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Fulltext The Effectiveness of a Depression Literacy Program on Stigma and Mental Help-Seeking Among Adolescents in Malaysia: A Control Group Study With 3-Month Follow-Up

Ibrahim N, Mohd Safien A, Siau CS, Shahar S

Inquiry, 2020 2 6;57:46958020902332.
PMID: 32009506 DOI: 10.1177/0046958020902332

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a depression literacy program on depression literacy, mental health stigma, and help-seeking attitude among adolescents with a monthly household income of RM3900 a month or less (B40) in Malaysia. The program included a lecture, mental awareness activities, and a short video on depression. Residents from a boarding school for lower income families were involved in this study (N = 101); 53 of them underwent the program and another 48 served as the control group. There were significant improvements for all variables in the intervention group (better depression literacy, reduced self-stigma, reduced negative beliefs on mental health, and increased help-seeking) at posttest. However, the results were sustained at 3-month follow-up only for the depression literacy, mental help-seeking attitude, and self-stigma of seeking help variables when compared with the control group. The findings highlight the need to improve the program to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the outcomes.
Fulltext Hidden Choroidal Melanoma Presented with Bullous Non-rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in a Myopic Asian Lady: A Rare Manifestation

Ibrahim N, Sakinah Z, Abdul Ghani Z, Ibrahim M

Cureus, 2019 Mar 27;11(3):e4335.
PMID: 31187000 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4335

Choroidal melanoma is an uncommon malignant melanoma among non-Caucasians. We report here a case of a high myope patient who presented with symptoms of acute retinal detachment, which had been diagnosed as possible rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from the initial assessment. A detailed vitreoretinal evaluation revealed a glimpse of an obscured intraocular mass underneath the detached retina, which later proved to be a choroidal melanoma. This is an unexpected cause of retinal detachment in a myopic eye. Furthermore, the rare nature of choroidal melanoma in this particular region of the world makes this an ignored diagnosis at presentation.
Catalytic pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene over nickel-waste chicken eggshell/HZSM-5

Mohamad Dzol MAA, Balasundram V, Shameli K, Ibrahim N, Manan ZA, Isha R

J Environ Manage, 2022 Dec 15;324:116392.
PMID: 36208512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116392

The main objective of the current work is to investigate the effect of nickel-waste chicken eggshell modified Hydrogen exchanged Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (Ni-WCE/HZSM-5) on pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Ni-WCE/HZSM-5 was synthesized via the impregnation incipient wetness (IWI) method with Ni and WCE mass loading of 4 and 12 wt% respectively. HZSM-5, CaO, WCE, WCE/HZSM-5, and Ni/HZSM-5 were prepared for comparison purposes with Ni-WCE/HZSM-5. All the synthesized catalysts were characterized for phase analysis, metal loading, surface morphology, and textural properties. The impregnation of nickel and WCE had significantly affected the original framework of HZSM-5, where the crystallinity percentage and average crystal size of HZSM-5 dropped to 44.97% and increased to 47.90 nm respectively. The surface morphology of HZSM-5 has drastically changed from a cubic-like shape into a spider web-like surface after the impregnation of WCE. The BET surface area of HZSM-5 has been lowered due to the impregnation of nickel and WCE, but the total pore volume has increased greatly from 0.2291 cm3/g to 0.2621 cm3/g. The catalyst performance was investigated in the pyrolysis of HDPE via a fixed bed reactor and the pyrolysis oil was further analysed to evaluate the distribution of C6 to C9> hydrocarbons. Among the tested catalytic samples, the highest pyrolysis oil yield was achieved by WCE (80%) followed by CaO (78%), WCE/HZSM-5 (63%), HZSM-5 (61%), Ni/HZSM-5 (44%) and Ni-WCE/HZSM-5 (50%). For hydrocarbon distribution in pyrolysis oil, the Ni/HZSM-5 produced the highest of total C6 and C7 hydrocarbons at 12% and 27% respectively followed by WCE/HZSM-5 (4% and 20%), non-catalytic (5% and 13%), Ni-WCE/HZSM-5 (0% and 15%), WCE (0% and 10%), HZSM-5 (0% and 6%) and CaO (0% and 0%).
Fulltext Gender differences and psychological factors associated with suicidal ideation among youth in Malaysia

