Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 403 in total

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  1. Kazemi T, Firgau E, Bunch D, Kahwash SB
    Malays J Pathol, 2022 Dec;44(3):523-526.
    PMID: 36591720
    Medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) and other inborn errors of metabolism are common causes of Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy (SUDI). If identified early or before metabolic decompensation, MCADD is manageable. In the US and other countries, identification of MCADD has improved through the routine use of newborn screening (NBS), which is able to identify most cases. This case study presented here occurred before NBS was implemented in Ohio for MCADD and outlines the typical clinical presentation, pathological features, and relevant biochemical and molecular markers for identifying MCADD. Genetic counselling should be sought for the family if MCADD is identified.
  2. Tyrrell L, Scruggs M, Kerwin A, Kahwash SB
    Malays J Pathol, 2022 Dec;44(3):397-413.
    PMID: 36591709
    Platelets, along with coagulation factors and vasculature, represent the three main compartments of hemostasis. Upon investigation of a suspected hemostasis disorder, platelet count, size and morphology often offer important clues to the diagnosis or help narrow the differential diagnosis. In this review, we describe a general approach to diagnosing platelet disorders, starting with easily obtained data such as findings of complete blood count (CBC) and microscopic review of a stained peripheral blood smear. We discuss general findings that help separate consumptive from underproduction thrombocytopenia. We further touch on inherited thrombocytopenia disorders after classifying them into those associated with small, normal sized or large platelets. Illustrative microscopic images are provided where contributory. We conclude with a suggested algorithmic step-by-step approach to investigating a suspected platelet disorder in children.
  3. Quek DK, Khor PG, Ong SB
    Singapore Med J, 1992 Apr;33(2):177-81.
    PMID: 1621124
    Silent myocardial ischaemia is now well-recognised in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. Its pathogenesis remains speculative, though diminished sensitivity to pain is thought to be one of the mechanisms involved. Because cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction occurs frequently in diabetic patients, we postulate that it contributes towards painless myocardial ischaemia among them. Forty consecutive diabetic (type II) male patients and ten normal volunteers were studied. Using 5 previously-validated noninvasive tests for autonomic dysfunction, 14 of these diabetic men had definite autonomic neuropathy (at least 2 abnormal tests). All 50 subjects were then exercised on a motor-driven treadmill to either exhaustion or chest pains. Thirty-three diabetic subjects were tested positive, with significant (greater than 1 mm) ST segment depression over at least 2 contiguous leads. Of these, 18 were associated with typical angina but the other 15 stopped because of fatigue or exhaustion (ie painless). Thirteen subjects who had definite autonomic neuropathy (AN+) had positive exercise ECG tests-10 had painless ischaemia, and only 3 had angina. This contrasted with 15 patients who had painful ischaemia and 5 who had painless ischaemia among the group without (AN-)autonomic dysfunction (p = 0.0047, Fisher's exact test). There were no significant differences among the various groups for peak rate-pressure-product, all subjects attaining similar maximal oxygen consumption states during which ischaemic ST segment changes were noted (painful AN+: 21917 +/- 4753; painless AN+: 20117 +/- 6752; painful AN-: 16544 +/- 4063; painless AN-: 22220 +/- 4341, p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
  4. Hashim JH, Hashim Z, Omar A, Shamsudin SB
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2000;12(2):65-70.
    PMID: 11836921
    The objective of this article is to study the influence of exposure and socio-economic variables on the blood lead level of Malaysian school children. Data on respirable lead and blood lead of 346 school children were obtained from Kuala Lumpur (urban), Kemaman (semi-urban) and Setiu (rural). Respirable lead and blood lead were highest for Kuala Lumpur (95 ng/m3 and 5.26 micrograms/dL) followed by Kemaman (27 ng/m3 and 2.81 micrograms/dL) and Setiu (15 ng/m3 and 2.49 micrograms/dL), and the differences were statistically significant. The percentage of school children with excessive blood lead of 10 micrograms/dL or greater was 6.36% overall, and highest for Kuala Lumpur (11.73%). Regression analyses show that urban children are at higher risk of exhibiting excessive blood lead levels. Kuala Lumpur's school children have a 25 times greater risk of having excessive blood lead levels when compared to Kemaman's and Setiu's school children. Respirable and blood lead were correlated (r = 0.999, p = 0.021). Urban school children acquire higher blood lead levels than their rural and semi-urban counterparts, even after controlling for age, sex, parents' education and income levels. In conclusion, it is time that lead in the Malaysian environment and population be monitored closely, especially its temporal and spatial variability. Only then can a comprehensive preventive strategy be implemented.
