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Fulltext Suppression of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and virulence by a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162

Kong C, Chee CF, Richter K, Thomas N, Abd Rahman N, Nathan S

Sci Rep, 2018 02 09;8(1):2758.
PMID: 29426873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21141-2

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections and secretes a diverse spectrum of virulence determinants as well as forms biofilm. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus highlights the need for alternative forms of therapeutics other than conventional antibiotics. One route to meet this need is screening small molecule derivatives for potential anti-infective activity. Using a previously optimized C. elegans - S. aureus small molecule screen, we identified a benzimidazole derivative, UM-C162, which rescued nematodes from a S. aureus infection. UM-C162 prevented the formation of biofilm in a dose-dependent manner without interfering with bacterial viability. To examine the effect of UM-C162 on the expression of S. aureus virulence genes, a genome-wide transcriptome analysis was performed on UM-C162-treated pathogen. Our data indicated that the genes associated with biofilm formation, particularly those involved in bacterial attachment, were suppressed in UM-C162-treated bacteria. Additionally, a set of genes encoding vital S. aureus virulence factors were also down-regulated in the presence of UM-C162. Further biochemical analysis validated that UM-C162-mediated disruption of S. aureus hemolysins, proteases and clumping factors production. Collectively, our findings propose that UM-C162 is a promising compound that can be further developed as an anti-virulence agent to control S. aureus infections.
Fulltext Production of single cell oil by Yarrowia lipolytica JCM 2320 using detoxified desiccated coconut residue hydrolysate

Zainuddin MF, Kar Fai C, Mohamed MS, Abdul Rahman N', Halim M

PeerJ, 2022;10:e12833.
PMID: 35251776 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12833

Nowadays, the replacement of petro-diesel with biodiesel has raised the concern among the community for the utilization of improper feedstocks and the cost involved. However, these issues can be solved by producing single cell oil (SCO) from lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates by oleaginous microorganisms. This study introduced Yarrowia lipolytica JCM 2320 with a desiccated coconut residue (DCR) hydrolysate (obtained from the 2% dilute sulphuric acid pretreatment) as a carbon source in generating SCO. However, common inhibitors formed during acid pretreatment of biomass such as five-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, acetic acid and levulinic acid resulting from the sugar degradations may have detrimental effects towards the fermentation process. To visualize the effect of inhibitors on Y. lipolytica, an inhibitory study was conducted by adding 0.5-5.0 g/L of potential inhibitors to the YPD (yeast, peptone and D-glucose) medium. It was found that the presence of furfural at 0.5 g/L would increase the lag phase, which beyond that was detrimental to Y. lipolytica. Furthermore, increasing the five-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentration would increase the lag phase of Y. lipolytica, whereas, for acetic acid and levulinic acid, it showed a negligible effect. Detoxification was hence conducted to remove the potential inhibitors from the DCR hydrolysate prior its utilization in the fermentation. To examine the possibility of using adsorption resins for the detoxification of DCR hydrolysate, five different resins were tested (Amberlite® XAD-4, Amberlite® XAD-7, Amberlite® IR 120, Amberlite® IRA 96 and Amberlite® IRA 402) with five different concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, 10% and 15% (w/v), respectively. At resin concentration of 10%, Amberlite® XAD-4 recorded the highest SCO yield, 2.90 ± 0.02 g/L, whereas the control and the conventional overliming detoxification method, recorded only 1.29 ± 0.01 g/L and 1.27 ± 0.02 g/L SCO accumulation, respectively. Moreover, the fatty acid profile of the oil produced was rich in oleic acid (33.60%), linoleic acid (9.90%), and palmitic acid (14.90%), which indicates the potential as a good biodiesel raw material.
Fulltext Measuring Pro-Environmental Behavior Triggered by Environmental Values

Ahmat Zainuri N, Abd-Rahman N, Halim L, Chan MY, Mohd Bazari NN

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Nov 30;19(23).
PMID: 36498088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316013

