Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 155 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. A comprehensive phytochemical, biological, toxicological and molecular docking evaluation of Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk.: An edible halophyte medicinal plant
    Saleem H, Khurshid U, Sarfraz M, Tousif MI, Alamri A, Anwar S, et al.
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2021 Aug;154:112348.
    PMID: 34144099 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112348
    Suaeda fruticosa is an edible medicinal halophyte known for its traditional uses. In this study, methanol and dichloromethane extracts of S. fruticosa were explored for phytochemical, biological and toxicological parameters. Total phenolic and flavonoid constituents were determined by using standard aluminum chloride and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, and UHPLC-MS analysis of methanol extract was performed for tentative identification of secondary metabolites. Different standard methods like DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and metal chelation assays were utilized to find out the antioxidant potential of extracts. Enzyme inhibition studies of extracts against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and, α-glucosidase enzymes were also studied. Likewise, the cytotoxicity was also assessed against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and DU-145 cell lines. The higher phenolic and flavonoids contents were observed in methanol extracts which can be correlated to its higher radical scavenging potential. Similarly, 11 different secondary metabolites were tentatively identified by UHPLC profiling. Both the extract showed significant inhibition against all the enzymes except for α-glucosidase. Moreover, docking studies were also performed against the tested enzymes. In the case of cytotoxicity, both the samples were found moderately toxic against the tested cell lines. This plant can be explored further for its potential therapeutic and edible uses.
  2. Fulltext RP-UHPLC-MS Chemical Profiling, Biological and In Silico Docking Studies to Unravel the Therapeutic Potential of Heliotropium crispum Desf. as a Novel Source of Neuroprotective Bioactive Compounds
    Arshad A, Ahemad S, Saleem H, Saleem M, Zengin G, Abdallah HH, et al.
    Biomolecules, 2021 01 04;11(1).
    PMID: 33406643 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010053
    Heliotropium is one of the most important plant genera to have conventional folklore importance, and hence is a potential source of bioactive compounds. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of Heliotropium crispum Desf., a relatively under-explored medicinal plant species. Methanolic extracts prepared from a whole plant of H. crispum were studied for phytochemical composition and possible in vitro and in silico biological properties. Antioxidant potential was assessed via six different assays, and enzyme inhibition potential against key clinical enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and skin problems (tyrosinase) was assayed. Phytochemical composition was established via determination of the total bioactive contents and reverse phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC-MS) analysis. Chemical profiling revealed the tentative presence of 50 secondary metabolites. The plant extract exhibited significant inhibition against AChE and BChE enzymes, with values of 3.80 and 3.44 mg GALAE/g extract, respectively. Further, the extract displayed considerable free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with potential values of 43.19 and 41.80 mg TE/g extract, respectively. In addition, the selected compounds were then docked against the tested enzymes, which have shown high inhibition affinity. To conclude, H. crispum was found to harbor bioactive compounds and showed potent biological activities which could be further explored for potential uses in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, particularly as a neuroprotective agent.
  3. Diaminobenzene schiff base, a novel class of DNA minor groove binder
    Helal MH, Al-Mudaris ZA, Al-Douh MH, Osman H, Wahab HA, Alnajjar BO, et al.
    Int J Oncol, 2012 Aug;41(2):504-10.
    PMID: 22614449 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1491
    Molecules that target the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) minor groove are relatively sequence specific and they can be excellent carrier structures for cytotoxic chemotherapeutic compounds which can help to minimize side effects. Two novel isomeric derivatives of diaminobenzene Schiff base [N,N'-bis (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,2-diaminobenzene (2MJ) and N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminobenzene (2MH)] were analyzed for their DNA minor groove binding (MGB) ability using viscometry, UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, computational modeling and clonogenic assay. The result shows that 2MJ and 2MH are strong DNA MGBs with the latter being more potent. 2MH can form interstrand hydrogen bond linkages at its oxygens with N3 of adenines. Changing the 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene binding position to the 1,3 location on the diaminobenzene structure (2MJ) completely removed any viable hydrogen bond formation with the DNA and caused significant decrease in binding strength and minor groove binding potency. Neither compound showed any significant cytotoxicity towards human breast, colon or liver cancer cell lines.
