MyMedR

Fulltext Outcome of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) in the management of snoring in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Abdullah B, Othman NA, Daud MK

Malays J Med Sci, 2008 Apr;15(2):29-32.

PMID: 22589622

To determine the outcome of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for the management of patients with snoring in Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM). A retrospective review of patients who underwent LAUP with or without tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy under general anaesthesia between December 2003 to December 2006. Data was obtained from admission and follow-up records in the otorhinolaryngology clinic of USM Hospital (HUSM). A total of nineteen patients underwent procedure for the treatment of snoring. Majority of these patients presented with symptoms of loud snoring and daytime somnolence. The main operations performed were LAUP with or without tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. The justification for LAUP were overhanging and excessive uvula or soft palate, whereas for adenotonsillectomy were the hypertrophied adenoids and tonsils. On follow-up, most of the patients claimed improvement of snoring within the first 2 months post-operation. However, majority of them defaulted follow-up after that. One patient (AHI preoperatively was mild) was reviewed up to 8 months with no snoring. One patient (AHI was severe preoperatively and normal post operatively) remained in our follow-up was satisfied with the operation. Two patients continued to experience snoring post LAUP despite trial of non-surgical methods. The outcome of LAUP in our patients showed variable results. This showed that patient selection is very important to achieve good result in LAUP. Long-term follow-up is also essential to document the success for LAUP.

Study site: otorhinolaryngology clinic of USM Hospital (HUSM)

Fulltext Gut Microbiota Composition in the First and Third Trimester of Pregnancy among Malay Women is Associated with Body Mass Index: A Pilot Study

Abdullah B, Idorus MY, Daud S, Aazmi S, Pillai TK, Zain ZM

Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Feb;30(1):116-128.

PMID: 36875193 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.1.10

BACKGROUND: This study has analysed the pattern of gut microbiota during the first and third trimesters among pregnant Malay women.

METHODS: This was a pilot prospective observational study involving 12 pregnant Malay women without any endocrine disorders and on neither antibiotics nor probiotics. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements were obtained, and the faecal 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) metagenome microbiota of the first and third trimesters (T1 and T3) were analysed. Univariate and multivariate statistics, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and Kendall rank correlation testing were used to identify key genera and associations with pregnancy trimester and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS: The most abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, with significant differences in composition at the genus level demonstrated between T1 and T3. Sequencing showed a statistically significant difference in beta diversity between normal and abnormal BMI at all taxonomic ranks (R 2 = 0.60; Q 2 = 0.23) and genus levels (R 2 = 0.57; Q 2 = 0.37). The relative abundances of Akkermansia (P < 0.05; false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05), Olsenella (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) and Oscillospira (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher in normal BMI cases by 2.4, 3.4 and 3.1 times, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Three genera (Akkermansia, Olsenella and Oscillospira) were correlated with normal BMI during pregnancy. All three could be promising biotherapeutic targets in body weight regulation during pregnancy, subsequently reducing complications associated with higher BMI.

Medication errors among geriatrics at the outpatient pharmacy in a teaching hospital in kelantan

Abdullah DC, Ibrahim NS, Ibrahim MI

Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jul;11(2):52-8.

PMID: 22973127 MyJurnal

The main aim of this study was to determine the medication errors among geriatrics at the outpatient pharmacy in a teaching hospital in Kelantan and the strategies to minimize the prevalence. A retrospective study was conducted that involved screening of prescription for a one-month period (March 2001). Only 15.35% (1601 prescription) of a total 10,429 prescriptions were for geriatrics. The prescriptions that were found to have medication errors was 403. Therefore, the prevalence of medication errors per day was approximately 20 cases. Generally, the errors between both genders were found to be comparable and to be the highest for Malays and at the age of 60-64 years old. Administrative errors was recorded to be the highest which included patient's particulars and validity of the prescriptions (70.22%) and drugs that available in HUSM (16.13%). Whereas the total of prescribing errors were low. Under prescribing errors were pharmaceutical error (0.99%) and clinical error (8.68%). Sixteen cases or 3.98% had more than 1 error. The highest prevalence went to geriatrics who received more than nine drugs (32.16%), geriatrics with more than 3 clinical diagnosis (10.06%), geriatrics who visited specialist clinics (37.52%) and treated by the specialists (31.07%). The estimated cost for the 403 medication errors in March was RM9,327 or RM301 per day that included the cost of drugs and humanistic cost. The projected cost of medication errors per year was RM 111,924. In conclusion, it is very clear that the role of pharmacist is very great in preventing and minimizing the medication errors beside the needs of correct prescription writing and other strategies by all of the heath care components.

