Displaying publications 121 - 140 of 153 in total

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  1. Distribution and assessment of heavy metal contents in surface sediments of the western Sunda Shelf
    Zhang H, Liu S, Wu K, Cui J, Zhu A, Zhang Y, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2021 Jul;168:112433.
    PMID: 33962084 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112433
    The heavy metal contents (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As) of 88 surface sediment samples from the western Sunda Shelf were analyzed to determine their spatial distribution patterns and contamination status. The results demonstrated that high enrichment regions of heavy metals were focused in the Kelantan, Pahang, and Ambat river estuaries, and deep water regions of the study area. These high enrichment regions were mainly controlled by riverine inputs and their hydrodynamic conditions. The enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (PERI) were used to assess heavy metal accumulation. The results indicated that the study area was not significantly contaminated overall at the time of the study; however, Cd, As, and Hg were at levels corresponding to moderate contamination at many stations located in the Pahang River estuary, Kelantan River estuary, and north-eastern region of the study area, primarily because of anthropogenic activities.
  2. Fulltext Identification and Characterization of Macrophomina phaseolina Causing Leaf Blight on White Spider Lilies (Crinum asiaticum and Hymenocallis littoralis) in Malaysia
    Huda-Shakirah AR, Kee YJ, Hafifi ABM, Mohamad Azni NN, Zakaria L, Mohd MH
    Mycobiology, 2019;47(4):408-414.
    PMID: 32010462 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2019.1682448
    Crinum asiaticum and Hymenocallis littoralis, commonly known as spider lilies are bulbous perennial and herbaceous plants that widely planted in Malaysia as ornamental. During 2015-2016, symptom of leaf blight was noticed on the hosts from several locations in Penang. The symptom appeared as irregular brown to reddish lesions surrounded by yellow halos. As the disease progressed, the infected leaves became blighted, dried, and fell off with the presence of black microsclerotia and pycnidia on the lesions parts. The present study was conducted to investigate the causal pathogen of leaf blight on C. asiaticum and H. littoralis. Based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) gene, the causal pathogen was identified as Macrophomina phaseolina. Phylogenetic analysis of combined dataset of ITS and TEF1-α grouped the isolates studied with other isolates of M. phaseolina from GenBank. The grouping of the isolates was supported by 96% bootstrap value. Pathogenicity test proved the role of the fungus in causing leaf blight on both hosts.
  3. An improved simplified rules Fuzzy Logic Speed Controller method applied for induction motor drive
    Talib MHN, Ibrahim Z, Abd Rahim N, Zulhani R, Nordin N, Farah N, et al.
    ISA Trans, 2020 Oct;105:230-239.
    PMID: 32475537 DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2020.05.040
    Fuzzy Logic Speed Controller (FLSC) has been widely used for motor drive due to its robustness and its non-reliance to real plant parameters. However, it is computationally expensive to be implemented in real-time and prone to the fuzzy rules' selection error which results in the failure of the drive's system. This paper proposes an improved simplified rules method for Fuzzy Logic Speed Controller (FLSC) based on the significant crisp output calculations to address these issues. A systematic procedure for the fuzzy rules reduction process is first described. Then, a comprehensive evaluation of the activated crisp output data is presented to determine the fuzzy dominant rules. Based on the proposed method, the number of rules was significantly reduced by 72%. The simplified FLSC rule is tested on the Induction Motor (IM) drives system in which the real-time implementation was carried out in the dSPACE DS1103 controller environment. The simulation and experimental results based on the proposed FLSC have proved the workability of the simplified rules without degrading the motor performance.
  4. Relationship of selective complement markers with schizophrenia
    Mohd Asyraf AJ, Nour El Huda AR, Hanisah MN, Norsidah KZ, Norlelawati AT
    J Neuroimmunol, 2022 02 15;363:577793.
    PMID: 34990981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577793
    Immune system dysregulation may be involved in schizophrenia, but biomarker studies have thus far reported inconsistent findings. The relationship of plasma levels of complement markers C3 and C4, with schizophrenia, sociodemographic and clinico-psychological factors were here studied in 183 patients and 212 controls. C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher in the patients and in subjects with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (p 
  5. Fulltext Factors influencing transfusion requirement in patients undergoing first-time, elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery
    Mazlan AM, Ayob Y, Hussein AR, Namasiwayam TK, Wan Mohammad WMZ
    Asian J Transfus Sci, 2017 Jul-Dec;11(2):95-101.
    PMID: 28970674 DOI: 10.4103/ajts.AJTS_51_16
    CONTEXT: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation is associated with high frequency of allogeneic blood transfusion due to the acquired hemostatic challenges in patients undergoing CABG. However, allogeneic blood transfusion carries risks of infection, adverse reaction, and mortality as well as prolonged hospital stay and increased hospital cost. It is important to identify patients who require blood transfusion to mitigate their risk factors and reduce the chance of exposure to allogeneic blood.

    AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate factors that influence the decision to transfuse red cell in first-time elective CABG patients.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study based on a retrospective record review. The study was done in the National Heart Institute.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent first-time elective CABG were included in this study. Variables analyzed include age, gender, body weight, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, patients' comorbidities, and other clinical parameters.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.

    RESULTS: A total of 463 patients underwent first-time elective CABG during the period of the study. Three hundred and eighty-six (83.4%) patients received red cell transfusion. From multiple logistic regression analysis, only age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.040, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003, 1.077, P = 0.032), body weight (OR = 0.951, 95% CI: 0.928, 0.974, P < 0.001), Hb level (OR = 0.500, 95% CI: 0.387, 0.644, P < 0.001), and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR = 1.013, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.023, P < 0.001) were the significant independent predictors of red cell transfusion.

    CONCLUSIONS: By stratifying patients according to their risk factor for red cell transfusion, the high-risk patients could be recognized and should be enrolled into effective patient blood management program to minimize their risk of exposure to allogeneic blood transfusion.
  6. Fulltext Health Risk of Polonium 210 Ingestion via Drinking Water: An Experience of Malaysia
    Ahmed MF, Alam L, Mohamed CAR, Mokhtar MB, Ta GC
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2018 09 20;15(10).
    PMID: 30241360 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102056
    The presence of toxic polonium-210 (Po-210) in the environment is due to the decay of primordial uranium-238. Meanwhile, several studies have reported elevated Po-210 radioactivity in the rivers around the world due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, the primary source of Po-210 in Langat River, Malaysia might be the natural weathering of granite rock along with mining, agriculture and industrial activities. Hence, this is the first study to determine the Po-210 activity in the drinking water supply chain in the Langat River Basin to simultaneously predict the human health risks of Po-210 ingestion. Therefore, water samples were collected in 2015⁻2016 from the four stages of the water supply chain to analyze by Alpha Spectrometry. Determined Po-210 activity, along with the influence of environmental parameters such as time-series rainfall, flood incidents and water flow data (2005⁻2015), was well within the maximum limit for drinking water quality standard proposed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and World Health Organization. Moreover, the annual effective dose of Po-210 ingestion via drinking water supply chain indicates an acceptable carcinogenic risk for the populations in the Langat Basin at 95% confidence level; however, the estimated annual effective dose at the basin is higher than in many countries. Although several studies assume the carcinogenic risk of Po-210 ingestion to humans for a long time even at low activity, however, there is no significant causal study which links Po-210 ingestion via drinking water and cancer risk of the human. Since the conventional coagulation method is unable to remove Po-210 entirely from the treated water, introducing a two-layer water filtration system at the basin can be useful to achieve SDG target 6.1 of achieving safe drinking water supplies well before 2030, which might also be significant for other countries.
  7. Synchronous primary malignancies of papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma: Interventions and outcome
    Abd Rahim A, Muhammad R, Ismail F, Wong YP, Che Abdul Aziz R, Chong GY, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2023 Aug;45(2):275-283.
    PMID: 37658537
    Thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the majority of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and is a recognised complication of prior exposure to ionizing radiation. Even more uncommon is the synchronous occurrence of PTC with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) as multiple primary malignancies. We report a 33-year-old mother of three who developed asymptomatic thyroid nodule for four years, and neck swelling for the recent ten months. She denied constitutional symptoms or B symptoms, and thyroid profiles were normal. Initially, metastatic thyroid cancer was suspected based on ultrasound scan findings of enlarged left thyroid gland and enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes (LN). However, fine needle aspiration examinations of the thyroid nodule were inconclusive, and the supraclavicular LN was suspicious of HL. Computerised tomography scan detected a large mass at the thyroid glands and lymphadenopathies in the mediastinal, hilar, subcarinal and axilla with dimensions up to 6 cm. Left hemi-thyroidectomy with left supraclavicular LN biopsy revealed PTC in the left thyroid lobe measuring 38 x 25 x 18 mm, and the left supraclavicular LN was not definitive of HL. Completion thyroidectomy on the right side, bilateral central neck dissection and excision biopsy of the right supraclavicular LN revealed the presence of HL in the right supraclavicular LN, and both HL and metastatic PTC in right central LN. After multidisciplinary discussions, the patient received chemotherapy at four weeks postoperatively and achieved complete remission. This report highlights the importance of patient-centered approach and multidisciplinary consensus within lack of established guidelines, given rarity of the case.
  8. Fulltext Diaporthe species causing stem gray blight of red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Malaysia
    Huda-Shakirah AR, Kee YJ, Wong KL, Zakaria L, Mohd MH
    Sci Rep, 2021 02 16;11(1):3907.
    PMID: 33594187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83551-z
    This study aimed to characterize the new fungal disease on the stem of red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Malaysia, which is known as gray blight through morphological, molecular and pathogenicity analyses. Nine fungal isolates were isolated from nine blighted stems of H. polyrhizus. Based on morphological characteristics, DNA sequences and phylogeny (ITS, TEF1-α, and β-tubulin), the fungal isolates were identified as Diaporthe arecae, D. eugeniae, D. hongkongensis, D. phaseolorum, and D. tectonendophytica. Six isolates recovered from the Cameron Highlands, Pahang belonged to D. eugeniae (DF1 and DF3), D. hongkongensis (DF9), D. phaseolorum (DF2 and DF12), and D. tectonendophytica (DF7), whereas three isolates from Bukit Kor, Terengganu were recognized as D. arecae (DFP3), D. eugeniae (DFP4), and D. tectonendophytica (DFP2). Diaporthe eugeniae and D. tectonendophytica were found in both Pahang and Terengganu, D. phaseolorum and D. hongkongensis in Pahang, whereas D. arecae only in Terengganu. The role of the Diaporthe isolates in causing stem gray blight of H. polyrhizus was confirmed. To date, only D. phaseolorum has been previously reported on Hylocereus undatus. This is the first report on D. arecae, D. eugeniae, D. hongkongensis, D. phaseolorum, and D. tectonendophytica causing stem gray blight of H. polyrhizus worldwide.
  9. Fulltext Abnormal microvascular reactivity with hypercholesterolaemia in pregnancy
    Rasool AH, Abdul Rahman AS, Abd Ghaffar NA, Nik Mahmood NM, Wong AR
    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Oct;17(4):14-9.
    PMID: 22135556 MyJurnal
    Post-occlusive skin reactive hyperaemia (PORH) is a model used to assess microvascular reactivity. This study aims to compare PORH response among pregnant hypercholesterolaemic patients with age and gestational age-matched controls.
  10. Fulltext Knowledge, acceptance and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A cross-sectional study
    Farhana AH, Afendi NR, Che Hashim NAH, Ismail AA, Zon EM, Rahimah AR
    Malays Fam Physician, 2024;19:29.
    PMID: 39011293 DOI: 10.51866/oa.533
    INTRODUCTION: This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted from 1 April 2022 to 31 October 2022, aimed to assess the knowledge, acceptance and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women visiting the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