  4. Fulltext Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects Induced by Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Rat CTX-TNA2 Astrocytes and Isolated Cortexes
    di Giacomo V, Chiavaroli A, Recinella L, Orlando G, Cataldi A, Rapino M, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2020 05 18;21(10).
    PMID: 32443623 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103575
    Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are Cannabis sativa terpenophenols. Although CBD's effectiveness against neurological diseases has already been demonstrated, nothing is known about CBG. Therefore, a comparison of the effects of these compounds was performed in two experimental models mimicking the oxidative stress and neurotoxicity occurring in neurological diseases. Rat astrocytes were exposed to hydrogen peroxide and cell viability, reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis occurrence were investigated. Cortexes were exposed to K+ 60 mM depolarizing stimulus and serotonin (5-HT) turnover, 3-hydroxykinurenine and kynurenic acid levels were measured. A proteomic analysis and bioinformatics and docking studies were performed. Both compounds exerted antioxidant effects in astrocytes and restored the cortex level of 5-HT depleted by neurotoxic stimuli, whereas sole CBD restored the basal levels of 3-hydroxykinurenine and kynurenic acid. CBG was less effective than CBD in restoring the levels of proteins involved in neurotransmitter exocytosis. Docking analyses predicted the inhibitory effects of these compounds towards the neurokinin B receptor. Conclusion: The results in the in vitro system suggest brain non-neuronal cells as a target in the treatment of oxidative conditions, whereas findings in the ex vivo system and docking analyses imply the potential roles of CBD and CBG as neuroprotective agents.
  5. Fulltext Anticancer properties of sulforaphane: current insights at the molecular level
    Asif Ali M, Khan N, Kaleem N, Ahmad W, Alharethi SH, Alharbi B, et al.
    Front Oncol, 2023;13:1168321.
    PMID: 37397365 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168321
    Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate with multiple biomedical applications. Sulforaphane can be extracted from the plants of the genus Brassica. However, broccoli sprouts are the chief source of sulforaphane and are 20 to 50 times richer than mature broccoli as they contain 1,153 mg/100 g. SFN is a secondary metabolite that is produced as a result of the hydrolysis of glucoraphanin (a glucosinolate) by the enzyme myrosinase. This review paper aims to summarize and understand the mechanisms behind the anticancer potential of sulforaphane. The data was collected by searching PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This paper concludes that sulforaphane provides cancer protection through the alteration of various epigenetic and non-epigenetic pathways. It is a potent anticancer phytochemical that is safe to consume with minimal side effects. However, there is still a need for further research regarding SFN and the development of a standard dose.
  6. Fulltext GC-MS-based profiling and ameliorative potential of Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines fruit against cardiac and testicular toxicity: An In vivo study
    Alhassan HH, Al-Keridis LA, Ayub H, Alenazy FO, Alruwaili Y, Khan MR, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Aug;9(8):e19324.
    PMID: 37664756 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19324
    Fruit of Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines (C. opaca) is a feed additive and is commonly used against cardiac dysfunction, fever, asthma, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ailments, and skin diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the metabolic profile and antioxidant potential of C. opaca fruit against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cardiotoxicity and testicular toxicity in rats. Gas Chromatoghraphy-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of C. opaca fruit for the identification of potential metabolic profile, followed by methanolic extract of C. opaca and its derived fractions including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol, and aqueous were used to assess the antioxidant potential of fruits. Ten groups of rats received different treatments and got evaluated for cardiac and testicular antioxidant enzymes, histological architecture, and serum hormonal levels. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of C. opaca fruit showed the presence of some bioactive metabolites like cyclodecane, diethyl 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylate, tetrahydro-geraniol, S-[2-[N, N-Dimethylamino]ethyl]morpoline, 2,3-Methylenedioxyphenol, alpha-d-Glucopyranoside, 5,10-Diethoxy-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-1H, 6H-dipyrrolo [1,2-a; 1',2'-d] pyrazine and 1,3-Benzothiazol-2(3H)-one,3-(3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl) that corresponds the medicinal properties of C. opaca fruit. Prepared fractions of C. opaca fruits mitigated the toxicity induced by CCl4 in the heart and testicular tissues of rats. Oxidative stress was caused by the inhibition of activities of glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes of the body, while on the other hand elevating the levels of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. Treatment with C. opaca fruit extract normalized the levels of enzymes, reproductive hormones, and free radicals thus restoring the histopathological and enzymatic biomarkers towards the normal group. The study supports the indigenous use of fruits as an alternative medicine against cardiac dysfunction by providing scientific evidence of protection against CCl4-induced injuries, and it also concludes the antioxidant defensive role in testicular tissues.
