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  1. Syamsiah Aini S, Leow BL, Faizul Fikri MY, Muhammad Redzwan S, Faizah Hanim MS
    Trop Biomed, 2022 Dec 01;39(4):579-586.
    PMID: 36602219 DOI: 10.47665/tb.39.4.015
    Newcastle disease (ND) is an extremely contagious and fatal viral disease causing huge economic losses to the poultry industry. Following recent ND outbreaks in Sabah in commercial poultry and backyard farms, it was speculated that this could be due to a new introduction of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) genotype/sub-genotype. Here we report the genetic characterization of NDVs isolated from Sabah during early 2021. All isolates were amplified and sequenced with primers specific to the viral fusion (F) gene using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the F gene showed that all isolates shared similar homology of 99.4% with NDV strain from Iran isolated in 2018. Amino acid sequences of the F protein cleavage site revealed the motif of 112RRQKRF117 indicating all isolates were of virulent strain. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all isolates were clustered under sub-genotype VII 1.1 and clustered together with isolates from Iran (previously known as subgenotype VIIl). The present findings suggested that there is an emerging of a new sub-genotype into the poultry population in Sabah and this sub-genotype has never been reported before in Malaysia. Therefore, transboundary monitoring and continuous surveillance should be implemented for proper control and prevention of the disease. A further molecular epidemiological analysis of NDV is needed to well understand the circulatory patterns of virulent strains of NDV in the country to prevent future outbreaks.
  2. Yehya AHS, Asif M, Abdul Majid AMS, Oon CE
    J Tradit Complement Med, 2023 Jan;13(1):39-50.
    PMID: 36685076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.10.002
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gemcitabine remains the cornerstone of pancreatic cancer treatment, despite exhibiting a modest effect on patient survival due to the development of drug resistance. Nuvastatic™ polymolecular botanical drug Orthosiphon stamineus (O. stamineus) is a folklore Asian herbal medicine that is used for the treatment of a variety of ailments. However, little is known about the mechanism of actions of the Nuvastatic™ polymolecular botanical drug of O. stamineus as a complementary therapy in resistant pancreatic cancer. It is postulated that the proprietary O. stamineus extract formulation (ID: C5EOSEW5050ESA) in Nuvastatic™ may sensitise resistant pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. This study was conducted to assess the cytotoxic activity and synergistic effects of C5EOSEW5050ESA in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells.

    EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: The effects of C5EOSEW5050ESA treatment on cell viability, multidrug-resistant genes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular senescence, cell death, and Notch signalling pathway were evaluated in gemcitabine-resistant Panc-1 cells.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: C5EOSEW5050ESA sensitised gemcitabine resistant cells towards C5EOSEW5050ESA-gemcitabine combination treatment by reducing the expression of multidrug-resistant genes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in gemcitabine-resistant cells compared to the control group, possibly through the inhibition of Notch signalling. This study provides valuable insight into using C5EOSEW5050ESA as a potential complementary treatment for resistant pancreatic cancer.

  3. Ramizah MS, Tee SC, Muhammad SJ, Abdul AH, Shahabuddin NH, Saiyidah Adila A
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Jan;78(1):39-45.
    PMID: 36715190
    INTRODUCTION: Several risk factors found to be associated with postoperative complications and cancer surgery, which carry a significant morbidity risk to cancer patients. Therefore, prehabilitation is necessary to improve the functional capability and nutritional status of a patient prior to surgery, so that the patient can withstand any postoperative activity and associated deterioration. Thus, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of prehabilitation interventions on the functional status of patients with gastric and oesophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy and gastrectomy.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: An interventional study was carried out among oesophageal and gastric cancer patients who had undergone surgery at the National Cancer Institute of Malaysia. The prehabilitation process took a maximum of two weeks, depending on the patient's optimisation before surgery. The prehabilitation is based on functional capacity (ECOG performance status), muscle function (handgrip strength), cardio-respiratory function (peak flow meter) and nutritional status (calorie and protein). Postoperative outcomes are measured based on the length of hospital stay, complications, and Clavien-Dindo Classification.

    RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were recruited to undergo a prehabilitation intervention prior to gastrectomy (n=21) and esophagectomy (n=10). Demographically, most of the cancer patients were males (67.7%) with an ideal mean of BMI (23.5±6.0). Physically, the majority of them had physical class (ASA grade) Grade 2 (67.7%), ECOG performance status of 1 (61.3%) and SGA grade B (51.6%). The functional capacity and nutritional status showed a significant improvement after one week of prehabilitation interventions: peak expiratory flow meter (p<0.001), handgrip (p<0.001), ECOG performance (p<0.001), walking distance (p<0.001), incentive spirometry (p<0.001), total body calorie (p<0.001) and total body protein (p=0.004). However, those patients who required two weeks of prehabilitation for optimization showed only significant improvement in peak expiratory flow meter (p<0.001), handgrip (p<0.001), and incentive spirometry (p<0.001). Prehabilitation is significantly associated postoperatively with the length of hospital stay (p=0.028), complications (p=0.011) and Clavien-Dindo Classification (p=0.029).

    CONCLUSION: Prehabilitation interventions significantly increase the functional capacity and nutritional status of cancer patients preoperatively; concurrently reducing hospital stays and complications postoperatively. However, certain cancer patients might require over two weeks of prehabilitation to improve the patient's functional capacity and reduce complications postoperatively.

