Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 578 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext A data fusion method in wireless sensor networks
    Izadi D, Abawajy JH, Ghanavati S, Herawan T
    Sensors (Basel), 2015;15(2):2964-79.
    PMID: 25635417 DOI: 10.3390/s150202964
    The success of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) deployment strongly depends on the quality of service (QoS) it provides regarding issues such as data accuracy, data aggregation delays and network lifetime maximisation. This is especially challenging in data fusion mechanisms, where a small fraction of low quality data in the fusion input may negatively impact the overall fusion result. In this paper, we present a fuzzy-based data fusion approach for WSN with the aim of increasing the QoS whilst reducing the energy consumption of the sensor network. The proposed approach is able to distinguish and aggregate only true values of the collected data as such, thus reducing the burden of processing the entire data at the base station (BS). It is also able to eliminate redundant data and consequently reduce energy consumption thus increasing the network lifetime. We studied the effectiveness of the proposed data fusion approach experimentally and compared it with two baseline approaches in terms of data collection, number of transferred data packets and energy consumption. The results of the experiments show that the proposed approach achieves better results than the baseline approaches.
  2. Disordered eating and its association with overweight and health-related quality of life among adolescents in selected high schools of Tehran
    Jalali-Farahani S, Chin YS, Mohd Nasir MT, Amiri P
    Child Psychiatry Hum Dev, 2015 Jun;46(3):485-92.
    PMID: 25173517 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-014-0489-8
    This study aimed to determine the association between disordered eating and overweight and also health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adolescents in high schools of Tehran. The participants were 465 adolescents, aged 14-17 years. After anthropometric measurements, body mass index-for-age and body weight status were determined using World Health Organization cut offs. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™4.0) were used to assess disordered eating and HRQOL, respectively. Disordered eating was prevalent in 18.9% of adolescents, with higher prevalence in girls (26.4%) compared to boys (11.8%; χ(2):16.29, p < 0.05). Disordered eating was associated with overweight in girls (χ(2) = 11.07, p < 0.05), but not in boys (χ(2) = 2.01, p = 0.16). Disordered eating was associated with poor HRQOL especially in psychosocial domains of HRQOL. Considering the high prevalence of disordered eating and its association with overweight and poor HRQOL, preventive interventions targeting adolescents are recommended.
  3. Atomistic simulation studies of the α/β-glucoside and galactoside in anhydrous bilayers: effect of the anomeric and epimeric configurations
    Ahmadi S, Manickam Achari V, Nguan H, Hashim R
    J Mol Model, 2014 Mar;20(3):2165.
    PMID: 24623320 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-014-2165-0
    Fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulation studies of thermotropic bilayers were performed using a set of glycosides namely n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (β-C8Glc), n-octyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (α-C8Glc), n-octyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (β-C8Gal), and n-octyl-α-D-galactopyranoside (α-C8Gal) to investigate the stereochemical relationship of the epimeric/anomeric quartet liner glycolipids with the same octyl chain group. The results showed that, the anomeric stereochemistry or the axial/equatorial orientation of C1-O1 (α/β) is an important factor controlling the area and d-spacing of glycolipid bilayer systems in the thermotropic phase. The head group tilt angle and the chain ordering properties are affected by the anomeric effect. In addition, the L(C) phase of β-C8Gal, is tilting less compared to those in the fluid L(α). The stereochemistry of the C4-epimeric (axial/equatorial) and anomeric (α/β) centers simultaneously influence the inter-molecular hydrogen bond. Thus, the trend in the values of the hydrogen bond for these glycosides is β-C8Gal > α-C8Glc > β-C8Glc > α-C8Gal. The four bilayer systems showed anomalous diffusion behavior with an observed trend for the diffusion coefficients; and this trend is β-C8Gal > β-C8Glc > α-C8Gal > α-C8Glc. The "bent" configuration of the α-anomer results in an increase of the hydrophobic area, chain vibration and chain disorganization. Since thermal energy is dispensed more entropically for the chain region, the overall molecular diffusion decreases.
  4. Fulltext N-[Eth-yl(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)carbamo-thio-yl]-2-methyl-benzamide
    Yamin BM, Hizam SM, Yusoff SF, Hasbullah SA
    Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2014 May 1;70(Pt 5):o602.
