MyMedR

Fulltext Pneumatic ureterolithotripsy in paediatric and adolescent patients: a ten-year experience at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Hussein NS, Gohar MR

Singapore Med J, 2011 Jan;52(1):42-6.

PMID: 21298240

Two to three percent of stone disease cases occur in the paediatric age group. It is common in some parts of the world, such as in Turkey, India and Thailand. More than 50 percent of stones in children are still managed through open surgery. Ureteroscopic intervention for children remains a challenging treatment option. However, in contemporary urology practice, this mode of intervention is becoming more common. In this retrospective study, we reviewed our experiences with ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy in the paediatric and adolescent age group.

Fulltext Pulmonary sarcoidosis

Snelling MRJ, Kam CM

Singapore Med J, 1966 Dec;7(4):240-3.

PMID: 6036643

Three cases of intrathoracic sarcoidosis are described, one in a Malay from Brunei and two in Indians from Malaya

Fulltext Benign thoracic cysts and tumours found in West Malaysian patients

Snelling MRJ, Teh YY

Singapore Med J, 1969 Jun;10(2):91-7.

PMID: 5820584

Superovulation and egg recovery in goats in the tropics

Rosnina Y, Jainudeen MR, Nihayah M

Vet Rec, 1992 Feb 01;130(5):97-9.

PMID: 1557879

The superovulatory response to gonadotrophin treatment during different months of the year was investigated in Kambing kacang goats, a tropical breed, in Malaysia. Sixty-three cycling does, fitted with progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponges for 17 days, received two days before sponge withdrawal, an intramuscular injection of either 10, 15 or 20 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or 500, 1000 or 1500 iu of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). The dose of FSH was divided into four decreasing daily doses and each daily dose was subdivided into two and administered at 07.00 and 19.00. Fifty-four does detected in oestrus were mated with fertile bucks. The ovarian response was determined by laparoscopy and eggs were recovered surgically five or six days after oestrus. The ovulatory response (mean +/- standard deviation) based on corpora lutea was higher in the FSH (13.4 +/- 8.4 corpora lutea per doe, n = 20) than the eCG-treated groups (6.4 +/- 5.1 corpora lutea per doe, n = 25) but the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05). Does responded to gonadotrophins throughout the year with more than 50 per cent of does responding during the rainy months compared with less than 35 per cent responding during the dry months. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Egg recovery was better in the FSH (6.8 +/- 5.3 per doe, n = 20) than the eCG groups (3.0 +/- 3.8 per doe, n = 21) but the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05).

The Development of Gout Treat-To-Target booklet

Mustafa N, Isa MR, Baharuddin H

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jan;79(1):80-84.

PMID: 38287762

INTRODUCTION: The treat-to-target serum uric acid approach is recommended in local and international guidelines on gout management. Instruction for initiation and dose escalation for urate lowering therapy may cause confusion to the patient. Our aim was to develop and validate Gout Treat-To- Target booklet to aid in patient education.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A content development team which consisted of three consultant rheumatologists developed the booklet. Content validation was performed by a panel of evaluators consisted of eleven physicians (four consultant rheumatologists, two clinical specialists, and five medical officers), who were involved in gout management. Face validation was performed by ten patients with gout.

RESULTS: Item-Content Validity Index ranged from 0.9 to 1 with regards to relevancy, clarity, ambiguity and simplicity. Side effects of uricosuric agents were added to the draft based on an evaluator's comment. Item-Face Validity Index was 1, which indicated that all patients were in 100% agreement with all items.

CONCLUSION: We developed and validated our Gout Treat-to- Target booklet. There was high agreement in I-FVI and I-CVI among physicians and patients.

Fulltext Unlocking the Potential of Lignocellulosic Biomass Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Bioplastics, Biocomposites and Various Commercial Applications

Taharuddin NH, Jumaidin R, Mansor MR, Hazrati KZ, Tarique J, Asyraf MRM, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2023 Jun 12;15(12).

PMID: 37376300 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122654

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or pitahaya, is in the family Cactaceae. It is found in two genera: 'Selenicereus' and 'Hylocereus'. The substantial growth in demand intensifies dragon fruit processing operations, and waste materials such as peels and seeds are generated in more significant quantities. The transformation of waste materials into value-added components needs greater focus since managing food waste is an important environmental concern. Two well-known varieties of dragon fruit are pitaya (Stenocereus) and pitahaya (Hylocereus), which are different in their sour and sweet tastes. The flesh of the dragon fruit constitutes about two-thirds (~65%) of the fruit, and the peel is approximately one-third (~22%). Dragon fruit peel is believed to be rich in pectin and dietary fibre. In this regard, extracting pectin from dragon fruit peel can be an innovative technology that minimises waste disposal and adds value to the peel. Dragon fruit are currently used in several applications, such as bioplastics, natural dyes and cosmetics. Further research is recommended for diverging its development in various areas and maturing the innovation of its usage.