Fulltext History of Neurosurgery in Malaysia: The Past, Present and Future

Abdullah FC, Zakaria Z, Thambinayagam HC, Kandasamy R, Alias A, Abu Bakar A, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):129-185.

PMID: 35002497 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.13

The history of neurosurgery in Malaysia traces back to 1962 and is filled with stories of vibrant and humble neurosurgeons who have dedicated their life to patients and professions. The early development of neurological and neurosurgical services begins from the establishment of the neurosurgery unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), followed by the foundation of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Neuroscience Institute (IKTAR). Due to the exponentially increased demand for the care of neurosurgical patients, many universities and government hospitals have opened their neurosurgical units. In 2001, the formal residency training programme (USM Masters in Neurosurgery) started and since then has produced qualified neurosurgeons that empowered and shaped the present generation. The formation of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia (NAM) is another turning point towards bidirectional collaboration with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Many opportunities were created for educational activities and the expansion of subspecialties in neurosurgery. This article describes the impact of the past neurosurgeons and the endeavors that they had gone through; the present neurosurgeons who pioneered the current neurosurgical services in Malaysia, and the future neurosurgeons that will continue the legacy and bring neurosurgery further ahead in this country.

Fulltext Suitability of Parkinson's patients for surgery in the north East coast of peninsular malaysia: a prospective analysis

Abdullah J, Abdullah MR

Malays J Med Sci, 2003 Jan;10(1):74-7.

PMID: 23365504 MyJurnal

There is no report in the English literature on the criteria for neuroablation or neuroaugmentation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in a developing country like Malaysia. A prospective study of patients with Parkinson's disease from the north-eastern peninsular Malaysia was done to assess their suitability of surgery. Age, race, duration of illness and dementia were considered important factors towards the success of such surgical procedures. A mathematical model is suggested for future cases deemed to be suitable for neuroaugmentative or ablative surgery.

A Critical Appraisal of COVID-19 in Malaysia and Beyond

Abdullah JM, Wan Ismail WFN, Mohamad I, Ab Razak A, Harun A, Musa KI, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Mar;27(2):1-9.

PMID: 32308536 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.2.1

When the first report of COVID-19 appeared in December 2019 from Wuhan, China, the world unknowingly perceived this as another flu-like illness. Many were surprised at the extreme steps that China had subsequently taken to seal Wuhan from the rest of the world. However, by February 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, had spread so quickly across the globe that the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic the world has seen, so what makes it so unique in Malaysia, is discussed to avoid a future coronacoma.

Progress in Clinical Neurosciences, Cognitive Neurosciences, Clinical Psychology, Neurotechnology and Brain Mapping in Malaysia

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Apr;28(2):1-14.

PMID: 33958956 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.2.1

Last year, there was an increase in the amount of manpower in Malaysia, especially in terms of the numbers of neurosurgeons, cognitive neuroscientists and clinical psychologists. One way to increase the number of cognitive neurotechnologists in the country in 2021 is to allow neuroscientists to register as neurotechnologists with the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT). The Malaysian Brain Mapping project has risen from its humble beginnings as an initiative of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Brain Mapping Group in 2017. There is currently a proposal for its entry into the national arena via the Precision Medicine Initiative with the Academy Science Malaysia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health. The current Malaysian Government's Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) plan was launched in 2020, leading to the establishment of neurotechnology as one of 10 STIE drivers.