    PMID: 24860396 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536814008952
    The title compound, C13H18N2O2S, adopts a cis conformation between the methyl-benzoyl and thiono groups across their thio-urea C-N bond. However, the methyl-benzoyl group and N2CS thio-urea moiety are twisted by 15.03 (3)°. In the molecule there is an N-H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯O inter-actions, generating chains extending along the c-axis direction.
  5. Expansion and preservation of multipotentiality of rabbit bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in dextran-based microcarrier spin culture
    Boo L, Selvaratnam L, Tai CC, Ahmad TS, Kamarul T
    J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2011 May;22(5):1343-56.
    PMID: 21461701 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-011-4294-7
    The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in tissue repair and regeneration despite their multipotentiality has been limited by their cell source quantity and decelerating proliferative yield efficiency. A study was thus undertaken to determine the feasibility of using microcarrier beads in spinner flask cultures for MSCs expansion and compared to that of conventional monolayer cultures and static microcarrier cultures. Isolation and characterization of bone marrow derived MSCs were conducted from six adult New Zealand white rabbits. Analysis of cell morphology on microcarriers and culture plates at different time points (D0, D3, D10, D14) during cell culture were performed using scanning electron microscopy and bright field microscopy. Cell proliferation rates and cell number were measured over a period of 14 days, respectively followed by post-expansion characterization. MTT proliferation assay demonstrated a 3.20 fold increase in cell proliferation rates in MSCs cultured on microcarriers in spinner flask as compared to monolayer cultures (p < 0.05). Cell counts at day 14 were higher in those seeded on stirred microcarrier cultures (6.24 ± 0.0420 cells/ml) × 10(5) as compared to monolayer cultures (0.22 ± 0.004 cells/ml) × 10(5) and static microcarrier cultures (0.20 ± 0.002 cells/ml) × 10(5). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated an increase in cell colonization of the cells on the microcarriers in stirred cultures. Bead-expanded MSCs were successfully differentiated into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. This system offers an improved and efficient alternative for culturing MSCs with preservation to their phenotype and multipotentiality.
  6. Municipal solid waste management at Taman Beringin Transfer Station in Malaysia
    Ghasimi SM, Tey BT, Suyot R, Ghasimi S
    Waste Manag, 2010 Feb;30(2):357-9.
    PMID: 20050080
  7. DNA vaccine encoding avian influenza virus H5 and Esat-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis improved antibody responses against AIV in chickens
    Oveissi S, Omar AR, Yusoff K, Jahanshiri F, Hassan SS
    Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2010 Dec;33(6):491-503.
    PMID: 19781778 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2009.08.004
    The H5 gene of avian influenza virus (AIV) strain A/chicken/Malaysia/5744/2004(H5N1) was cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector, and Esat-6 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was fused into downstream of the H5 gene as a genetic adjuvant for DNA vaccine candidates. The antibody level against AIV was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Sera obtained from specific-pathogen-free chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 and pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 demonstrated antibody responses as early as 2 weeks after the first immunization. Furthermore, the overall HI antibody titer in chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 was higher compared to the chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 (p<0.05). The results suggested that Esat-6 gene of M. tuberculosis is a potential genetic adjuvant for the development of effective H5 DNA vaccine in chickens.
  8. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates advanced glycation end product accumulation in the veins of end-stage renal failure patients
    Nazratun N, Mahmood AA, Kuppusamy UR, Ahmad TS, Tan SY
    Vasc Med, 2006 Nov;11(4):245-50.
    PMID: 17390548
    The excess accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contributes to the chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal failure. Biopsy specimens (n = 184) of arterial (n = 92) and venous (n = 92) tissues were obtained (radial artery and cephalic vein) from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with or without DM and normal healthy subjects (n = 12) requiring surgery (trauma patients). Immunohistochemical assessment of the blood vessels revealed the presence of pentosidine (AGE marker) in both veins and arteries in 72% of the ESRD patients. The percentage of arteries and veins that showed positive pentosidine staining in ESRD patients with type 2 DM alone was 100% and 92% respectively, in the non-diabetic ESRD patients it was < 70% (for arteries and veins), and in the ESRD patients with hypertension as an additional co-morbidity to type 2 DM it was 70% and 82%, respectively. The veins of ESRD patients with DM showed a strong (+++) positive staining and very strong (++++) positive staining was observed in the patients with DM and hypertension. Only mild (+) or moderate (++) pentosidine staining intensity was observed in the arteries of ESRD patients without or with comorbidities, respectively. The accumulation of AGE in the vein rather than the artery may be a better reflection of the extent of complications of ESRD.