Fulltext Isolation and Characterisation of PRSV-P Resistance Genes in Carica and Vasconcellea

Razean Haireen MR, Drew RA

Int J Genomics, 2014;2014:145403.

PMID: 25184131 DOI: 10.1155/2014/145403

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the major tropical fruit crops worldwide, but it is limited throughout its range by papaya ringspot virus type P (PRSV-P). Previous genetic studies identified a functional PRSV-P resistance marker in a mapping population of F2 plants of Vasconcellea pubescens (resistant to PRSV-P) × Vasconcellea parviflora (susceptible to PRSV-P) and showed that the marker exhibited homology to a serine threonine protein kinase (STK) gene. Full length cDNAs of putative PRSV-P resistance genes designated CP_STK from C. papaya and VP_STK1 and VP_STK2 from V. pubescens were cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Due to a frame-shift mutation, the two homologous sequences are transcribed and edited differently such that the gene product in V. pubescens is two separate transcripts, whereas in C. papaya they are fused into a single message. A peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS2) present in VP_STK2 but absent in the other transcripts may be the functional source of PRSV resistance in V. pubescens. The STK gene from V. pubescens may have been derived from an alternative splicing to confer resistance. The putative resistance gene, VP_STK2, that was identified in this study is a potential new source of PRSV-P resistance for papaya genotypes.

Fulltext A compact 5.5 GHz band-rejected UWB antenna using complementary split ring resonators

Islam MM, Faruque MR, Islam MT

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:528489.

PMID: 24971379 DOI: 10.1155/2014/528489

A band-removal property employing microwave frequencies using complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) is applied to design a compact UWB antenna wishing for the rejection of some frequency band, which is meanwhile exercised by the existing wireless applications. The reported antenna comprises optimization of a circular radiating patch, in which slotted complementary SRRs are implanted. It is printed on low dielectric FR4 substrate material fed by a partial ground plane and a microstrip line. Validated results exhibit that the reported antenna shows a wide bandwidth covering from 3.45 to more than 12 GHz, with a compact dimension of 22 × 26 mm(2), and VSWR < 2, observing band elimination of 5.5 GHz WLAN band.

Fulltext Bandwidth enhancement of a dual band planar monopole antenna using meandered microstrip feeding

Ahsan MR, Islam MT, Habib Ullah M, Misran N

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:856504.

PMID: 24723832 DOI: 10.1155/2014/856504

A meandered-microstrip fed circular shaped monopole antenna loaded with vertical slots on a high dielectric material substrate (ε r = 15) is proposed in this paper. The performance criteria of the proposed antenna have been experimentally verified by fabricating a printed prototype. The experimental results show that the proposed antenna has achieved wider bandwidth with satisfactory gain by introducing meandered-microstrip feeding in assistant of partial ground plane. It is observed that, the -10 dB impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna at lower band is 44.4% (600 MHz-1 GHz) and at upper band is 28% (2.25 GHz-2.95 GHz). The measured maximum gains of -1.18 dBi and 4.87 dBi with maximum radiation efficiencies have been observed at lower band and upper band, respectively. The antenna configuration and parametric study have been carried out with the help of commercially available computer-aided EM simulator, and a good accordance is perceived in between the simulated and measured results. The analysis of performance criteria and almost consistent radiation pattern make the proposed antenna a suitable candidate for UHF RFID, WiMAX, and WLAN applications.

New method for distance-based close following safety indicator

Sharizli AA, Rahizar R, Karim MR, Saifizul AA

Traffic Inj Prev, 2015;16(2):190-5.

PMID: 24827899 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2014.921913

The increase in the number of fatalities caused by road accidents involving heavy vehicles every year has raised the level of concern and awareness on road safety in developing countries like Malaysia. Changes in the vehicle dynamic characteristics such as gross vehicle weight, travel speed, and vehicle classification will affect a heavy vehicle's braking performance and its ability to stop safely in emergency situations. As such, the aim of this study is to establish a more realistic new distance-based safety indicator called the minimum safe distance gap (MSDG), which incorporates vehicle classification (VC), speed, and gross vehicle weight (GVW).

Fulltext Dual-band operation of a microstrip patch antenna on a Duroid 5870 substrate for Ku- and K-bands

Islam MM, Islam MT, Faruque MR

ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:378420.

