Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 582 in total

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  1. Gibson RA, Kneebone R, Kneebone GM
    PMID: 6149073
    Total lipids were extracted from 22 species of Malaysian fish and the constituent fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. Malaysian fish generally contained high levels of saturated fatty acids (range 36-55% total fatty acids) and contained variable amounts of monounsaturates, chiefly palmitic and stearic acids, but only trace levels of 20:1 and 22:1. Unlike fish caught in colder northern hemisphere waters, Malaysian fish were found to contain arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6, range 2-12%) in addition to the expected eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega 3, range 1-13%) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3, range 6.6-40.4%).
  2. Oh TM, McCarthy RA, McKenna PJ
    Neurocase, 2002;8(3):233-44.
    PMID: 12119320
    It has been suggested that formal thought disorder, the incoherent speech of schizophrenia, may involve a language disturbance among other abnormalities, or even be a form of dysphasia. Six patients with and seven without formal thought disorder were evaluated on an aphasia test battery. Spontaneous speech was also analysed using Brief Syntactic Analysis. Poor performance on the aphasia test battery was found to be associated with general intellectual impairment but not with formal thought disorder. Naming was preserved in both groups. Patients with formal thought disorder, but not those without, produced semantic errors in their spontaneous speech, and these were unrelated to general intellectual status. The disorder of language in formal thought disorder thus appears to be one of expressive semantic abnormality, which, however, spares naming. Further analysis of two intellectually preserved patients suggested that formal thought disorder may be associated with an additional difficulty in constructing an appropriate model for generating one's own speech.
  3. Arumugam M, Jamil A, Amiseno RA, Rosli N, Abdul Shukor N
    Malays J Pathol, 2020 Aug;42(2):277-281.
    PMID: 32860382
    INTRODUCTION: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the skin, with poor clinical outcomes. Typical conditions include a rapidly growing, solitary dome-shaped, violaceous nodule. Several root causes have been identified - sun exposure, age, lighter skin, immunocompromised state, and polyomavirus infection. Wide local excision is the best treatment. The tumour is radiotherapy-responsive. However, the success rate of the treatment with chemotherapy is rather limited. Immunotherapy has shown promising results. Early detection is important to prevent morbidity and mortality.

    CASE REPORT: In this literature work, we reported on a particular case of MCC, as exhibited by an 84-year-old Chinese woman, and discussed the clinical features and management of MCC.

    DISCUSSION: We highlighted that MCC cases have a link to the polyomavirus 5. Patients who were identified with the Polyomavirus 5, and underwent immunotherapy, were seen to depict much better prognosis.

