MyMedR

Fulltext Prediction of conductivity by adaptive neuro-fuzzy model

Akbarzadeh S, Arof AK, Ramesh S, Khanmirzaei MH, Nor RM

PLoS One, 2014;9(3):e92241.

PMID: 24658582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092241

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a key method for the characterizing the ionic and electronic conductivity of materials. One of the requirements of this technique is a model to forecast conductivity in preliminary experiments. The aim of this paper is to examine the prediction of conductivity by neuro-fuzzy inference with basic experimental factors such as temperature, frequency, thickness of the film and weight percentage of salt. In order to provide the optimal sets of fuzzy logic rule bases, the grid partition fuzzy inference method was applied. The validation of the model was tested by four random data sets. To evaluate the validity of the model, eleven statistical features were examined. Statistical analysis of the results clearly shows that modeling with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy is powerful enough for the prediction of conductivity.

Fulltext Characterisation of structure-borne sound source using reception plate method

Putra A, Saari NF, Bakri H, Ramlan R, Dan RM

ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:742853.

PMID: 24324380 DOI: 10.1155/2013/742853

A laboratory-based experiment procedure of reception plate method for structure-borne sound source characterisation is reported in this paper. The method uses the assumption that the input power from the source installed on the plate is equal to the power dissipated by the plate. In this experiment, rectangular plates having high and low mobility relative to that of the source were used as the reception plates and a small electric fan motor was acting as the structure-borne source. The data representing the source characteristics, namely, the free velocity and the source mobility, were obtained and compared with those from direct measurement. Assumptions and constraints employing this method are discussed.

Can body fat distribution, adiponectin levels and inflammation explain differences in insulin resistance between ethnic Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians?

Gao H, Salim A, Lee J, Tai ES, van Dam RM

Int J Obes (Lond), 2012 Aug;36(8):1086-93.

PMID: 21946705 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2011.185

Diabetes in Asia constitutes approximately half of the global burden. Although insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes differ substantially between ethnic groups within Asia, the reasons for these differences are poorly understood. We evaluated to what extent body fatness, adiponectin levels and inflammation mediate the relationship between ethnicity and insulin resistance in an Asian setting.

Internal hernia through the mesosalpinx: a lesson to learn

Tan GH, Harunarashid H, Das S, Goh YH, Ramzisham AR

Clin Ter, 2010;161(6):533-4.

PMID: 21181082

An internal hernia through the mesosalpinx is a rare condition which is often overlooked. We report the case of a 65-year-old lady who presented with features of small bowel obstruction. At laparotomy, a gangrenous ileum was found to have herniated through a defect in the right mesosalpinx. We discuss this rare cause of a small bowel obstruction and its diagnostic dilemma.

Fulltext Sclerosing haemangioma of the lung - an unusual multifocal presentation

Rosliza G, Hairulfaizi H, Joanna OS, Zamrin DM, Ramzisham AR

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Jun;65(2):146-7.

PMID: 23756801

We present a rare case of a multifocal sclerosing haemangioma of the lung in a 49-year-old lady. A left pneumonectomy with complete excision of the tumour seems to be the curative treatment. The recent literature on this unusual presentation is reviewed.

Successful free omental flap and skin graft reconstruction of scalp avulsion injury

Ramzisham AR, Somasundaram S, Nasir ZM, Ali F, Das S

Clin Ter, 2010;161(5):453-5.

PMID: 20949243

For the management of a full-thickness scalp avulsion injury, thorough wound debridement and immediate primary revascularization or a split-thickness skin graft may be necessary. Graft failure may be common situation thereby predisposing the individuals to unnecessary multiple operations. In the recent times, the use of omental graft has gained much popularity. In the present study, we describe an interesting case of chronic non healing scalp ulcer in a young woman who eventually underwent a free omental flap reconstruction with split-thickness skin graft and had satisfactory outcome.

Fulltext Foreign body aspiration in an adult: the great mimic

Ngoo KS, Ramzisham AR, Joanna OS, Zamrin DM

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Mar;63(1):61-2.

PMID: 18935737 MyJurnal

A middle-aged lady presented with a three-month history of chronic cough. After a long and extensive investigation, CT thorax revealed collapse consolidation of the right lower lung lobe and bronchoscopy showed a polypoidal tumour within the involved bronchus. Thoracotomy and segmental lung resection revealed a peanut in the airways of the fibrotic and infected lung tissue. In view of the rarity of the food particle aspiration in a healthy adult, the delay in presentation and diagnosis in our patient, we would like to highlight this particular case. A high index of suspicion of FBA is necessary to avoid unnecessary anxiety, extensive investigations and overzealous treatment as well as to promote lung conservation.