  9. Fulltext Shoulder arthrodesis in brachial plexus injuries--a review of six cases
    Wong ELW, Kwan MK, Loh WYC, Ahmad TS
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl C:72-7.
    PMID: 16381288
    Shoulder arthrodesis is a secondary reconstructive option for patients with brachial plexus injuries requiring a stable shoulder. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of shoulder fusion in six patients with flail upper limbs following complete brachial plexus injuries. The shoulder was fused in 30 degrees abduction, 30 degrees internal rotation and 30 degrees flexion via a direct lateral approach by using a 4.5 mm reconstruction plate without bone grafting. The average follow-up was 10.3 months. Radiological union was obtained in all patients. Five patients (83%) had relief of pain after the shoulder fusion. Improvement of function was observed in all patients with a mean improvement of 56.6 degrees (range 30 degrees-75 degrees) and 47.5 degrees (range 30 degrees-60 degrees) active flexion and abduction respectively. One patient developed humeral fracture distal to the plate and the fracture eventually healed with a splint. Successful stable fusion of the shoulder in patients with brachial plexus injuries requires rigid fixation with a single 4.5 mm reconstruction plate, protection of bone healing with a triangular abduction brace for 12 weeks and functional trapezius, levator scapulae, serratus anterior and rhomboid muscles for optimizing the functional result.
  10. Fulltext Estimation of out-of-pocket costs of patients at the methadone maintenance therapy clinic in Malaysia
    Manan MM, Ali SM, Khan MA, Jafarian S
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2015 Sep;28(5):1705-11.
    PMID: 26408891
    Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments may burden Methadone Maintenance Clinic patients. Since treatment is fully subsidized by the government, financial constraint might lead to patients being made to pay or be given incentive for inconvenience of therapy. This study thus evaluates the characteristic and commitment of methadone therapy patient's in terms of OOP cost, Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) and Willingness-To-Accept (WTA) concept. This survey utilizes the questionnaire by Boris ova & Goodman (2003) on the OOP, WTP and WTA. The forty adult patient's selected medical records from year 2009-2011 were from an urban government methadone clinic. Subject's selection was by convenient sampling based on the predetermined criteria. Most were male (95%) and Malay (60%) was the predominant group. Patients were group into three income groups; ≤ RM1000, ≥ RM1000 -≤ RM2000 and ≥ RM3000. The average OOP cost per month was RM391.30 (s.d RM337.50), which is about 35% of employed patient's monthly income. The wide variation could be attributed by high inter-individual and significant differences between patients in terms of transport, times taken to clinic, cost per trip and weekly household income (p=<0.05). Patients with income of less than RM1000 showed the highest tendency to pay for treatment, asked for the least money for inconvenience and many are unwilling to accept any payments. These findings showed that WTP and WTA is less of a concern for patients in the low-income group. To conclude, OOP payment is not a treatment barrier for most of the urban MMT patients.
  11. Inorganic hemostats: The state-of-the-art and recent advances
    Pourshahrestani S, Zeimaran E, Djordjevic I, Kadri NA, Towler MR
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2016 Jan 1;58:1255-68.
    PMID: 26478429 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.09.008
    Hemorrhage is the most common cause of death both in hospitals and on the battlefield. The need for an effective hemostatic agent remains, since all injuries are not amenable to tourniquet use. There are many topical hemostatic agents and dressings available to control severe bleeding. This article reviews the most commonly used inorganic hemostats, subcategorized as zeolite and clay-based hemostats. Their hemostatic functions as well as their structural properties that are believed to induce hemostasis are discussed. The most important findings from in vitro and in vivo experiments are also covered.
  12. Fulltext A novel rules based approach for estimating software birthmark
    Nazir S, Shahzad S, Khan SA, Alias NB, Anwar S
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:579390.