Ibrahim N, Amit N, Che Din N, Ong HC

Psychol Res Behav Manag, 2017;10:129-135.
PMID: 28496374 DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S125176

Suicide is a global phenomenon that has been showing an upward trend in recent years. It is the second leading cause of death among youth. Studies on suicidal ideation warrant greater attention, as it leads to suicide attempts and other health risk behaviors. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare gender differences in suicidal ideation and determine the predictors of suicidal ideation among youth. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 232 youths aged between 15 and 25 years from selected urban areas in Malaysia. The results showed that suicidal ideation was higher among male participants compared with female participants. Age was the predictor of suicidal ideation for males, while depression and loss of motivation, as components of hopelessness, were the predictors of suicidal ideation among females. Hence, it is important that professionals conduct early identification tests for suicidality among young people. This will facilitate the early detection of depression and hopelessness, which is important, in order to prevent suicidal behaviors or other problems before these occur.
Fulltext Relationship between self-efficacy, adversity quotient, COVID-19-related stress and academic performance among the undergraduate students: A protocol for a systematic review

Ikbar RR, Amit N, Subramaniam P, Ibrahim N

PLoS One, 2022;17(12):e0278635.
PMID: 36454972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278635

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to review research manuscripts during the COVID-19 pandemic that focus on the relationship between self-efficacy, adversity quotient, COVID-19-related stress and academic performance on a range of undergraduate student.
METHODS: The authors will perform comprehensive searches of published studies in electronic databases such as PMC, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science by using the following search terms: 'self-efficacy' AND 'adversity quotient' AND 'stress' AND 'academic performance' AND 'student' AND 'COVID-19 pandemic'. Only full-text articles in English language are included. Two reviewers will independently conduct the article selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Any possible disagreement will be resolved by discussion, and one arbitrator (NA) will adjudicate unresolved disagreements.
RESULTS: This review will provide an updated overview of investigating the relationship between self-efficacy, adversity quotient, COVID-19-related stress and academic performance on a range of undergraduate student during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, based on this systematic review, we will recommend the direction for future research.
CONCLUSION: The result of the study may help the researchers to find an updated overview of various studies in related topic.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Data from published studies will be used. Therefore, ethical approval is not required prior to this systematic review. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Fulltext Genetics of Cholesterol-Related Genes in Metabolic Syndrome: A Review of Current Evidence

Wong SK, Ramli FF, Ali A, Ibrahim N'

Biomedicines, 2022 Dec 13;10(12).
PMID: 36551995 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123239

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a cluster of metabolic dysregulations, which include insulin resistance, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and hypertension. The complex pathogenesis of MetS encompasses the interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors such as excessive nutrients and sedentary lifestyle are modifiable and could be improved by lifestyle modification. However, genetic susceptibility to MetS, a non-modifiable factor, has attracted the attention of researchers, which could act as the basis for future diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy for MetS. Several cholesterol-related genes associated with each characteristic of MetS have been identified, such as apolipoprotein, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and adiponectin. This review aims to summarize the genetic information of cholesterol-related genes in MetS, which may potentially serve as biomarkers for early prevention and management of MetS.
Simultaneous acid red 27 decolourisation and bioelectricity generation in a (H-type) microbial fuel cell configuration using NAR-2

Kardi SN, Ibrahim N, Rashid NA, Darzi GN

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Feb;23(4):3358-64.
PMID: 26490910 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5538-8