Fulltext Edwardsiella tarda septicemia with underlying multiple liver abscesses

Yousuf RM, How SH, Amran M, Hla KT, Shah A, Francis A

Malays J Pathol, 2006 Jun;28(1):49-53.

PMID: 17694959 MyJurnal

Edwardsiella tarda has recently been described as a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The genus Edwardsiella contains three species; E. hoshinae, E. ictaluri and E. tarda. Edwardsiella tarda is the only species which has been recognised as pathogenic to humans, especially in those with an underlying disease. The most common presentation is watery diarrhoea. Extra intestinal infections have been reported infrequently. Humans seem to be infected or colonised with Edwardsiella through ingestion or inoculation of a wound. This report is of a patient with multiple liver abscesses due to E. tarda who later developed bacterial peritonitis and septicaemic shock.

Development of robotic program: an Asian experience

Sahabudin RM, Arni T, Ashani N, Arumuga K, Rajenthran S, Murali S, et al.

World J Urol, 2006 Jun;24(2):161-4.

PMID: 16607550

Robotic surgery was started in the Department of Urology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, in April 2004. We present our experience in developing the program and report the results of our first 50 cases of robotic radical prostatectomy. A three-arm da Vinci robotic system was installed in our hospital in March 2004. Prior to installation, the surgeons underwent training at various centers in the United States and Paris. The operating theatre was renovated to house the system. Subsequently, the initial few cases were done with the help of proctors. Data were prospectively collected on all patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate. Fifty patients underwent robot assisted radical prostatectomy from March 2004 to June 2005. Their ages ranged from 52 to 75 years, (average age 60.2 years). PSA levels ranged from 2.5 to 35 ng/ml (mean 10.6 ng/ml). Prostate volume ranged from 18 to 130 cc (average 32.4 cc). Average operating time for the first 20 cases was 4 h and for the next 30 cases was 2.5 h. Patients were discharged 1-3 days post-operatively. Catheters were removed on the fifth day following a cystogram. The positive margin rate as defined by the presence of cancer cells at the inked margin was 30%. Twenty-one patients had T1c disease and one had T1b on clinical staging. Of these, two were apical margin positive. Twenty-six patients had T2 disease and eight of them were apical margin positive. Two patients had T3 disease, one of whom was apical margin positive. Five patients (10%) had PSA recurrence. Five patients had a poorly differentiated carcinoma and the rest had Gleason 6 or 7. Eighty percent of the patients were continent on follow-up at 3 months. Of those who were potent before the surgery, 50% were potent at 3-6 months. The robotic surgery program was successfully implemented at our center on the lines of a structured program, developed at Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI). We succeeded in creating a team and safely implemented the robotic program in our system. Adequate funding and extensive training followed by a short term proctoring are essential for this implementation.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Shigella sonnei strains in Malaysia (1997-2000)

Hoe CH, Yasin RM, Koh YT, Thong KL

J Appl Microbiol, 2005;99(1):133-40.

PMID: 15960673

Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella sonnei from Malaysia was determined and subtyping was carried by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess the extent of genetic diversity of these strains.

Fulltext Large fusiform posterior cerebral artery aneurysm (P2 segment): successful trapping and excision via subtemporal approach

Ramzisham ARM, Azizi AB, Zurin AAR

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Oct;59(4):530-2.

PMID: 15779587

A 62-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of right occipito-parietal headache and worsening ipsilateral ptosis. CT scan and cerebral angiography revealed a large fusiform aneurysm of the P2 segment of the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA). The aneurysm was successfully trapped and subsequently excised via sub temporal approach leaving no additional neurological deficits to our patient.

Fulltext Validity and Reliability of Malay Version of the Job Content Questionnaire among Public Hospital Female Nurses in Malaysia

Amin NA, Quek KF, Oxley JA, Noah RM, Nordin R

Int J Occup Environ Med, 2015 10;6(4):232-42.

PMID: 26498051 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2015.632

BACKGROUND: The Job Content Questionnaire (M-JCQ) is an established self-reported instrument used across the world to measure the work dimensions based on the Karasek's demand-control-support model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometrics properties of the Malay version of M-JCQ among nurses in Malaysia.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on nurses working in 4 public hospitals in Klang Valley area, Malaysia. M-JCQ was used to assess the perceived psychosocial stressors and physical demands of nurses at their workplaces. Construct validity of the questionnaire was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cronbach's α values were used to estimate the reliability (internal consistency) of the M-JCQ.

