Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 419 in total

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  1. Rahim MS, Razzali N, Sunar MS, Altameem A, Rehman A
    Neural Regen Res, 2012 Jul 25;7(21):1637-44.
    PMID: 25657704 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.21.006
    Neuron cell are built from a myriad of axon and dendrite structures. It transmits electrochemical signals between the brain and the nervous system. Three-dimensional visualization of neuron structure could help to facilitate deeper understanding of neuron and its models. An accurate neuron model could aid understanding of brain's functionalities, diagnosis and knowledge of entire nervous system. Existing neuron models have been found to be defective in the aspect of realism. Whereas in the actual biological neuron, there is continuous growth as the soma extending to the axon and the dendrite; but, the current neuron visualization models present it as disjointed segments that has greatly mediated effective realism. In this research, a new reconstruction model comprising of the Bounding Cylinder, Curve Interpolation and Gouraud Shading is proposed to visualize neuron model in order to improve realism. The reconstructed model is used to design algorithms for generating neuron branching from neuron SWC data. The Bounding Cylinder and Curve Interpolation methods are used to improve the connected segments of the neuron model using a series of cascaded cylinders along the neuron's connection path. Three control points are proposed between two adjacent neuron segments. Finally, the model is rendered with Gouraud Shading for smoothening of the model surface. This produce a near-perfection model of the natural neurons with attended realism. The model is validated by a group of bioinformatics analysts' responses to a predefined survey. The result shows about 82% acceptance and satisfaction rate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  2. Kanamori T, Kuze N, Bernard H, Malim TP, Kohshima S
    Am J Primatol, 2010 Sep;72(9):820-40.
    PMID: 20653008 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20848
    We observed the diet and activity of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in the primary lowland dipterocarp forests of Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, during 2005-2007, including two mast fruitings. We collected 1,785 hr of focal data on 26 orangutans. We identified 1,466 samples of their food plants and conducted a fallen fruit census to monitor fruit availability in the study area. Their activity budget was 47.2% feeding, 34.4% resting, and 16.9% traveling. Fruits accounted for the largest part (60.9%) of feeding time, especially during mast fruiting periods (64.0-100%), although the percentages of leaves (22.2%) and bark (12.3%) were higher than those reported for P. abelii and P. pygmaeus wurmbii. Although 119 genera and 160 plant species were consumed by focal animals, only 9 genera accounted for more than 3% of feeding time (total: 67.8% for 9 genera). In particular, the focal orangutans fed intensively on Ficus and Spatholobus during most of the study period, especially in periods of fruit shortage. The percentage of fruit feeding changed markedly from 11.7 to 100% across different months of the year, and was positively correlated with the amount of fallen fruit. When fruit feeding and availability decreased, orangutans fed primarily on leaves of Spatholobus and Ficus, and the bark of Spatholobus and dipterocarp. The percentage of time devoted to feeding during mast fruitings, when the orangutans foraged almost exclusively on fruits, was lower than during seasons when the orangutan diet included leaves and bark as well as fruits. Resting increased as feeding decreased in the late stage of each fruiting season, suggesting that the orangutans adopted an energy-minimizing strategy to survive the periods of fruit shortage by using energy stored during the fruit season.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  3. Yong SF, Tan SH, Wee J, Tee JJ, Sansom FM, Newton HJ, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2010;1:123.
    PMID: 21687766 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2010.00123
    The detection of Legionella pneumophila in environmental and clinical samples is frequently performed by PCR amplification of the mip and/or 16S rRNA genes. Combined with DNA sequencing, these two genetic loci can be used to distinguish different species of Legionella and identify L. pneumophila. However, the recent Legionella genome sequences have opened up hundreds of possibilities for the development of new molecular targets for detection and diagnosis. Ongoing comparative genomics has the potential to fine tune the identification of Legionella species and serogroups by combining specific and general genetic targets. For example, the coincident detection of LPS biosynthesis genes and virulence genes may allow the differentiation of both pathogen and serogroup without the need for nucleotide sequencing. We tested this idea using data derived from a previous genomic subtractive hybridization we performed between L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and L. micdadei. Although not yet formally tested, these targets serve as an example of how comparative genomics has the potential to improve the scope and accuracy of Legionella molecular detection if embraced by laboratories undertaking Legionella surveillance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  4. Hsu TY, Chirovsky D, Moy FM, Ambegaonkar BM
    Clin Ther, 2013 Apr;35(4):450-60.