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent one of the most attractive and eco-friendly technologies that convert chemical bond energy derived from organic matter into electrical power by microbial catabolic activity. This paper presents the use of a H-type MFC involving a novel NAR-2 bacterial consortium consisting of Citrobacter sp. A1, Enterobacter sp. L17 and Enterococcus sp. C1 to produce electricity whilst simultaneously decolourising acid red 27 (AR27) as a model dye, which is also known as amaranth. In this setup, the dye AR27 is mixed with modified P5 medium (2.5 g/L glucose and 5.0 g/L nutrient broth) in the anode compartment, whilst phosphate buffer solution (PBS) pH 7 serves as a catholyte in the cathode compartment. After several electrochemical analyses, the open circuit voltage (OCV) for 0.3 g/L AR27 with 24-h retention time at 30 °C was recorded as 0.950 V, whereas (93%) decolourisation was achieved in 220-min operation. The maximum power density was reached after 48 h of operation with an external load of 300 Ω. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the surface morphology of the anode and the bacterial adhesion onto the electrode surface. The results of this study indicate that the decolourisation of AR27 dye and electrical power generation was successfully achieved in a MFC operated by a bacterial consortium. The consortium of bacteria was able to utilise AR27 in a short retention time as an electron acceptor and to shuttle the electrons to the anode surface for bioelectricity generation.
Investigating effect of proton-exchange membrane on new air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cell configuration for bioenergy recovery from Azorubine dye degradation

Kardi SN, Ibrahim N, Rashid NAA, Darzi GN

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Jul;26(21):21201-21215.
PMID: 31115820 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05204-z

One of the biggest challenges of using single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that utilize proton-exchange membrane (PEM) air cathode for bioenergy recovery from recalcitrant organic compounds present in wastewater is mainly attributed to their high internal resistance in the anodic chamber of the single microbial fuel cell (MFC) configurations. The high internal resistance is due to the small surface area of the anode and cathode electrodes following membrane biofouling and pH splitting conditions as well as substrate and oxygen crossover through the membrane pores by diffusion. To address this issue, the fabrication of new PEM air-cathode single-chamber MFC configuration was investigated with inner channel flow open assembled with double PEM air cathodes (two oxygen reduction activity zones) coupled with spiral-anode MFC (2MA-CsS-AMFC). The effect of various proton-exchange membranes (PEMs), including Nafion 117 (N-117), Nafion 115 (N-115), and Nafion 212 (N-212) with respective thicknesses of 183, 127, and 50.08 μ, was separately incorporated into carbon cloth as PEM air-cathode electrode to evaluate their influences on the performance of the 2MA-CsS-AMFC configuration operated in fed-batch mode, while Azorubine dye was selected as the recalcitrant organic compound. The fed-batch test results showed that the 2MA-CsS-AMFC configuration with PEM N-115 operated at Azorubine dye concentration of 300 mg L-1 produced the highest power density of 1022.5 mW m-2 and open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.20 V coupled with enhanced dye removal (4.77 mg L h-1) compared to 2MA-CsS-AMFCs with PEMs N-117 and N-212 and those in previously published data. Interestingly, PEM 115 showed remarkable reduction in biofouling and pH splitting. Apart from that, mass transfer coefficient of PEM N-117 was the most permeable to oxygen (KO = 1.72 × 10-4 cm s-1) and PEM N-212 was the most permeable membrane to Azorubine (KA = 7.52 × 10-8 cm s-1), while PEM N-115 was the least permeable to both oxygen (KO = 1.54 × 10-4) and Azorubine (KA = 7.70 × 10-10). The results demonstrated that the 2MA-CsS-AMFC could be promising configuration for bioenergy recovery from wastewater treatment under various PEMs, while application of PEM N-115 produced the best performance compared to PEMs N-212 and N-117 and those in previous studies of membrane/membrane-less air-cathode single-chamber MFCs that consumed dye wastewater.
Fulltext A Review on the Development of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles-Based Biosensor as a Detection Strategy of Emerging and Pathogenic RNA Virus

Ibrahim N, Jamaluddin ND, Tan LL, Mohd Yusof NY

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Jul 28;21(15).
PMID: 34372350 DOI: 10.3390/s21155114