Pro-environmental behavior in addressing climate change is influenced by multi-dimensional factors-knowledge, values, intention and sociodemographic background. Correlational studies between environmental values and environmental behaviors have not been able to determine values or behaviors that need to be given priority in future interventions. Therefore, this study firstly determined the environmental values and pro-environmental behavior that are easy or difficult to embrace by 152 respondents with low socioeconomic background. Secondly, we identified the extent pro-environmental behavior is triggered by environmental values. This survey study employs the Rasch analysis model. The respondents had difficulty in associating themselves with biospheric values however readily demonstrated consideration toward altruistic values, especially related to concerns for future generations. In terms of environmental conservation behavior, the respondents were not willing to relinquish comfort easily, such as giving up self-driving and taking public transportation or reducing usage of electricity. In addition, adults of low socioeconomic background find it difficult to endorse statements such as getting involved in campaigns related to environmental conservation. Thus, younger family members must be educated about conservation behaviors such as environmental campaigns commonly offered at schools, and these youngsters can be encouraged to extend their role by educating their parents.
Fulltext Effects of blanching and pickling process on the alcohol acyltransferase (AAT) activity, myristicin content and quality parameters of pickled nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

Rahman N, Mahmood K, Kamilah H, Sulaiman S, Ibrahim M, Ariffin F

J Food Sci Technol, 2022 Feb;59(2):542-551.
PMID: 35153307 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-021-05038-z

Myristicin, a potential toxicant, is a major ester present in the pericarp of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and alcohol acyltransferase (AAT) is responsible for its generation. The objective of the study was firstly to estimate the effect of blanching and pickling process on the inactivation of AAT and production of myristicin in nutmeg pericarp. Secondly, the effect of pickling process on the physical, microbial, antioxidant and sensory properties of nutmeg was evaluated. The nutmeg fruit pericarp was water-blanched for 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9 min. The increased blanching time significantly (p
Helicobacter pylori eradication with short-term therapy leads to duodenal ulcer healing without the need for continued acid suppression therapy

Goh KL, Navaratnam P, Peh SC, Wong NW, Chuah SY, Rahman NA, et al.

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1996 May;8(5):421-3.
PMID: 8804868

To determine whether duodenal ulcers continue to heal following successful Helicobacter pylori eradication with short-term eradication therapy without further acid suppression therapy.
Selection of inactivation medium for fungal spores in clinical wastes by supercritical carbon dioxide

Noman E, Norulaini Nik Ab Rahman N, Al-Gheethi A, Nagao H, Talip BA, Ab Kadir O

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Aug;25(22):21682-21692.
PMID: 29785605 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2335-1

The present study aimed to select the best medium for inactivation of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus spp. in section Nigri, A. niger, A. terreus var. terreus, A. tubingensis, Penicillium waksmanii, P. simplicissimum, and Aspergillus sp. strain no. 145 spores in clinical wastes by using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). There were three types of solutions used including normal saline, seawater, distilled water, and physiological saline with 1% of methanol; each solution was tested at 5, 10, and 20 mL of the water contents. The experiments were conducted at the optimum operating parameters of supercritical carbon dioxide (30 MPa, 75 °C, 90 min). The results showed that the inactivation rate was more effective in distilled water with the presence of 1% methanol (6 log reductions). Meanwhile, the seawater decreases inactivation rate more than normal saline (4.5 vs. 5.1 log reduction). On the other hand, the experiments performed with different volumes of distilled water (5, 10, and 20 mL) indicated that A. niger spores were completely inactivated with 10 mL of distilled water. The inactivation rate of fungal spores decreased from 6 to 4.5 log as the amount of distilled water increased from 10 to 20 mL. The analysis for the spore morphology of A. fumigatus and Aspergillus spp. in section Nigri using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has revealed the role of temperature and pressure in the SC-CO2 in the destruction of the cell walls of the spores. It can be concluded that the distilled water represent the best medium for inactivation of fungal spores in the clinical solid wastes by SC-CO2.
Fulltext Estimation of soil erodibility in Peninsular Malaysia: A case study using multiple linear regression and artificial neural networks

Rehman MA, Abd Rahman N, Ibrahim ANH, Kamal NA, Ahmad A

Heliyon, 2024 Apr 15;10(7):e28854.
PMID: 38576554 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28854