    PMID: 23481458 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.02.004
    Although LDL-C is the primary lipid target for coronary heart disease (CHD) risk reduction, HDL-C and triglycerides (TG) have also emerged as CHD risk factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  5. Sastu UR, Abdullah NR, Norahmad NA, Saat MN, Muniandy PK, Jelip J, et al.
    Malar J, 2016;15:63.
    PMID: 26850038 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1109-9
    Malaria cases persist in some remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak despite the ongoing and largely successful malaria control programme conducted by the Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Ministry Of Health, Malaysia. Point mutations in the genes that encode the two enzymes involved in the folate biosynthesis pathway, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) enzymes confer resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine respectively, in both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. The aim of the current study was to determine the mutation on both pvdhfr at codon 13, 33, 57, 58, 61, 117, and 173 and pvdhps genes at codon 383 and 553, which are potentially associated with resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine in P. vivax samples in Sabah.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  6. Tan WC, Kuppusamy UR, Phan CW, Tan YS, Raman J, Anuar AM, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015;5:12515.
    PMID: 26213331 DOI: 10.1038/srep12515
    Mushroom cultivation benefits humankind as it deliberately encourages wild mushrooms to be commercially propagated while recycling agricultural wastes. Ganoderma neo-japonicum is a rare polypore mushroom found growing on decaying Schizostachyum brachycladium (a tropical bamboo) clumps in Malaysia. The Malaysian indigenous tribes including the Temuans and Temiars use the basidiocarps of G. neo-japonicum to treat various ailments including diabetes. In this study, the domestication of G. neo-japonicum in artificial logs of different agricultural residues was investigated. Sawdust promoted the mycelia spawn colonisation in the shortest period of 38 ± 0.5 days. However, only sawdust and bamboo dust supported the primodia formation. Complex medium supported mycelium growth in submerged cultures and 27.11 ± 0.43 g/L of mycelia was obtained after 2 weeks of cultivation at 28 °C and 200 rpm. Antioxidant potential in mushroom may be influenced by different cultivation and extraction methods. The different extracts from the wild and cultivated basidiocarps as well as mycelia were then tested for their antioxidant properties. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of mycelia and basidiocarps tested had varying levels of antioxidant activities. To conclude, domestication of wild G. neo-japonicum using agroresidues may ensure a continuous supply of G. neo-japonicum for its medicinal use while ensuring the conservation of this rare species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  7. Liber AC, Ross H, Omar M, Chaloupka FJ
    Tob Control, 2015 Jul;24 Suppl 3:iii83-iii87.
    PMID: 25808666 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-052028
    Study the effects of the 2011 Malaysian minimum price law (MPL) on prices of licit and illicit cigarette brands. Identify barriers to the MPL achieving positive public health effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  8. Sakai S, Momose K, Yumoto T, Kato M, Inoue T
    Am J Bot, 1999 Jan;86(1):62-9.
    PMID: 21680346
    Pollination ecology of an emergent tree species, Shorea (section Mutica) parvifolia (Dipterocarpaceae), was studied using the canopy observation system in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, during a general flowering period in 1996. Although the species has been reported to be pollinated by thrips in Peninsular Malaysia, our observations of flower visitors and pollination experiments indicated that beetles (Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae, Coleoptera) contributed to pollination of S. parvifolia in Sarawak. Beetles accounted for 74% of the flower visitors collected by net-sweeping, and 30% of the beetles carried pollen, while thrips accounted for 16% of the visitors, and 12% of the thrips carried pollen. The apical parts of the petals and pollen served as a reward for the beetles. Thrips stayed inside the flower almost continuously after arrival, and movements among flowers were rare. Fruit set was significantly increased by introduction of beetles to bagged flowers, but not by introduction of thrips. Hand-pollination experiments and comparison of fruit set in untreated, bagged, and open flowers suggested that S. parvifolia was mainly outbreeding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  9. Hashim Z
    J Trop Pediatr, 1992 Aug;38(4):204-5.
    PMID: 1527822
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  10. Chen ST
    Med J Malaysia, 1985 Jun;40(2):80-9.