    PMID: 25945363 DOI: 10.1155/2015/579390
    Software birthmark is a unique quality of software to detect software theft. Comparing birthmarks of software can tell us whether a program or software is a copy of another. Software theft and piracy are rapidly increasing problems of copying, stealing, and misusing the software without proper permission, as mentioned in the desired license agreement. The estimation of birthmark can play a key role in understanding the effectiveness of a birthmark. In this paper, a new technique is presented to evaluate and estimate software birthmark based on the two most sought-after properties of birthmarks, that is, credibility and resilience. For this purpose, the concept of soft computing such as probabilistic and fuzzy computing has been taken into account and fuzzy logic is used to estimate properties of birthmark. The proposed fuzzy rule based technique is validated through a case study and the results show that the technique is successful in assessing the specified properties of the birthmark, its resilience and credibility. This, in turn, shows how much effort will be required to detect the originality of the software based on its birthmark.
  13. Fulltext Isolation, characterization and the multi-lineage differentiation potential of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
    Tan SL, Ahmad TS, Selvaratnam L, Kamarul T
    J Anat, 2013 Apr;222(4):437-50.
    PMID: 23510053 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12032
    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized by their plastic adherent ability, fibroblastic-like appearance, expression of specific surface protein markers, and are defined by their ability to undergo multi-lineage differentiation. Although rabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs (rbMSCs) have been used extensively in previous studies especially in translational research, these cells have neither been defined morphologically and ultrastructurally, nor been compared with their counterparts in humans in their multi-lineage differentiation ability. A study was therefore conducted to define the morphology, surface marker proteins, ultrastructure and multi-lineage differentiation ability of rbMSCs. Herein, the primary rbMSC cultures of three adult New Zealand white rabbits (at least 4 months old) were used for three independent experiments. rbMSCs were isolated using the gradient-centrifugation method, an established technique for human MSCs (hMSCs) isolation. Cells were characterized by phase contrast microscopy observation, transmission electron microscopy analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, immunocytochemistry staining, flow cytometry, alamarBlue(®) assay, histological staining and quantitative (q)PCR analysis. The isolated plastic adherent cells were in fibroblastic spindle-shape and possessed eccentric, irregular-shaped nuclei as well as rich inner cytoplasmic zones similar to that of hMSCs. The rbMSCs expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, CD81, CD90 and CD166, but were negative (or dim positive) for CD34, CD45, CD117 and HLD-DR. Despite having similar morphology and phenotypic expression, rbMSCs possessed significantly larger cell size but had a lower proliferation rate as compared with hMSCs. Using established protocols to differentiate hMSCs, rbMSCs underwent osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Interestingly, differentiated rbMSCs demonstrated higher levels of osteogenic (Runx2) and chondrogenic (Sox9) gene expressions than that of hMSCs (P  0.05). rbMSCs possess similar morphological characteristics to hMSCs, but have a higher potential for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, despite having a lower cell proliferation rate than hMSCs. The characteristics reported here may be used as a comprehensive set of criteria to define or characterize rbMSCs.
  14. Fulltext Chicken Authentication and Discrimination via Live Weight, Body Size, Carcass Traits, and Breast Muscle Fat Content Clustering as Affected by Breed and Sex Varieties in Malaysia
    Nematbakhsh S, Selamat J, Idris LH, Abdull Razis AF
    Foods, 2021 Jul 07;10(7).
    PMID: 34359445 DOI: 10.3390/foods10071575
    Nowadays, the high demand for village chickens in Malaysia leads to the fraudulent substitution of indigenous chickens with other cheaper counterparts. Discriminating different chicken breeds based on their phenotypic characteristics is one strategy to avoid chicken adulteration. The main objective of this study was to authenticate and group dominant chicken breeds in Malaysia, including commercial chickens (Cobb, Hubbard, DeKalb) and cross-bred village chickens (Ayam Kampung, Akar Putra). The further discrimination of village chickens from underaged colored broilers (UCBs) (Hubbard, Sasso) was performed based on phenotype traits. The results showed that the breed had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on phenotypic characteristics, while the sex effect was not significant for some characteristics. In the first phase, the most remarkable discriminating factors were abdominal fat weight, breast muscle weight, chest circumference, shank length, and wingspan. However, in the second phase, notable variations in phenotypic characteristics between village chickens and UCBs were not detected. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed the successful separation of village chickens from high-performance breeds (broiler and colored broiler). Nevertheless, there was overlap among observations for Sasso and village chickens, which approved the possible similarities in their phenotypic characteristics. This study showed clear breed clustering, which leads to the chicken authentication based on their phenotypic characteristics.