Soil erodibility (K) is an essential component in estimating soil loss indicating the soil's susceptibility to detach and transport. Data Computing and processing methods, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multiple linear regression (MLR), have proven to be helpful in the development of predictive models for natural hazards. The present case study aims to assess the efficiency of MLR and ANN models to forecast soil erodibility in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 103 samples were collected from various sites and K values were calculated using the Tew equation developed for Malaysian soil. From several extracted parameters, the outcomes of correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the influencing factors to be used in the development of ANN and MLR models. Based on the correlation and PCA results, two sets of influencing factors were employed to develop predictive models. Two MLR (MLR-1 and MLR-2) models and four neural networks (NN-1, NN-2, NN-3, and NN-4) optimized using Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) and scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) were developed and evaluated. The model performance validation was conducted using the coefficient of determination (R2), mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE). The analysis showed that ANN models outperformed MLR models. The R2 values of 0.446 (MLR-1), 0.430 (MLR-2), 0.894 (NN-1), 0.855 (NN-2), 0.940 (NN-3), and 0.826 (NN-4); MSE values of 0.0000306 (MLR-1), 0.0000315 (MLR-2), 0.0000158 (NN-1), 0.0000261 (NN-2), 0.0000318 (NN-3), and 0.0000216 (NN-4) suggested the higher accuracy and lower modelling error of ANN models as compared with MLR. This study could provide an empirical basis and methodological support for K factor estimation in the region.
Fulltext Investigating a hybrid extreme learning machine coupled with Dingo Optimization Algorithm for modeling liquefaction triggering in sand-silt mixtures

Hameed MM, Masood A, Srivastava A, Abd Rahman N, Mohd Razali SF, Salem A, et al.

Sci Rep, 2024 May 11;14(1):10799.
PMID: 38734717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61059-6

Liquefaction is a devastating consequence of earthquakes that occurs in loose, saturated soil deposits, resulting in catastrophic ground failure. Accurate prediction of such geotechnical parameter is crucial for mitigating hazards, assessing risks, and advancing geotechnical engineering. This study introduces a novel predictive model that combines Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) with Dingo Optimization Algorithm (DOA) to estimate strain energy-based liquefaction resistance. The hybrid model (ELM-DOA) is compared with the classical ELM, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System with Fuzzy C-Means (ANFIS-FCM model), and Sub-clustering (ANFIS-Sub model). Also, two data pre-processing scenarios are employed, namely traditional linear and non-linear normalization. The results demonstrate that non-linear normalization significantly enhances the prediction performance of all models by approximately 25% compared to linear normalization. Furthermore, the ELM-DOA model achieves the most accurate predictions, exhibiting the lowest root mean square error (484.286 J/m3), mean absolute percentage error (24.900%), mean absolute error (404.416 J/m3), and the highest correlation of determination (0.935). Additionally, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been developed, specifically tailored for the ELM-DOA model, to assist engineers and researchers in maximizing the utilization of this predictive model. The GUI provides a user-friendly platform for easy input of data and accessing the model's predictions, enhancing its practical applicability. Overall, the results strongly support the proposed hybrid model with GUI serving as an effective tool for assessing soil liquefaction resistance in geotechnical engineering, aiding in predicting and mitigating liquefaction hazards.
Fulltext The Enigma of Crohn's Disease: A Case Report

Azmi N, Tiew Toot Chaw W, Abdul Rahman N, Zaihan S, Ahmad Kammal WSE

Cureus, 2024 Mar;16(3):e55993.
PMID: 38606263 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55993

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract, often leading to persistent inflammation in various parts, notably the terminal ileum and colon. Clinical manifestations of CD can become complex due to complications like strictures, fistulas, and perianal abscesses. The disease typically exhibits transmural inflammation and skip lesions, where unaffected areas alternate with affected ones. Treatment goals focus on achieving disease remission and preventing complications that may require surgical intervention. Surgery becomes crucial in managing complications such as Crohn's strictures and perforations. Here, we describe a challenging case involving a young woman who underwent surgery for abdominal abscess and with Crohn's stricture and fistula.
Fulltext Determining food safety in canned food using fuzzy logic based on sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid and sorbic acid concentration