Fulltext Hominem Sine Opus Spatium: Where Do the Ideas Come from to Move the Brain, Mind, Behaviour and Neurosciences in Malaysia?

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2018 Mar;25(2):1-14.

PMID: 30918450 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.2.1

People can work wonders without a room. Rooms make people think within a box, and people who are not confined within a room can wonder while thinking and solve problems as they see them in the environment. The dearth in the growth of professionals trained in the neurosciences who will use neurotechnology in the future is a dire situation facing Malaysia, according to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia's 2017 Emerging Science, Engineering and Technology (ESET) study. Further, this human resource needs to be fundamentally cultivated at schools from a very young age. The author describes the activities that have taken place in the country via a bottom-up approach over the last two years and hopes that eventually these endeavours will end with the creation of an ASEAN Brain, Mind, Behaviour and Neuroscience Institute for Creativity and Innovation being established with the full support of the Government of Malaysia or other local and international financial donors.

Fulltext Neurosciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia Represent Malaysia to Support Global Precision Brain Health

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 May;26(3):1-23.

PMID: 31303847 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.3.1

The combined effort of the neuroscience and psychology cluster at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)-fundamental, applied and clinical-has moved the institution to the number two position in the country, behind Universiti Malaya. The strategy to join the Global Brain Consortium (GBC) and put Malaysia on the map to address the GBC mission, vision, focus areas and outcomes began recently, in May 2019.

Fulltext Words from the current editor of MJMS

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2008 Oct;15(4):1.

PMID: 22589627

Fulltext Neurosciences in university sains malaysia; the way to go forward in malaysia with vision 2020

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2005 Jul;12(2):1-3.

PMID: 22605951

Fulltext Interesting asian plants: their compounds and effects on electrophysiology and behaviour

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2011 Oct;18(4):1-4.

PMID: 22589667 MyJurnal

There have been numerous non-scientific reports on the behavioural effects of Asian plants in humans who consumed these plants wholly or part thereof. Knowledge passed from generation to generation informs us of plants that increase effort and stamina, such as during paddy planting after the ingestion of Mitragyna speciosa Korth (ketum) as a tea supplement. Centella asiatica and Myristica fragrans are used as herbs to improve memory and to treat epilepsy, respectively. Zizyphus mauritiana is used to treat headache and burn pain, acts as an antitussive, and reduces rigor mortis immediately after death. These plants, which have been identified to exhibit analgaesic, muscle-relaxing, and nootropic effects, may contain important bio-compounds for medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical research in Malaysia. The electrophysiology properties of these plants and their effects on epilepsy, behaviour, and pain will lead Malaysia to future new drug discoveries.

The Eight Stages of Trust and "Amanah" in Medicine and the Dunning-Kruger effect

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Jul;21(4):1-3.

PMID: 25977614

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which unskilled people make poor decisions and reach erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to recognise their mistakes. These unskilled people therefore suffer from illusory superiority, rating their ability as above average, much higher than it actually is, while the highly skilled underrate their own abilities, suffering from illusory inferiority.

Fulltext Neuroscience and Brain Science Special Issue begins in the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Dec;21(Spec Issue):1-5.

PMID: 25941457

The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences and the Orient Neuron Nexus have amalgated to publish a yearly special issue based on neuro- and brain sciences. This will hopefully improve the quality of peer-reviewed manuscripts in the field of fundamental, applied, and clinical neuroscience and brain science from Asian countries. One focus of the Universiti Sains Malaysia is to strengthen neuroscience and brain science, especially in the field of neuroinformatics.

Fulltext Ain't No Neuroscience Mountain High Enough: Experiences of a Neurogardener

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2015 May-Jun;22(3):1-6.