  4. Ng KL, Lee EL, Sani RA
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Mar;29(1):187-90.
    PMID: 22543620 MyJurnal
    This study was conducted to investigate the low prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru as reported by veterinary practitioners, using wet blood mount, Knott's Concentration Test and two heartworm antigen test kits (IDEXX Canine SNAP® 4Dx and RapiGEN®). This study also compared the two test kits used and determined the microfilaria species. Blood were collected from 100 owned dogs and 50 stray dogs in Johor Bahru via cephalic venipuncture. A thick blood smear was done and examined for samples that were positive for microfilaria species identification. The overall prevalence of D. immitis in dogs in Johor Bahru was 1.33% (2/150) and the microfilaria identified was D. immitis. The prevalence of heartworm in owned and stray dogs in this study was 1% and 2% respectively. With only one false negative result from RapiGEN® test kit, comparing the sensitivity between the two test kits could not be achieved. The low prevalence of D. immitis found in this study confirmed anecdotal evidence that prevalence of dirofilariasis is indeed low in Johor Bahru. Additionally, we speculate that dirofilariasis in dogs might be considered as an indicator of vector availability.
  5. Hamid RA, Ungku Ahmad UN
    MyJurnal
    An increasing number of women participate in the work force due to socio-economic development result a big impact to work and family institution. Failure to meet demand for both work and family lead to work-family conflict that may give negative consequences on work and family. An example of major work-related outcome is burnout which can lead to turnover intention. Social support has been identified as an important resources that can reduce work-family conflict and burnout. This paper aims to identify the relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intention and also the mediation effect of burnout on work-family conflict and turnover intention relationship. It is proposed that there will be a positive relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intention and there is an indirect relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intention through the mediation effect of burnout. Social support from work and family is proposed to moderate the relationship between work-family conflict and burnout. Furthermore it is proposed that the strength of relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intention depends on the mediation effect of burnout and moderating effect of social support.
  6. Shezryna S, Anisah N, Saleh I, Syamsa RA
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):433-442.
    PMID: 33612812
    Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus serves as an important ectoparasite of livestock and a vector of several pathogens resulting in diseases, subsequently affecting the agricultural field as well as the economy. The extensive use of synthetic acaricides is known to cause resistance over time and therefore a much safer, effective and environmentally friendly alternative to overcome tick infestation should be implemented. Larval immersion tests (LIT) were done to evaluate the effects of Citrus hystrix (Family: Rutaceae) and Cymbopogon citratus (Family: Poaceae) essential oils (EOs) for their individual and combined (1:1) acaricidal activity against the cattle tick. Results showed that LC50 and LC90 values in 24 and 48 hours for Cit. hystrix EO were 11.98% and 24.84%, and 10.95% and 21.71% respectively. LC50 and LC90 values for Cym. citratus EO were 1.21% and 6.28%, and 1.05% and 6.12% respectively. The mixture of EOs from two plants in 1:1 ratio (Cit. hystrix 50%: Cym. citratus 50%) was found to exhibit antagonistic effect (synergistic factor < 1). The 24 hours and 48 hours LC50 and LC90 values for combined EOs were 1.52% and 2.84%, and 1.50% and 2.76% respectively. Individual and combined essential oils were subjected to qualitative analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the chemical components present in EOs. Our results showed that the combination of Cit. hystrix and Cym. citratus at 1:1 ratio resulted in an antagonistic effect and the use of Cym. citratus alone is more toxic to R. (B.) microplus, making it a better alternative to chemical based acaricide.
  7. Jamalludin Z, Malik RA, Ung NM
    Phys Eng Sci Med, 2021 Sep;44(3):773-783.
    PMID: 34191272 DOI: 10.1007/s13246-021-01026-x
    Intracavitary cervical brachytherapy delivers high doses of radiation to the target tissue and a portion of these doses will also hit the rectal organs due to their close proximity. Rectal dose can be evaluated from dosimetric parameters in the treatment planning system (TPS) and in vivo (IV) dose measurement. This study analyzed the correlation between IV rectal dose with selected volume and point dose parameters from TPS. A total of 48 insertions were performed and IV dose was measured using the commercial PTW 9112 semiconductor diode probe. In 18 of 48 insertions, a single MOSkin detector was attached on the probe surface at 50 mm from the tip. Four rectal dosimetric parameters were retrospectively collected from TPS; (a) PTW 9112 diode maximum reported dose (RPmax) and MOSkin detector, (b) minimum dose to 2 cc (D2cc), (c) ICRU reference point (ICRUr), and (d) maximum dose from additional points (Rmax). The IV doses from both detectors were analyzed for correlation with these dosimetric parameters. This study found a significantly high correlation between IV measured dose from RPmax (r = 0.916) and MOSkin (r = 0.959) with TPS planned dose. The correlation between measured RPmax with both D2cc and Rmax revealed high correlation of r > 0.7, whereas moderate correlation (r = 0.525) was observed with ICRUr. There was no significant correlation between MOSkin IV measured dose with D2cc, ICRUr and Rmax. The non-significant correlation between parameters was ascribable to differences in both detector position within patients, and dosimetric volume and point location determined on TPS, rather than detector uncertainties.
  8. Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR
    Carbohydr Polym, 2018 Feb 01;181:1038-1051.
    PMID: 29253930 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.11.045
    Cellulose was extracted from sugar palm fibres (Arenga pinnata) by conducting delignification and mercerization treatments. Subsequently, sugar palm nanocrystalline celluloses (SPNCCs) were isolated from the extracted cellulose with 60wt% concentrated sulphuric acid. The chemical composition of sugar palm fibres were determined at different stages of treatment. Structural analysis was carried out by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Morphological analysis of extracted cellulose and isolated nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCs) was investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of sugar palm fibres at different stages of treatment was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that lignin and hemicellulose were removed from the extracted cellulose through the delignification and mercerization process, respectively. The isolated SPNCCs were found to have length and diameters of 130±30nm and 9±1.96nm, respectively.
  9. Kneebone GM, Kneebone R, Gibson RA
    Am J Clin Nutr, 1985 Apr;41(4):765-9.
    PMID: 3984928 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/41.4.765
    The fatty acid composition of samples of breast milk obtained from 51 mothers (26 Malay, 15 Chinese, 10 Indian) residing in Penang, Malaysia was determined by gas chromatography. Despite living in close physical proximity the mothers from the three racial groups showed distinct cultural differences in dietary intake. These differences were reflected in differences in the fatty acid composition of breast milk samples. The milk of Chinese mothers was generally less saturated (41%) than that of Malay and Indian mothers (52 and 50% respectively). The milk of Chinese mothers was also richer in linoleic acid (17%) than that of Malay and Indian mothers (9% and 11% respectively). Overall the level of individual fatty acids fell within the range of values reported for Western mothers on well nourished diets and pointed to breast milk of high standard despite large variations in the diet of Malaysian mothers.
  10. Maharani ND, Fuadi A, Halimi RA
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Nov;78(6):808-814.
    PMID: 38031225
    INTRODUCTION: Craniotomy tumour is brain surgery that can induce a stress response. The stress response can be measured using haemodynamic parameters and plasma cortisol concentration. The stress response that occurs can affect an increase in sympathetic response, such as blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure. Scalp block can reduce the stress response to surgery and post-operative craniotomy tumour pain. The local anaesthetic drug bupivacaine 0.25% is effective in reducing post-operative pain and stress in the form of reducing plasma cortisol levels. The adjuvant addition of clonidine 2 μg/kg or dexamethasone may be beneficial.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised control clinical trial was conducted at the Central Surgery Installation and Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung and Dr. Mohammad Husein Hospital Palembang from December 2022 to June 2023. A total of 40 participants were divided into two groups using block randomisation. Group I receives bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2 μg/kg, and group II receives bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg. The plasma cortisol levels of the patient will be assessed at (T0, T1 and T2). All the patient were intubated under general anesthaesia and received the drug for scalp block based on the group being randomised. Haemodynamic monitoring was carried out.

