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  1. Medical education: time for a change
    Chaudhuri JD
    J Indian Med Assoc, 2010 Mar;108(3):168-9.
    PMID: 21043355
    The system of medical education has not changed much over the years. This article discusses the present method of teaching of medical students. Suggestions for change in the methods have been suggested in order to produce better doctors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Teaching/methods
  2. A practical approach for linearity assessment of calibration curves under the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) guidelines for an in-house validation of method of analysis
    Sanagi MM, Nasir Z, Ling SL, Hermawan D, Ibrahim WA, Naim AA
    J AOAC Int, 2010 10 7;93(4):1322-30.
    PMID: 20922968
    Linearity assessment as required in method validation has always been subject to different interpretations and definitions by various guidelines and protocols. However, there are very limited applicable implementation procedures that can be followed by a laboratory chemist in assessing linearity. Thus, this work proposes a simple method for linearity assessment in method validation by a regression analysis that covers experimental design, estimation of the parameters, outlier treatment, and evaluation of the assumptions according to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry guidelines. The suitability of this procedure was demonstrated by its application to an in-house validation for the determination of plasticizers in plastic food packaging by GC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chromatography, Gas/methods*
  3. Fulltext Lignans and other constituents from aerial parts of Haplophyllum villosum
    Parhoodeh P, Rahmani M, Hashim NM, Sukari MA, Lian GE
    Molecules, 2011 Mar 07;16(3):2268-73.
    PMID: 21383663 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16032268
    During our phytochemical investigation of Haplophyllum villosum (Rutaceae), a perennial herb from Iran, a new 4,8-diaryl-3,7-dioxobicyclo-(3,3,0)-octane type lignan, eudesmin A (1), together with four known compounds--eudesmin (2), haplamine (3), umbelliferone (4) and scopoletin (5)--were isolated from aerial parts of the plant. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using NMR spectral analysis (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HSQC, COSY and HMBC) as well as UV, IR and MS spectra and comparison with previously reported data.
    Matched MeSH terms: Spectrum Analysis/methods
  4. Microwave induced pyrolysis of oil palm biomass
    Salema AA, Ani FN
    Bioresour Technol, 2011 Feb;102(3):3388-95.
    PMID: 20970995 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.09.115
    The purpose of this paper was to carry out microwave induced pyrolysis of oil palm biomass (shell and fibers) with the help of char as microwave absorber (MA). Rapid heating and yield of microwave pyrolysis products such as bio-oil, char, and gas was found to depend on the ratio of biomass to microwave absorber. Temperature profiles revealed the heating characteristics of the biomass materials which can rapidly heat-up to high temperature within seconds in presence of MA. Some characterization of pyrolysis products was also presented. The advantage of this technique includes substantial reduction in consumption of energy, time and cost in order to produce bio-oil from biomass materials. Large biomass particle size can be used directly in microwave heating, thus saving grinding as well as moisture removal cost. A synergistic effect was found in using MA with oil palm biomass.
    Matched MeSH terms: Heating/methods
  5. Fulltext Simulation of a Petri net-based model of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway
    Hawari AH, Mohamed-Hussein ZA
    BMC Bioinformatics, 2010;11:83.
    PMID: 20144236 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-11-83
    The development and simulation of dynamic models of terpenoid biosynthesis has yielded a systems perspective that provides new insights into how the structure of this biochemical pathway affects compound synthesis. These insights may eventually help identify reactions that could be experimentally manipulated to amplify terpenoid production. In this study, a dynamic model of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway was constructed based on the Hybrid Functional Petri Net (HFPN) technique. This technique is a fusion of three other extended Petri net techniques, namely Hybrid Petri Net (HPN), Dynamic Petri Net (HDN) and Functional Petri Net (FPN).
    Matched MeSH terms: Computational Biology/methods*
  6. Simultaneous determination of atenolol and amiloride in pharmaceutical preparations by capillary zone electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection
    Al Azzam KM, Saad B, Aboul-Enein HY
    Biomed Chromatogr, 2010 Sep;24(9):948-53.
    PMID: 20082285 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1390
    Capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (CE-C(4)D) has been employed for the determination of atenolol and amiloride in pharmaceutical formulations. Acetic acid (150 mm) was used as background electrolyte. The influence of several factors (detector excitation voltage and frequency, buffer concentration, applied voltage, capillary temperature and injection time) was studied. Non-UV-absorbing L-valine was used as internal standard; the analytes were all separated in less than 7 min. The separation was carried out in normal polarity mode at 28 degrees C, 25 kV and using hydrodynamic injection (25 s). The separation was effected in an uncoated fused-silica capillary (75 microm, i.d. x 52 cm). The CE-C(4)D method was validated with respect to linearity, limit of detection and quantification, accuracy, precision and selectivity. Calibration curves were linear over the range 5-250 microg/mL for the studied analytes. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day migration times and corrected peak areas were less than 6.0%. The method showed good precision and accuracy and was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of atenolol and amiloride in different pharmaceutical tablet formulations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods*