The emergence of highly pathogenic and deadly human coronaviruses, namely SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV within the past two decades and currently SARS-CoV-2, have resulted in millions of human death across the world. In addition, other human viral diseases, such as mosquito borne-viral diseases and blood-borne viruses, also contribute to a higher risk of death in severe cases. To date, there is no specific drug or medicine available to cure these human viral diseases. Therefore, the early and rapid detection without compromising the test accuracy is required in order to provide a suitable treatment for the containment of the diseases. Recently, nanomaterials-based biosensors have attracted enormous interest due to their biological activities and unique sensing properties, which enable the detection of analytes such as nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), aptamers, and proteins in clinical samples. In addition, the advances of nanotechnologies also enable the development of miniaturized detection systems for point-of-care (POC) biosensors, which could be a new strategy for detecting human viral diseases. The detection of virus-specific genes by using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes has become a particular interest due to their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to immunological methods based on antibody or antigen for early diagnosis of viral infection. Hence, this review has been developed to provide an overview of the current development of nanoparticles-based biosensors that target pathogenic RNA viruses, toward a robust and effective detection strategy of the existing or newly emerging human viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. This review emphasizes the nanoparticles-based biosensors developed using noble metals such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag) by virtue of their powerful characteristics as a signal amplifier or enhancer in the detection of nucleic acid. In addition, this review provides a broad knowledge with respect to several analytical methods involved in the development of nanoparticles-based biosensors for the detection of viral nucleic acid using both optical and electrochemical techniques.
Fulltext The multifaceted impact of structured training program on persons with Parkinson disease and their adult caregiver: A protocol for a systematic review

Gopala Krishna Pillai S, Mohd Nordin NA, Mohamed Ibrahim N

Medicine (Baltimore), 2023 Jul 14;102(28):e33966.
PMID: 37443466 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033966

BACKGROUND: Training caregivers and persons with Parkinson Disease (PwPD) is crucial to provide them with adequate knowledge and care skills in preparation for the Parkinson disease (PD) progression. This review will systematically evaluate the effect of structured training programs on the mobility and quality of life (QoL) of PwPD. In addition, the effect of such training programs on the QoL, burden of caregiving, and knowledge of PD among adult caregivers of PwPD will also be evaluated.
METHODS: Systematic and comprehensive search of relevant studies will be conducted using electronic databases such as Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The title, abstract, keywords, and full texts will be screened for eligibility. Studies to be selected are randomized controlled trials (RCT) from inception until April 2023. Studies based on structured PD training either in the form of training, education, program, multidisciplinary approach, or self-management targeted at both PwPD and their adult caregivers will be selected. Only full-text articles available in the English language will be included. Full-text articles will be inspected by 2 independent reviewers to produce the final set of articles that meet the eligibility criteria. A third reviewer will be engaged if no consensus is achieved between the first and second reviewers. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) will be used to evaluate the quality of papers and inform the risk of bias.
RESULTS: This review will provide an outlook on the effects of structured PD training programs on mobility and QoL of PwPD. In addition, it will provide insight into the effects of such training on the caregivers' burden, knowledge of PD, and QoL.
CONCLUSION: This review findings may help clinicians and researchers to understand the effect of structured and comprehensive PD training programs for PwPD and their adult caregiver.
Fulltext A Review on the Crosstalk between Insulin and Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling for Bone Health

Wong SK, Mohamad NV, Jayusman PA, Ibrahim N'

Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Aug 04;24(15).
PMID: 37569816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512441

A positive association between insulin resistance and osteoporosis has been widely established. However, crosstalk between the signalling molecules in insulin and Wingless (Wnt)/beta-(β-)catenin transduction cascades orchestrating bone homeostasis remains not well understood. The current review aims to collate the existing evidence, reporting (a) the expression of insulin signalling molecules involved in bone-related disorders and (b) the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signalling molecules involved in governing insulin homeostasis. The downstream effector molecule, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β), has been identified to be a point of convergence linking the two signal transduction networks. This review highlights that GSK3β may be a drug target in the development of novel anabolic agents and the potential use of GSK3β inhibitors to treat bone-related disorders.
Fulltext The Efficacy of Squalene in Cardiovascular Disease Risk-A Systematic Review

Ibrahim N', Fairus S, Zulfarina MS, Naina Mohamed I

Nutrients, 2020 Feb 05;12(2).
PMID: 32033387 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020414

