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