Displaying publications 61 - 78 of 78 in total

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  1. Fulltext Development of bullous lung disease with pneumothorax following SARS-CoV-2 infection
    Abdullah H, Wong YS, Ibrahim MA, Natasya Musa A, Jayaraman T, Mohd Zim MA
    Respirol Case Rep, 2022 Sep;10(9):e01013.
    PMID: 35928243 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1013
    Cystic lung formation secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was described during coronavirus disease pandemic, but with relatively low prevalence. A rare yet under-recognized complication is that these cystic areas may progress to bullae, cavities and pneumothorax. We reported two cases of ruptured bullae with pneumothorax following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two patients were discharged following SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, which did not require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, both patients presented again a month later with shortness of breath. Repeated computed tomography (CT) thorax showed development of bullous lung disease and pneumothorax. The first patient underwent surgical intervention whilst the second patient was treated conservatively. Development of bullous lung disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection is rare but may be associated with serious morbidity. Patients whose general condition permits should be offered surgical intervention whilst conservative management is reserved for non-surgical candidates.
  2. Fulltext The influence of psychological capital on employment expectations of vocational undergraduate students: The chain mediating role of active coping style and educational flow experience
    Huang Z, Ismail IA, Ghazali AHA, D'Silva JL, Abdullah H, Zhang Z
    PLoS One, 2025;20(3):e0319742.
    PMID: 40096059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319742
    As vocational undergraduate students in China face increasing challenges in the job market, understanding the factors that shape their employment expectations is crucial. Psychological capital is considered a key factor influencing students' career outlooks. This study aims to examine the relationship between psychological capital (PC) and employment expectations (EE), while exploring the mediating roles of educational flow experience (EFE) and active coping style (ACS) in this relationship. Based on positive psychology and career development theories, a theoretical model was constructed to understand how psychological capital affects employment expectations through the chain mediation of educational flow experience and active coping style. A sample of 693 vocational undergraduate students (316 males and 377 females) from a university in Guangdong Province participated in the study. Participants completed the Psychological Capital Scale (PCS), the Career Expectation Scale (CES), the Educational Flow Experience Scale (EduFlow-2), and the Coping Style Scale (CSS). Results indicate that higher levels of psychological capital significantly predict stronger employment expectations. Moreover, educational flow experience and active coping style both serve as significant mediators in the relationship between psychological capital and employment expectations, with a chain mediation effect also observed. These findings provide valuable insights into the psychological processes that influence career expectations among vocational undergraduates, highlighting the importance of fostering psychological capital and creating supportive learning environments to improve students' employability. The results offer practical implications for educators and policymakers, suggesting that vocational institutions should integrate strategies to enhance psychological capital, promote educational flow experiences, and support active coping styles to better prepare students for the labor market.
  3. Glycerol Waste Valorization to Mesoxalic Acid Over a Bimetallic Pt-Pd/CNT Catalyst in Alkaline Medium
    Ahmad MS, Cheng CK, Singh S, Ong HR, Abdullah H, Hong CS, et al.
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2020 09 01;20(9):5916-5927.
    PMID: 32331197 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2020.18549
    Glycerol electro-oxidation offers a green route to produce the high value added chemicals. Here in, we report the glycerol electro-oxidation over a series of multi walled carbon nano tubes supported monometallic (Pt/CNT and Pd/CNT) and bimetallic (Pt-Pd/CNT) catalysts in alkaline medium. The cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements were used to evaluate the activity and stability of the catalysts. The Pt-Pd/CNT electrocatalyst exhibited the highest activity in terms of higher current density (129.25 A/m²) and electrochemical surface area (382 m²/g). The glycerol electro-oxidation products formed at a potential of 0.013 V were analyzed systematically by high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, six compounds were found including mesoxalic acid, 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, glyceric acid, tartronic acid and oxalic acid. A highest mesoxalic acid selectivity of 86.42% was obtained for Pt-Pd/CNT catalyst while a maximum tartronic acid selectivity of 50.17% and 46.02% was achieved for Pd/CNT and Pt/CNT respectively. It was found that the introduction of Pd into Pt/CNT lattice facilitated the formation of C3 products in terms of maximum selectivity achieved (86.42%) while the monometallic catalysts (Pd/CNT and Pt/CNT) showed a poor performance in comparison to their counterpart.
  4. Fulltext Enhancement of targeted microalgae species growth using aquaculture sludge extracts
    Arumugam K, Ahmad MF, Yaacob NS, Ikram WM, Maniyam MN, Abdullah H, et al.