  7. Recent Advances in Drug Delivery of Polymeric Nano-Micelles
    Aziz ZABA, Ahmad A, Mohd-Setapar SH, Hassan H, Lokhat D, Kamal MA, et al.
    Curr Drug Metab, 2017;18(1):16-29.
    PMID: 27654898 DOI: 10.2174/1389200217666160921143616
    In clinical studies, drugs with hydrophobic characteristic usually reflect low bioavailability, poor drug absorption, and inability to achieve the therapeutic concentration in blood. The production of poor solubility drugs, in abundance, by pharmaceutical industries calls for an urgent need to find the alternatives for resolving the above mentioned shortcomings. Poor water solubility drugs loaded with polymeric micelle seem to be the best alternative to enhance drugs solubility and bioavailability. Polymeric micelle, formed by self-assembled of amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous environment, functioned as solubilizing agent for hydrophobic drug. This review discusses the fundamentals of polymeric micelle as drug carrier through representative literature, and demonstrates some applications in various clinical trials. The structure, characteristic, and formation of polymeric micelle have been discussed firstly. Next, this manuscript focuses on the potential of polymeric micelles as drug vehicle in oral, transdermal routes, and anti-cancer agent. Several results from previous studies have been reproduced in this review in order to prove the efficacy of the micelles in delivering hydrophobic drugs. Lastly, future strategies to broaden the application of polymeric micelles in pharmaceutical industries have been highlighted.
  8. Fulltext Enucleation in a Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus)
    Abraham Gabriel A, Yee-Nin ST, Adamu L, Hassan HMD, Wahid AH
    Case Rep Vet Med, 2018;2018:5048948.
    PMID: 29955436 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5048948
    Trauma is a common problem in Cownose Ray during mating season in both wild and captive rays. Enucleation is indicated when there is an ocular trauma. A 5-year-old female Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) from Aquaria of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) was presented to University Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Universiti Putra Malaysia, with a complaint of protruding left eye, which resulted from crushing into artificial coral during mating season. There were a hyphema in the traumatic left eye, periorbital tissue tear, exposed left eye socket, and multiple abrasions on both pectoral fins. The Cownose was anaesthetized and maintained with isoeugenol and on-field emergency enucleation of the left eye was performed. It was managed medically with postoperative enrofloxacin, tobramycin ointment, and povidone iodine. No suture breakdown and secondary infection were observed at day 7 after enucleation during revisit. At day 24 after enucleation, the Cownose responded well to treatment with excellent healing progression and no surgical complication was observed.
  9. DIFFERENTIALS IN SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AMONG EAST MALAYSIAN ADOLESCENTS
    Awang H, Low WY, Tong WT, Tan LY, Cheah WL, Benedict Lasimbang H, et al.
    J Biosoc Sci, 2019 03;51(2):282-291.
    PMID: 29978769 DOI: 10.1017/S0021932018000214
    The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of East Malaysian adolescents on sexual and reproductive health issues. Data were collected in March-July 2015 from 2858 adolescents aged 13-18 years from selected East Malaysian secondary schools using a self-administered questionnaire. Twelve items relating to sexual and reproductive health were used to measure respondents' knowledge based on their responses 'True', 'False' or 'Don't know', with the proportion of correct answers being the variable of interest. Cronbach's alpha for the twelve items was 0.761 and the mean knowledge score was 6.8. While the majority of the respondents knew that a woman can get pregnant if she has sex with a man and that HIV and AIDS can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, knowledge about Malaysia's abortion laws, that a woman can get pregnant if she has sex only once and that people with sexually transmitted infections may look healthy was poor. Older respondents and those from urban schools reported significantly higher knowledge than younger respondents and those from rural schools, respectively. More emphasis should be given in schools to the specific topics for which low levels of sexual and reproductive health knowledge were found, with greater attention being given to younger adolescents and those in rural areas.
  10. Fulltext The relationship between tooth loss, body mass index, and hypertension in postmenopausal female
    Al-Ahmad BEM, Kashmoola MA, Mustafa NS, Hassan H, Arzmi MH
    Eur J Dent, 2018 4 17;12(1):120-122.
    PMID: 29657536 DOI: 10.4103/ejd.ejd_322_17
    Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the level of blood pressure with the hypothesis that tooth loss is associated with the increase of hypertension in postmenopausal women.