    PMID: 3834290
    Percentile growth charts of weight, length and head circumference, from birth to six years of age, for boys and girls, are presented. These can be used to monitor the growth of Malaysian children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  11. Abdul Razak I, Esa R
    Dent J Malays, 1988 Nov;10(2):41-4.
    PMID: 3271127
    The present study analysed the development of caries in 653 first permanent molars annually over a period of 5 years in children who were 7 years-old at baseline. The cumulative caries experience increased from 6.0% at baseline to 35.2% at the end of the study period. There were no appreciable differences in the annual incremental rate of caries experience among males and females. At baseline, the Malays and Indians have the highest and lowest caries experience respectively. At 12 years of age, the Chinese have the highest caries experience whilst the data for the Malays and Indians were comparable. The highest cumulative percentage increase in caries experience for the Malays, Chinese and Indians were between the ages of 7 to 8, 9 to 10 and 8 to 9 respectively while the average annual caries increment were 4.5%, 7.3% and 5.0% respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  12. Chur-Hansen A
    Med Teach, 2004 Jun;26(4):343-8.
    PMID: 15203848
    International students' medical training often includes an elective placement in their home country to prepare them for practice on graduation. Seven Malaysian students in their final year of medicine were interviewed pre- and post-graduation and asked to reflect on whether they felt adequately prepared for working in Malaysia. These seven international students, who studied medicine in Australia, all returned to Malaysia for six weeks for their elective, and the interviews canvassed their perceptions of this experience, along with their thoughts on how well their training in Australia had prepared them for working in their country of origin. The interview data were qualitatively analysed, and case studies were constructed. Main themes were identified and tabulated. Students voiced similar concerns about how ready they were for working at home. These included a lack of practical skills relative to their Malaysian-trained counterparts, language difficulties, medical communication skill incompatibilities across cultures, expectations to perform complex or unfamiliar tasks with minimal supervision and substantial burdens of responsibility with long working hours. These students did not feel greatly prepared for their return home to practise medicine. The elective placement was not well utilized by the majority of students in this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  13. Narimah Awin
    MyJurnal
    The keynote addresses the topic of “Health as a domain of family well-being” to provide an overarching perspective to the conference’s theme, “Health intervention towards community wellness”. “Well-being” is taken as the big-ger focus of living a healthy life, and “health” as one of several domains towards achieving well-being. The WHO definition (1948) links health explicitly to well-being. Well-being can be viewed from 2 perspectives (i) Objective well-being (basic human needs, e.g. food, shelter, health). (ii) Subjective well-being, (self-perception of well-being, e.g. satisfaction with life). The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Malaysia, conducts surveys to measure the Family Well-being Index. In this index, family well-being has eight domains: health, family relationships, economy, family and community, safety, housing and environment, religion/spirituality, and use of communication technology. The health domain measures health level, health practice and stress management. Two surveys have been conducted, i.e. in 2011 and 2016, and the third one is currently ongoing. The Family Well-being Index is a figure between 0 and 10. In 2011, the national Family Well-being Index was 7.55, and in 2016 it was 7.33. Both scores were in the range of moderate level.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  14. Rajendren, S.K., Khairuddin, N.H., Sumita, S.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):28-33.
    MyJurnal
    Endurance horses continuously undergoing training. This will cause inflammation which leads to acute phase reaction with the production of acute phase protein, especially serum amyloid A (SAA). The purpose of this study was to establish concentration of SAA in normal endurance horses in the blood serum using two-site enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique. Horse sera were aliquoted from blood taken from jugular venipuncture. The highest concentration of SAA was observed in horses rested between 12 months and 24 months. The lowest concentration of SAA was noticed in horses rested more than 24 months. All the horses between 6 and 11 years old have high SAA concentration. When resting intervals were compared against gender of the horses, it was noted that all mares have high SAA concentration compared to gelding and stallion. Whereas SAA concentration in Thoroughbred horses were high compared to Arabian horses in all rest intervals. The SAA concentration in horses rested more than 24 months was low most probably because the horses recovered well from the inflammatory process happened during the endurance race.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  15. Attias E, Thomas D, Sherman D, Ismail K, Constable S
    Sci Adv, 2020 Nov;6(48).