Mavani NR, Mohd Ali J, Hussain MA, Abd Rahman N, Hashim H

Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e26273.
PMID: 38384537 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26273

Canned food market demand has arisen due to the higher need for instant and ready-to-eat food. Food preservatives are often added to canned and processed foods to prolong their shelf life and help to sustain the quality, taste, color, and food texture. However, excessive usage of such food preservatives can lead to various diseases and health issues including palpitations, allergies, and cancer. Therefore, food preservative detection in food samples is essential for safe consumption and health well-being. This paper proposed a fuzzy logic framework to determine the safety of food products based on the concentration of sulphur dioxide (SD), benzoic acid (BA), and sorbic acid (SA) in five different food categories as referred to the Food Acts 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 in Malaysia. The fuzzy logic framework comprises of Mamdani inference system design with 90 fuzzy rules, 15 and 5 membership functions for both the input and output parameters respectively. 50 random values and 10 lab analysis results based on the industrial samples were used to validate the developed algorithms in ensuring the safety of the food products. The membership functions generated for the three inputs (SD, BA, and SA) during the fuzzification steps are based on the maximum allowable limit from the food acts. The defuzzification of fuzzy logic gave an average output value of 0.1565, 0.1350, 0.1150, 0.1100, and 0.1550 for chicken curry with potatoes, satay sauce, sardine in tomato sauce, anchovies paste, and sardine spread accordingly. Results obtained from the fuzzy logic framework concluded that all the industrial samples are safe to be eaten and comply with the Sixth Schedule, Regulation 20 in both Acts.
Fulltext Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of COVID-19 cases in Johor

Foo FY, Abdul Rahman N, Shaik Abdullah FZ, Abd Naeeim NS

Infect Dis Model, 2024 Jun;9(2):387-396.
PMID: 38385018 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2024.01.009

At the end of the year 2019, a virus named SARS-CoV-2 induced the coronavirus disease, which is very contagious and quickly spread around the world. This new infectious disease is called COVID-19. Numerous areas, such as the economy, social services, education, and healthcare system, have suffered grave consequences from the invasion of this deadly virus. Thus, a thorough understanding of the spread of COVID-19 is required in order to deal with this outbreak before it becomes an infectious disaster. In this research, the daily reported COVID-19 cases in 92 sub-districts in Johor state, Malaysia, as well as the population size associated to each sub-district, are used to study the propagation of COVID-19 disease across space and time in Johor. The time frame of this research is about 190 days, which started from August 5, 2021, until February 10, 2022. The clustering technique known as spatio-temporal clustering, which considers the spatio-temporal metric was adapted to determine the hot-spot areas of the COVID-19 disease in Johor at the sub-district level. The results indicated that COVID-19 disease does spike in the dynamic populated sub-districts such as the state's economic centre (Bandar Johor Bahru), and during the festive season. These findings empirically prove that the transmission rate of COVID-19 is directly proportional to human mobility and the presence of holidays. On the other hand, the result of this study will help the authority in charge in stopping and preventing COVID-19 from spreading and become worsen at the national level.
Fulltext Determination of the Use of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium freudenreichii Application on Fermentation Profile and Chemical Composition of Corn Silage

Abdul Rahman N, Abd Halim MR, Mahawi N, Hasnudin H, Al-Obaidi JR, Abdullah N

Biomed Res Int, 2017;2017:2038062.
PMID: 28503566 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2038062

