Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 176 in total

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  1. Nanocrystalline forsterite for biomedical applications: synthesis, microstructure and mechanical properties
    Ramesh S, Yaghoubi A, Lee KY, Chin KM, Purbolaksono J, Hamdi M, et al.
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2013 Sep;25:63-9.
    PMID: 23726923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.05.008
    Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) because of its exceptionally high fracture toughness which is close to that of cortical bones has been nominated as a possible successor to calcium phosphate bioceramics. Recent in vitro studies also suggest that forsterite possesses good bioactivity and promotes osteoblast proliferation as well as adhesion. However studies on preparation and sinterability of nanocrystalline forsterite remain scarce. In this work, we use a solid-state reaction with magnesium oxide (MgO) and talc (Mg3Si4(OH)2) as the starting precursors to synthesize forsterite. A systematic investigation was carried out to elucidate the effect of preparatory procedures including heat treatment, mixing methods and sintering temperature on development of microstructures as well as the mechanical properties of the sintered forsterite body.
  2. Fulltext Nanoscale Diblock copolymer micelles: characterizations and estimation of the effective diffusion coefficients of biomolecules release through cylindrical diffusion model
    Amjad MW, Mohd Amin MC, Mahali SM, Katas H, Ismail I, Hassan MN, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(8):e105234.
    PMID: 25133390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105234
    Biomolecules have been widely investigated as potential therapeutics for various diseases. However their use is limited due to rapid degradation and poor cellular uptake in vitro and in vivo. To address this issue, we synthesized a new nano-carrier system comprising of cholic acid-polyethylenimine (CA-PEI) copolymer micelles, via carbodiimide-mediated coupling for the efficient delivery of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model protein. The mean particle size of siRNA- or BSA-loaded CA-PEI micelles ranged from 100-150 nm, with zeta potentials of +3-+11 mV, respectively. Atomic force, transmission electron and field emission scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the micelles exhibited excellent spherical morphology. No significant morphology or size changes were observed in the CA-PEI micelles after siRNA and BSA loading. CA-PEI micelles exhibited sustained release profile, the effective diffusion coefficients were successfully estimated using a mathematically-derived cylindrical diffusion model and the release data of siRNA and BSA closely fitted into this model. High siRNA and BSA binding and loading efficiencies (95% and 70%, respectively) were observed for CA-PEI micelles. Stability studies demonstrated that siRNA and BSA integrity was maintained after loading and release. The CA-PEI micelles were non cytotoxic to V79 and DLD-1 cells, as shown by alamarBlue and LIVE/DEAD cell viability assays. RT-PCR study revealed that siRNA-loaded CA-PEI micelles suppressed the mRNA for ABCB1 gene. These results revealed the promising potential of CA-PEI micelles as a stable, safe, and versatile nano-carrier for siRNA and the model protein delivery.
  3. Fulltext Novel Bi-heterocycles as Potent Inhibitors of Urease and Less Cytotoxic Agents: 3-({5-((2-Amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}sulfanyl)-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)propanamides
    Abbasi MA, Ramzan MS, Ur-Rehman A, Siddiqui SZ, Hassan M, Ali Shah SA, et al.
    Iran J Pharm Res, 2020;19(1):487-506.
    PMID: 32922502 DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2019.13084.11362
    The synthesis of a novel series of bi-heterocyclic propanamides, 7a-l, was accomplished by S-substitution of 5-[(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol (3). The synthesis was initiated from ethyl 2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetate (1) which was converted to corresponding hydrazide, 2, by hydrazine hydrate in methanol. The refluxing of hydrazide, 2, with carbon disulfide in basic medium, resulted in 5-[(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol (3). A series of electrophiles, 6a-l, was synthesized by stirring un/substituted anilines (4a-l) with 3-bromopropanoyl chloride (5) in a basic aqueous medium. Finally, the targeted compounds, 7a-l, were acquired by stirring 3 with newly synthesized electrophiles, 6a-l, in DMF using LiH as a base and an activator. The structures of these bi-heterocyclic propanamides were confirmed through spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EI-MS. These molecules were tested for their urease inhibitory potential, whereby, the whole series exhibited very promising activity against this enzyme. Their cytotoxic behavior was ascertained through hemolysis and it was observed that all these were less cytotoxic agents. The in-silico molecular docking analysis of these molecules was also in full agreement with their in-vitro enzyme inhibition data.