    RESULTS: There was a significant difference in administering bupivacaine 0.25% and clonidine 2μg/kg compared to administering bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8 mg/kg as analgesia for scalp block in tumour craniotomy patients on cortisol levels at 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.048) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.027), while post-intubation cortisol levels (T0) found no significant difference (p=0.756). There is a significant difference in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at post-intubation (T0) (p=0.003), 12 hours post-operatively (T1) (p=0.002) and 24 hours post-surgery (T2) (p=0.004), There were no postprocedure scalp block side effects in both groups.

    CONCLUSION: The study found that scalp block with 0.25% bupivacaine and 2μg/kg clonidine is more effective in reducing NRS scores and cortisol levels compared bupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 8mg in tumour craniotomy patients.

  11. Meramat A, Rajab NF, Shahar S, Sharif RA
    J Nutr Health Aging, 2017;21(5):539-545.
    PMID: 28448084 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-016-0759-1
    BACKGROUND: A cross sectional study was conducted in a group of 317 subjects older than 60 in Malaysia, aimed to determine risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in older adults, focusing on trace elements and DNA damage.

    METHOD: Cognitive decline was determined by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde-MDA and superoxide dismutase-SOD) were determined and DNA damage was assayed using Alkaline Comet Assay. Toenail samples were taken and analyzed using ICP-MS to determine trace element levels.

    RESULTS: A total of 62.1 % of subjects had cognitive impairment. Subjects with cognitive impairment had significantly higher levels of MDA and DNA damage as compared to the group with normal cognitive function; MDA (2.07 ± 0.05 nmol/L vs 1.85 ± 0.06 nmol/L) (p<0.05) and DNA damage (% Tail Density, 14.52 ± 0.32 vs 10.31 ± 0.42; Tail Moment, 1.79 ± 0.06 vs 1.28 ± 0.06) (p<0.05 for all parameters). However, the level of SOD among subjects with cognitive impairment (6.67 ± 0.33 u.e/min/mg protein) was lower than the level among those with normal cognitive functions (11.36 ± 0.65 u.e/min/mg protein) (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression revealed the predictors for cognitive impairment among the subjects were DNA damage (Adjusted odd ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.59), level of trace elements in toenails namely, lead (OR, 2.471; CI, 1.535-3.980) and copper (OR, 1.275; CI, 1.047-1.552) (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: High levels of lead and copper can lead to increase in oxidative stress levels and are associated with DNA damage that eventually could be associated with cognitive decline.