  4. Salvamani S, Tan HZ, Thang WJ, Ter HC, Wan MS, Gunasekaran B, et al.
    Br J Biomed Sci, 2020 Oct;77(4):168-184.
    PMID: 32942955 DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2020.1826136
    The COVID-19 disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is highly infective within the human population. The virus is widely disseminated to almost every continent with over twenty-seven million infections and over ninety-thousand reported deaths attributed to COVID-19 disease. SARS-CoV-2 is a single stranded RNA virus, comprising three main viral proteins; membrane, spike and envelope. The clinical features of COVID-19 disease can be classified according to different degrees of severity, with some patients progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome, which can be fatal. In addition, many infections are asymptomatic or only cause mild symptoms. As there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 there is considerable endeavour to raise a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, in addition to engineering neutralizing antibody interventions. In the absence of an effective vaccine, movement controls of varying stringencies have been imposed. Whilst enforced lockdown measures have been effective, they may be less effective against the current strain of SARS-CoV-2, the G614 clade. Conversely, other mutations of the virus, such as the Δ382 variant could reduce the clinical relevance of infection. The front runners in the race to develop an effective vaccine focus on the SARS-Co-V-2 Spike protein. However, vaccines that produce a T-cell response to a wider range of SARS-Co-V-2 viral proteins, may be more effective. Population based studies that determine the level of innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2, from prior exposure to the virus or to other coronaviruses, will have important implications for government imposed movement control and the strategic delivery of vaccination programmes.
  5. Khor GL, Zalilah MS, Phan YY, Ang M, Maznah B, Norimah AK
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Mar;50(3):303-11.
    PMID: 19352576
    Body image concerns are common among adolescents as they undergo rapid physical growth and body shape changes. Having a distorted body image is a risk factor for the development of disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. This study was undertaken to investigate body image concerns among Malaysian male and female adolescents aged 11-15 years.
  6. Htwe TT, Hamdi MM, Swethadri GK, Wong JO, Soe MM, Abdullah MS
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Jul;50(7):724-8.
    PMID: 19644631
    Thyroid cancer is the most common among all endocrine malignancies. The worldwide prevalence of goitre in the general population is estimated at 4-7 percent and the incidence of malignancy in goitrous thyroid is about ten percent. It is postulated that goitrous thyroid is a precursor lesion to the development of malignant thyroid diseases. As Sarawak is a state well known for endemic goitre, this study focused on establishing the incidence of thyroid malignancy among goitrous thyroid swellings.
  7. Aziz ME, Yusof NR, Abdullah MS, Yusof AH, Yusof MI
    Singapore Med J, 2005 Aug;46(8):426-8.
    PMID: 16049615
    Persistent sciatic artery is a very uncommon embryological vascular variant. This case report highlights this rare vascular anomaly, diagnostic difficulty, complication and subsequent treatment in a 43-year-old man who presented with sudden onset of right leg pain for a few hours. He was unable to walk because of pain and numbness. Emergency right lower limb angiogram showed a large aneurysm that was initially thought to arise from the right common femoral artery, associated with thrombus formation within the right popliteal artery. A below knee amputation was performed due to worsening ischaemia of the right leg. The persistent right sciatic artery was later obliterated using percutaneous stenting and endovascular grafting, with deployment of two wallstents.
  8. Saw A, Sallehuddin AY, Chuah UC, Ismail MS, Yoga R, Hossain MG
    Singapore Med J, 2010 Sep;51(9):702-8.
    PMID: 20938610
    The pattern of fracture, including the anatomical location and age distribution, may differ among urban and rural populations due to various factors such as the inhabitants' occupation and living environment.
  9. Than TH, Swethadri GK, Wong J, Ahmad T, Jamil D, Maganlal RK, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Apr;49(4):333-8.
    PMID: 18418527
    It has been suggested that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Galectin-7 (Gal-7) are potential tumour markers for differentiating thyroid carcinoma from its benign counter part. Galectins are beta-galactoside-binding proteins with Gal-3 being a redundant pre-mRNA splicing factor. They are supposed to be p53-related regulators in cell growth and apoptosis, being either anti-apoptotic or pro-apoptotic. Although the value of Gal-3 has been studied extensively, there is little knowledge regarding the expression of Gal-7 in thyroid malignancy.
  10. Nik Lah NA, Che Yaakob CA, Othman MS, Nik Mahmood NM
    Singapore Med J, 2007 Dec;48(12):e335-7.
    PMID: 18043831
    Twin reverse arterial perfusion sequence occurs in approximately one percent of monochorionic twins. This condition is always fatal for the recipient twin and carries a high mortality rate for the pump twin. Various treatment options are described, but management is continually evolving with the publication of new data. We report an acardiac acephalic monochorionic twin who was diagnosed at 31 weeks gestation. Serial ultrasonographical examinations of the normal pump twin showed intrauterine growth restriction but with no evidence of heart failure. A healthy pump twin was delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks.
  11. Atiku H, Mohamed RMSR, Al-Gheethi AA, Wurochekke AA, Kassim AHM
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 12;23(24):24624-24641.
    PMID: 27544526 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7456-9
    The wide application of microalgae in the field of wastewater treatment and bioenergy source has improved research studies in the past years. Microalgae represent a good source of biomass and bio-products which are used in different medical and industrial activities, among them the production of high-valued products and biofuels. The present review focused on greywater treatment through the application of phycoremediation technique with microalgae and presented recent advances in technologies used for harvesting the microalgae biomass. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. The microbiological aspects of production, harvesting and utilization of microalgae biomass are viewed.
  12. Amirul AA, Khoo SL, Nazalan MN, Razip MS, Azizan MN
    Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1996;41(2):165-74.