    PMID: 33239299 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd4866
    Conventional hydrogeologic framework models used to compute ocean island sustainable yields and aquifer storage neglect the complexity of the nearshore and offshore submarine environment. However, the onshore aquifer at the island of Hawai'i exhibits a notable volumetric discrepancy between high-elevation freshwater recharge and coastal discharge. In this study, we present a novel transport mechanism of freshwater moving from onshore to offshore through a multilayer formation of water-saturated layered basalts with interbedded low-permeability layers of ash/soil. Marine electromagnetic imaging reveals ∼35 km of laterally continuous resistive layers that extend to at least 4 km from west of Hawai'i's coastline, containing about 3.5 km3 of freshened water. We propose that this newly found transport mechanism of fresh groundwater may be the governing mechanism in other volcanic islands. In such a scenario, volcanic islands worldwide can use these renewable offshore reservoirs, considered more resilient to climate change-driven droughts, as new water resources.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  16. Chong DWQ, Iqbal AR, Kaur Jaj B, Zainab A, Nordin A, Abd Majid ND, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):691-697.
    PMID: 33219179
    INTRODUCTION: The quality of information and efficiency in the practice and care environments are important aspects of nursing care. The use of a reliable and valid scale can monitor the quality of handover and provide information for continuous improvement of practice. This study aims to describe the perception of nurses, on the domains of quality of information, efficiency, interaction and support and patient involvement.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 450 nurses from 37 wards in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Nurses on shift duty were recruited by convenience sampling from the Medical, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedic and Paediatric wards. Using a validated questionnaire (Handover Evaluation Scale), nurses self-rated their perceptions using a 7-point scale and provided open-ended responses to the strengths and challenges that they faced. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done while open-ended questions were summarised based on key themes.

    RESULTS: A total of 414 nurses completed the survey (92.0% response rate). Nurses had an overall mean (SD) perception score of 5.01 (SD 0.56). They perceived good interaction and support during handover and on the quality of information that they received, with mean scores of 5.54 (SD 0.79) and 5.19 (SD 0.69), respectively. There was an association between the departments where the nurses worked and their overall perceptions on nursing handover (p<0.001). Interruptions being the most common theme emerged from the open-ended section.

    CONCLUSION: Despite having substantial interaction and support amongst nurses, opportunities for improvements were noted. Improvements in the quality of handover information and reducing interruptions should be the main emphases as these were perceived to be essential in the current handover practices by nurses.

    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  17. Poudel RR, Singh VA, Yasin NF
    Indian J Orthop, 2020 Apr;54(2):208-214.
    PMID: 32257039 DOI: 10.1007/s43465-019-00002-8
    Background: The family of patients undergo profound anxiety when their family member is undergoing major oncological surgery. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of periodic intraoperative text messages regarding the status of ongoing surgery in reducing anxiety levels among the patients' family members.

    Materials and Methods: Family members of 60 patients (one for each patient) who were undergoing major oncological surgery lasting more than 1 h were recruited and randomized into two groups (30 patients each). Group 1 (no SMS group) did not receive any text message while Group 2 (SMS group) received periodic intraoperative text messages. Respondents aged less than 16 years, those with associated psychiatric illnesses, and those who did not consent to the study were excluded. Anxiety among family members was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) and Anxiety component of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) at five different periods; (P1) 1 day prior to surgery (P2) at separation from family at the operation theatre (P3) 1 h after commencement of surgery (P4) immediately after completion of surgery, and (P5) 1 day after surgery.

    Results: The mean VAS-A and HADS-S scores between both the groups did not show a statistically significant difference for P1, P2 and P5 assessment periods (preoperative period, separation in operation theatre, post-operative period). However, mean VAS-A and HADS-A scores were significantly higher for Group 1 compared to Group 2 during P3 and P4 periods, 1 h after commencement of surgery and completion of surgery, respectively.

    Conclusion: Periodic text messages updating the status of ongoing surgery helps to reduce anxiety for family members of patients undergoing oncological surgery during the intraoperative period.

    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  18. Mohamad FH, Has ATC
    J Mol Neurosci, 2019 Feb;67(2):343-351.