  5. Dolah MT, Samat SB, Kadni T
    Malays J Med Sci, 2000 Jan;7(1):47-53.
    PMID: 22844215
    Absorbed dose to water was measured with ionisation chambers NE 2561 (#267), NE 2581 (#334), NE 2571 (#1028), using the IAEA standard water phantom. The ionisation chamber was inserted in the water phantom at a reference depth dependent on the type of the radiation quality used. Three radiation qualities were used namely 1.25 MeV gamma ray, 6 MV x-rays and 10 MV x-rays. The values of the absorbed dose to water were determined by the N(K)- and N(X)- based methods, i.e with the use of IAEA, HPA, NACP, AAPM, NCRP and ICRU protocols. The aim of this study was to make an intercomparison of the results, by taking the IAEA protocol as a standard. The largest deviation contributed by any of these protocols was recorded for each quality. It was found that AAPM, NCRP and ICRU protocols contributed 0.94% for 1.25 MeV gamma ray, NACP contributed 2.12% for the 6 MV x-rays, and NACP contributed 2.35% for 10 MV x-rays. Since the acceptable limit of deviation set by the IAEA for this absorbed dose work is ± 3%, it is clear that the overall deviations obtained were all satisfactory.
  6. Ong SB, Lam KL, Lam SK
    Bull World Health Organ, 1982;60(1):137-40.
    PMID: 6282479
    The results of this study indicate that the important viral agents associated with lower respiratory tract infections in young children are respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and parainfluenza virus, particularly in those under 2 years of age. This is in close agreement with studies done in temperate climates. Influenza A virus is seasonal and plays an important role in upper respiratory tract infections in older children.
    Study site: Inpatients and outpatients, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  7. Ong SB, Lam KL, Lam SK
    Bull World Health Organ, 1975;52(3):376-8.
    PMID: 1084808
    Paired sera from 101 Malaysian children aged up to 10 years and suffering from respiratory illnesses were examined serologically for evidence of respiratory viral infections. Of these children, 32.6% showed rising antibody titres for one or more of the test agents. Respiratory syncytial virus appeared to be the main respiratory pathogen involved, followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, and influenza A virus. These findings are generally similar to those reported by others in temperate and tropical countries.
  8. Abdul Kadir A, Nordin R, Ismail SB, Yaacob MJ, Wan Mustapha WMR
    Asia Pac Fam Med, 2004;3(1&2):9-18.
    Aim. Validation of the Malay version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
    Methods. A validation study was done involving 52 mothers who were at 4-12 weeks post-delivery. The women completed the Malay versions of EPDS and the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). They were then assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS). Psychiatric diagnoses were made based on ICD-10 criteria. The validity of EPDS was tested against this clinical diagnosis and the concurrent validity against the Malay version of 30-item GHQ and HDRS scores was also evaluated.
    Results. The best cut-off score of the Malay version of EPDS was 11.5 with the sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 92.6 %.
    Conclusion. The Malay version of EPDS is a valid and reliable screening tool for PND.
  9. Abdul Kadir A, Nordin R, Ismail SB, Yaacob MJ, Wan Mahmud WMR
    Objective: To determine the prevalence of postnatal depression (PND), and associated risk factors among women in Kota Bharu District, Kelantan. Design: A cohort study Methods: A study involving four hundred and twenty one pregnant women attending primary health care facilities in Kota Bharu between February and September 2000 were screened for depression at 36-42 weeks of pregnancy, 1 week postpartum and 4-6 weeks postpartum using validated Malay version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: Three hundred and seventy seven women successfully completed the EPDS (response rate = 89.8%). The prevalence of PND at 4-6 weeks postpartum, based on an EPDS score of 12 and above, was 20.7%. Depressive symptoms at the end of pregnancy (p<0.05) and one week postnatal (p<0.05) were significantly associated with PND. Conclusions: PND among women in Kota Bharu was 20.7%, which was higher than previously reported studies. Onset of depressive symptoms towards the end of pregnancy and early postnatal period independently predicted postnatal depression. © 2005 Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.