  4. Fulltext Novel NAD+-Farnesal Dehydrogenase from Polygonum minus Leaves. Purification and Characterization of Enzyme in Juvenile Hormone III Biosynthetic Pathway in Plant
    Seman-Kamarulzaman AF, Mohamed-Hussein ZA, Ng CL, Hassan M
    PLoS One, 2016;11(8):e0161707.
    PMID: 27560927 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161707
    Juvenile Hormone III is of great concern due to negative effects on major developmental and reproductive maturation in insect pests. Thus, the elucidation of enzymes involved JH III biosynthetic pathway has become increasing important in recent years. One of the enzymes in the JH III biosynthetic pathway that remains to be isolated and characterized is farnesal dehydrogenase, an enzyme responsible to catalyze the oxidation of farnesal into farnesoic acid. A novel NAD+-farnesal dehydrogenase of Polygonum minus was purified (315-fold) to apparent homogeneity in five chromatographic steps. The purification procedures included Gigacap S-Toyopearl 650M, Gigacap Q-Toyopearl 650M, and AF-Blue Toyopearl 650ML, followed by TSK Gel G3000SW chromatographies. The enzyme, with isoelectric point of 6.6 is a monomeric enzyme with a molecular mass of 70 kDa. The enzyme was relatively active at 40°C, but was rapidly inactivated above 45°C. The optimal temperature and pH of the enzyme were found to be 35°C and 9.5, respectively. The enzyme activity was inhibited by sulfhydryl agent, chelating agent, and metal ion. The enzyme was highly specific for farnesal and NAD+. Other terpene aldehydes such as trans- cinnamaldehyde, citral and α- methyl cinnamaldehyde were also oxidized but in lower activity. The Km values for farnesal, citral, trans- cinnamaldehyde, α- methyl cinnamaldehyde and NAD+ were 0.13, 0.69, 0.86, 1.28 and 0.31 mM, respectively. The putative P. minus farnesal dehydrogenase that's highly specific towards farnesal but not to aliphatic aldehydes substrates suggested that the enzyme is significantly different from other aldehyde dehydrogenases that have been reported. The MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS/MS spectrometry further identified two peptides that share similarity to those of previously reported aldehyde dehydrogenases. In conclusion, the P. minus farnesal dehydrogenase may represent a novel plant farnesal dehydrogenase that exhibits distinctive substrate specificity towards farnesal. Thus, it was suggested that this novel enzyme may be functioning specifically to oxidize farnesal in the later steps of JH III pathway. This report provides a basic understanding for recombinant production of this particular enzyme. Other strategies such as adding His-tag to the protein makes easy the purification of the protein which is completely different to the native protein. Complete sequence, structure and functional analysis of the enzyme will be important for developing insect-resistant crop plants by deployment of transgenic plant.
  5. Novel health monitoring method using an RGB camera
    Hassan MA, Malik AS, Fofi D, Saad N, Meriaudeau F
    Biomed Opt Express, 2017 Nov 01;8(11):4838-4854.
    PMID: 29188085 DOI: 10.1364/BOE.8.004838
    In this paper we present a novel health monitoring method by estimating the heart rate and respiratory rate using an RGB camera. The heart rate and the respiratory rate are estimated from the photoplethysmography (PPG) and the respiratory motion. The method mainly operates by using the green spectrum of the RGB camera to generate a multivariate PPG signal to perform multivariate de-noising on the video signal to extract the resultant PPG signal. A periodicity based voting scheme (PVS) was used to measure the heart rate and respiratory rate from the estimated PPG signal. We evaluated our proposed method with a state of the art heart rate measuring method for two scenarios using the MAHNOB-HCI database and a self collected naturalistic environment database. The methods were furthermore evaluated for various scenarios at naturalistic environments such as a motion variance session and a skin tone variance session. Our proposed method operated robustly during the experiments and outperformed the state of the art heart rate measuring methods by compensating the effects of the naturalistic environment.