    Heliyon, 2020 Jul;6(7):e04556.
    PMID: 32775725 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04556
    Natural growth-promoting nutrients extracted from aquaculture sludge waste can be used to maximise microalgal growth. This study identified the influence of aquaculture sludge extract (SE) on four microalgae species. Conway or Bold's Basal Media (BBM) was supplemented with SE collected from a Sabak Bernam shrimp pond (SB) and Kota Puteri fish pond (KP), and tested using a novel microplate-incubation technique. Five different autoclave extraction treatment parameters were assessed for both collected SE, i.e., 1-h at 105 °C, 2-h at 105 °C, 1-h at 121 °C, 2-h at 121 °C, and 24-h at room temperature (natural extraction). Microalgae culture in the microplates containing control (media) and enriched (media + SE) samples were incubated for nine days, at 25 °C with the light intensity of 33.75 μmol photons m-2 s-1 at 12-h light/dark cycle. The total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) in KP SE were 44.0-82.0 mg L-1 and 0.96-8.60 mg L-1. TDN (8.0%-515.0%) and TDP (105%-186 %) were relatively higher in KP SE compared to SB SE. The growth of microalgae species Nannochloropsis ocenica showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the five extraction treatments from SB and the control. However, Chlorella vulgaris, Neochloris conjuncta, and Nephroclamys subsolitaria showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in SB SE. N. ocenica, C. vulgaris, and N. conjuncta showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between five extraction treatments from KP and the control while N. subsolitaria showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The specific growth rate (SGR) in the exponential phase of all microalgae species were relatively higher in SB SE compared to KP SE. While the organic matter content of KP SE was relatively higher, there were no significant differences in microalgae growth compared to SB SE. Nonetheless, modified SE did influence microalgae growth compared to the control. This study shows that modified SE could be used as enrichment media for microalgae cultivation.
  5. Molecular detection of Candidatus Anaplasma camelii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia
    Alshahrani MY, Alanazi AD, Alouffi AS, Abdullah HHAM, Allam AM, Mahmoud MS, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Sep 01;37(3):587-598.
    PMID: 33612774 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.3.587
    Knowledge of molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in camels in Saudi Arabia is very limited; few molecular epidemiological studies have been under taken. This study was to detect Anaplasma spp. and Piroplasma spp. in camels from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 blood samples were collected from camels in Asir Province and investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted 18S rRNA and 23S rRNA to detect the DNA of Piroplasma spp. and Anaplasma spp., respectively. The positive samples for 23S rRNA were assayed again by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA. All the blood samples were free from Piroplasma spp. infection. Three camels (2%) were found to be positive for Anaplasma infection through use of PCR that targeted the 23S rRNA gene. There were no significant differences between ages or sexes in the camels that tested positive for Anaplasma. All positive Anaplasma infections were recorded in camels that were infested by ticks. Two Anaplasma sequences for the16S rRNA gene were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MN882724 and MN882725. They recorded 99.16% and 99.34% similarities (respectively) with KF843825.1 (Candidatus Anaplasma camelii reported in Unizah, Saudi Arabia). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two sequences recorded in this study were close to each other; both were located in one cluster with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii isolates that were recorded before in the adjacent areas of Unizah in Saudi Arabia and Iran. In conclusion: two new Anaplasma genotypes close to Candidatus Anaplasma camelii were found in camels in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia for the first time. The camels in this province were found to be free of Piroplasma infection.
  6. Stress distributions in maxillary central incisors restored with various types of post materials and designs
    Madfa AA, Kadir MR, Kashani J, Saidin S, Sulaiman E, Marhazlinda J, et al.
    Med Eng Phys, 2014 Jul;36(7):962-7.
    PMID: 24834856 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2014.03.018
    Different dental post designs and materials affect the stability of restoration of a tooth. This study aimed to analyse and compare the stability of two shapes of dental posts (parallel-sided and tapered) made of five different materials (titanium, zirconia, carbon fibre and glass fibre) by investigating their stress transfer through the finite element (FE) method. Ten three-dimensional (3D) FE models of a maxillary central incisor restored with two different designs and five different materials were constructed. An oblique loading of 100 N was applied to each 3D model. Analyses along the centre of the post, the crown-cement/core and the post-cement/dentine interfaces were computed, and the means were calculated. One-way ANOVAs followed by post hoc tests were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the post materials and designs (p=0.05). For post designs, the tapered posts introduced significantly higher stress compared with the parallel-sided post (p<0.05), especially along the centre of the post. Of the materials, the highest level of stress was found for stainless steel, followed by zirconia, titanium, glass fibre and carbon fibre posts (p<0.05). The carbon and glass fibre posts reduced the stress distribution at the middle and apical part of the posts compared with the stainless steel, zirconia and titanium posts. The opposite results were observed at the crown-cement/core interface.