  10. Hussain NHN, Hamid HA, Kadir AA, Musa KI, Ismail SB
    Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition that includes the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The criteria used to aid the diagnosis of MetS includes abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, hypertension or use of antihypertensive medication, elevated fasting blood glucose and other risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among postmenopausal women and its associated factors in a tertiary center in Malaysia Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done among 411 postmenopausal women attending Gynaecology clinic and Family Medicine clinic in a tertiary center in Malaysia. Socio demographic data, reproductive profile, menopausal profile and medical history were obtained. Then waist circumference (WC), weight, height and blood pressure (BP) were also recorded. A fasting blood sample was obtained for serum glucose and lipid profile determinations. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the criteria of International Diabetes Federation. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.2 + 6.9 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 36.7%. The risk of MetS increased with the presence of obstetrics history of hypertension (HPT) (odds ratio (OR) 2.64, 95% (CI) 1.25-5.62), previous usage of contraception (odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95% (CI) 1.02-2.42), family history of HPT (odds ratio (OR) 1.71, 95% (CI) 1.13-2.59) and obesity (odds ratio (OR) 2.59, 95% (CI) 1.08-6.23). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women seeking gynaecologic and primary health care in the tertiary center Malaysia. The associated factors of MetS include previous obstetrics history of HPT, family history of HPT and obesity.
  11. Manap, A. S. B. A., Vijayabalan, S., Priya Madhavan, Yin, C. Y.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and exert various toxic effects on neurons. Dietary phytochemicals are currently used as an adjuvant therapy to accelerate their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin and its co-administration with piperine against Aβ42 induced cytotoxicity, fibril aggregation and oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: The neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were cultured with different treatments of Aβ42, individual curcumin and piperine and combination of curcumin and piperine. Cell viability, Aβ fibril aggregation and oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation, catalase and glutathione were assessed. The abilities of curcumin and its combination, piperine to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit Aβ aggregation and β-sheeted formation were further assessed. Results: Curcumin and piperine preserves cell viability, which is decreased by Aβ, indicate that curcumin protects Aβ-induced neuronal damage. Under aggregating conditions in vitro, curcumin and piperine inhibited aggregation as well as disaggregated fibrillar Aβ42, indicating favorable stoichiometry for inhibition. Results also showed that curcumin and piperine as a combination was a better Aβ42 aggregation inhibitor than the individual compounds. Curcumin and piperine depresses Aβ-induced up-regulation of neuronal oxidative stress. The ability of these compounds to scavenge free radicals and inhibit the formation of Aβ aggregation are implicated from the results of this study. Conclusion: This combination of curcumin and piperine shows a more protective effect on neuronal oxidative damage when they was added into cultured neurons not later than Aβ, especially prior to Aβ. The curcumin and piperine combination prevents neurons from Aβ-induced oxidative stress, indicating a promising therapeutic in preventive medicine for Alzheimer disease.
  12. New, C.Y., Amalia, A. R, Ramzi, O. S. B., Son, R.
    MyJurnal
    As the society begin to realize the importance of combating antimicrobial resistance, going
    back to silver might be the solution. Silver has been known for its potential antimicrobial
    activity since ancient times and, the development of nanoparticles has increased its potential
    into becoming an antimicrobial agent that can be applied in broad-spectrum. Antimicrobial
    resistance has spread into an irrepressible manner which requires drastic action plan as a number
    of pathogenic bacteria began to acquire resistance genes. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
    aureus (MRSA) is one of the earliest reported resistant clones which is the center of this study.
    This study focused on the dissemination and evolution of MRSA on its resistance towards
    antibiotics. Disc Diffusion Test was employed to create the antibiograms of MRSA isolates. All
    isolates showed resistance towards amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefazolin, oxacillin and penicillin.