  6. Occurrence of human respiratory syncytial virus in summer in Japan
    Shobugawa Y, Takeuchi T, Hibino A, Hassan MR, Yagami R, Kondo H, et al.
    Epidemiol Infect, 2017 Jan;145(2):272-284.
    PMID: 27682641
    In temperate zones, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) outbreaks typically occur in cold weather, i.e. in late autumn and winter. However, recent outbreaks in Japan have tended to start during summer and autumn. This study examined associations of meteorological conditions with the numbers of HRSV cases reported in summer in Japan. Using data from the HRSV national surveillance system and national meteorological data for summer during the period 2007-2014, we utilized negative binomial logistic regression analysis to identify associations between meteorological conditions and reported cases of HRSV. HRSV cases increased when summer temperatures rose and when relative humidity increased. Consideration of the interaction term temperature × relative humidity enabled us to show synergistic effects of high temperature with HRSV occurrence. In particular, HRSV cases synergistically increased when relative humidity increased while the temperature was ⩾28·2 °C. Seasonal-trend decomposition analysis using the HRSV national surveillance data divided by 11 climate divisions showed that summer HRSV cases occurred in South Japan (Okinawa Island), Kyushu, and Nankai climate divisions, which are located in southwest Japan. Higher temperature and higher relative humidity were necessary conditions for HRSV occurrence in summer in Japan. Paediatricians in temperate zones should be mindful of possible HRSV cases in summer, when suitable conditions are present.
  7. Fulltext Optimal placement of unified power flow controllers to improve dynamic voltage stability using power system variable based voltage stability indices
    Albatsh FM, Ahmad S, Mekhilef S, Mokhlis H, Hassan MA
    PLoS One, 2015;10(4):e0123802.
    PMID: 25874560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123802
    This study examines a new approach to selecting the locations of unified power flow controllers (UPFCs) in power system networks based on a dynamic analysis of voltage stability. Power system voltage stability indices (VSIs) including the line stability index (LQP), the voltage collapse proximity indicator (VCPI), and the line stability index (Lmn) are employed to identify the most suitable locations in the system for UPFCs. In this study, the locations of the UPFCs are identified by dynamically varying the loads across all of the load buses to represent actual power system conditions. Simulations were conducted in a power system computer-aided design (PSCAD) software using the IEEE 14-bus and 39- bus benchmark power system models. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. When the UPFCs are placed in the locations obtained with the new approach, the voltage stability improves. A comparison of the steady-state VSIs resulting from the UPFCs placed in the locations obtained with the new approach and with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution (DE), which are static methods, is presented. In all cases, the UPFC locations given by the proposed approach result in better voltage stability than those obtained with the other approaches.
  8. Fulltext Optimization of a Luteolin-Loaded TPGS/Poloxamer 407 Nanomicelle: The Effects of Copolymers, Hydration Temperature and Duration, and Freezing Temperature on Encapsulation Efficiency, Particle Size, and Solubility
    Mod Razif MRF, Chan SY, Widodo RT, Chew YL, Hassan M, Hisham SA, et al.
    Cancers (Basel), 2023 Jul 24;15(14).
    PMID: 37509402 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143741
    BACKGROUND: Luteolin is a flavonoid compound that has been widely studied for its various anti-cancer properties and sensitization to multidrug-resistant cells. However, the limited solubility and bioavailability of Lut hindered its potential clinical use. Theoretically, the combination of this compound with vitamin E TPGS and poloxamer 407 can produce a synergistic effect to enhance tumor apoptosis and P-glycoprotein inhibition. This study aimed to develop and optimize vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 micelles loaded with luteolin through investigating certain factors that can affect the encapsulation efficiency and particle size of the micelle.

