Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 201 in total

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  1. Fulltext Is the Degree of Hearing Loss Truly Dependent on the Site of Tympanic Membrane Perforation?
    Zakaria M, Othman N, Lih AC
    Oman Med J, 2016 Jan;31(1):83-4.
    PMID: 26813114 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2016.17
  2. Fulltext A review on radiation-induced nucleation and growth of colloidal metallic nanoparticles
    Abedini A, Daud AR, Abdul Hamid MA, Kamil Othman N, Saion E
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013;8(1):474.
    PMID: 24225302 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-474
    This review presents an introduction to the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by radiation-induced method, especially gamma irradiation. This method offers some benefits over the conventional methods because it provides fully reduced and highly pure nanoparticles free from by-products or chemical reducing agents, and is capable of controlling the particle size and structure. The nucleation and growth mechanism of metallic nanoparticles are also discussed. The competition between nucleation and growth process in the formation of nanoparticles can determine the size of nanoparticles which is influenced by certain parameters such as the choice of solvents and stabilizer, the precursor to stabilizer ratio, pH during synthesis, and absorbed dose.
  3. Fulltext Synthesis and Optimization of Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with L-Ascorbic Acid and Thymoquinone
    Othman N, Masarudin MJ, Kuen CY, Dasuan NA, Abdullah LC, Md Jamil SNA
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2018 Nov 07;8(11).
    PMID: 30405074 DOI: 10.3390/nano8110920
    The combination of compounds with different classes (hydrophobic and hydrophilic characters) in single chitosan carrier is a challenge due to the hydrophilicity of chitosan. Utilization of l-ascorbic acid (LAA) and thymoquinone (TQ) compounds as effective antioxidants is marred by poor bioavailability and uptake. Nanoparticles (NPs) solved the problem by functioning as a carrier for them because they have high surface areas for more efficient delivery and uptake by cells. This research, therefore, synthesized chitosan NPs (CNPs) containing LAA and TQ, CNP-LAA-TQ via ionic gelation routes as the preparation is non-toxic. They were characterized using electron microscopy, zetasizer, UV⁻VIS spectrophotometry, and infrared spectroscopy. The optimum CNP-LAA-TQ size produced was 141.5 ± 7.8 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.207 ± 0.013. The encapsulation efficiency of CNP-LAA-TQ was 22.8 ± 3.2% for LAA and 35.6 ± 3.6% for TQ. Combined hydrophilic LAA and hydrophobic TQ proved that a myriad of highly efficacious compounds with poor systemic uptake could be encapsulated together in NP systems to increase their pharmaceutical efficiency, indirectly contributing to the advancement of medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
  4. Fulltext Dual-Band, Wide-Angle, and High-Capture Efficiency Metasurface for Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting
    Amer AAG, Othman N, Sapuan SZ, Alphones A, Hassan MF, Al-Gburi AJA, et al.
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2023 Jul 06;13(13).
    PMID: 37446531 DOI: 10.3390/nano13132015
    A dual-band metasurface (MS) with a wide reception angle operating at Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz and 5.4 GHz) is presented for electromagnetic (EM) energy harvesting applications. The MS unit cell comprises a subwavelength circular split ring resonator printed on the low-loss substrate. An air layer is sandwiched between two low-loss substrates to enhance the harvesting efficiency at operating frequencies. One of the main advantages of the proposed MS is that it uses only one harvesting port (via) to channel the captured power to the optimized load (50 Ω), which simplifies the design of a combined power network. According to the results of full-wave EM simulations, the proposed MS has a near-unity efficiency of 97% and 94% at 2.4 GHz and 5.4 GHz, respectively, for capturing the power of incident EM waves with normal incidence. Furthermore, the proposed MS harvester achieves good performance at up to 60° oblique incidence. To validate simulations, the MS harvester with 5 × 5-unit cells is fabricated and tested, and its EM properties are measured, showing good agreement with the simulation results. Because of its high efficiency, the proposed MS harvester is suitable for use in various microwave applications, such as energy harvesting and wireless power transfer.