    In contrast, all isolates were susceptible towards erythromycin. The findings also discovered
    isolates that were vancomycin-resistant (66.7%) and vancomycin-intermediate (33.3%). As the
    efficacy of antibiotic treatment is at a question, we also investigated on the antimicrobial activity
    of colloidal silver in the hope as an alternative treatment. Shiga Toxin producing Escherichia
    coli (STEC) and MRSA (ATCC 33591) was tested using modified Quantitative suspension
    test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics based
    on BS EN 1276:2009. The outcome of this study indicated that the colloidal silver is working
    effectively against STEC and MRSA (ATCC 33591), showing killing percentages well above
    99.0% at 4 minutes and 8 minutes of contact. Vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and
    Vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) were also tested and the results indicated that
    VISA had higher killing percentages at 4 minutes (99.83%) and 8 minutes (99.85%) compared
    to VRSA at 4 minutes (96.72%) and 8 minutes (98.35%). This opens a solution to the rising
    problem of antimicrobial resistance.
  13. Campbell I, Mateo J, Rusekwa SB, Kambey CSB, Hurtado A, Msuya FE, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2022 Feb 15;304:114112.
    PMID: 34923419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114112
    Seaweeds form the second largest global aquaculture product in volume, and despite rapid growth of the sector over the last 25 years, production and quality in top producing regions is becoming increasingly limited due to disease and pest outbreaks, the spread of non-native cultivars and the degradation of genetic health due to inbreeding. Most notably, the lack of biosecurity measures leading to disease and pest outbreaks are reported to cause the most significant production losses in the seaweed industry. This study uses the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey tool to quantify and compare biosecurity cross-culturally, in two major red seaweed producing countries, the Philippines and Tanzania. Both countries have significantly different political contexts and the seaweed sector sits within two very different value chains. Seaweed-based commodities from these countries, however, enters the same international market for carrageenan, a thickening agent used for a variety of products globally. This study uses the KAP survey tool to assess currently-adopted biosecurity control measures and understand how potential policy strategies could be developed on an international scale. Farmers from both producing countries have good biosecurity knowledge. In Tanzania 64% farmers scored Fair or Good, and in the Philippines this was 95%. Corresponding scores in practices were lower, 85% Poor for Tanzania, and 88% Fair for the Philippines, indicating there is a lack of resources for farmers to implement additional practices. The information gathered using the KAP tool in the context of the global seaweed industry can be used to facilitate compromise between science, policy and practice whilst taking into consideration smaller-scale regional challenges. Given the results from the seaweed industry were similar to that of smallholder agricultural sectors, it is suggested that governmental programs to incentivise biosecurity in smallholder rural agriculture could be adapted for the seaweed industry. This study also demonstrates the potential use of the KAP survey, as a tool to accurately compare biosecurity challenges faced by farmers in different aquaculture sectors globally, and to encourage alignment in international approaches to aquaculture biosecurity policies.
  14. Shair, E. F., Ahmad, S. A., Marhaban, M. H., Abdullah, A. R., Mohd Tamrin, S. B.
    MyJurnal
    Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by muscle fatigue have been a major problem for industry
    which needs to be resolved to save costs related to human resource development (extra training and
    compensation). Detailed fatigue monitoring researches aimed at finding the best fatigue indices is not
    new although studies on the causes of fatigue can be explored further. Identification analysis is required
    to monitor the factors that influence muscle performance characteristic of surface electromyography
    (sEMG) signal. Periodogram monitoring technique applies a frequency domain signal and represents the
    distribution of the signal power over the frequency. It is a technique that allows the tracing of small
    changes in the behaviour of sEMG signal when external parameters are varied. This technique is used
    in this paper to monitor the sEMG signal changes in muscle performance when the lifting height and
    load mass are varied. The periodogram amplitude, which represents the power, increases with the rise in
    lifting height and load mass. From the frequency representation of the periodogram, the root mean square
    voltage (Vrms) is calculated where the muscle performance characteristic could be further identified. The
    Vrms also shows a similar trend when the lifting height and load mass are varied proving the periodogram
    technique is useful to monitor changes in the muscle performance during manual lifting.
  15. Kamaruddin MNSB, Hashim NAB, Mohamed SB, Azhari ZIB
    East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2023 Dec;33(4):114-119.