Corn was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii either independently or as a mixture at ensiling, in order to determine the effect of bacterial additives on corn silage quality. Grain corn was harvested at 32-37% of dry matter and ensiled in a 4 L laboratory silo. Forage was treated as follows: bacterial types: B0 (without bacteria-control), B1 (L. plantarum), B2 (P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii), and B3 (combination of L. plantarum and P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii). Each 2 kg of chopped forage was treated with 10 mL of bacterial culture and allowed to ferment for 27 days. The first experiment determined the most suitable wavelength for detection of bacteria (490 nm and 419 nm for B1 and B2, resp.) and the preferable inoculation size (1 × 105 cfu/g). The second experiment analysed the effect of B1 and B2 applied singly or as a mixture on the fermentation characteristics and quality of corn silage. L. plantarum alone increased crude protein (CP) and reduced pH rapidly. In a mixture with P. freudenreichii, the final pH was the lowest compared to other treatments. As a mixture, inclusion of bacteria resulted in silage with lower digestibility than control. Corn silage treated with L. plantarum or P. freudenreichii either alone or mixed together produced desirable silage properties; however, this was not significantly better than untreated silage.
Fulltext Synthesis and Conductivity Studies of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) by Co-Polymerization and Blending with Polyaniline (PANi)

Abu Hassan Shaari H, Ramli MM, Mohtar MN, Abdul Rahman N, Ahmad A

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Jun 11;13(12).
PMID: 34207932 DOI: 10.3390/polym13121939

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a lightweight insulating polymer that possesses good mechanical stability. On the other hand, polyaniline (PANi) is one of the most favorable conducting materials to be used, as it is easily synthesized, cost-effective, and has good conductivity. However, most organic solvents have restricted potential applications due to poor mechanical properties and dispersibility. Compared to PANi, PMMA has more outstanding physical and chemical properties, such as good dimensional stability and better molecular interactions between the monomers. To date, many research studies have focused on incorporating PANi into PMMA. In this review, the properties and suitability of PANi as a conducting material are briefly reviewed. The major parts of this paper reviewed different approaches to incorporating PANi into PMMA, as well as evaluating the modifications to improve its conductivity. Finally, the polymerization condition to prepare PMMA/PANi copolymer to improve its conductivity is also discussed.
Fulltext Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by cell-biomass and supernatant of Lactobacillus plantarum TA4 and its antibacterial and biocompatibility properties

Mohd Yusof H, Abdul Rahman N, Mohamad R, Zaidan UH, Samsudin AA

Sci Rep, 2020 Nov 17;10(1):19996.
PMID: 33204003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76402-w

This study aims to utilize the cell-biomass (CB) and supernatant (CFS) of zinc-tolerant Lactobacillus plantarum TA4 as a prospective nanofactory to synthesize ZnO NPs. The surface plasmon resonance for the biosynthesized ZnO NPs-CFS and ZnO NPs-CB was 349 nm and 351 nm, respectively, thereby confirming the formation of ZnO NPs. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of proteins, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups on the surfaces of both the biosynthesized ZnO NPs that act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The DLS analysis revealed that the poly-dispersity indexes was less than 0.4 for both ZnO NPs. In addition, the HR-TEM micrographs of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs revealed a flower-like pattern for ZnO NPs-CFS and an irregular shape for ZnO NPs-CB with particles size of 291.1 and 191.8 nm, respectively. In this study, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs exhibited antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner and showed biocompatibility with the Vero cell line at specific concentrations. Overall, CFS and CB of L. plantarum TA4 can potentially be used as a nanofactory for the biological synthesis of ZnO NPs.
Fulltext A Rare Incidence of Splenic Artery Aneurysm and Hypersplenism

M Azmi N, Safri LS, Abdul Rahman N, Dualim DM, Chandrakanthan S

Cureus, 2024 Feb;16(2):e54280.
PMID: 38371434 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54280

A 31-year-old woman with Child's B liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and splenomegaly presented with a one-month history of abdominal pain. A physical examination confirmed splenomegaly. A blood investigation revealed a low white blood cell (WBC) and platelet count. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a splenic artery aneurysm at the distal splenic artery measuring 3.4 x 3.4 x 4.3 cm (AP x W x CC) with thrombus and splenic infarction. A successful angiographic embolisation was performed without immediate complications. The abdominal pain symptoms resolved, leading to the patient's discharge from the ward on the third day post-embolisation. Follow-up at the surgical outpatient clinic indicated the patient remained asymptomatic, and repeated blood counts showed improvement in both WBC and platelet counts. Furthermore, follow-up CT scans demonstrated a reduction in spleen size, indicating positive outcomes and a favourable response to the intervention.
Myocarditis/pericarditis following vaccination with BNT162b2, CoronaVac, and ChAdOx1 among adolescent and adult in Malaysia

Ab Rahman N, Lim MT, Lee FY, Anak Jam EB, Peariasamy KM, Sivasampu S, et al.