RESULTS: EFA showed that 34 selected items were loaded in 4 factors. Except for psychological job demand (Cronbach's α 0.51), the remaining 3 α values for 3 subscales (job control, social support, and physical demand) were greater than 0.70, indicating acceptable internal consistency. However, an item was excluded due to poor item-total correlation (r<0.3). The final M-JCQ was consisted of 33 items.

CONCLUSION: The M-JCQ is a reliable and valid instrument to measure psychosocial and physical stressors in the workplace of public hospital nurses in Malaysia.

Fulltext Mercury pollution for marine environment at Farwa Island, Libya

Banana AA, Mohamed RM, Al-Gheethi AA

J Environ Health Sci Eng, 2016;14:5.

PMID: 26900479 DOI: 10.1186/s40201-016-0246-y

BACKGROUND: Farwa is an Island in Libya receives petrochemical wastes generated from General Company of Chemical Industries (GCCI) since more than 40 years.

AIM: The present work aimed to determine the concentrations of mercury (Hg(+2)) in fish, marine plants and sediment collected from Farwa lagoon to evaluate effect of industrial wastewater from GCCI on the marine environment.

METHODS: Hundred and twelve samples of fish, pearl oyster, cuttlefish sediments and marine plants were analyzed to determine Hg(2+) concentration during the period from January to August 2014 by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).

RESULTS: The highest concentration of Hg(2+) was detected in Pinctada radiata (11.67 ± 3.30 μgg (-1)) followed by Serranus scriba (6.37 ± 0.11 μg g (-1)) and Epinephelus marginatus (6.19 ± 0.02 μg g (-1)). About 75 % of marine plants contained the maximum contaminations during the summer season. In fish samples Hg(2+) concentrations exceeded the levels provided by international standards.

CONCLUSIONS: The fish at Farwa lagoon is heavily contaminated with Hg(2+) which may represent a source for mercury poisoning for human.

Molecular characterization of Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1 from human and environmental sources in Malaysia

Radu S, Ho YK, Lihan S, Yuherman, Rusul G, Yasin RM, et al.

Epidemiol Infect, 1999 Oct;123(2):225-32.

PMID: 10579441

A total of 31 strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 (10 from outbreak cases and 7 from surface water) and non-O1 (4 from clinical and 10 from surface water sources) isolated between 1993 and 1997 were examined with respect to presence of cholera enterotoxin (CT) gene by PCR-based assays, resistance to antibiotics, plasmid profiles and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. All were resistant to 9 or more of the 17 antibiotics tested. Identical antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates may indicate that they share a common mode of developing antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the multiple antibiotic resistance indexing showed that all strains tested originated from high risk contamination. Plasmid profile analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis showed the presence of small plasmids in 12 (7 non-O1 and 5 O1 serotypes) with sizes ranging 1.3-4.6 MDa. The CT gene was detected in all clinical isolates but was present in only 14 (6 O1 serotype and 8 non-O1 serotype) isolates from environmental waters. The genetic relatedness of the clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1 strains was investigated by RAPD fingerprinting with four primers. The four primers generated polymorphisms in all 31 strains of Vibrio cholerae tested, producing bands ranging from < 250 to 4500 bp. The RAPD profiles revealed a wide variability and no correlation with the source of isolation. This study provides evidence that Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1 have significant public health implications.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux: clinical profiles and outcome

Lee WS, Beattie RM, Meadows N, Walker-Smith JA

J Paediatr Child Health, 1999 Dec;35(6):568-71.

PMID: 10634985

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical features, investigations and outcome of 69 children (40 males, 29 females) with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOER) referred to a tertiary referral centre in paediatric gastroenterology.

METHODS: A study of all patients with significant GOER seen at the Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, London, between December 1994 and August 1995.

RESULTS: The median age at referral was 16 months. Presenting symptoms were recurrent vomiting (72%), epigastric and abdominal pain (36%), feeding difficulties (29%), failure to thrive (28%) and irritability (19%). Continuous 24-h lower oesophageal pH studies performed in 57 children showed 20 (35%) had a reflux index of between 10% to 20%, 14 (25%) had a index > 20%, and six (11%) had a postprandial reflux index > 10%. Reflux was shown in 38 (62%) of 62 children who underwent barium studies. None had significant anatomical abnormalities, but in the 22 children who had a negative barium studies, six had severe reflux (reflux index > 20%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed in 47 children showed reflux oesophagitis in 29 (62%), oesophageal ulceration in three, and Barrett's oesophagus in one. All of the children were treated with standard medical therapy. Sixty-six per cent were able to discontinue medication within 12 months and remained well. Four children (6%) required Nissen's fundoplication for failure to respond to medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Most infants with GOER have an uncomplicated course. False negative results were noted in both pH monitoring and barium meal. Up to 80% of children, with therapy, will improve within 12 months.