  5. Fulltext Adsorption of Zn2+ from Synthetic Wastewater Using Dried Watermelon Rind (D-WMR): An Overview of Nonlinear and Linear Regression and Error Analysis
    Altowayti WAH, Othman N, Al-Gheethi A, Dzahir NHBM, Asharuddin SM, Alshalif AF, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Oct 13;26(20).
    PMID: 34684757 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206176
    Sustainable wastewater treatment is one of the biggest issues of the 21st century. Metals such as Zn2+ have been released into the environment due to rapid industrial development. In this study, dried watermelon rind (D-WMR) is used as a low-cost adsorption material to assess natural adsorbents' ability to remove Zn2+ from synthetic wastewater. D-WMR was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). According to the results of the analysis, the D-WMR has two colours, white and black, and a significant concentration of mesoporous silica (83.70%). Moreover, after three hours of contact time in a synthetic solution with 400 mg/L Zn2+ concentration at pH 8 and 30 to 40 °C, the highest adsorption capacity of Zn2+ onto 1.5 g D-WMR adsorbent dose with 150 μm particle size was 25 mg/g. The experimental equilibrium data of Zn2+ onto D-WMR was utilized to compare nonlinear and linear isotherm and kinetics models for parameter determination. The best models for fitting equilibrium data were nonlinear Langmuir and pseudo-second models with lower error functions. Consequently, the potential use of D-WMR as a natural adsorbent for Zn2+ removal was highlighted, and error analysis indicated that nonlinear models best explain the adsorption data.
  6. Environmental DNA metabarcoding of freshwater fish in Malaysian tropical rivers using short-read nanopore sequencing as a potential biomonitoring tool
    Munian K, Ramli FF, Othman N, Mahyudin NAA, Sariyati NH, Abdullah-Fauzi NAF, et al.
    Mol Ecol Resour, 2024 May;24(4):e13936.
    PMID: 38419264 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13936
    The approach of combining cost-effective nanopore sequencing and emerging environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding could prove to be a promising tool for biodiversity documentation, especially in Malaysia. Given the substantial funding constraints in recent years, especially in relation to the country's biodiversity, many researchers have been limited to conduct restricted research without extended monitoring periods, potentially hindering comprehensive surveys and could compromise the conservation efforts. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the application of eDNA metabarcoding on freshwater fish using short reads generated through nanopore sequencing. This assessment focused on species detection in three selected rivers within the Endau Rompin Landscape in Malaysia. Additionally, the study compared levels of species detection between eDNA metabarcoding and conventional sampling methods, examined the effectiveness of primer choice, and applied both metabarcoding and shotgun sequencing to the eDNA approach. We successfully identified a total of 22 and 71 species with an identification threshold of >97% and >90%, respectively, through the MinION platform. The eDNA metabarcoding approach detected over 13% more freshwater fish species than when the conventional method was used. Notably, the distinction in freshwater fish detection between eDNA primers for 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I was insignificant. The cost for eDNA metabarcoding proved to be more effective compared to conventional sampling with cost reduction at 33.4%. With favourable cost-effectiveness and increased species detection, eDNA metabarcoding could complement existing methods, enhance holistic diversity documentation for targeted habitats and facilitate effective conservation planning.
  7. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of the Prazosin-Degrading Bacillus sp. Strain PR5, Isolated from a River Receiving Hospital and Urban Wastewater in Malaysia
    Ahmad Sabri NS, Mohd Mohsi NF, Apandi A, Yusof N, Megat Mohd Noor MJ, Md Akhir FN, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 Mar 18;10(11).
    PMID: 33737348 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00025-21
    We report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain PR5, isolated from a river receiving hospital and urban wastewater in Malaysia, which demonstrated a high capability for degrading prazosin. This genome sequence of 4,525,264 bp exhibited 41.5% GC content, 4,402 coding sequences, and 32 RNAs.
  8. Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degrading Streptomyces sp. Strain S6, Isolated from an Oil Palm Plantation in Malaysia
    Yusof N, Abdullah Tahir A, Riyadi FA, Ahmad Sabri NS, Md Akhir FN, Othman N, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2020 Jan 30;9(5).