  7. An unceasing problem: soil-transmitted helminthiases in rural Malaysian communities
    Al-Mekhlafi MS, Atiya AS, Lim YA, Mahdy AK, Ariffin WA, Abdullah HC, et al.
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2007 Nov;38(6):998-1007.
    PMID: 18613540
    Despite great development in socioeconomic status throughout 50 years of independence, Malaysia is still plagued with soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). STH continue to have a significant impact on public health particularly in rural communities. In order to determine the prevalence of STH among rural Orang Asli children and to investigate the possible risk factors affecting the pattern of this prevalence, fecal samples were collected from 292 Orang Asli primary schoolchildren (145 males and 147 females) age 7-12 years, from Pos Betau, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. The samples were examined by Kato-Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Socioeconomic data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. The overall prevalence of ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infections were 67.8, 95.5 and 13.4%, respectively. Twenty-nine point eight percent of the children had heavy trichuriasis, while 22.3% had heavy ascariasis. Sixty-seven point seven percent of the children had mixed infections. Age > 10 years (p = 0.016), no toilet in the house (p = 0.012), working mother (p = 0.040), low household income (p = 0.033), and large family size (p = 0.028) were identified as risk factors for ascariasis. Logistic regression confirmed low income, no toilet in the house and working mother as significant risk factors for ascariasis. The prevalence of STH is still very high in rural Malaysian communities. STH may also contribute to other health problems such as micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition and poor educational achievement. Public health personnel need to reassess current control measures and identify innovative and integrated ways in order to reduce STH significantly in rural communities.
  8. Fulltext Cloning, Expression and Functional Characterization of a Novel α-Humulene Synthase, Responsible for the Formation of Sesquiterpene in Agarwood Originating from Aquilaria malaccensis
    Sundaraj Y, Abdullah H, Nezhad NG, Rasib AAA, Othman R, Rodrigues KF, et al.
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2023 Nov 10;45(11):8989-9002.
    PMID: 37998741 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110564
    This study describes the cloning, expression and functional characterization of α-humulene synthase, responsible for the formation of the key aromatic compound α-humulene in agarwood originating from Aquilaria malaccensis. The partial sesquiterpene synthase gene from the transcriptome data of A. malaccensis was utilized for full-length gene isolation via a 3' RACE PCR. The complete gene, denoted as AmDG2, has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1671 bp and encodes for a polypeptide of 556 amino acids. In silico analysis of the protein highlighted several conserved motifs typically found in terpene synthases such as Asp-rich substrate binding (DDxxD), metal-binding residues (NSE/DTE), and cytoplasmic ER retention (RxR) motifs at their respective sites. The AmDG2 was successfully expressed in the E. coli:pET-28a(+) expression vector whereby an expected band of about 64 kDa in size was detected in the SDS-PAGE gel. In vitro enzyme assay using substrate farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) revealed that AmDG2 gave rise to two sesquiterpenes: α-humulene (major) and β-caryophyllene (minor), affirming its identity as α-humulene synthase. On the other hand, protein modeling performed using AlphaFold2 suggested that AmDG2 consists entirely of α-helices with short connecting loops and turns. Meanwhile, molecular docking via AutoDock Vina (Version 1.5.7) predicted that Asp307 and Asp311 act as catalytic residues in the α-humulene synthase. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the cloning, expression and functional characterization of α-humulene synthase from agarwood originating from A. malaccensis species. These findings reveal a deeper understanding of the structure and functional properties of the α-humulene synthase and could be utilized for metabolic engineering work in the future.
  9. Fulltext Correction: Sundaraj et al. Cloning, Expression and Functional Characterization of a Novel α-Humulene Synthase, Responsible for the Formation of Sesquiterpene in Agarwood Originating from Aquilaria malaccensis. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45, 8989-9002
    Sundaraj Y, Abdullah H, Nezhad NG, Rasib AAA, Othman R, Rodrigues KF, et al.
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2024 Jul 04;46(7):6960.
    PMID: 39057102 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46070415
    Afiq Adham Abd Rasib and Roohaida Othman were not included as authors in the original publication [...].