Vaccine X, 2023 Aug;14:100303.
PMID: 37091730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100303

This study evaluates 21-day risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination among those aged 12 years and older in Malaysia. We used data from nationwide COVID-19 vaccine registry linked to hospital episode database to identify individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2, CoronaVac, or ChAdOx1 and hospitalised for myocarditis/pericarditis between 1 February 2021 and 28 February 2022. There were 87 myocarditis/pericarditis cases identified within 1-21 days after vaccination. Most cases were reported following BNT16262 vaccination (77.0%) with absolute risk of 0.33 cases/100,000 vaccinated persons or 1.73 per million doses administered. Highest risk was observed following second dose and in younger, male individuals. The risk of myocarditis/pericarditis following CoronaVac and ChAdOx1 were much lower compared to BNT162b2. The findings on higher risk observed among younger following mRNA vaccine were consistent with literature and important for targeted surveillance.
The use of an In House Scoring System Scale versus Glasgow Coma Scale in non-traumatic altered states of consciousness patients: can it be used for triaging patients in Southeast Asian developing countries?

Maheswaran M, Adnan WA, Ahmad R, Ab Rahman NH, Naing NN, Abdullah J

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2007 Nov;38(6):1126-40.
PMID: 18613557

Non-traumatic Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) are a non-specific consequence of various etiologies, and are normally monitored by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS gives varriable results among untrained emergency medicine personel in developing countries where English is not the first language. An In House Scoring System (IHSS) scale was made by the first author for the purpose of triaging so as to quickly asses patients when seen by medical personel. This IHSS scale was compared to the GCS to determine it's specificity and sensitivity in the accident and emergency department (ED) of Hospital University Sains Malaysia (HUSM). All patients with non-traumatic ASC were selected by purposive sampling according to pre-determined criteria. Patients were evaluated by the two systems, IHSS and GCS, by emergency physicians who were on call. Patient demographics, clinical features, investigations, treatment given and outcomes were collected and followed for a period of 14 days. A total of 221 patients with non-traumatic ASC were studied, 54.3% were males. The mean age of the patients was 56 years old. The mean overall GCS score on presentation to the ED was 10.3. The mean duration of ASC was 11.6 hours. One hundred thirty patients (58.8%) experienced ASC secondary to general or focal cerebral disorders. The mortality rate was 40.3% 2 weeks after the ED visit. Fifty-four point three percent of the patients were awake and considered to have good outcomes while 45.7% of the patients had poor outcomes (comatose or dead) 2 weeks after the ED visit. The mean overall GCS score, verbal and motor subscores as well as the IHSS had significantly decreased (worsened) after treatment in the ED. A poor IHSS scale, hypertension, current smoking, abnormal pupillary reflexes and acidosis were associated with a worse 2-week outcome. The mean age and WBC count was lower and the mean overall GCS score and eye, verbal and motor subscores were higher as well as those having a lower IHSS scale for the good outcome category. Multivariate analysis revealed that smokers and hypertensives were at higher risk for a poor outcome. Higher eye scores on the GCS were associated fewer poor outcomes. There was significant agreement between the IHSS scale and GCS scores in the assessment of non-traumatic ASC. The sensitivity and specificity of the IHSS score versus GCS were 71.9% and 100.0%, respectively.
Fulltext Dental anomalies and facial profile abnormality of the non-syndromic cleft lip and palate children in Kelantan

Abd Rahman N, Abdullah N, Samsudin AR, Naing Mohd Ayub Sadiq L

Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jul;11(2):41-51.
PMID: 22973126