  12. Khan RA, Bakry MM, Islahudin F
    Indian J Pharm Sci, 2015 7 17;77(3):299-305.
    PMID: 26180275
    Inappropriate initial antibiotics for pneumonia infection are usually linked to extended intensive care unit stay and are associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study evaluates the impact of inappropriate initial antibiotics on the length of intensive care unit stay, risk of mortality and the co-predictors that influences these outcomes. This retrospective study was conducted in an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. The types of pneumonia investigated were hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Three different time points were defined as the initiation of appropriate antibiotics at 24 h, between 24 to 48 h and at more than 48 h after obtaining a culture. Patients had either hospital-acquired pneumonia (59.1%) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (40.9%). The length of intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 52 days (mean; 9.78±10.02 days). Patients who received appropriate antibiotic agent at 24 h had a significantly shorter length of intensive care unit stay (5.62 d, P<0.001). The co-predictors that contributed to an extended intensive care unit stay were the time of availability of susceptibility results and concomitant diseases, namely cancer and sepsis. The only predictor of intensive care unit death was cancer. The results support the need for early appropriate initial antibiotic therapy in hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia infections.
  13. Pennie RA, Malik AS, Wilcox L
    J Clin Microbiol, 1996 May;34(5):1275-6.
    PMID: 8727917
    A 6-year-old boy presented to a university hospital in Malaysia with infective endocarditis complicating cyanotic congenital heart disease. Blood cultures showed a gram-positive, aerobic, coryneform-like bacillus identified by the hospital laboratory as Corynebacterium xerosis, but a reference laboratory identified the organism as a toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The two laboratories concurred on all biochemical test results except for sucrose fermentation.
  14. Ab Rahman RA, Aziz A, Nik Adilah NO
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jul;79(4):429-435.
    PMID: 39086340
    INTRODUCTION: According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. The OSA-18 questionnaire is a short and self-administered questionnaire to assess paediatric patients' symptoms and quality of life with obstructive sleep apnoea.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study is conducted at the Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. The forward and backward translation of the OSA- 18 questionnaire into the Malay language (Malay OSA-18) was performed and tested for content and face validity. The questionnaire's internal validity and reliability were tested using Pearson's correlation, Cronbach α and inter-reliability coefficient tests. The psychometric properties (validity, reliability and reproducibility) were assessed.

    RESULTS: We observed 84 patients ranging from six months up to 12 years of age. The mean age was 8 years old, and 63.1% were male patients. Among the samples, 96.4% presented with palatine tonsillar enlargement, and 84.5% presented with adenoid tonsillar enlargement. Based on the questionnaire the patient's caregiver answered, Pearson's correlation demonstrated that all the symptom scales correlate and measure the same things. The Cronbach's α coefficient value for each symptom scale was acceptable, within 0.6-0.8. The total Cronbach's α coefficient value was 0.89. The test-retest evaluation was excellent, with the value of intraclass correlation (ICC) more than 0.90.

    CONCLUSION: The Malay version of the OSA-18 questionnaire is equivalent to the original English version. It is an effective tool to assess the paediatric OSA patient's symptoms and quality of life based on the obtained validity, reliability and reproducibility values. Therefore, it is recommended to be a screening tool in daily practice.