PMID: 24385878 DOI: 10.1155/2013/378420

The dual-band operation of a microstrip patch antenna on a Duroid 5870 substrate for Ku- and K-bands is presented. The fabrication of the proposed antenna is performed with slots and a Duroid 5870 dielectric substrate and is excited by a 50 Ω microstrip transmission line. A high-frequency structural simulator (HFSS) is used which is based on the finite element method (FEM) in this research. The measured impedance bandwidth (2 : 1 VSWR) achieved is 1.07 GHz (15.93 GHz-14.86 GHz) on the lower band and 0.94 GHz (20.67-19.73 GHz) on the upper band. A stable omnidirectional radiation pattern is observed in the operating frequency band. The proposed prototype antenna behavior is discussed in terms of the comparisons of the measured and simulated results.

Fulltext Di-chlorido-{2-[(E)-phen-yl(pyridin-2-yl-κN)methyl-idene]-N-phenyl-hydra-zine-carboxamide-κ(2) N (2),O}copper(II)

Aiswarya N, Sithambaresan M, Kurup MR, Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2013 Oct 9;69(Pt 11):m588-9.

PMID: 24454026 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536813026883

The title compound, [CuCl2(C19H16N4O)], contains a Cu(II) atom N,N',O-chelated by a neutral N-phenyl-hy-dra-zine-car-box-amide ligand and additionally coordinated by two Cl atoms, resulting in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The ligating atoms in the basal square plane of the complex comprise the azomethine N, the pyridine N, the amide O and one of the Cl atoms, whereas the other Cl atom occupies an apical position. The apical Cl atoms in adjacent layers function as hydrogen-bond acceptors to both NH groups. Intermolecular C-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O interactions are also observed.

Retromolar foramen and canal: a comprehensive review on its anatomy and clinical applications

Kumar Potu B, Jagadeesan S, Bhat KM, Rao Sirasanagandla S

Morphologie, 2013 Jun;97(317):31-7.

PMID: 23806306 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2013.04.004

The retromolar foramen (RMF) and retromolar canal (RMC) are the anatomical structures of the mandible located in retromolar fossa behind the third molar tooth. This foramen and canal contain neurovascular structures which provide accessory/additional innervation to the mandibular molars and the buccal area. These neurovascular contents of the canal gain more importance in medical and dental practice, because these elements are vulnerable to damage during placement of osteointegrated implants, endodontic treatment and sagittal split osteotomy surgeries and a detailed knowledge of this anatomical variation would be vital in understanding failed inferior alveolar nerve blockage, spread of infection and also metastasis. Although few studies have been conducted in the past showing the incidence and types in different population groups, a lacunae in comprehensive review of this structure is lacking. Though this variation posed challenging situations for the practicing surgeons, it has been quite neglected and the incidence of it is not well presented in all the textbooks. Hence, we made an attempt to provide a consolidated review regarding variations and clinical applications of the RMF and RMC.

Fulltext Effects of using pozzolan and Portland cement in the treatment of dispersive clay

Vakili AH, Selamat MR, Moayedi H

ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:547615.

PMID: 23864828 DOI: 10.1155/2013/547615

Use of dispersive clay as construction material requires treatment such as by chemical addition. Treatments to dispersive clay using pozzolan and Portland cement, singly and simultaneously, were carried out in this study. When used alone, the optimum amount of pozzolan required to treat a fully dispersive clay sample was 5%, but the curing time to reduce dispersion potential, from 100% to 30% or less, was 3 month long. On the other hand, also when used alone, a 3% cement content was capable of reducing dispersion potential to almost zero percent in only 7 days; and a 2% cement content was capable of achieving similar result in 14 days. However, treatment by cement alone is costly and could jeopardize the long term performance. Thus, a combined 5% pozzolan and 1.5% cement content was found capable of reducing dispersion potential from 100% to zero percent in 14 days. The results indicate that although simultaneous treatment with pozzolan and cement would extend the required curing time in comparison to treatment by cement alone of a higher content, the task could still be carried out in a reasonable period of curing time while avoiding the drawbacks of using either pozzolan or cement alone.

Fulltext The influence of pre-admission tracks on students' academic performance in a medical programme: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Arzuman H, Ja'afar R, Fakri NM

Educ Health (Abingdon), 2012 Nov;25(2):124-7.

PMID: 23823596 DOI: 10.4103/1357-6283.103460

An aim of medical schools is to select the most suitable candidates who are more likely to become good doctors, fulfilling societal expectations. It is imperative to better understand the influence of 'selection' variables on students' academic performance. We conducted a retrospective record review (3R) to examine the predictive power of pre-admission tracks on academic performance in the medical programme at the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Fulltext Associated risk factors to non-compliance to methadone maintenance therapy

Ramli M, Zafri AB, Junid MR, Hatta S

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Dec;67(6):560-4.