  10. Fulltext Chemical profiling and mechanistic insights into the antibacterial efficacy of Melaleuca cajuputi leaf extract
    Isah M, Sul'ain MD, Wahab WWA, Abdullah H, Jamil S, Syamira N, et al.
    BMC Complement Med Ther, 2025 Mar 29;25(1):121.
    PMID: 40158089 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-025-04790-5
    BACKGROUND: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of bacterial infections have prompted the search for novel antimicrobials with diverse therapeutic potential from natural products. Thus, this study investigated the antibacterial efficacy of the leaf extracts of M. cajuputi. Additionally, the chemical composition and the mechanism of action of the most active extract (MAE) were evaluated.

    METHODS: The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of M. cajuputi was assessed using the broth microdilution assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the effects of MAE on the morphology of bacterial cells. Meanwhile, the chemical composition of the MAE was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking analysis to unveil the interactions between the ligands and the active sites of the target bacterial proteins.

    RESULTS: The crude extracts were obtained through cold maceration. The methanolic extract demonstrated the most significant antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values spanning 0.25 mg/mL to 2 mg/mL. After 12 h of treatment with 1 × MIC of the methanolic extract, the bacteria showed discernible morphological alterations, including disrupted cell wall and membrane integrity. Thirty compounds were identified in the MAE and subsequently subjected to molecular docking studies against target bacterial proteins. Amongst the compounds, methylanthracene, cycloisolongifolene, diphenyl imidazole, benzil monohydrazone, and trimethoxybenzoic acid showed pronounced binding affinities towards Klebsiella pneumoniae membrane protein (PDB ID: 5O79), peptide binding protein (PDB ID: 7RJJ), Streptococcus agalactiae cell wall surface anchor (PDB ID: 2XTL), pilin (PDB ID: 3PHS), Staphylococcus aureus transglycosylase (PDB ID: 3VMQ), and penicillin-binding proteins (PDB ID: 3VSK). The binding energy scores for these interactions varied between - 6.0 kcal/mol and - 7.5 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations validated the stability of these interactions, reinforcing the in vitro findings of cell wall and membrane disruption​.

    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that the methanolic extract of M. cajuputi leaves displayed potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, and S. aureus. The molecular docking analysis reveals significant binding interactions between the identified compounds and the target bacterial proteins, highlighting the potential of M. cajuputi as a novel source of anti-infectives targeting bacterial infections.

  11. Fulltext Kinetics Growth and Recovery of Valuable Nutrients from Selangor Peat Swamp and Pristine Forest Soils Using Different Extraction Methods as Potential Microalgae Growth Enhancers
    Yaacob NS, Ahmad MF, Kawasaki N, Maniyam MN, Abdullah H, Hashim EF, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Jan 27;26(3).
    PMID: 33513787 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030653
    Soil extracts are useful nutrients to enhance the growth of microalgae. Therefore, the present study attempts for the use of virgin soils from Peninsular Malaysia as growth enhancer. Soils collected from Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) and Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR) were treated using different extraction methods. The total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the autoclave methods were relatively higher than natural extraction with up to 132.0 mg N/L, 10.7 mg P/L, and 2629 mg C/L, respectively for RMFR. The results of TDN, TDP, and DOC suggested that the best extraction methods are autoclaved at 121 °C twice with increasing 87%, 84%, and 95%, respectively. Chlorella vulgaris TRG 4C dominated the growth at 121 °C twice extraction method in the RMRF and AHRF samples, with increasing 54.3% and 14%, respectively. The specific growth rate (µ) of both microalgae were relatively higher, 0.23 d-1 in the Ayer Hitam Soil. This extract served well as a microalgal growth promoter, reducing the cost and the needs for synthetic medium. Mass production of microalgae as aquatic feed will be attempted eventually. The high recovery rate of nutrients has a huge potential to serve as a growth promoter for microalgae.
  12. Fulltext Assessment of Aqueous Extraction Methods on Extractable Organic Matter and Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Fractions of Virgin Forest Soils
    Wan Mohd Zamri WMI, Sjahrir F, Yaacob NS, Dzulkafli NF, Ahmad MF, Abdullah H, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Apr 23;26(9).