    Materials and Methods: Sixty postmenopausal female patients aged 51-68 years were included in the study to assess the relationship between tooth loss and the level of blood pressure. The information including sociodemographics, last menstruation period, hypertension history, and the duration of having tooth loss was recorded. Blood pressure was measured using sphygmomanometer and the number of tooth loss was determined.

    Results: The results showed a more significant tooth loss in hypertension (median: 23 + 4; interquartile range [IQR]: 6) compared to the normotension postmenopausal women (median: 18 + 6; IQR: 12; P < 0.05). Furthermore, obese patients had more tooth loss (median: 23 + 5; IQR: 8) than the overweight patients (median: 19 + 8; IQR: 8).

    Conclusion: Tooth loss is associated with the increase of hypertension in postmenopausal women which may have a role in the development of vascular diseases.

  11. Dosimetric response of fabricated Ge-doped optical fibres in computed tomography RQT beam quality x-ray beams
    Rais NNM, Bradley DA, Hashim A, Isa NM, Osman ND, Ismail I, et al.
    J Radiol Prot, 2019 Sep;39(3):N8-N18.
    PMID: 31018196 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab1c16
    Novel germanium (Ge)-doped silica glass fibres tailor-made in Malaysia are fast gaining recognition as potential media for thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry, with active research ongoing into exploitation of their various beneficial characteristics. Investigation is made herein of the capability of these media for use in diagnostic imaging dosimetry, specifically at the radiation dose levels typically obtained in conduct of Computed Tomography (CT). As a first step within such efforts, there is need to investigate the performance of the fibres using tightly defined spectra, use being made of a Philips constant potential industrial x-ray facility, Model MG165, located at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency Secondary Standards Dosimetry Lab (SSDL). Standard radiation beam qualities (termed RQT) have been established for CT, in accord with IEC 61267: 2003 and IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 457: 2007. A calibrated ionisation chamber has also been utilised, forming a component part of the SSDL equipment. The fabricated fibres used in this study are 2.3 mol% flat fibre (FF) of dimensions 643 × 356 μm2 and 2.3 mol% cylindrical fibre (CF) of 481 μm diameter, while the commercial fibre used is 4 mol% with core diameter of 50 μm. The dopant concentrations are nominal preform values. The fibres have been irradiated to doses of 20, 30 and 40 milligray (mGy) for each of the beam qualities RQT 8, RQT 9 and RQT 10. For x-rays generated at constant potential values from 100 to 150 kV, a discernible energy-dependent response is seen, comparisons being made with that of lithium fluoride (LiF) thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100). TL yield versus dose has also been investigated for x-ray doses from 2 to 40 mGy, all exhibiting linearity. Compared to TLD-100, greater sensitivity is observed for the fibres.
  12. Fulltext In Vitro Antiatherothrombotic Effects of Extracts from Berberis Vulgaris L., Teucrium Polium L., and Orthosiphon Stamineus Benth
    Mohd Nor NH, Othman F, Mohd Tohit ER, Md Noor S, Razali R, Ahmad Hassali H, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:3245836.
    PMID: 31001352 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3245836
    Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The pathogenesis is mainly due to atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, and platelet thrombus formation. The main risk factors for coronary artery disease include obesity, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. As a part of disease management, treatment options using anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs can be applied with addition to lipid-lowering medication. However, medicinal plants comprising antiatherothrombotic effects can be used as options to combat the disease rather than drug therapies with lesser adverse effects. Therefore, the haematological effect of Berberis vulgaris L., Teucrium polium L., and Orthosiphon stamineus Benth extracts was studied using in vitro model to prevent and to treat coronary atherothrombotic disease. The aqueous, methanol, and polysaccharide extracts of B. vulgaris, T. polium, and O. stamineus, respectively, were studied for their anticoagulant and antiplatelet effect on human whole blood. Extracts were subjected to the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test for anticoagulant activity. The antiplatelet activity was investigated using an electrical impedance method. B. vulgaris aqueous extract (BVAE), B. vulgaris polysaccharide extract (BVPE), T. polium aqueous extract (TPAE), and T. polium polysaccharide extract (TPPE) significantly prolonged the coagulation time in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). The administration of BVAE demonstrated the most effective antiplatelet activity against platelet aggregation caused by arachidonic acid (AA) and collagen. These antiplatelet activities may correspond to the presence of higher total phenolic compound, which thus inhibit the platelet aggregation activity. In conclusion, these findings provide strong evidence on the antiatherothrombotic effect of BVAE and TPAE.
  13. Analytical GC-FID Method for the Determination of Organic Solvents in Radiopharmaceuticals
    Hassan H, Othman MF, Zakaria ZA, Saad FFA, Abdul Razak HR
    Curr Radiopharm, 2021;14(2):131-144.
    PMID: 33115398 DOI: 10.2174/1874471013999201027215704
    BACKGROUND: Organic solvents play an indispensable role in most of the radiopharmaceutical production stages. It is almost impossible to remove them entirely in the final formulation of the product.