    PMID: 32001560 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.01332-19
    Streptomyces spp. are bacteria that are responsible for the degradation of aromatic compounds and produce secondary metabolites. Here, we present a complete genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. strain S6, which was isolated from an oil palm plantation, with a 7.8-Mbp liner chromosome, a GC content of 72%, and 4,266 coding sequences.
  9. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequences of Three Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus spp. Isolated from Hospital Wastewater in Malaysia
    Ahmad Sabri NS, Mohd Zulkeflle SN, Yusof N, Md Akhir FN, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 May 06;10(18).
    PMID: 33958405 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00332-21
    Staphylococcus spp. are Gram-positive bacteria that reside within the normal microbiota of humans and animals but pose a health threat as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of three Staphylococcus sp. strains isolated from hospital wastewater in Malaysia that demonstrated resistance to multiple antibiotics.
  10. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degrading Agrobacterium sp. Strain S2, Isolated from a Decaying Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
    Faisal UH, Sabri NSA, Yusof N, Tahir AA, Said NNM, Riyadi FA, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 May 13;10(19).
    PMID: 33986086 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00259-21
    We report the draft genome sequence of Agrobacterium sp. strain S2, isolated from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, which yields potential genes encoding lignin degradation enzymes. This genome of 9,722,071 bp exhibited 58.9% GC content, 10,416 coding genes, and 12 RNAs.
  11. Fulltext Microbial Diversity in Decaying Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) and Isolation of Lignin-degrading Bacteria from a Tropical Environment
    Tahir AA, Mohd Barnoh NF, Yusof N, Mohd Said NN, Utsumi M, Yen AM, et al.
    Microbes Environ, 2019 Jun 27;34(2):161-168.
    PMID: 31019143 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.ME18117
    Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) are the most abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly lignocellulosic biomass in Malaysia. Investigations on the microbial diversity of decaying OPEFB may reveal microbes with complex enzymes that have the potential to enhance the conversion of lignocellulose into second-generation biofuels as well as the production of other value-added products. In the present study, fungal and bacterial diversities in decaying OPEFB were identified using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene and V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene. Fungal diversity in decaying OPEFB was dominated by the phylum Ascomycota (14.43%), while most of the bacterial sequences retrieved belonged to Proteobacteria (76.71%). Three bacterial strains isolated from decaying OPEFB, designated as S18, S20, and S36, appeared to grow with extracted OPEFB-lignin and Kraft lignin (KL) as the sole carbon source. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the 3 isolates as Paenibacillus sp.. The molecular weight distribution of KL before and after degradation showed significant depolymerization when treated with bacterial strains S18, S20, and S36. The presence of low-molecular-weight lignin-related compounds, such as vanillin and 2-methoxyphenol derivatives, which were detected by a GC-MS analysis, confirmed the KL-degrading activities of isolated Paenibacillus strains.
  12. Fulltext Characterization of Musty Odor-Producing Actinomycetes from Tropics and Effects of Temperature on the Production of Musty Odor Compounds
    Anuar NSS, Kassim AA, Utsumi M, Iwamoto K, Goto M, Shimizu K, et al.
    Microbes Environ, 2017 Dec 27;32(4):352-357.
    PMID: 29093279 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.ME17109
    Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) outbreaks in tropical water bodies, such as Southeast Asia, by actinomycetes have not yet been elucidated in detail. Six Streptomyces isolates from lowland environments in Malaysia were selected and evaluated for their odor production under different temperatures. The gene responsible for the production of geosmin, geoA, was detected in all isolates, while only two isolates harbored tpc, which is responsible for 2-MIB production. This result suggested that geosmin and 2-MIB synthesis pathway genes already existed in the environment in the Tropics of Southeast Asia. Furthermore, our isolates produced musty odor compounds at 30°C, and differences were observed in musty odor production between various temperatures. This result indicated the potential for odor episodes in water bodies of the tropical countries of Southeast Asia throughout the year due to the mean annual ambient temperature of 27°C in the lowlands.
  13. Fulltext Direct growth inhibition assay of total airborne fungi with application of biocide-treated malt extract agar
    Er CM, Sunar NM, Leman AM, Othman N
    MethodsX, 2015;2:340-4.