  7. Fulltext Pleurovideoscopy in a general hospital
    Norhaya MR, Dzawani M
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Mar;64(1):75-6.
    PMID: 19852328 MyJurnal
    A 48 a year old Malay gentleman, was investigated for recurrent unexplained right pleural effusion. Initial investigations showed exudative pleural effusion with neutrophil predominance. Tuberculosis (TB) workout were negative. Pleuroscopy showed multiple adhesions with granulomatous deposits at the parietal pleural surface. Adhesions were released by forceps. A chest tube was inserted. Intrapleural streptokinase instilled for three consecutive days. TB treatment was initiated. There was clinical and radiological improvement and he was discharged well after one week of hospitalization. He remained well at follow-up two months later.
    Matched MeSH terms: Thoracoscopy/methods*
  8. Chemical constituents from tiger's betel, Piper porphyrophyllum N.E.Br. (Fam. Piperaceae)
    Rajudin E, Ahmad F, Sirat HM, Arbain D, Aboul-Enein HY
    Nat Prod Res, 2010 Mar;24(4):387-90.
    PMID: 20221945 DOI: 10.1080/14786410903421826
    Seven flavonoid compounds have been isolated from the aerial parts of tiger's betel (Piper porphyrophyllum), which were identified as 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 4',5,7-trimethoxy-flavone, 3',4',5,7-tetramethoxyflavone, 4'-hydroxy-3',5,7-trimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyflavone, 4',5-dihydroxy-3',7-dimethoxyflavone and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone. The identification of all compounds was achieved by physical properties and spectroscopically. These data were also confirmed by comparison with previously reported spectral data. Flavonoid compounds with high content in P. porphyrophyllum can probably be used as a chemical marker for this Piper species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Spectrum Analysis/methods
  9. The past, present and future of imaging in multiple sclerosis
    Ramli N, Rahmat K, Azmi K, Chong HT
    J Clin Neurosci, 2010 Apr;17(4):422-7.
    PMID: 20167498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.09.014
    Despite technological advances in imaging, multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a clinical diagnosis that is supported, but not replaced, by laboratory or imaging findings. However, imaging is essential in the current diagnostic criteria of MS, for prediction of the likelihood of MS for patients with clinically isolated syndromes, correlation with lesion pathology and assessment of treatment outcome. This article gives an overview of imaging in MS with particular emphasis on the role of MRI in various diagnostic imaging criteria. Novel imaging for MS using 3 Tesla field strengths, magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cell-specific contrast will be reviewed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diagnostic Imaging/methods*
  10. Remediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
    Gan S, Lau EV, Ng HK
    J Hazard Mater, 2009 Dec 30;172(2-3):532-49.
    PMID: 19700241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.07.118
    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic micropollutants which are resistant to environmental degradation due to their highly hydrophobic nature. Concerns over their adverse health effects have resulted in extensive studies on the remediation of soils contaminated with PAHs. This paper aims to provide a review of the remediation technologies specifically for PAH-contaminated soils. The technologies discussed here include solvent extraction, bioremediation, phytoremediation, chemical oxidation, photocatalytic degradation, electrokinetic remediation, thermal treatment and integrated remediation technologies. For each of these, the theories are discussed in conjunction with comparative evaluation of studies reported in the specialised literature.
    Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods*
  11. Standard setting in student assessment: is a defensible method yet to come?
    Barman A
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2008 Nov;37(11):957-63.
    PMID: 19082204
    INTRODUCTION: Setting, maintaining and re-evaluation of assessment standard periodically are important issues in medical education. The cut-off scores are often "pulled from the air" or set to an arbitrary percentage. A large number of methods/procedures used to set standard or cut score are described in literature. There is a high degree of uncertainty in performance standard set by using these methods. Standards set using the existing methods reflect the subjective judgment of the standard setters. This review is not to describe the existing standard setting methods/procedures but to narrate the validity, reliability, feasibility and legal issues relating to standard setting.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review is on some of the issues in standard setting based on the published articles of educational assessment researchers.