  15. Fulltext Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomic Profiling of Australian Indigenous Fruits
    Lim V, Gorji SG, Daygon VD, Fitzgerald M
    Metabolites, 2020 Mar 19;10(3).
    PMID: 32204361 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10030114
    Selected Australian native fruits such as Davidson's plum, finger lime and native pepperberry have been reported to demonstrate potent antioxidant activity. However, comprehensive metabolite profiling of these fruits is limited, therefore the compounds responsible are unknown, and further, the compounds of nutritional value in these native fruits are yet to be described. In this study, untargeted and targeted metabolomics were conducted using the three fruits, together with assays to determine their antioxidant activities. The results demonstrate that targeted free and hydrolysed protein amino acids exhibited high amounts of essential amino acids. Similarly, important minerals like potassium were detected in the fruit samples. In antioxidant activity, Davidson's plum reported the highest activity in ferric reducing power (FRAP), finger lime in antioxidant capacity (ABTS), and native pepperberry in free radical scavenging (DPPH) and phosphomolybdenum assay. The compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity were tentatively identified using untargeted GC×GC-TOFMS and UHPLC-QqQ-TOF-MS/MS metabolomics. A clear discrimination into three clusters of fruits was observed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) analysis. The correlation study identified a number of compounds that provide the antioxidant activities. GC×GC-TOFMS detected potent aroma compounds of limonene, furfural, and 1-R-α-pinene. Based on the untargeted and targeted metabolomics, and antioxidant assays, the nutritional potential of these Australian bush fruits is considerable and supports these indigenous fruits in the nutraceutical industry as well as functional ingredients for the food industry, with such outcomes benefiting Indigenous Australian communities.
  16. A computational study of N2 adsorption on aromatic metal Mg16M;(M=Be, Mg, and Ca) nanoclusters
    Dehghan MR, Ahmadi S, Mosapour Kotena Z, Niakousari M
    J Mol Graph Model, 2021 06;105:107862.
    PMID: 33588350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.107862
    Metal nanoclusters have been considered as a new class of chemical sensors due to their unique electronic structures and the particular physicochemical properties. The interaction of N2 molecule with neutral and ionic magnesium nanoclusters Mg17q(q=0,±1), as well as neutral magnesium nanoclusters with the centrality of beryllium and calcium Mg16M (M=Be, Mg, and Ca) have been investigated using CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory in the gas phase. The electronic properties of magnesium nanoclusters were significantly affected by the adsorption of N2 molecule. The NBO analysis revealed a charge transfer from the adsorbed N2 molecule to the nanocluster. Based on the adsorption energies and enthalpies, a thermodynamically favorable chemisorption process was predicted for the Mg16Ca-N2 complex. The negative value of the Gibbs free energy of Mg16Ca-N2 confirmed the spontaneous adsorption process. The estimated recovery time for Mg16Ca-N2 complex for 8-MR (0.089 s) and 4-MRs (0.075 s) illustrated a possible desorption process for N2 molecule from the surface of Mg16Ca. Our finding also revealed the Mg16Ca has the ability to use as a sensor for detection and absorption of N2 molecule.
  17. Polymeric Hydrogel Systems as Emerging Biomaterial Platforms to Enable Hemostasis and Wound Healing
    Pourshahrestani S, Zeimaran E, Kadri NA, Mutlu N, Boccaccini AR
    Adv Healthc Mater, 2020 10;9(20):e2000905.
    PMID: 32940025 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000905
    Broad interest in developing new hemostatic technologies arises from unmet needs in mitigating uncontrolled hemorrhage in emergency, surgical, and battlefield settings. Although a variety of hemostats, sealants, and adhesives are available, development of ideal hemostatic compositions that offer a range of remarkable properties including capability to effectively and immediately manage bleeding, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, antibacterial effect, and strong tissue adhesion properties, under wet and dynamic conditions, still remains a challenge. Benefiting from tunable mechanical properties, high porosity, biocompatibility, injectability and ease of handling, polymeric hydrogels with outstanding hemostatic properties have been receiving increasing attention over the past several years. In this review, after shedding light on hemostasis and wound healing processes, the most recent progresses in hydrogel systems engineered from natural and synthetic polymers for hemostatic applications are discussed based on a comprehensive literature review. Most studies described used in vivo models with accessible and compressible wounds to assess the hemostatic performance of hydrogels. The challenges that need to be tackled to accelerate the translation of these novel hemostatic hydrogel systems to clinical practice are emphasized and future directions for research in the field are presented.