    PMID: 33922872 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092480
    The assessment of water-extractable organic matter using an autoclave can provide useful information on physical, chemical, and biological changes within the soil. The present study used virgin forest soils from Chini Forest Reserve, Langkawi Island, and Kenyir Forest Reserve (Malaysia), extracted using different extraction methods. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and ammonium-nitrate content were higher in the autoclave treatments, up to 3.0, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.4 times more than by natural extraction (extracted for 24 h at room temperature). Overall, the highest extractable DOC, TDN, TDP, ammonium and nitrate could be seen under autoclaved conditions 121 °C 2×, up to 146.74 mg C/L, 8.97 mg N/L, 0.23 mg P/L, 5.43 mg N mg/L and 3.47 N mg/L, respectively. The soil extracts became slightly acidic with a higher temperature and longer duration. Similar trends were observed in the humic and nonhumic substances, where different types of soil extract treatments influenced the concentrations of the fractions. Different soil extraction methods can provide further details, thus widening the application of soil extracts, especially in microbes.
  13. Oilfield-produced water treatment using conventional and membrane-based technologies for beneficial reuse: A critical review
    Samuel O, Othman MHD, Kamaludin R, Sinsamphanh O, Abdullah H, Puteh MH, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2022 Feb 03;308:114556.
    PMID: 35124308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114556
    Oilfield produced water (OPW) is one of the most important by-products, resulting from oil and gas exploration. The water contains a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds such as grease, dissolved salt, heavy metals as well as dissolved and dispersed oils, which can be toxic to the environment and public health. This article critically reviews the complex properties of OPW and various technologies for its treatment. They include the physico-chemical treatment process, biological treatment process, and physical treatment process. Their technological strengths and bottlenecks as well as strategies to mitigate their bottlenecks are elaborated. A particular focus is placed on membrane technologies. Finally, further research direction, challenges, and perspectives of treatment technologies for OPW are discussed. It is conclusively evident from 262 published studies (1965-2021) that no single treatment method is highly effective for OPW treatment as a stand-alone process however, conventional membrane-based technologies are frequently used for the treatment of OPW with the ultrafiltration (UF) process being the most used for oil rejection form OPW and oily waste water. After membrane treatment, treated effluents of the OPW could be reused for irrigation, habitant and wildlife watering, microalgae production, and livestock watering. Overall, this implies that target pollutants in the OPW samples could be removed efficiently for subsequent use, despite its complex properties. In general, it is however important to note that feed quality, desired quality of effluent, cost-effectiveness, simplicity of process are key determinants in choosing the most suitable treatment process for OPW treatment.
  14. Fulltext Topographically Distinguished Microbiome Taxonomy and Stress-Response Genes of Royal Belum Rainforest and Raja Muda Musa Peat Swamp Revealed through Metagenomic Inquisition
    Ahmad MF, Abdullah H, Hassan MN, Jamaludin MI, Sivam A, Komatsu K, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Jan 03;24(1).
    PMID: 36614337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010872
    Soil ecosystems are home to a diverse range of microorganisms, but they are only partially understood because no single-cell sequencing or whole-community sequencing provides a complete picture of these complex communities. Using one of such metagenomics approaches, we succeeded in monitoring the microbial diversity and stress-response gene in the soil samples. This study aims to test whether known differences in taxonomic diversity and composition are reflected in functional gene profiles by implementing whole gene sequencing (WGS) metagenomic analysis of geographically dispersed soils from two distinct pristine forests. The study was commenced by sequencing three rainforest soil samples and three peat swamp soil samples. Soil richness effects were assessed by exploring the changes in specific functional gene abundances to elucidate physiological constraints acting on different soil systems and identify variance in functional pathways relevant to soil biogeochemical cycling. Proteobacteria shows abundances of microbial diversity for 52.15% in Royal Belum Reserved Forest and 48.28% in Raja Musa; 177 out of 1,391,841 and 449 out of 3,586,577 protein coding represent acidic stress-response genes for Royal Belum and Raja Musa, respectively. Raja Musa indicates pH 2.5, which is extremely acidic. The analysis of the taxonomic community showed that Royal Belum soils are dominated by bacteria (98% in Sungai Kooi (SK), 98% in Sungai Papan (SP), and 98% in Sungai Ruok (SR), Archaea (0.9% in SK, 0.9% in SP, and 1% in SR), and the remaining were classed under Eukaryota and viruses. Likewise, the soils of Raja Muda Musa are also dominated by bacteria (95% in Raja Musa 1 (RM1), 98% in Raja Musa 2 (RM2), and 96% in Raja Musa 3 (RM3)), followed by Archaea (4% in RM1, 1% in RM2, and 3% in RM3), and the remaining were classed under Eukaryota and viruses. This study revealed that RBFR (Royal Belum Foresr Reserve) and RMFR (Raja Musa Forest Reserve) metagenomes contained abundant stress-related genes assigned to various stress-response pathways, many of which did not show any difference among samples from both sites. Our findings indicate that the structure and functional potential of the microbial community will be altered by future environmental potential as the first glimpse of both the taxonomic and functional composition of soil microbial communities.