    METHODS: A micelle was prepared using the film hydration method, and the micellar solution was lyophilized. The cake formed was analyzed. The factors investigated include the concentrations of the surfactants, ratio of vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407, temperature of the hydrating solution, duration of hydration, and freezing temperature before lyophilization. The effects of these factors on the encapsulation efficiency and particle size of the micelle were also studied. The encapsulation efficiency was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, while particle size was measured using dynamic light scattering.

    RESULTS: The optimized micelle was found to have 90% encapsulation efficiency with a particle size of less than 40 nm, which was achieved using a 10% concentration of surfactants at a vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 ratio of 3:1. The optimized temperature for hydrating the micellar film was 40 °C, the optimized mixing time was 1 h, and the optimized freezing temperature was -80 °C. The solubility of the luteolin-loaded micelles increased 459-fold compared to pure Lut in water. The critical micelle concentration of the vitamin E TPGS/Poloxamer 407 micelle was 0.001 mg/mL, and the release study showed that luteolin-loaded micelles exhibited sustained release behavior. The release of luteolin from a micelle was found to be higher in pH 6.8 compared to pH 7.4, which signified that luteolin could be accumulated more in a tumor microenvironment compared to blood.

    CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that several factors need to be considered when developing such nanoparticles in order to obtain a well-optimized micelle.

  9. Parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium in marine decapod crustaceans: a review on current knowledge and future perspectives
    Alimin AWF, Yusoff NAH, Kadriah IAK, Anshary H, Abdullah F, Jabir N, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2023 Dec 14;123(1):49.
    PMID: 38095702 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08067-z
    Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium are known to infect various marine crustaceans worldwide, especially crabs and several species of shrimp and lobster. Some of these species are new host species and components of commercial fishery products. These parasitic species are predominantly found in the hemolymph of the host and cause pathological changes and functional damage to organs and tissues, leading to death. In recent years, these parasites have infected important commercially valuable species, particularly in European waters, US waters, Australian waters, and recently in Shandong Peninsula in China. These Hematodinium pathogens were also reported to affect wild shrimp in Chinese waters and in the English North Sea. These rapid spreads affect crustacean aquaculture industries, where they are indeed a significant threat to the sustainability of the aquaculture of important crustaceans. The fishery products industries are also under pressure from the invasion of this pathogen, as the crab meat produced has a bitter taste, which may reduce its marketability. In response to these threats, this review was aimed at providing a broader understanding of the development of parasite distribution and ecological aspects of Hematodinium. In addition, the interaction of these pathogens with their hosts, the environmental drivers of Hematodinium disease, and future research perspectives were discussed.
  10. Fulltext Physical and Physiological Monitoring on Red Palm Weevil-Infested Oil Palms
    Harith-Fadzilah N, Haris-Hussain M, Abd Ghani I, Zakaria A, Amit S, Zainal Z, et al.
    Insects, 2020 Jun 30;11(7).
    PMID: 32630104 DOI: 10.3390/insects11070407
    The red palm weevil (RPW) is a stem boring Coleoptera that decimates host palm trees from within. The challenge of managing this pest is due to a lack of physical symptoms during the early stages of infestation. Investigating the physiological changes that occur within RPW-infested palm trees may be useful in establishing a new approach in RPW detection. In this study, the effects of RPW infestation were investigated in Elaeis guineensis by observing changes in physical and physiological parameters during the progress of infestation by visual inspection and the comparison of growth, gas exchange, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content between the non-infested control, physically wounded, and RPW-infested E. guineensis groups. During the study period, four distinct levels of physical infestation were observed and recorded. The RPW-infested group displayed significantly lower maximum photosynthesis activity (Amax) starting from the third week post-infestation. However, growth in terms of change in plant height and stem circumference, leaves' stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content were not significantly different between the three groups during the duration of the study. The significant drop in photosynthesis was observed one week before physical changes appeared. This suggests the promising utilisation of photosynthesis activity as a signal for detecting RPW infestation at the early stage of attacks, which could be useful for integration in integrated pest management (IPM).
  11. Phytochemical Analysis, Identification and Quantification of Antibacterial Active Compounds in Betel Leaves, Piper betle Methanolic Extract
    Syahidah A, Saad CR, Hassan MD, Rukayadi Y, Norazian MH, Kamarudin MS
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2017;20(2):70-81.
    PMID: 29022997 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2017.70.81
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The problems of bacterial diseases in aquaculture are primarily controlled by antibiotics. Medicinal plants and herbs which are seemed to be candidates of replacements for conventional antibiotics have therefore gained increasing interest. Current study was performed to investigate the presence of phytochemical constituents, antibacterial activities and composition of antibacterial active compounds in methanolic extract of local herb, Piper betle .