    PMID: 9138312
    A. niger produced alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase and two forms of glucoamylase when grown in a liquid medium containing raw tapioca starch as the carbon source. The glucoamylases, which formed the dominant components of amylolytic activity manifested by the organism, were purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange and two cycles of gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzymes, designated GA1 and GA2, a raw starch digesting glucoamylase, were found to have molar masses of 74 and 96 kDa and isoelectric points of 3.8 and 3.95, respectively. The enzymes were found to have pH optimum of 4.2 and 4.5 for GA1 and GA2, respectively, and were both stable in a pH range of 3.5-9.0. Both enzymes were thermophilic in nature with temperature optimum of 60 and 65 degrees C, respectively, and were stable for 1 h at temperatures of up to 60 degrees C. The kinetic parameters Km and V showed that with both enzymes the branched substrates, starch and amylopectin, were more efficiently hydrolyzed compared to amylose. GA2, the more active of the two glucoamylases produced, was approximately six to thirteen times more active towards raw starches compared to GA1.
  13. Mustafa NM, Jumaah FN, Ludin NA, Akhtaruzzaman M, Hassan NH, Ahmad A, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Apr 15;10(7):e27381.
    PMID: 38560257 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27381
    Tetraalkylammonium salt (TAS) is an organic salt widely employed as a precursor, additive or electrolyte in solar cell applications, such as perovskite or dye-sensitized solar cells. Notably, Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered acclaim for their exceptional efficiency. However, PSCs have been associated with environmental and health concerns due to the presence of lead (Pb) content, the use of hazardous solvents, and the incorporation of TAS in their fabrication processes, which significantly contributes to environmental and human health toxicity. As a response, there is a growing trend towards transitioning to safer and biobased materials in PSC fabrication to address these concerns. However, the potential health hazards associated with TAS necessitate a thorough evaluation, considering the widespread use of this substance. Nevertheless, the overexploitation of TAS could potentially increase the disposal of TAS in the ecosystem, thus, posing a major health risk and severe pollution. Therefore, this review article presents a comprehensive discussion on the in vitro and in vivo toxicity assays of TAS as a potential material in solar energy applications, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, in vivo dermal, and systemic toxicity. In addition, this review emphasizes the toxicity of TAS compounds, particularly the linear tetraalkyl chain structures, and summarizes essential findings from past studies as a point of reference for the development of non-toxic and environmentally friendly TAS derivatives in future studies. The effects of the TAS alkyl chain length, polar head and hydrophobicity, cation and anion, and other properties are also included in this review.
  14. Idris HN, Sanusi MSM, Ramli AT, Solleh MRM, Yahaya F, Ya'cob MZ, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2024 Jul;209:111327.
    PMID: 38642443 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111327
    Presentation of baseline data on terrestrial gamma radiation (TGR) levels is crucial for assessing the annual effective dose received by the public due to natural radiation exposure. Cumulative doses from various sources can become significant, warranting a spatial understanding of TGR distribution. Few countries have comprehensively mapped TGR on a national scale, often facing challenges due to remote or inaccessible regions. This study investigated the influence of weathered soil groups on TGR dose rates in Sarawak-Borneo, Malaysia, to facilitate insights for TGR projection and isodose mapping. A total of 1044 TGR dose rate measurements were collected using NaI (Tl) scintillation detector survey meters, with a mean of 100 nGy h-1 and a range of 8-375 nGy h-1. Non-parametric statistical analyses of variance using Welch's ANOVA, Brown-Forsythe, and Kruskal-Wallis validated (P-sig.=.000) notable dissimilarities among six categories of superficial-weathered soil. Graphical analysis using Sinclair's cumulative plot revealed deviations at intervals of 50, 80, 100, 120, 175, and 205 nGy h-1. These deviations indicate distinct lithological influences. Skeletal soil (entisols) and podzolic soils had high mean dose rates (148 and 113 nGy h-1, respectively) due to limited development, thus preserving abundant uranium (U) and thorium (Th). Meanwhile, gleysols and thionic soils exhibited compatible means (90 and 82 nGy h-1, respectively), while alluvial (or transported soils) and organic soils displayed lower dose rate ranges (mean of 76 and 47 nGy h-1, respectively), reflecting rapid hydrolysis weathering processes. Simple linear regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between TGR dose rate and mean value of weathered soil groups (y = 0.851x + 0.141 nGy h-1), signifying the significance and magnitude of weathered soil groups' impact on TGR dose rates. The obtained R-value is 0.704, indicating a strong linear correlation among soil group variables, and a Durbin-Watson statistic of 1.41, suggesting positive autocorrelation among residuals, thus positive relationships. An isodose map was successfully developed using the Kriging technique, aligning with lithological features of the study area. Semivariogram analysis reveals spatial dependence within a range of 1.47°, supporting the Kriging technique's suitability for spatial inference. In conclusion, this study has successfully revealed the relationship between TGR dose rates and superficial-weathered soil in Sarawak-Borneo. While the linear relationship is applicable to the Sundaland-Borneo tectonic block, it has potential to be used as a valuable tool for spatial inference of TGR dose rates in isodose development with similar lithologial characteristics, aiding in radiation exposure assessment and environmental monitoring.
  15. Mohd Razi MS, Sugumaran Y, Mohd Haniz NA, Khilmie K, Osmera AH, Jauhary EJ, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2024 Apr;46(1):63-69.
    PMID: 38682845
    INTRODUCTION: Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing is among the most common immunological test requested in the diagnostic immunology laboratory. The main purpose of this test is to screen for the underlying systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). The gold standard laboratory method for ANA detection is by the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay. In most laboratories, positive ANA-IIF is reported in terms of titration and pattern.

    OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the correlation between ANA-IIF titration and pattern for the diagnosis of SARDs.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted whereby the positive ANA-IIF samples from 1st July 2018 until 31st December 2019 and 1st January 2021 until 31st March 2021 were included in this study. The duplicate samples were excluded. ANA-IIF titration and pattern were recorded for all patients. The demographic, clinical, and final diagnosis data were retrieved from each patient's clinical note.

    RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were included for analysis. The majority of the patients were female (79.9%) and from Malay ethnicity (66.5%). Sixty-five patients (36.3%) had ANA-IIF positive at 1:80 titration followed by 45 patients (25.1%) positive at titration of equal or more than 1:160. Speckled was the predominant pattern visualised in 90 patients (50.3%) followed by homogeneous in 76 patients (42.5%). Forty-five patients (25.1%) were finally diagnosed with SARDs with 41 of them diagnosed as SLE. ANA titration was significantly associated with the final diagnosis of SARDs at all titres (p<0.001) but the best cut-off was noted at a titre of equal or more than 1:320 with the sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 77.6% respectively. The homogeneous pattern was also significantly associated with SARDs (p=0.04). The final diagnosis of SARDs were significantly higher in female (p=0.03) and their age was significantly younger (p<0.001).

    CONCLUSION: ANA-IIF titration of equal or more than 1:320 can be used as the best titration for differentiating between SARDs and non-SARDs in a positive ANA sample. Patients with homogeneous pattern were more likely to be diagnosed with SARDs than other ANA-IIF patterns.

  16. Ranjith MS, Ranjitsingh AJ, Shankar SG, Vijayalaksmi GS, Deepa K, Babu K, et al.
    Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Jan;2(1):10-4.
    PMID: 21808531 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.60581
    Solanum trilobatum is a widely used plant in the Indian indigenous systems of medicine. It is mainly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases like bronchial asthma. In our present study, we report that the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum exhibited inhibition of mast cell degranulation. Further, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum significantly decreased the release of IL1α and increased the release of IL8 from the cultured keratinocytes. Oral administration of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum stabilized mast cells in experimental rats.
  17. Syed A, Htwe O, Naicker MS, Rashid AHA, Yuliawiratman BS, Naicker AS
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Sep;78(5):566-569.
    PMID: 37775480
    INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) in Malaysia is estimated at 2.6 per 1000 live births which is comparable to that of Australian and European data with ranges of 2.3- 4.21,2. Surgical intervention for the improvement of gait function and mobility in CP is a common practice, however scarce literature of its outcomes is available in Southeast Asia. This paper aims to address and compare outcomes of surgical interventions in our centre with other countries.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with Spastic CP with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I-III that underwent lower limb surgical intervention in our centre from 2008-2018 were retrospectively reviewed for The Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure ROM subscale (SAROMM) scores and Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) 18 months after surgery. Changes in SAROMM, FMS scores and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were determined.

    RESULTS: 19 patients were included in the study with mean age of 12.58. All patients underwent muscle tendon procedures. Box plot analysis of SAROMM showed reduction of median scores at 6(26.3%) and 12(47.4%) months which plateaus at 18 months post-surgery. Repeated measure ANOVA analysis showed there was a statistically significant effect of time on SAROMM scores (p <0.001) with MCID of 13.4. Improvement of FMS scores was the most at 50m with 13 children (p < 0.05), one at 5m and five at 500m. None reported worsening of FMS scores at 18 months. There were no changes of GMFCS levels by the end of 18 months.

    CONCLUSION: Surgeries performed on GMFCS I-III patients with the aim of gait improvement translates into improved mobility with results comparable to other countries.