    OBJECTIVE: In this presented work, an analytical method by gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) has been developed to determine organic solvents in radiopharmaceutical samples. The effect of injection holding time, temperature variation in the injection port, and the column temperature on the analysis time and resolution (R ≥ 1.5) of ethanol and acetonitrile was studied extensively.

    METHODS: The experimental conditions were optimized with the aid of further statistical analysis; thence, the proposed method was validated following the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Q2 (R1) guideline.

    RESULTS: The proposed analytical method surpassed the acceptance criteria including the linearity > 0.990 (correlation coefficient of R2), precision < 2%, LOD, and LOQ, accuracy > 90% for all solvents. The separation between ethanol and acetonitrile was acceptable with a resolution R > 1.5. Further statistical analysis of Oneway ANOVA revealed that the increment in injection holding time and variation of temperature at the injection port did not significantly affect the analysis time. Nevertheless, the variation in injection port temperature substantially influenced the resolution of ethanol and acetonitrile peaks (p < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: The proposed analytical method has been successfully implemented to determine the organic solvent in the [18F]fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine ([18F]FET), [18F]fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO), and [18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT).

  14. Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients: A narrative review
    Roslim NA, Ahmad A, Mansor M, Aung MMT, Hamzah F, Hassan H, et al.
    J Integr Med, 2021 Jan;19(1):1-5.
    PMID: 33162374 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2020.10.006
    Obesity and overweight problems are serious global health issues today and despite many efforts, the prevalence has continued to rise for decades. Interestingly, hypnotherapy has been gaining recognition as an effective treatment for obesity and overweight problems. This review compiles contemporary scientific research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for weight reduction. Scopus, PubMed and EBSCO Host databases were applied in the study. The search identified 119 articles, of which seven met the inclusion criteria. A total of 539 respondents (82.7% women and 17.3% men) between the ages of 17 and 67 years were represented in the seven studies. Most studies incorporated lifestyle changes, such as changes of dietary habit and behavioral recommendations in the hypnotic procedure. Their results suggested that the use of hypnotherapy not only promoted weight reduction during the treatment period but also after treatment cessation, and in some cases, one to ten kilograms were lost during follow-up periods. In addition, one study even showed increased physical activity among the hypnotised individuals. This use of hypnotherapy also improved respondents' eating behavior and quality of life. However, a definitive conclusion could not be drawn due to several methodological flaws and the limited number of published studies in this area. Therefore, further well-designed studies are needed to substantiate the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for this modern-day health problem.
  15. Fulltext Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics of Vitamin E: Nanoformulations to Enhance Bioavailability
    Mohd Zaffarin AS, Ng SF, Ng MH, Hassan H, Alias E
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2020;15:9961-9974.
    PMID: 33324057 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S276355
    Vitamin E belongs to the family of lipid-soluble vitamins and can be divided into two groups, tocopherols and tocotrienols, with four isomers (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). Although vitamin E is widely known as a potent antioxidant, studies have also revealed that vitamin E possesses anti-inflammatory properties. These crucial properties of vitamin E are beneficial in various aspects of health, especially in neuroprotection and cardiovascular, skin and bone health. However, the poor bioavailability of vitamin E, especially tocotrienols, remains a great limitation for clinical applications. Recently, nanoformulations that include nanovesicles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles have shown promising outcomes in improving the efficacy and bioavailability of vitamin E. This review focuses on the pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics of vitamin E and current advances in vitamin E nanoformulations for future clinical applications. The limitations and future recommendations are also discussed in this review.
  16. Fulltext Risk factors for antenatal hypovitaminosis D in an urban district in Malaysia
    Bukhary NBI, Isa ZM, Shamsuddin K, Lin KG, Mahdy ZA, Hassan H, et al.
    BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2016 07 13;16(1):156.
    PMID: 27411716 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-0939-3
    BACKGROUND: Pregnant women form one of the high risk groups facing hypovitaminosis D. Low level of vitamin D will affect directly or indirectly both mother and fetus. Screening vitamin D in the first trimester of pregnancy is important to determine the necessary preventive action. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its risk factors among pregnant women in the first trimester.

    METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out among first trimester pregnant women during their first antenatal visit. Samples were taken from different ethnicities in an urban district in Malaysia. A total of 396 respondents (99 % response rate) aged 18-40 years completed self-administered and guided questionnaire (characteristics and risk factors), validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for vitamin D in Malaysia (FFQ vitamin D/My), anthropometric measures (weight and height), blood test for serum 25(OH)D, skin measurement using Mexameter (MX 18) and Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart Measurement (FSTCM). Data were analyzed to determine the association between risk factors and hypovitaminosis D.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (serum 25(OH)D 

  17. Projecting the future smoking prevalence in Norway
    Gartner CE, Lund KE, Barendregt JJ, Mohamed Nor N, Hassan H, Vedøy TF, et al.
    Eur J Public Health, 2017 Feb 1;27(1):139-144.
    PMID: 28177432 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw180
    Norway has achieved a noteworthy reduction in smoking prevalence over the past forty years. In 2015, 13% of Norwegians aged 13-74 smoked daily and a further 9% smoked occasionally. One of the objectives of the Norwegian 2013-16 national strategy for tobacco control is to achieve a reduction in the daily smoking prevalence to < 10% by 2016. This paper aims to estimate how long it will take for Norway to achieve the 10% smoking prevalence.
  18. Fulltext Culture-positive thoracic empyema in adults
    Liam CK, Pendek R, Navaratnam P, Hassan H, Puthucheary SD, Abdul Majid A, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 1990 Jun;45(2):169-76.
    PMID: 2152022
    Twenty-nine adult patients with culture-positive thoracic empyema were seen at the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur from 1984 to 1988. Cough, fever, chest pain, dyspnoea and weight loss were the common presenting symptoms. The empyema in 16 patients was associated with primary bronchopulmonary infections, nine occurred following thoracentesis of culture-sterile pleural effusions, two occurred as post-thoracic surgery complications, one following a subdiaphragmatic abscess and one as a result of a stab wound. The most common culture isolates were Streptococcus milleri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Closed tube thoracostomy, the most common form of drainage procedure employed, was able to effect a cure or control of the empyema in 11 out of 19 patients in whom it was used.
  19. Fulltext Cross-national comparison of factors related to stressors, burnout and turnover among nurses in developed and developing countries
    Ohue T, Aryamuang S, Bourdeanu L, Church JN, Hassan H, Kownaklai J, et al.
    Nurs Open, 2021 09;8(5):2439-2451.
    PMID: 34310070 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1002
    AIM: To examine factors of a hypothetical model related to stressors, burnout and turnover in nurses from developed and developing countries-Canada, Japan, the United States, Malaysia and Thailand.

    DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

    METHODS: Conducted between April 2016 and October 2017, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Intention to Leave Scale, and Nursing Stress Scale collected data from acute care hospital nurses in Canada (n = 309), Japan (n = 319), Malaysia (n = 242), Thailand (n = 211) and the United States (n = 194).

    RESULTS: Compared to other countries, burnout "exhaustion" was the highest in Japan and "cynicism" and intention to leave the job were the highest in Malaysia. Thailand had lower burnouts and turnover than other countries and higher professional efficacy than Japan and Malaysia. In all countries, reducing stressors is important for reducing burnout and intention to leave jobs, especially as they relate to "lack of support."

  20. Fulltext Nano-Hydroxyapatite as a Delivery System for Promoting Bone Regeneration In Vivo: A Systematic Review
    Mohd Zaffarin AS, Ng SF, Ng MH, Hassan H, Alias E
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Sep 29;11(10).
    PMID: 34685010 DOI: 10.3390/nano11102569
    Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) has been widely used as an orthopedic biomaterial and vehicle for drug delivery owing to its chemical and structural similarity to bone minerals. Several studies have demonstrated that nHA based biomaterials have a potential effect for bone regeneration with very minimal to no toxicity or inflammatory response. This systematic review aims to provide an appraisal of the effectiveness of nHA as a delivery system for bone regeneration and whether the conjugation of proteins, antibiotics, or other bioactive molecules to the nHA further enhances osteogenesis in vivo. Out of 282 articles obtained from the literature search, only 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. These studies showed that nHA was able to induce bone regeneration in various animal models with large or critical-sized bone defects, open fracture, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced osteomyelitis. The conjugations of drugs or bioactive molecules such as bone-morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), vancomycin, calcitriol, dexamethasone, and cisplatin were able to enhance the osteogenic property of nHA. Thus, nHA is a promising delivery system for a variety of compounds in promoting bone regeneration in vivo.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links