  15. Fulltext RESPIRE: The National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) Global Respiratory Health Unit
    Sheikh A, Campbell H, Balharry D, Baqui AH, Bogaert D, Cresswell K, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2018 Dec;8(2):020101.
    PMID: 30603074 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020101
  16. Clinical pairing revisited: a study at the University of Malaya, Malaysia
    Ahmad NA, Naimie Z, Lui JL, Aziz AA, Abdullah M, Abu Kasim NH, et al.
    J Dent Educ, 2012 Oct;76(10):1377-83.
    PMID: 23066138
    This study is part of ongoing educational research conducted by the Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Malaya, Malaysia, to evaluate the perception of clinical pairing. A thirteen-question survey was distributed to 148 dental students after they had experienced four-handed dentistry. The objectives were to identify the advantages, disadvantages, and the acceptance of the implementation of clinical pairing from the students' point of view. The responses from the open-ended questions were categorized into six main themes (areas of interest): quality-related (Q), patient-related (PT), partner-related (P), lecturer-related (T), infection control (IC), and learning environment (L). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 18. Results indicated that the students perceived they possessed enough knowledge regarding clinical pairing. However, it was found that they still preferred to work independently as compared to working in pairs. The benefits of clinical pairing may not be viewed in the same vein by both dental students and teachers. The quality-related theme was perceived by students as the main advantage of clinical pairing, whilst the partner-related theme was perceived otherwise. The study also revealed that students may have some preconceived notions about pairing that may have impaired their acceptance. As a consequence, some reluctance was seen in their responses.
  17. Pairing as an instructional strategy to promote soft skills amongst clinical dental students
    Abu Kasim NH, Abu Kassim NL, Razak AA, Abdullah H, Bindal P, Che' Abdul Aziz ZA, et al.
    Eur J Dent Educ, 2014 Feb;18(1):51-7.
    PMID: 24423176 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12058
    Training dentists today is challenging as they are expected to provide a wide range of dental care. In the provision of good dental care, soft skills are equally important as clinical skills. Therefore in dental education the development of soft skills are of prime concern. This study sought to identify the development of soft skills when dental students are paired in their clinical training. In this perception study, four open-ended items were used to elicit students' feedback on the appropriateness of using clinical pairing as an instructional strategy to promote soft skills. The most frequently cited soft skills were teamwork (70%) and communication (25%) skills. However, both negative and positive behaviours were reported. As for critical thinking and problem solving skills, more positive behaviours were reported for abilities such as to explain, analyze, find ideas and alternative solutions, and make decisions. Leadership among peers was not evident as leading without legitimate authority could be a hindrance to its development. If clinical pairing is to be used as an effective instructional strategy to promote soft skills amongst students, clear guidelines need to be developed to prepare students to work in a dental team and the use of appropriate assessment tools can facilitate the development of these soft skills.
  18. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Environment: Current Surveillance and Effective Data Management of COVID-19
    Nadzirah S, Mohamad Zin N, Khalid A, Abu Bakar NF, Kamarudin SS, Zulfakar SS, et al.
    Crit Rev Anal Chem, 2024;54(8):3083-3094.
    PMID: 37358486 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2224433
    Since diagnostic laboratories handle large COVID-19 samples, researchers have established laboratory-based assays and developed biosensor prototypes. Both share the same purpose; to ascertain the occurrence of air and surface contaminations by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the biosensors further utilize internet-of-things (IoT) technology to monitor COVID-19 virus contamination, specifically in the diagnostic laboratory setting. The IoT-capable biosensors have great potential to monitor for possible virus contamination. Numerous studies have been done on COVID-19 virus air and surface contamination in the hospital setting. Through reviews, there are abundant reports on the viral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through droplet infections, person-to-person close contact and fecal-oral transmission. However, studies on environmental conditions need to be better reported. Therefore, this review covers the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in airborne and wastewater samples using biosensors with comprehensive studies in methods and techniques of sampling and sensing (2020 until 2023). Furthermore, the review exposes sensing cases in public health settings. Then, the integration of data management together with biosensors is well explained. Last, the review ended with challenges to having a practical COVID-19 biosensor applied for environmental surveillance samples.
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