PMID: 23770945 MyJurnal

The escalating problem of opiate dependence in Malaysia and the limitations of regimental approach of forced admission to rehabilitation centres had triggered the government to expand the methadone maintenance therapy to become a national programme. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes of the Methadone Maintenance Therapy programme in one of the busiest hospital in east coast Malaysia. We also explored the prevalence on non-compliance and factors associated to it. A total of 172 patient case notes at Methadone Clinic Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) were retrieved for relevant data. A short survey was also conducted to determine the subjects' current employment and marital status. The programme's retention rate was 62% and factors associated with poor compliance were unemployment, low quality of life scores and low dose of methadone. A special attention on the patients with these three risk factors may improve their compliance to MMT. The short-term evaluation of MMT at HTAA revealed favourable findings.
Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Comparative study of the oxidative and physical stability of liposomal and nanoliposomal polyunsaturated fatty acids prepared with conventional and Mozafari methods

Rasti B, Jinap S, Mozafari MR, Yazid AM

Food Chem, 2012 Dec 15;135(4):2761-70.

PMID: 22980870 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.07.016

The relative oxidative stability of freshly prepared and stored liposomal and nanoliposomal systems of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) were investigated. The effects of organic solvents on the oxidative stability of liposomal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) produced by two methods, the Bangham thin-film hydration (conventional rotary evaporation method and using organic solvents) and Mozafari (direct hydration and without using organic solvents) methods, were compared. The highest physicochemical stability was observed in PUFA liposomes prepared by the Mozafari method, followed by conventional liposomes and bulk PUFAs. There was no significant change in physicochemical stability during 10 months of cold storage (4°C) in the dark. Moreover, the comparison between liposomes (>200 nm) and nanoliposomes (50-200 nm) revealed that the surface charge, physical stability and oxidative stability of liposomal PUFAs increased as the size of the liposomes decreased. The differences in the oxidative stability of PUFAs may be due to the protective effects of aqueous systems, which indicate the advantage of using non-organic solvent (water and CO(2)) techniques in liposome manufacturing.

Distribution of prosaposin mRNA in the central nervous system of the pigeon (Columba livia)

Islam MR, Abdullah JM, Atoji Y

Anat Histol Embryol, 2013 Aug;42(4):257-65.

PMID: 22994540 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12009

Bioassay and immunohistochemical studies have detected the presence of prosaposin in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. Here, first time, we have determined the partial cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin and mapped the distribution of its mRNA in the pigeon CNS. The predicted amino acid sequence of pigeon prosaposin showed 93 and 60% identity to chicken and human prosaposin, respectively. In situ hybridization, autoradiograms showed that the prosaposin mRNA expression was found in the olfactory bulb, prepiriform cortex, Wulst, mesopallium, nidopallium, hippocampal formation, thalamus, tuberis nucleus, pre-tectal nucleus, nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis, nucleus isthmi, pars parvocellularis and magnocellularis, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, optic tectum, cerebellar cortex and nuclei, vestibular nuclei and gray matter of the spinal cord. These results suggest that the cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin is comparable to other vertebrates, and the general distribution pattern of prosaposin mRNA resembles those are found in mammals.

The effect of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) on biofouling in a hybrid membrane bioreactor for the treatment of high concentration organic wastewater

Damayanti A, Ujang Z, Salim MR, Olsson G

Water Sci Technol, 2011;63(8):1701-6.

PMID: 21866771

Biofouling is a crucial factor in membrane bioreactor (MBR) applications, particularly for high organic loading operations. This paper reports a study on biofouling in an MBR to establish a relationship between critical flux, Jc, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) (ranging from 5 to 20 g L-1) and volumetric loading rate (6.3 kg COD m-3 h-1) of palm oil mill effluent (POME). A lab-scale 100 L hybrid MBR consisting of anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic reactors was used with flat sheet microfiltration (MF) submerged in the aerobic compartment. The food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio was maintained at 0.18 kg COD kg-1 MLSSd-1. The biofouling tendency of the membrane was obtained based on the flux against the transmembrane pressure (TMP) behaviour. The critical flux is sensitive to the MLSS. At the MLSS 20 g L-1 the critical flux is about four times lower than that for the MLSS concentration of 5 g L-1. The results showed high removal efficiency of denitrification and nitrification up to 97% at the MLSS concentration 20 g L-1. The results show that the operation has to compromise between a high and a low MLSS concentration. The former will favour a higher removal rate, while the latter will favour a higher critical flux.

Fulltext Retrospective review of corneal ulcers in Ipoh Hospital

Kursiah MR, Sharif FM, Balaravi P

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):391-4.

PMID: 19803298 MyJurnal

This study was a retrospective study on corneal ulcer of one year period in Hospital Ipoh. A total of 28 cases were studied. Among the risk factors identified were foreign body on cornea, trauma, contact lens, vernal keratoconjunctivitis and surgical complication. The nature of this disease which was severe and slow healing caused prolonged hospital admission. Identification of causative microorganism by corneal scraping help in the treatment and management of this condition.

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