This study was done to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies and facial profile abnormality and its association with the non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) as compared to the non-cleft children. A comparative cross sectional study was conducted where the case group consist of 98 non-syndromic CLP children-unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) who attended the Combined Clinic at Kota Bharu Dental Clinic (KBDC) while the comparison group comprised of 109 non-cleft children who attended the outpatient clinic at KBDC. Their ages were between 3 to 12 years old. Clinical oral and facial profile examinations were carried out to look for dental anomalies (morphology, number and alignment of teeth) and facial profile abnormality. The prevalence of anomalies in morphology of teeth in CLP (24.5%) and non-cleft (10.1%), number of teeth in CLP (44.9%) and non-cleft (7.3%), mal-alignment in CLP (79.6%) and non-cleft (27.5%) and facial profile abnormality in CLP (26.5%) and non-cleft (9.1 %). There was a significant association between CLP and anomalies in morphology, number, mal-alignment and abnormality in facial profile; (p < 0.05). Therefore, there was a high prevalence and risk of dental anomalies and facial profile abnormality in the CLP children compared to the non-cleft children.
Fulltext Bitter Gourd Honey Ameliorates Hepatic and Renal Diabetic Complications on Type 2 Diabetes Rat Models by Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms

Arigela CS, Nelli G, Gan SH, Sirajudeen KNS, Krishnan K, Abdul Rahman N, et al.

Foods, 2021 Nov 20;10(11).
PMID: 34829154 DOI: 10.3390/foods10112872

Honey has several pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic activity. However, the effectiveness of bitter gourd honey (BGH) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties of BGH on the kidney and liver of a streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model.
METHODS: A single dose (nicotinamide 110 mg/kg, streptozotocin (STZ) 55 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) was used to induce DM in male rats. For 28 days, normal or diabetic rats were administered 1 g/kg/day and 2 g/kg/day of BGH orally. After the treatment, blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected and analysed for biochemical, histological, and molecular parameters. In addition, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify the major bioactive components in BGH.
RESULTS: The administration of BGH to diabetic rats resulted in significant reductions in alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and urea levels. Diabetic rats treated with BGH showed lesser pathophysiological alterations in the liver and kidney as compared to non-treated control rats. BGH-treated diabetic rats exhibited reduced levels of oxidative stress (MDA levels), inflammatory (MYD88, NFKB, p-NFKB, IKKβ), and apoptotic (caspase-3) markers, as well as higher levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in the liver and kidney. BGH contains many bioactive compounds that may have antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.
CONCLUSION: BGH protected the liver and kidney in diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis-induced damage. As a result, BGH can be used as a potential therapy to ameliorate diabetic complications.
Fulltext Evaluation of the current bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in chronic suppurative otitis media

Wan Draman WNA, Md Daud MK, Mohamad H, Hassan SA, Abd Rahman N

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 2021 Dec;6(6):1300-1306.
PMID: 34938866 DOI: 10.1002/lio2.682

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current microbiological profile of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), their antimicrobial sensitivity, their resistance pattern to locally available antibiotics and the appropriate antibiotic against isolated microorganisms causing CSOM.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 91 ear swab specimens obtained from patients clinically diagnosed with active CSOM. Swabs were cultured for microbial identification according to a standard protocol. We performed antibiotic susceptibility testing, using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the diameter of the inhibition zone was interpreted based Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.
RESULTS: Microbial growth was seen in 85 (93.4%) samples, but 6 (6.6%) samples had no growth. Among the samples with growth, 63 (69.2%) were monomicrobial, 13 (14.3%) were polymicrobial, and 9 (9.9%) were of mixed growth with more than three microorganisms. The most common bacteria isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32.6%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.9%) and Klebsiella spp. (5.6%). The most sensitive antibiotics against P aeruginosa were ceftazidime, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, and cefepime. S aureus showed the highest sensitivity toward rifampin, cefoxitin, and fusidic acid.
CONCLUSIONS: The bacteriological profile of CSOM showed a high prevalence of P aeruginosa, followed by S aureus and Klebsiella spp. with different distributions in different age groups. We observed a declining pattern of their antibiotic sensitivity. It is important to be aware of the current trend of the bacteriological profiles and to revise the antibiotic regime according to both the sensitivity and age groups.Level of Evidence: NA.

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