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Squalene (SQ), an intermediate for the cholesterol biosynthesis, has been proposed to act similarly to statins via inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in the liver.
PURPOSE: This paper explores the effects of SQ in CVD.
METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify relevant studies about SQ and CVD. A comprehensive search in Medline and Scopus for relevant studies published between the years 1946 and 2019 was performed. The main inclusion criteria were that the study was published in English; that the study reported association or effect of SQ and CVD; and that CVD should be related to lifestyle variables, aging, or experimentally induced conditions.
RESULTS: The literature searches identified 5562 potentially relevant articles, whereby 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. There were three human studies and 18 animal experimental studies included in this paper. Only one human study reported positive outcome of SQ in CVD. The remaining two studies reported inconsistent and/or no effect. For animal studies, 15 studies reported positive effect while the remaining reported negative and/or no effect of SQ on various related parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: This evidence-based review emphasizes the potential of SQ being used for cardiovascular-related diseases. The effect of SQ, especially of plant-based warrants further exploration. Controlled human observational studies should be performed to provide comprehensive evidence.
Fulltext Transcriptomic Response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa towards Treatment with a Kaempferol Isolated from Melastoma malabathricum Linn Leaves

Alwash MS, Aqma WS, Ahmad WY, Ibrahim N

Int J Microbiol, 2020;2020:6915483.
PMID: 32089696 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6915483

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the main causes of nosocomial infections and is frequently associated with opportunistic infections among hospitalized patients. Kaempferol-3-O-(2',6'-di-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D glucopyranoside (KF) is an antipseudomonal compound isolated from the leaves of the native medicinal plant Melastoma malabathricum. Herein, an RNA-seq transcriptomic approach was employed to study the effect of KF treatment on P. aeruginosa and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to KF at two time points (6 h and 24 h incubation). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed for four genes (uvrD, sodM, fumC1, and rpsL) to assess the reliability of the RNA-seq results. The RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis revealed that KF increases the expression of genes involved in the electron transport chain (NADH-I), resulting in the induction of ATP synthesis. Furthermore, KF also increased the expression of genes associated with ATP-binding cassette transporters, flagella, type III secretion system proteins, and DNA replication and repair, which may further influence nutrient uptake, motility, and growth. The results also revealed that KF decreased the expression of a broad range of virulence factors associated with LPS biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, cytotoxic pigment pyocyanin production, and motility and adhesion that are representative of an acute P. aeruginosa infection profile. In addition, P. aeruginosa pathways for amino acid synthesis and membrane lipid composition were modified to adapt to KF treatment. Overall, the present research provides a detailed view of P. aeruginosa adaptation and behaviour in response to KF and highlights the possible therapeutic approach of using plants to combat P. aeruginosa infections.
Cognitive Profiles in Parkinson's Disease and their Correlation with Dementia, Anxiety and Depression: A Preliminary Study

Wan Mohamed WN, Che Din N, Ibrahim N

Malays J Med Sci, 2015 Dec;22(Spec Issue):29-35.
PMID: 27006635

A cross-sectional study was carried out at a medical centre to determine the cognitive profiles of 30 Parkinson's disease patients with age of 69.76 ± 7.39 years. Thirty-seven percent of the patients were found to be at risk for dementia. The scores on subscales of working memory and alternating verbal fluency were significantly lower in Parkinson's disease patients who were older than 77 years old. The scores on a subtest of working memory on the Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Rating Scale (PDCRS) were significantly lower in Parkinson's disease patients with a duration of illness of more than 10 years. In cognitive measurement, the subtests of verbal memory, delayed free recall and verbal fluency on the PD¬CRS were significantly lower in patients with less than six years of education. The patients who had difficulty with sustained attention, working memory and movement had significant anxiety and depression symptoms. In conclusion, multiple patterns in cognitive profiles influence the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease in multi-dimensional ways.
Characterization of Dual-Layer Hybrid Biomatrix for Future Use in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Zulkiflee I, Amirrah IN, Fadilah NIM, Wee MFMR, Yusop SM, Maarof M, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2023 Jan 29;16(3).
PMID: 36770168 DOI: 10.3390/ma16031162