PMID: 26715890

16 years have passed since the idea was mooted in 1999 by five neurosurgeons in the corridors of Hotel Perdana, Kota Bharu. They were Dato' Dr Johari Siregar Bin Adnan, Dato' Professor Dr Ahmad Zubaidi Abdul Latif , Dr Azmin Kass Bin Rosman, Dato' Dr Mohammed Saffari Bin Mohammed Haspani and Professor Dato' Dr Jafri Malin Abdullah. They initiated the beginning of the first programme in Neurosurgery in Malaysia. The rest is history.

Another Important News from the Neuronman: Malaysia's Neuroscience Group Moves upwards in Terms of Research, Creativity, and Innovation

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2015 Dec;22(Spec Issue):1-4.

PMID: 27006631

12 months ago the first Neuroscience special issue of the Malaysia Journal of Medical Sciences was born with the intention to increase the number of local publication dedicated to neurosciences. Since then many events happened in the neuroscience world of Malaysia, those considered major were the establishment of a Neurotechnology Foresight 2050 task force by the Academy of Medicine Malaysia as well as the launching of Malaysia as the 18th member to join the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility on the 9th October 2015 which was officiated by the Deputy Ministers of Higher Education, Datuk Mary Yap.

All the Vice Chancellor's Neuroscientists: Unity to Achieve Success in Solving Malaysia's Diseases via Upgrading Clinical Services and Neuroscience Research

Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 May;20(3):1-5.

PMID: 23966818

President Obama of the United States of America announced this April the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN for short) investment, while Professor Henry Markram's team based in the European Union will spend over a billion euros on the Human Brain Project, breaking through the unknowns in the fifth science of the decade: Neuroscience. Malaysia's growth in the same field needs to be augmented, and thus the Universiti Sains Malaysia's vision is to excel in the field of clinical brain sciences, mind sciences and neurosciences. This will naturally bring up the level of research in the country simultaneously. Thus, a center was recently established to coordinate this venture. The four-year Integrated Neuroscience Program established recently will be a sustainable source of neuroscientists for the country. We hope to establish ourselves by 2020 as a global university with neurosciences research as an important flagship.

Telemetric EEG and the rat: a guide for neuroscientists

Abdullah JM, Rafiqul Islam M

Malays J Med Sci, 2012 Oct;19(4):1-5.

PMID: 23613643

Telemetric EEG in the rat's brain has been used for experiments which tests the effects of an antiepileptic compound on it's antiseizures activity. A simple classification correlating epileptiform discharge and Racine's behavioral activity is discussed.

Fulltext Using 21st-Century Technologies to Determine the Cognitive Capabilities of a 11,000-Year-Old Perak Man Who Had Brachymesophalangia Type A2

Abdullah JY, Saidin M, Rajion ZA, Hadi H, Mohamad N, Moraes C, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Feb;28(1):1-8.

PMID: 33679214 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.1.1

Perak Man, named after the state where the skeleton was found, was the most complete skeleton found in Southeast Asia. The funerary artefacts indicate that Perak Man was highly respected, as he was buried at the centre of the highest cave in Lenggong, and he was the only person buried there. A copy of the original skull was made using computed tomography (CT) and 3D printing. Based on the internal structure of the reconstructed skull, the estimated intracranial volume (ICV) is 1,204.91 mL. The hypothetical face of Perak Man was reconstructed according to established forensic methods. Based on his presumed status, Perak Man was likely a respected person in the group and, perhaps, a shaman and the most knowledgeable person in the group regarding survival, hunting, gathering and other aspects of Palaeolithic daily life.

Fulltext An outcome of Surgically Treated Head and Neck Cancer in one of the tertiary Referral Center in the East Coast of Malaysia: A 6-year Retrospective Analysis

Abdullah K, Raja Lope Ahmad RA, Asha'ari ZA, Razali MS, Leman WI

Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Jul;21(4):28-36.

PMID: 25977619 MyJurnal

Surgical management of head and neck cancer is undoubtedly challenging, and we would like to see the outcome of managing such cases at one of the tertiary referral center in the East Coast of Malaysia.

Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 1065 in total