    METHODOLOGY: Qualitative phytochemical analysis was firstly carried out to determine the possible active compounds in P. betle leaves methanolic extract. The antibacterial activities of major compounds from this extract against nine fish pathogenic bacteria were then assessed using TLC-bioautography agar overlay assay and their quantity were determined simultaneously by HPLC method.

    RESULTS: The use of methanol has proved to be successful in extracting numerous bioactive compounds including antibacterial compounds. The TLC-bioautography assay revealed the inhibitory action of two compounds which were identified as hydroxychavicol and eugenol. The $-caryophyllene however was totally inactive against all the tested bacterial species. In this study, the concentration of hydroxychavicol in extract was found to be 374.72±2.79 mg g-1, while eugenol was 49.67±0.16 mg g-1.

    CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it could be concluded that hydroxychavicol and eugenol were the responsible compounds for the promising antibacterial activity of P. betle leaves methanolic extract. This inhibitory action has significantly correlated with the amount of the compounds in extract. Due to its potential, the extract of P. betle leaves or it compounds can be alternative source of potent natural antibacterial agents for aquaculture disease management.

  12. Plasma, aqueous and vitreous homocysteine levels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
    Lim CP, Loo AV, Khaw KW, Sthaneshwar P, Khang TF, Hassan M, et al.
    Br J Ophthalmol, 2012 May;96(5):704-7.
    PMID: 22353698 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-301044
    To compare homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in the blood plasma, vitreous and aqueous of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) against control, and to investigate associations between Hcy concentration in blood plasma with that of aqueous and vitreous in these two groups.
  13. Fulltext Polychaeta-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles: A potential antibacterial agent against Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND)-causing bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus
    Abu Hassan MS, Elias NA, Hassan M, Rahmah S, Wan Ismail WI, Harun NA
    Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21663.
    PMID: 37954386 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21663
    Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as a promising application in aquaculture. Their nano-sized dimensions, comparable to pathogens offer potential solutions for combating antibiotic resistance. In this study, AuNPs were synthesized by using polychaetes, Marphysa moribidii as the bio-reducing agent. Modifications were made to reduce agglomeration in green-synthesized AuNPs through ultrasonication. The antibacterial activities of AuNPs against V. parahaemolyticus were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the green synthesized AuNPs were comprehensively investigated. The successful formation of AuNPs was confirmed by the appearance of a red ruby colour and the presence of surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at 530 nm as observed from UV-vis spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical-shaped AuNPs with some agglomerations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed particle size of AuNPs ranging from 10 nm to 60 nm, meanwhile dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated an average particle size of 24.36 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of AuNPs, and no AuNPs were detected in the polychaetes extracts prior to synthesis. A brief ultrasonication significantly reduced the tendencies for AuNPs to coalesce. The green-synthesized AuNPs demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial efficacy against V. parahaemolyticus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests revealed that a concentration of 0.3 g/ml of AuNPs effectively inhibited V. parahaemolyticus. These findings highlighted the potential of green-synthesized AuNPs as antibacterial agents for the prevention and management of AHPND in aquaculture.
  14. Pre-clinical efficacy of African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming: A systematic review
    Bala AA, Mohammed M, Umar S, Ungogo MA, Al-Kassim Hassan M, Abdussalam US, et al.
    Toxicon, 2023 Mar 01;224:107035.
    PMID: 36706926 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107035