Prevalence of Salmonella in broilers at retail outlets, processing plants and farms in Malaysia

Rusul G, Khair J, Radu S, Cheah CT, Yassin RM

Int J Food Microbiol, 1996 Dec;33(2-3):183-94.

PMID: 8930704

A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella among broilers retailed at wet-markets and processing plants. Litter and feed samples obtained from both broiler and breeder farms were also examined for Salmonella. A total of 158 out of 445 (35.5%) and 52 out of 104 (50.0%) broiler carcasses obtained from wet-markets and processing plants were contaminated with Salmonella, respectively. Salmonella was isolated from 14 out of 98 (14.3%) samples of intestinal content. Litter samples from broiler and breeder farms were positive for Salmonella, 8/40 (20%) and 2/10 (20%), respectively. Salmonella isolates (230) belonging to 15 different serovars were isolated. Predominant serovars were S. enteritidis, S. muenchen, S. kentucky and S. blockley.

Fulltext Development and preliminary evaluation of an IgM dot-immunobinding assay (IgM-DIA) for rapid serodiagnosis of scrub typhus infection

Koay AS, Tay ST, Cheong YM, Yasin RM

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1995 Jun;26(2):350-3.

PMID: 8629074

An IgM dot-immunobinding assay (IgM-DIA) was developed for the diagnosis of scrub typhus infection. The whole cell antigens of Karp, Kato and Gilliam strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi were immobilized onto nitrocellulose paper and reacted with patients sera. The presence of IgM R. tsutsugamushi specific antibody in the patient sera could be detected by the observation of a visible brown dot on the nitrocellulose paper. The IgM-DIA has a sensitivity of 90.4% and specificity of 81.4% as compared to the indirect immunoperoxidase test. The IgM-DIA is rapid, simple, cost-effective, does not require microscope or incubator. It is recommended as a rapid screening test for the diagnosis of scrub typhus infection in the field or rural area within the hyperendemic region.

The distribution and prevalence of group A arbovirus neutralizing antibodies among human populations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands

Tesh RB, Gajdusek DC, Garruto RM, Cross JH, Rosen L

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1975 Jul;24(4):664-75.

PMID: 1155702

Plaque reduction neutralization tests, using five group A arboviruses (chikungunya, Ross River, Getah, Bebaru and Sindbis), were done on sera from human populations in 44 Southeast Asia and Pacific island localities. Specificity of the plaque neutralization test was determined by examining convalescent sera from patients with known alphavirus infections. Chikungunya-specific neutralizing antibodies were demonstrated in sera of persons living in South Vietnam, Northern Malaysia, Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sulawesi), as well as Luzon, Marinduque, Cebu and Mindanao islands in the Philippines. Evidence of Ross River virus infection was found among populations living in West New Guinea and Papua New Guinea mainland, the Bismark Archipelago, Rossel Island and the Solomon Islands. There appeared to be no geographic overlap in the distribution of chikungunya and Ross River viruses, with the separation in their distribution corresponding with Weber's line in the Pacific. Sindbis neutralizing antibodies were found in 7 of 21 populations sampled, but in general the prevalence of infection was low. Four sera, from Vietnam, Malaysia and Mindanao gave monospecific reactions with Getah virus. No evidence of specific Bebaru virus infection was detected. The epidemiology of these five alphaviruses in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands is discussed.

Prophylactic and sporontocidal treatment of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum from Malaya

Clyde DF, DuPont HL, Miller RM, McCarthy VC

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1970;64(6):834-8.

PMID: 4924648

Can hyperchaotic maps with high complexity produce multistability?

Natiq H, Banerjee S, Ariffin MRK, Said MRM

Chaos, 2019 Jan;29(1):011103.

PMID: 30709147 DOI: 10.1063/1.5079886

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical behavior in an M-dimensional nonlinear hyperchaotic model (M-NHM), where the occurrence of multistability can be observed. Four types of coexisting attractors including single limit cycle, cluster of limit cycles, single hyperchaotic attractor, and cluster of hyperchaotic attractors can be found, which are unusual behaviors in discrete chaotic systems. Furthermore, the coexistence of asymmetric and symmetric properties can be distinguished for a given set of parameters. In the endeavor of chaotification, this work introduces a simple controller on the M-NHM, which can add one more loop in each iteration, to overcome the chaos degradation in the multistability regions.

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