    RESULTS: Standard or cut-off score should be to determine whether the examinee attained the requirement to be certified competent. There is no perfect method to determine cut score on a test and none is agreed upon as the best method. Setting standard is not an exact science. Legitimacy of the standard is supported when performance standard is linked to the requirement of practice. Test-curriculum alignment and content validity are important for most educational test validity arguments.

    CONCLUSION: Representative percentage of must-know learning objectives in the curriculum may be the basis of test items and pass/fail marks. Practice analysis may help in identifying the must-know areas of curriculum. Cut score set by this procedure may give the credibility, validity, defensibility and comparability of the standard. Constructing the test items by subject experts and vetted by multi-disciplinary faculty members may ensure the reliability of the test as well as the standard.

    Matched MeSH terms: Educational Measurement/methods*
  12. The thermoluminescence response of doped SiO2 optical fibres subjected to photon and electron irradiations
    Hashim S, Al-Ahbabi S, Bradley DA, Webb M, Jeynes C, Ramli AT, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2009 Mar;67(3):423-7.
    PMID: 18693024 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.06.030
    Modern linear accelerators, the predominant teletherapy machine in major radiotherapy centres worldwide, provide multiple electron and photon beam energies. To obtain reasonable treatment times, intense electron beam currents are achievable. In association with this capability, there is considerable demand to validate patient dose using systems of dosimetry offering characteristics that include good spatial resolution, high precision and accuracy. Present interest is in the thermoluminescence response and dosimetric utility of commercially available doped optical fibres. The important parameter for obtaining the highest TL yield during this study is to know the dopant concentration of the SiO2 fibre because during the production of the optical fibres, the dopants tend to diffuse. To achieve this aim, proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), which has no depth resolution but can unambiguously identify elements and analyse for trace elements with detection limits approaching microg/g, was used. For Al-doped fibres, the dopant concentration in the range 0.98-2.93 mol% have been estimated, with equivalent range for Ge-doped fibres being 0.53-0.71 mol%. In making central-axis irradiation measurements a solid water phantom was used. For 6-MV photons and electron energies in the range 6, 9 and 12 MeV, a source to surface distance of 100 cm was used, with a dose rate of 400 cGy/min for photons and electrons. The TL measurements show a linear dose-response over the delivered range of absorbed dose from 1 to 4 Gy. Fading was found to be minimal, less than 10% over five days subsequent to irradiation. The minimum detectable dose for 6-MV photons was found to be 4, 30 and 900 microGy for TLD-100 chips, Ge- and Al-doped fibres, respectively. For 6-, 9- and 12-MeV electron energies, the minimum detectable dose were in the range 3-5, 30-50 and 800-1400 microGy for TLD-100 chip, Ge-doped and Al-doped fibres, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Thermoluminescent Dosimetry/methods*
  13. Dental education in Malaysia
    Komabayashi T, Razak AA, Bird WF
    Int Dent J, 2007 Dec;57(6):429-32.
    PMID: 18265775
    There was only one dental school in Malaysia until 1997 but five new schools have been established since 1998. This review provides information about dental education in Malaysia including; the history of dental education, the current dental school system and curriculum, and dental licensure. There are four public and two private dental schools in Malaysia. High school graduates are required to take the nationwide matriculation entrance examination or the Higher School Certificate (HSC) to apply for a dental degree programme. A five-year dental programme leads to the BDS or the DDS degree. National or state examinations are not required to practise dentistry. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 dentists, with a ratio of 1 dentist for every 10,000 people.
    Matched MeSH terms: Education, Dental/methods*
  14. A low-cost phantom for simple routine testing of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) cameras
    Ng AH, Ng KH, Dharmendra H, Perkins AC
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2009 Oct;67(10):1864-8.
    PMID: 19049851 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.10.010
    A simple sphere test phantom has been developed for routine performance testing of SPECT systems in situations where expensive commercial phantoms may not be available. The phantom was based on a design with six universal syringe hubs set in the frame to support a circular array of six glass blown spheres of different sizes. The frame was then placed into a water-filled CT abdomen phantom and scanned with a triple head camera system (Philips IRIX, USA). Comparison was made with a commercially available phantom (Deluxe Jaszczak phantom). Whereas the commercial phantom demonstrates cold spot resolution, an important advantage of the sphere test phantom was that hot spot resolution could be easily measured using almost half (370MBq) of the activity recommended for use in the commercial phantom. Results showed that the contrast increased non-linearly with sphere volume and radionuclide concentration. The phantom was found to be suitable as an inexpensive option for daily performance tests.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon/methods
  15. The rope method: a novel method of teaching rotation of the midgut
    Nayak SB, Kramer V
    Adv Physiol Educ, 2007 Jun;31(2):238-9.
    PMID: 17562918
    Matched MeSH terms: Teaching/methods*
  16. Flowrate targeting for threshold problems and plant-wide integration for water network synthesis
    Foo DC
    J Environ Manage, 2008 Jul;88(2):253-74.
    PMID: 17433530