    The World Health Organization has listed Snakebite Envenoming (SBE) as a priority neglected tropical disease, with a worldwide annual snakebite affecting 5.4 million people and injuring 2.7 million lives. In many parts of rural areas of Africa and Asia, medicinal plants have been used as alternatives to conventional antisnake venom (ASV) due in part to inaccessibility to hospitals. Systemic reviews (SR) of laboratory-based preclinical studies play an essential role in drug discovery. We conducted an SR to evaluate the relationship between interventional medicinal plants and their observed effects on venom-induced experiments. This SR was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The Modified collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal data from experimental studies (CAMARADES) and SYRCLE's risk of bias tools were used to appraise the included studies. Data were searched online in Medline via PubMed, Embase via OVID, and Scopus. Studies reporting in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activities of African medicinal plants/extracts/constituents against venom-induced pathologies were identified and included for screening. Data from the included studies were extracted and synthesized. Ten studies reported statistically significant percentage protection (40-100%) of animals against venom-induced lethality compared with control groups that received no medicinal plant intervention. Sixteen studies reported significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) against venom-induced pathologies compared with the control group; these include hemolytic, histopathologic, necrotic, and anti-enzymatic effects. The plant family Fabaceae has the highest number of studies reporting its efficacy, followed by Annonaceae, Malvaceae, Combretaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Olacaceae. Some African medicinal plants are preclinically effective against venom-induced lethality, hematotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. The evidence was extracted from three in vitro studies, nine in vivo studies, and five studies that combined both in vivo and in vitro models. The effective plants belong to the Fabaceae family, followed by Malvaceae, and Annonaceae.
  15. Predicting graded young modulus values of Ti alloys modified by ion implantation
    Hassan MH
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:164-5.
    PMID: 15468869
    There has been, and is still, concern about the high elastic modulus of Ti alloys compared to bone. Any reduction in the Young's modulus value of the implant is expected to enhance stress redistribution to the adjacent bone tissues, minimize stress shielding and eventually prolong device lifetime. Dynamic Monte Carlo simulation is used to predict the gradual reduction in Young's modulus values between the bulk of Ti alloys and the modified surface layers due to Ca ion implantation. The simulation can be used as a screening step when applying new alloys and/or coatings.
  16. Predictors of midwives' intention to provide planned home birth services to low-risk women: A theory of planned behaviour approach
    Muhammed A, Khuan L, Shariff-Ghazali S, Said SM, Hassan M
    Midwifery, 2019 Jun;73:62-68.
    PMID: 30884373 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.03.004
    OBJECTIVE: Planned home birth may increase women's access to skilled midwives in all settings. Using theory to understand and predict midwives' intention regarding planned home birth services is rare. Therefore, using the theory of planned behaviour, we determined the factors associated with midwives' intention to provide planned home birth services to low-risk women.

    DESIGN: This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach and a survey. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit 226 midwives in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data-including descriptive statistic and multiple linear regression analyses-were analysed using SPSS 23 and significant was set at 0.05.

    SETTING: Ten public health facilities in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria.

    PARTICIPANTS: Among all 460 midwives (women aged 20-60 years), working in the maternity wards of health facilities in Sokoto, a sample of 226 midwives was calculated using a power of 0.80 and a 95% confidence interval.

    FINDINGS: The multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that the major factors associated with midwives' intention to provide planned home birth services were midwives' attitude towards planned home birth (p < .001) and midwives' previous experience with planned home birth practice (p = .008).

    CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The theory of planned behaviour is a useful framework for identifying factors that affect midwives' intention to provide planned home birth services. While future research may employ a qualitative approach to explore other factors, planned home birth education campaigns should target information that enhances positive attitude and encourages midwives to provide planned home birth services.