  18. Fulltext Expression profiling of genes related to endothelial cells biology in patients with type 2 diabetes and patients with prediabetes
    Moradipoor S, Ismail P, Etemad A, Wan Sulaiman WA, Ahmadloo S
    Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:1845638.
    PMID: 27781209 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1845638
    Endothelial dysfunction appears to be an early sign indicating vascular damage and predicts the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. Extensive clinical and experimental evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction occurs in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes patients. This study was carried out with an aim to appraise the expression levels in the peripheral blood of 84 genes related to endothelial cells biology in patients with diagnosed T2DM or prediabetes, trying to identify new genes whose expression might be changed under these pathological conditions. The study covered a total of 45 participants. The participants were divided into three groups: group 1, patients with T2DM; group 2, patients with prediabetes; group 3, control group. The gene expression analysis was performed using the Endothelial Cell Biology RT(2) Profiler PCR Array. In the case of T2DM, 59 genes were found to be upregulated, and four genes were observed to be downregulated. In prediabetes patients, increased expression was observed for 49 genes, with two downregulated genes observed. Our results indicate that diabetic and prediabetic conditions change the expression levels of genes related to endothelial cells biology and, consequently, may increase the risk for occurrence of endothelial dysfunction.
  19. Quality of Life and Caregivers' Burden of Parkinson's Disease
    Rajiah K, Maharajan MK, Yeen SJ, Lew S
    Neuroepidemiology, 2017;48(3-4):131-137.
    PMID: 28728161 DOI: 10.1159/000479031
    AIM: This study focused on the impact of the clinical features on the quality of life (QoL) of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and of their caregivers.

    METHODS: This study included PD patients along with their caregivers and was undertaken at the Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association from June 2016 to November 2016. Clinical features of PD patients were assessed using the Movement Disorder Society revised Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale; the Hoehn and Yahr stage and the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale were used to assess the severity and the ability of PD patients respectively. QoL of PD patients was measured using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). The revised version of the Zarit Burden Interview assessed caregiver burden.

    RESULTS: At least one of the clinical features affected PD patients' QoL, and at least one of the QoL domains affected the caregivers' burden. Clinical features "saliva and drooling" and "dyskinesia" explained 29% of variance in QoL of PD patients. The QoL domains "stigma," along with "emotional well-being" explained 48.6% of variance in caregivers' burden.

    CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features "saliva and drooling" and "dyskinesia" impacted the QoL of PD patients, and the QoL domains "stigma" and "emotional well-being" of PD patients impacted their caregivers' burden.

  20. From formulation of acrylamide-based hydrogels to their optimization for drug release using response surface methodology
    Sabbagh F, Muhamad II, Nazari Z, Mobini P, Taraghdari SB
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2018 Nov 01;92:20-25.
    PMID: 30184743 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.06.022
    This study conducted on the structure of modified acrylamide-based hydrogel by synthesizing the nano composites. The hydrogels employed in this study were provided through a combination of acrylamide monomers, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles by crosslinking polymerization. N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and ammonium persulfate as the initiator was applied in the structure of the polymer. Findings of the study considered the nano composites consisting of MgO have the highest swelling ratio compared to pure Aam hydrogels. Thus, MgO is an appropriate nanoparticle to be used in the nano composites. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD Design) was applied to optimize the preparation variables of a hydrogel consisted of MgO, NaCMC. With the swelling ratio for acrylamide-based hydrogel as the response, the effects of two variables, i.e. MgO and NaCMC were investigated. The effects of pH, temperature, MgO, and NaCMC on the drug release were investigated using the CCD design. The predicted appropriate drug release conditions for the hydrogel at the highest rate of temperature (37.50 °C) and pH: 4.10, is at its highest value, while the lower drug release is at temperature 38 °C and pH 3.50. With the desired value of MgO (0.01 g) and amount of NaCMC (0.1 g).
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links