    PMID: 30607899 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1246-4
    GABAA receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the human brain. The receptors are assembled from combination of protein subunits in pentameric complex which may consist of α1-6, β1-3, γ1-3, ρ1-3, δ, ε, θ, or π subunits. There are a theoretical > 150,000 possible assemblies and arrangements of GABAA subunits, although only a few combinations have been found in human with the most dominant consists of 2α1, 2β2, and 1γ2 in a counterclockwise arrangement as seen from the synaptic cleft. The receptors also possess binding sites for various unrelated substances including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and anesthetics. The α5-containing GABAARs only make up ≤ 5% of the entire receptor population, but up to 25% of the receptor subtype is located in the crucial learning and memory-associated area of the brain-the hippocampus, which has ignited myriads of hypotheses and theories in regard to its role. As well as exhibiting synaptic phasic inhibition, the α5-containing receptors are also extrasynaptic and mediate tonic inhibition with continuously occurring smaller amplitude. Studies on negative-allosteric modulators for reducing this tonic inhibition have been shown to enhance learning and memory in neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, Down syndrome, and autism with a possible alternative benzodiazepine binding site. Therefore, a few α5 subunit-specific compounds have been developed to address these pharmacological needs. With its small population, the α5-containing receptors could be the key and also the answer for many untreated cognitive dysfunctions and disorders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  19. Ma CH, Huang PY, Chang YC, Pan YJ, Azra MN, Chen LL, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Feb 02;11(2).
    PMID: 33540637 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020370
    Cannibalism is a major problem in lobster and crab aquaculture. Reducing the aggressive characteristics of lobsters and crabs can improve survival during the culturing process. In this study, juvenile scalloped spiny lobsters (Panulirus homarus) and crucifix crabs (Charybdis feriatus) were both cultured under different shelter and live prey conditions. Groups with shelter (seaweed and cotton filter) showed a better survival rate than the control group (no shelter; p < 0.05) for both Pa. homarus and Char. feriatus. Co-culturing with live prey (Litopenaeus vannamei) significantly benefited the juveniles of Pa. homarus and visibly increased the survival of juvenile Char. feriatus. Although providing shelter is currently the main method for reducing agonistic behavior, it must be continually altered as the lobsters and crabs grow. Live prey can grow and attract lobsters and crabs to hunt them, and live prey can be supplemented at any time. They can also be used as an additional source of income during the harvest season.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
  20. Dahlan SA, Mohamed M
    MyJurnal
    ABSTRACTS FOR INTERNATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH CONFERENCE 2019 (I-FaH 2019). Health Intervention Towards Community Wellness, Held at Oriental Crystal Hotel, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. 4-5th September, 2019
    Introduction: In Malaysia, the proportion of safe deliveries remains above 98% since 2010. Safe delivery is defined as deliveries conducted by trained personnel; either doctors, nurses with midwifery training or community nurses. Despite the good coverage of trained personnel and continuous effort to promote birth preparedness among antenatal mothers, unsafe delivery still occur in Malaysia and reported as 0.5% in NHMS 2016.
    Methods: A retrospective analysis on the characteristics of unsafe deliveries from the national surveillance data for the period of 2015 to 2017 was carried out. Characteristics of mothers are extracted from the reports of unsafe delivery investigation by Ministry of Health Malaysia and descriptive analyses are carried out by year for trending.
    Results: Total of 985 unsafe deliver-ies were reported and investigated in 2015, 1201 in 2016 and 1045 in 2017. About 37.7% to 49.9% (n=453-521) of these deliveries were among Malaysians followed by 22.9% to 40% (n=239-394) among non-citizen without identification document and 11.1% to 27.6% (109-332 deliveries) among non-citizen with identification document. It is commonly reported among mothers aged 26 to 35 years old (38.6% to 43.4%; n=454-463) and multiparous (47.3% to 52.0%; n=494-512). About 25.5% to 35.4% (n=251-370) of these mothers never attended antenatal check-up. Five main reported reasons which had contributed to the unsafe deliveries in 2015 to 2017 were; invalid identification documents, financial constraints, transportation problems, far distance from health facilities and mother’s personal choice.
    Conclusion: These findings translate into possible intervention targeted the above population on unsafe deliveries. Multi-sectoral strategies and inter-agency partnership are needed in strengthening the intervention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Longitudinal Studies
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