    PMID: 27077051 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2015.07.002
    Indoor air pollution by airborne fungi has risen to become a common issue all over the world and it is hazardous to indoor occupants' health as it is associated with a series of respiratory-related and skin-related diseases. Selected bioactive compounds from the food industry have been suggested to be effective against individual fungus isolated from indoor environment. However, the techniques used to evaluate these compounds were lengthy and unsuitable against total airborne fungi. Therefore, this paper describes an assay to assess the effectiveness of a bioactive compound to inhibit growth of total airborne fungi.•A combination and modification of previous methods and the NIOSH Manual Analytical Standard Method (NMAM 0800) is proposed.•This method concurrently samples the total airborne fungi and evaluates the ability of bioactive compounds (potassium sorbate in this paper), as a biocide, to treat these indoor airborne fungi.•The current method shortens the time of evaluation from 30 days to only 5 days and employs the counting of colony forming units (CFUs) to ease the measurement of the growth of fungi.
  14. Fulltext Entamoeba histolytica: Proteomics Bioinformatics Reveal Predictive Functions and Protein-Protein Interactions of Differentially Abundant Membrane and Cytosolic Proteins
    Azmi N, Othman N
    Membranes (Basel), 2021 May 21;11(6).
    PMID: 34063994 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11060376
    Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica and ranked second for parasitic diseases causing death after malaria. E. histolytica membrane and cytosolic proteins play important roles in the pathogenesis. Our previous study had shown several cytosolic proteins were found in the membrane fraction. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the differential abundance of membrane and cytosolic proteins in membrane versus cytosolic fractions and analyze their predicted functions and interaction. Previous LC-ESI-MS/MS data were analyzed by PERSEUS software for the differentially abundant proteins, then they were classified into their functional annotations and the protein networks were summarized using PantherDB and STRiNG, respectively. The results showed 24 (44.4%) out of the 54 proteins that increased in abundance were membrane proteins and 30 were cytosolic proteins. Meanwhile, 45 cytosolic proteins were found to decrease in abundance. Functional analysis showed differential abundance proteins involved in the molecular function, biological process, and cellular component with 18.88%, 33.04% and, 48.07%, respectively. The STRiNG server predicted that the decreased abundance proteins had more protein-protein network interactions compared to increased abundance proteins. Overall, this study has confirmed the presence of the differentially abundant membrane and cytosolic proteins and provided the predictive functions and interactions between them.
  15. Fulltext Otitis externa complicated with chloramphenicol ear drops-induced perichondritis
    Mohamad I, Johan K, Hashim H, Nik Othman N
    Malays Fam Physician, 2014;9(1):28-9.
    PMID: 25606295 MyJurnal
    Otitis externa is a common condition of the ear. It is manifested as narrowing of the lumen owing to the edematous swelling of the ear canal lining. Perichondritis may occur independently or as a complication of the otitis externa. We report a case of perichondritis after using a topical ear drop. Changing the medication provides immediate resolution of the condition.
  16. Fulltext Head and neck tuberculosis: The great mimic
    Mohamad I, Nik Hassan N, Nik Othman NA
    Malays Fam Physician, 2016;11(2-3):38.
    PMID: 28461859
  17. Fulltext Diagnostic dilemma of reactive arthritis aided by multimodality imaging using MRI, CECT and 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans
    Suppiah S, Zakaria MH, Khalid B, Mohamad Saini S, Othman N
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2017;13(1):73-77.
    MyJurnal
    Reactive arthritis can be an elusive diagnosis especially in the elderly. A 77-year-old lady, presented with recent history of hip pain. She had been treated for urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia sp. and had associated weight loss. She was also investigated for possible tuberculosis and occult malignancy. CT scan abdomen/pelvis and MRI revealed peri-articular muscle inflammation. Biopsy of her hip joint failed to find the causative factor. Whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed increased FDG uptake at bilateral hip and shoulder joints. She recovered after an intensive course of antibiotics. Thus, she was diagnosed with reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is usually a diagnosis of exclusion made by a high index of suspicion and positive serology test. Molecular imaging can be an alternative investigation for joint pains in the elderly, which enables excellent anatomical and functional information to exclude more sinister conditions such as malignancy.