A skin wound without immediate treatment could delay wound healing and may lead to death after severe infection (sepsis). Any interruption or inappropriate normal wound healing, mainly in these wounds, commonly resulted in prolonged and excessive skin contraction. Contraction is a common mechanism in wound healing phases and contributes 40-80% of the original wound size post-healing. Even though it is essential to accelerate wound healing, it also simultaneously limits movement, mainly in the joint area. In the worst-case scenario, prolonged contraction could lead to disfigurement and loss of tissue function. This study aimed to fabricate and characterise the elastin-fortified gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film layered on top of a collagen sponge as a bilayer hybrid biomatrix. Briefly, the combination of halal-based gelatin (4% (w/v)) and PVA ((4% (w/v)) was used to fabricate composite film, followed by the integration of poultry elastin (0.25 mg/mL) and 0.1% (w/v) genipin crosslinking. Furthermore, further analysis was conducted on the composite bilayer biomatrix's physicochemical and mechanical strength. The bilayer biomatrix demonstrated a slow biodegradation rate (0.374967 ± 0.031 mg/h), adequate water absorption (1078.734 ± 42.33%), reasonable water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) (724.6467 ± 70.69 g/m2 h) and porous (102.5944 ± 28.21%). The bilayer biomatrix also exhibited an excellent crosslinking degree and was mechanically robust. Besides, the elastin releasing study presented an acceptable rate post-integration with hybrid biomatrix. Therefore, the ready-to-use bilayer biomatrix will benefit therapeutic effects as an alternative treatment for future diabetic skin wound management.
Fulltext Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Developing Countries: Balancing Optimal Glycaemic Control and Outcomes with Affordability and Accessibility to Treatment

Mohan V, Khunti K, Chan SP, Filho FF, Tran NQ, Ramaiya K, et al.

Diabetes Ther, 2020 Jan;11(1):15-35.
PMID: 31773420 DOI: 10.1007/s13300-019-00733-9

With the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, particularly in emerging countries, its management in the context of available resources should be considered. International guidelines, while comprehensive and scientifically valid, may not be appropriate for regions such as Asia, Latin America or Africa, where epidemiology, patient phenotypes, cultural conditions and socioeconomic status are different from America and Europe. Although glycaemic control and reduction of micro- and macrovascular outcomes remain essential aspects of treatment, access and cost are major limiting factors; therefore, a pragmatic approach is required in restricted-resource settings. Newer agents, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in particular, are relatively expensive, with limited availability despite potentially being valuable for patients with insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications. This review makes a case for the role of more accessible second-line treatments with long-established efficacy and affordability, such as sulfonylureas, in the management of type 2 diabetes, particularly in developing or restricted-resource countries.
Psychometric Properties of the Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire-Modified (CCQ-Modified) Among Community Samples in Malaysia

Abdul Khaiyom JH, Mukhtar F, Ibrahim N, Mohd Sidik S, Oei TP

Stress Health, 2016 Dec;32(5):543-550.
PMID: 26620359 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2660

The Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire-Modified (CCQ-M) is a common instrument for measuring catastrophic thoughts. In some countries, however, CCQ-M still poses concerns following the lack of appropriate validation among their populations. The current study aimed to examine the factor structure of the CCQ-M, the reliability, and the validity in community samples in Malaysia. The Malay version of CCQ-M and additional measures assessing the symptoms and cognitions relevant to anxiety disorders were completed by 682 university students and general community. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure accounting for 62.2% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor model by deleting four items. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the total and the two subscales were .94, .90, and .92, respectively. Test-retest reliability analysis was conducted on 82 university students in the interval period of 14 days, and the result was r = .58. Evidence supported the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. In conclusion, the 17-item CCQ-M-Malaysia is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing catastrophic cognitions among Malaysian populations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention program for stress management among medical students: the Mindful-Gym randomized controlled study

Phang CK, Mukhtar F, Ibrahim N, Keng SL, Mohd Sidik S

Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract, 2015 Dec;20(5):1115-34.
PMID: 25697124 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-015-9591-3