  15. Aszrin A, Azarisman SM, Jamaluddin RA, Tariq RA, Noriah NM
    Introduction: Prehypertension precedes overt hypertension and has been acknowledged by many guidelines. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. Hypertension prevalence is at 42.6% and population-based control is poor at 26.8%. The objective of the study is to ascertain the cardiovascular risk profile of prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive young adults against age-matched controls in rural Malaysia. Methods: 484 (four hundred and eighty four) subjects attending primary care clinic were screened. 91 (Ninety one) young adults with pre/mild hypertension and normotensive, agematched controls were enrolled. The blood pressure and biochemical profiles for both groups were assessed and compared. Results: Fifty-four subjects and 37 controls were enrolled. Amongst subjects, 46.3% had prehypertension and 53.7% had mild hypertension. Mean values compared to age-matched controls for MAP were 102.68 ± 7.48 vs 83.25 ± 6.08 mmHg (p< 0.001), LDL 3.75 ± 0.95 vs 3.32 ± 0.93 mmol/L (p=0.03), FBG 4.65 ± 0.54 vs 4.33 ± 0.42 mmol/L (p=0.03), BMI 28.81 ± 5.16 vs 24.12 ± 4.91 (p< 0.001). The mean BP was significantly associated with BMI, FBG, triglycerides, HDL and the TC/HDL ratio. Conclusions: Greater BMI, FBG, HDL, triglyceride levels and TC/HDL ratio characterised the young adults with pre/mild hypertension. The data suggests that hypertension in young adults is secondary to metabolic syndrome. © 2018, International Islamic University Malaysia.
  16. Pillay B, Gregory ARA, Subbiah M, Yap SK
    Family Physician, 1993;5:34-36.
    118 cases of cervical dysplasia were followed up by cytological smears for over 9 years to determine their biologic outcome. All grades of dysplasia showed evidence of regression and progression to more severe lesions, including carcinoma. Severe dysplasia however did not regress to normalcy and had the maximum conversion rates to malignancy. The period taken for transition to malignancy was found to be shorter than that generally described. Since even mild dysplasia carries with it a malignant potential, all patients with cervical dysplasia, irrespective of the grade, have to be followed up by repeated clinical and cytological examinations.
  17. Rosma, A., Afiza, T. S., Wan Nadiah, W. A., Liong, M. T., Gulam, R. R. A.
    MyJurnal
    Unprocessed ‘budu’ is a mixture of anchovies and salt that has been fermented for a period of time, and has not been heat-treated nor formulated with additional ingredients. This study analyzed Malaysian
    unprocessed ‘budu’ from 12 producers for microbiological, salt, protein, histamine and 3-MCPD contents.
    The results demonstrated that Malaysian unprocessed ‘budu’ were free from pathogenic Coliform, E. coli,
    V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae contaminations. Carcinogenic 3-MCPD was below detection level of 2 ppb for all 12 samples tested. However, 58% of the unprocessed ‘budu’ had histamine content greater than the hazardous levels of 50 mg/100 g sample.
  18. Haj Najafi, A., Yusof, Y. A., Rahman, R. A., Ganjloo, A., Ling, C. N.
    MyJurnal
    In the current research, osmotic dehydration of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizusis) cubes using sucrose solution at mild temperature (35ºC) was investigated. Sucrose solution (40, 50 and 60% w/w) was employed for osmotic dehydration process. Responses of weight reduction (WR), solid gain (SG), water loss (WL), color (L*, a* and b*) and texture (hardness) were evaluated. It was found that sucrose concentration significantly (p < 0.05) affected the mass transfer terms during osmosis process. The results obtained revealed an increase in yellowness (b*), decrease in lightness (L*) and redness (a*) as the sucrose concentration increased. Furthermore, osmotically dehydrated samples were considerably softer than untreated samples. Increasing of sucrose concentration and dehydration time caused softer tissue of dehydrated product compared with the fresh red pitaya.
  19. Rashidi, M. N., Begum, R. A., Mokhtar, M., Pereira, J. J.
    MyJurnal
    Malaysia is experiencing an encouraging socio-economic development, especially in its
    quest towards Vision 2020 and achieving the status as a developed country. The success can be
    attributed to the government’s efforts and commitment in developing projects, which include the
    construction of new townships and public infrastructures. Through the implementation of
    Environmental Management Plan (EMP) during the construction phase, the government has taken
    great efforts and initiatives to ensure that construction projects are well-developed in a sustainable
    manner. Unfortunately, these rapid physical developments affect and pollute the surrounding
    environment, even though EMP is implemented at the construction site. The effectiveness of
    sustainable construction methods in the plan has been found to be very limited in the actual industrial
    practice. Hence, this paper aims to determine the important criteria needed to be incorporated into
    EMP in enhancing and ensuring its effectiveness in managing environmental aspects during the
    construction stage.
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