    PMID: 38955783 DOI: 10.12809/eaap2342
    BACKGROUND: Suicidal behaviour can be influenced by attitudes towards suicide and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the associations between psychological distress, attitudes towards suicide, and suicidal behaviour and to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students of a public university in East Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 521 students from a public university in East Malaysia were asked to complete the Malay versions of the Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), the Attitudes Towards Suicide Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.

    RESULTS: 197 women and 290 men (mean age, 19.13 years) completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 93.4%. The prevalence of high-risk suicidal behaviour (SBQ-R score ≥7) was 23.8%. Suicidal behaviour was positively associated with psychological distress and favourable attitudes towards suicide, and negatively associated with unfavourable attitudes towards suicide. Predictors for suicidal behaviour were psychological distress and favourable attitudes towards suicide ('the ability to understand and accept suicide').

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of suicidal behaviour is high among students in a public university in East Malaysia. Services and education for mental health awareness and screening for early detection and intervention of psychological distress should be provided to university students. Implementation of suicide awareness policies and suicide prevention training is crucial.

  16. Djaeni M, Prasetyaningrum A, Sasongko SB, Widayat W, Hii CL
    J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Feb;52(2):1170-5.
    PMID: 25694735 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-013-1081-0
    Drying is a significant step in the production of carrageenan. However, current drying process still deals with too long drying time and carrageenan quality degradation. The foam mat drying is an option to speed up drying process as well as retaining carrageenan quality. In this case, the carrageenan was mixed with egg white (albumin) as foaming agent and methyl cellulose for foam stabilizer. The foam will break the carrageenan gels and creates the porous structure resulting higher surface area for water transfer. This research studied the effect of egg white and methyl cellulose on carrageenan drying at various air temperature, and thickness. As a response, the water content versus time was observed and the drying rate was estimated. Meanwhile, the carrageenan texture was verified by X-RD (X-Ray Diffraction) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). Results showed that the presence of egg white stablized by methyl cellulose can speed up drying rate as well as retaining the crystalline structure of carrageenan. The higher albumin content, the faster drying rate. However, the addition of albumin and methyl cellulose restricted not more than 30 % in the mixture for keeping carrageenan quality and purity. By adding egg white 20 % and methyl cellulose 10 %, the water diffusion and drying rate can be two fold compared with carrageenan drying without foam. The improvement can be higher at the higher temperature and thinner carrageenan sheets.
  17. Lee HV, Hamid SB, Zain SK
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:631013.
    PMID: 25247208 DOI: 10.1155/2014/631013
    Lignocellulosic biomass is a complex biopolymer that is primary composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The presence of cellulose in biomass is able to depolymerise into nanodimension biomaterial, with exceptional mechanical properties for biocomposites, pharmaceutical carriers, and electronic substrate's application. However, the entangled biomass ultrastructure consists of inherent properties, such as strong lignin layers, low cellulose accessibility to chemicals, and high cellulose crystallinity, which inhibit the digestibility of the biomass for cellulose extraction. This situation offers both challenges and promises for the biomass biorefinery development to utilize the cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass. Thus, multistep biorefinery processes are necessary to ensure the deconstruction of noncellulosic content in lignocellulosic biomass, while maintaining cellulose product for further hydrolysis into nanocellulose material. In this review, we discuss the molecular structure basis for biomass recalcitrance, reengineering process of lignocellulosic biomass into nanocellulose via chemical, and novel catalytic approaches. Furthermore, review on catalyst design to overcome key barriers regarding the natural resistance of biomass will be presented herein.
  18. Lew LC, Choi SB, Tan PL, Liong MT
    J Appl Microbiol, 2014 Mar;116(3):644-53.
    PMID: 24267975 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12399
    The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) on lactic acid production using response surface methodology and to further study their effects on interactions between the enzymes and substrates along the hexose monophosphate pathway using a molecular modelling approach.
  19. Balraj P, Lim PG, Sidek H, Wu LL, Khoo AS
    J. Endocrinol. Invest., 2013 Jun;36(6):366-74.
    PMID: 23027774 DOI: 10.3275/8648
    Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is a common autosomal recessive disorder. Our objective was to identify the 21-hydroxylase active gene, CYP21A2 mutations in Malaysian 21-OHD patients using different techniques.
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