    Water reuse/recycle has gained much attention in recent years for environmental sustainability reasons, as well as the rising costs of fresh water and effluent treatment. Process integration techniques for the synthesis of water network have been widely accepted as a promising tool to reduce fresh water and wastewater flowrates via in-plant water reuse/recycle. To date, the focus in this area has been on water network synthesis problems, with little attention dedicated to the rare but realistic cases of so-called threshold problems. In this work, targeting for threshold problems in a water network is addressed using the recently developed numerical tool of water cascade analysis (WCA). Targeting for plant-wide integration is then addressed. By sending water sources across different geographical zones in plant-wide integration, the overall fresh water and wastewater flowrates are reduced simultaneously.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Purification/methods
  17. Automated detection of anesthetic depth levels using chaotic features with artificial neural networks
    Lalitha V, Eswaran C
    J Med Syst, 2007 Dec;31(6):445-52.
    PMID: 18041276
    Monitoring the depth of anesthesia (DOA) during surgery is very important in order to avoid patients' interoperative awareness. Since the traditional methods of assessing DOA which involve monitoring the heart rate, pupil size, sweating etc, may vary from patient to patient depending on the type of surgery and the type of drug administered, modern methods based on electroencephalogram (EEG) are preferred. EEG being a nonlinear signal, it is appropriate to use nonlinear chaotic parameters to identify the anesthetic depth levels. This paper discusses an automated detection method of anesthetic depth levels based on EEG recordings using non-linear chaotic features and neural network classifiers. Three nonlinear parameters, namely, correlation dimension (CD), Lyapunov exponent (LE) and Hurst exponent (HE) are used as features and two neural network models, namely, multi-layer perceptron network (feed forward model) and Elman network (feedback model) are used for classification. The neural network models are trained and tested with single and multiple features derived from chaotic parameters and the performances are evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy. It is found from the experimental results that the Lyapunov exponent feature with Elman network yields an overall accuracy of 99% in detecting the anesthetic depth levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Monitoring, Intraoperative/methods*
  18. Modified Mitchellson endoscope holder
    Raman R, Dahalil MB, Prepageran N
    J Laryngol Otol, 2008 Apr;122(4):414-5.
    PMID: 17625036
    Mitchellson's ear speculum holder has been modified to act as an endoscope holder, in order to be used in endoscopic surgery of the nose or ear.
    Matched MeSH terms: Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods
  19. Waste catalysts for waste polymer
    Salmiaton A, Garforth A
    Waste Manag, 2007;27(12):1891-6.
    PMID: 17084608
    Catalytic cracking of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) over fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts (1:6 ratio) was carried out using a laboratory fluidized bed reactor operating at 450 degrees C. Two fresh and two steam deactivated commercial FCC catalysts with different levels of rare earth oxide (REO) were compared as well as two used FCC catalysts (E-Cats) with different levels of metal poisoning. Also, inert microspheres (MS3) were used as a fluidizing agent to compare with thermal cracking process at BP pilot plant at Grangemouth, Scotland, which used sand as its fluidizing agent. The results of HDPE degradation in terms of yield of volatile hydrocarbon product are fresh FCC catalysts>steamed FCC catalysts approximately used FCC catalysts. The thermal cracking process using MS3 showed that at 450 degrees C, the product distribution gave 46 wt% wax, 14% hydrocarbon gases, 8% gasoline, 0.1% coke and 32% nonvolatile product. In general, the product yields from HDPE cracking showed that the level of metal contamination (nickel and vanadium) did not affect the product stream generated from polymer cracking. This study gives promising results as an alternative technique for the cracking and recycling of polymer waste.
    Matched MeSH terms: Refuse Disposal/methods*
  20. Curricular trends in Malaysian medical schools: innovations within
    Azila NM, Rogayah J, Zabidi-Hussin ZA
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2006 Sep;35(9):647-54.
    PMID: 17051282
    INTRODUCTION: Various curricular innovations were adopted by medical schools worldwide in an attempt to produce medical graduates that could meet future healthcare needs of society locally and globally. This paper presents findings on curricular approaches implemented in Malaysian medical schools, in trying to meet those needs.

    METHODS: Information was obtained from published records, responses from various questionnaires, personal communication and involvement with curricular development.

    RESULTS: Curricular innovations tended to be implemented in new medical schools upon their establishment. Established medical schools seemed to implement these innovations much later. Curricular trends appear to move towards integration, student-centred and problem-based learning as well as community-oriented medical education, with the Student-centred learning, Problem-based learning, Integrated teaching, Community-based education, Electives and Systematic programme (SPICES) model used as a reference. The focus is based on the premise that although the short-term aim of undergraduate medical education in Malaysia is to prepare graduates for the pre-registration house officer year, they must be able to practise and make decisions independently and be sensitive to the needs of the country's multiracial, multi-religious, and often remote communities.

    CONCLUSION: In most cases, curricular planning starts with a prescriptive model where planners focus on several intended outcomes. However, as the plan is implemented and evaluated it becomes descriptive as the planners reassess the internal and external factors that affect outcomes. A common trend in community-oriented educational activities is evident, with the introduction of interesting variations, to ensure that the curriculum can be implemented, sustained and the intended outcomes achieved.

    Matched MeSH terms: Education, Medical/methods*
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