  18. Qamer S, Che-Hamzah F, Misni N, Joseph NMS, Al-Haj NA, Amin-Nordin S
    Antibiotics (Basel), 2023 Sep 03;12(9).
    PMID: 37760700 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091403
    This study is based on the premise of investigating antibacterial activity through a novel conjugate of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in line with a green synthesis approach by developing antimicrobial-coated implants to prevent bacterial resistance. The AMPs were obtained from Bellamya Bengalensis (BB), a freshwater snail, to prepare the nanocomposite conjugate, e.g., AgNPs@BB extract, by making use of UV-Visible spectroscopy. The antimicrobial assessment of AgNPs@BB extract conjugate was performed using the Resazurin Microtiter Assay Method (REMA), followed by the use of three biocompatible implant materials (titanium alloys, Ti 6AL-4V stainless steel 316L, and polyethylene). Finally, the coating was analyzed under confocal microscopy. The results revealed a significant reduction of biofilm formation on the surfaces of implants coated with conjugate (AgNPs@BB extract) in comparison to uncoated implants. For the MTT assay, no significant changes were recorded for the cells grown on the AgNPs/AMP++ sample in high concentrations. Staphylococcus epidermidis, however, showed more prominent growth on all implants in comparison to Staphylococcus aureus. It is evident from the results that Staphylococcus epidermidis is more susceptible to AgNPs@BB extract, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of AgNPs@BB extract conjugates and biosynthesized AgNPs was also on the higher side. This study indicates that AgNPs@BB extract carries antibacterial activity, and concludes that an excessive concentration of AgNPs@BB extract may affect the improved biocompatibility. This study recommends using robust, retentive, and antimicrobial coatings of AgNPs@BB extract for implantable biocompatible materials in accordance with the novel strategy of biomaterial applications.
  19. Sahdi H, Zuraidi NF, Redzuan-Hafiz-Boon KI, Abang-Ahmad-Zaini DNA, Ramlee MS
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Mar;78(2):218-224.
    PMID: 36988534
    INTRODUCTION: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial in reducing the risk of hospital-acquired COVID-19 as health care workers (HCW)s are highly exposed to the virus during the management of patients with COVID-19. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the HCWs towards the use of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a nationwide, online-based cross-sectional study utilising a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to tertiary hospital HCWs in Malaysia, conducted between June and August 2020.

    RESULTS: Forty-eight physicians, 66 nurses and 79 medical assistants participated in this study. 73.6% correctly recognised PPE components while 40.4% revealed correct hand hygiene practices and approximately 20% had misconceptions about the proper usage of PPE. Although 78.8% disclosed high compliance, 37.3% perceived that PPE protocol interferes with patient care. HCWs have suboptimal knowledge levels of hand hygiene. Age and poor behaviour were the independent predictors of good compliance with PPE.

    CONCLUSION: This study highlights the necessity to analyse discrepancies in PPE practice among HCWs and its contributing elements. Recognised barriers should be addressed to narrow the gap between knowledge, attitude and behaviour to improve compliance. The study findings would assist in developing an improved disease transmission control and prevention training protocols for HCWs as a preparation for possible infectious outbreaks in the future.

  20. Majeed QAH, Gattan H, Al-Ahmadi BM, Shater AF, Alanazi AD, Alazemi MSH
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Sep 01;40(3):356-362.
    PMID: 37897170 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.3.013
    We aimed at determination of acaricidal, larvacidal, and repellent activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (SNP) against Hyalomma dromedarii as one of the most common ticks in camels. SNP were green synthesized by reducing Lupinus albus extract through the precipitation technique. The acaricidal, larvicidal, and repellent activity of SNP against H. dromedarii was studied through the adult immersion test (AIT), the larval packet test (LPT), the vertical movement behavior of tick's larvae method, anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and oxidative enzyme activity. The green synthesized SNP displayed a spherical form with a size ranging from 25-90 nm; whereas the most distribution of particles size was reported at 50-65 nm. SNP dose-dependently (p<0.001) increased the mortality rate of H. dromedarii adult; whereas at 16 and 32 µg/mL completely killed the adult females. Treatment of exposure of H. dromedarii adult to SNP markedly (p<0.001) declined the mean number, weight, and hatchability of eggs. Treatment of H. dromedarii larvae with SNP reduced the viability rate of larvae with the LC50 and LC90 values of 3.1 and 6.9 µg/mL, respectively. Exposure of H. dromedarii larvae to SNP, especially at ½ LC50 and LC50, markedly (p<0.001) increased the oxidative stress and declined the level of antioxidant enzymes in H. dromedarii larvae; whereas, markedly suppressed the AChE activity of the larvae stage of H. dromedarii in comparison to the control group. These results showed that SNP green synthesized by L. albus extract had promising acaricidal, larvicidal and repellent activity against H. dromedarii adults and larvae as a dose-dependent response. SNP also considrably decreased the level of acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activity and also provokes oxidative stress in H. dromedarii larvae. However, more investigation must be designed to clear the accurate mechanisms and the efficacy of SNP in practical use.
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