  17. Prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema among schoolchildren in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Quah BS, Razak AR, Hassan MH
    Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1997 Jun;39(3):329-35.
    PMID: 9241894
    The prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Kelantanese schoolchildren were determined as part of an international study of the epidemiology of asthma and allergic diseases. The international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was administered to 7055 schoolchildren from February 1995 to August 1995. The respondents were parents or guardians of 5- to 7-year-old children (n = 3939), and schoolchildren aged 12-14 years (n = 3116). The ISAAC video questionnaire (AVQ3.0) was shown to children aged 12-14 years after the written questionnaire. The overall prevalences of 'ever wheezed' and 'wheezing in last 12 months' were 9.4 and 6.0% respectively. The prevalence of 'ever diagnosed with asthma' was 9.4%. Both 'ever wheezed' and 'wheezing in the last 12 months' were significantly higher in 12- to 14-year-old children than in 5- to 7-year-old children, with P values of 0.0006 and 0.014 respectively. No gender differences in the prevalences were observed. For the complete study group, 4.7% of children had sleep disturbed by wheezing but only 1.1% had a severe attack limiting speech in the preceding 12 months. Sleep disturbance was more common in the 12- to 14-year-old children than in 5- to 7-year-old children (P = 0.006). There was no difference between the age groups for severe attacks limiting speech. The overall prevalence of rhinitis and eczema symptoms were 27 and 12%, respectively. The prevalence of rhinitis in the 12-14 year age group (38.2%) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in the 5-7 year age group (18.2%). The prevalence of eczema in the 5-7 year age group (13.7%) was significantly higher (P = < 0.0001) than in the 12-14 year age group (9.9%). These prevalence data are comparable with previous reports in Malaysian children, but are considerably lower than those reported for most developed countries.
  18. Primary herpes virus keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty
    Hassan M, Patel DK, Subrayan V
    Ann Ophthalmol (Skokie), 2009;41(3-4):203-5.
    PMID: 20214058
    We present a case of a newly acquired herpetic infection in the graft after penetrating keratoplasty.
  19. Production of organic acids from kitchen wastes
    Loh CW, Fakhru'l-Razi A, Hassan MA, Karim MI
    Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol, 1999 Sep-Nov;27(5-6):455-9.
    PMID: 10595448
    This study involves the production of short-chain organic acids from kitchen wastes as intermediates for the production of biodegradable plastics. Flasks, without mixing were used for the anaerobic conversion of the organic fraction of kitchen wastes into short-chain organic acids. The influence of pH, temperature and addition of sludge cake on the rate of organic acids production and yield were evaluated. Fermentations were carried out in an incubator at different temperatures controlled at 30 degrees C. 40 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 60 degrees C and uncontrolled at room temperature. The pH was also varied at pH 5, 6, 7, and uncontrolled pH. 1.0 M phosphate buffer was used for pH control, and 1.0 M HCl and 1.0 M NaOH were added when necessary. Sludge cake addition enhanced the rate of maximum acids production from 4 days to 1 day. The organic acids produced were maximum at pH 7 and 50 degrees C i.e., 39.84 g/l on the fourth day of fermentation with a yield of 0.87 g/g soluble COD consumed, and 0.84 g/g TVS. The main organic acid produced was lactic acid (65-85%), with small amounts of acetic (10-30%), propionic (5-10%), and butyric (5-20%) acids. The results of this study showed that kitchen wastes could be fermented to high concentration of organic acids, which could be used as substrates for the production of biodegradable plastics.
  20. Progress in the use of computerised recording systems in dairy cow monitoring and extension in Malaysia
    Pharo HJ, Sopian MJ, Kamaruddin M, Abu Hassan MA, Cheah PF, Choo TW
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 1990 May;22(2):77-88.
    PMID: 2371756
    The emphasis on cow records in Malaysian dairy extension programmes reflects the importance of herd fertility in the economics of dairying. Manual record keeping has not been able to make an impact on management due to difficulties experienced in quality control of the data and in analysing the data to produce useful information for farm managers. Computerised recording systems have been in use in Malaysia since 1985, both on government farms and in the small-holder dairy sector. The aim of both systems is firstly to improve farm efficiency by the provision of information to managers and extension workers and secondly to provide information for departmental planning purposes. The systems used in Malaysia are outlined, and the results over the first three years of operation are summarised.
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