  18. Fulltext Molecular testing for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in Malaysia: Consensus statement from the College of Pathologists, Academy of Medicine Malaysia, the Malaysian Thoracic Society, and the Malaysian Oncological Society
    Rajadurai P, Cheah PL, How SH, Liam CK, Annuar MAA, Omar N, et al.
    Lung Cancer, 2019 10;136:65-73.
    PMID: 31446227 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.08.005
    In the recent years, increased understanding of the molecular profiles of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has allowed for targeted treatment of actionable genetic mutations. The management of NSCLC now requires multiple molecular tests to guide the treatment strategy. In the light of this, there is a need to establish a molecular testing consensus statement for advanced NSCLC patients in Malaysia. This Malaysian consensus statement was developed by a panel of experts, chaired by a pathologist and composed of three other pathologists, four respiratory physicians and three oncologists. It reflects currently available scientific data and adaptations of recommendations from international guidelines to the local landscape. Expert recommendations on different aspects of molecular testing agreed upon by the panel are provided as structured discussions. These recommendations address the appropriate patients and samples to be tested, as well as when and how these tests should be performed. The algorithms for molecular testing in metastatic NSCLC, in the first line setting and upon disease progression beyond first line therapy, were developed.
  19. Fulltext Diversity of respiratory viruses detected among hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections at Hospital Serdang, Malaysia
    Etemadi MR, Jalilian FA, Othman N, Lye MS, Ansari S, Yubbu P, et al.
    J Virol Methods, 2019 07;269:1-6.
    PMID: 30910688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2019.03.013
    BACKGROUND: The role of respiratory viruses as the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) in children is becoming increasingly evident due to the use of sensitive molecular detection methods. The aim of this study was to use conventional and molecular detection methods to assess the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in children less than five years of age that were hospitalized with ALRTIs.

    METHODS: The cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the occurrence of respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytisl virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza virus A and B (IFV-A and B), parainfluenzavirus 1, 2, 3 and 4 (PIV 1, 2, 3 and 4), human rhinoviruses (HRV), human enterovirus (HEV), human coronaviruses (HCoV) 229E and OC43, human bocavirus (HBoV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in hospitalized children with ALRTIs, at Hospital Serdang, Malaysia, from June 16 to December 21, 2009. The study was also designed in part to assess the performance of the conventional methods against molecular methods.

    RESULTS: Viral pathogens were detected in 158 (95.8%) of the patients. Single virus infections were detected in 114 (67.9%) patients; 46 (27.9%) were co-infected with different viruses including double-virus infections in 37 (22.4%) and triple-virus infections in 9 (5.5%) cases. Approximately 70% of samples were found to be positive using conventional methods compared with 96% using molecular methods. A wide range of respiratory viruses were detected in the study. There was a high prevalence of RSV (50.3%) infections, particularly group B viruses. Other etiological agents including HAdV, HMPV, IFV-A, PIV 1-3, HBoV, HCoV-OC43 and HEV were detected in 14.5, 9.6, 9.1, 4.8, 3.6, 2.4 and 1.8 percent of the samples, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the increased sensitivity of molecular detection methods compared with conventional methods for the diagnosis of ARTIs in hospitalized children. This is the first report of HMPV infections in Malaysia.

  20. Severe leptospirosis with unusual manifestation
    Othman N, Intan HI, Yip CW, Alias M, Amran F
    J Trop Pediatr, 2007 Feb;53(1):55-8.
    PMID: 17237115
    We report a case of an 8-year-old aborigine boy referred to our hospital for respiratory insufficiency with skin eruptions over the trunk and limbs. The skin condition was diagnosed as acquired ichthyosis. He also had a non-bleeding form of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Radiograph of the lungs showed bilateral perihilar opacities with bilateral pleural effusion. The diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed by a 4-fold rise in microagglutinating titre and polymerase chain reaction assay.
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