Pursuing undergraduate medical training can be very stressful and academically challenging experience. A 5-week mindfulness-based stress management (MBSM/Mindful-Gym) program was developed to help medical students cope with stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing stress among students in a medical school in Malaysia. Seventy-five medical students participated in the program. They were stratified according to years of studies and randomly allocated to intervention (N = 37) and control groups (N = 38). The following outcome variables were measured at pre- and post-intervention: mindfulness (with Mindful Awareness Attention Scale); perceived stress (with Perceived Stress Scale); mental distress (with General Health Questionnaire), and self-efficacy (with General Self-efficacy Scale). Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to analyse the effect of group (intervention vs. control) on changes in the outcome variables. There were significant improvements at one week post-intervention in all outcome variables: mindfulness (β = 0.19, ΔR2 = 0.04, p = .040, f (2) = 0.05), perceived stress (β = -0.26, ΔR2 = 0.07, p = .009, f (2) = 0.10); mental distress (β = -0.28, ΔR2 = 0.10, p = .003, f (2) = 0.15); and self-efficacy (β = 0.30, ΔR2 = 0.09, p < .001, f (2) = 0.21). Six months after the intervention, those who had joined the program reported higher self-efficacy compared to those in the control group (β = 0.24, ΔR2 = 0.06, p = .020, f (2) = 0.08); but there was no difference in other outcome measures. More than 90% of the participants found the program applicable in helping patients and all reported that they would recommend it to others. This study indicates that the program is potentially an effective stress management program for medical students in Malaysia.
Fulltext Crystal structure of bis-{2-[(E)-(4-fluoro-benz-yl)imino-meth-yl]phenolato-κ(2) N,O}nickel(II)

Tajuddin AM, Bahron H, Hanafiah RM, Ibrahim N, Fun HK, Chantrapromma S

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2014 Oct 1;70(Pt 10):252-5.
PMID: 25484666 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536814020546

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Ni(C14H11FNO)2], contains one-half of the mol-ecule with the Ni(II) cation lying on an inversion centre coordinated by a bidentate Schiff base anion. The cationic Ni(II) center is in a distorted square-planar coordination environment chelated by the imine N and phenolate O donor atoms of the two Schiff base ligands. The N and O donor atoms of the two ligands are mutually trans with Ni-N and Ni-O bond lengths of 1.9242 (10) and 1.8336 (9) Å, respectively. The fluoro-phenyl ring is almost orthogonal to the coordination plane and makes a dihedral angle of 82.98 (7)° with the phenolate ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into screw chains by weak C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds. Additional C-H⋯π contacts arrange the mol-ecules into sheets parallel to the ac plane.
Preconditioning as a potential strategy for the prevention of Parkinson's disease

Golpich M, Rahmani B, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Dargahi L, Mohamed Z, Raymond AA, et al.

Mol Neurobiol, 2015 Feb;51(1):313-30.
PMID: 24696268 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8689-6

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the progressive and massive loss of dopaminergic neurons by neuronal apoptosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta and depletion of dopamine in the striatum, which lead to pathological and clinical abnormalities. A numerous of cellular processes including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. A further understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of PD is crucial for developing effective diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies to cure this devastating disorder. Preconditioning (PC) is assumed as a natural adaptive process whereby a subthreshold stimulus can promote protection against a subsequent lethal stimulus in the brain as well as in other tissues that affords robust brain tolerance facing neurodegenerative insults. Multiple lines of evidence have demonstrated that preconditioning as a possible neuroprotective technique may reduce the neural deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. Throughout the last few decades, a lot of efforts have been made to discover the molecular determinants involved in preconditioning-induced protective responses; although, the accurate mechanisms underlying this "tolerance" phenomenon are not fully understood in PD. In this review, we will summarize pathophysiology and current therapeutic approaches in PD and discuss about preconditioning in PD as a potential neuroprotective strategy. Also the role of gene reprogramming and mitochondrial biogenesis involved in the preconditioning-mediated neuroprotective events will be highlighted. Preconditioning may represent a promising therapeutic weapon to combat neurodegeneration.

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