    METHODS: The study included all pregnant women aged >18 years. Sociodemographic data, information related to COVID-19 and vaccination and information on the knowledge, acceptance and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination were collected using a validated questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Out of 420 eligible pregnant women, 412 participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. Of the respondents, 97.1% had received a COVID-19 vaccine, while 2.9% had not. Approximately 85.2% demonstrated a good understanding of COVID-19 vaccination. Among those vaccinated, 76.8% based their decision on recommendations from healthcare providers or the Ministry of Health. Among those unvaccinated, 91.7% believed that COVID-19 vaccines could harm their pregnancy and baby. Although 51% of the respondents expressed concerns about vaccine safety, 202 still chose to be vaccinated, indicating a willingness to prioritise their health despite apprehensions.

    CONCLUSION: The study found no significant link between acceptance and good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination. However, income and prior COVID-19 booster vaccination were strongly associated with acceptance. Despite safety concerns, 97.1% of the respondents had received a COVID-19 vaccine. This emphasises the importance of providing comprehensive information and addressing concerns to support informed decision-making among pregnant women. Healthcare providers play a vital role in guiding them through this crucial decision-making process.

  11. Fulltext Tool Wear and Surface Evaluation in Drilling Fly Ash Geopolymer Using HSS, HSS-Co, and HSS-TiN Cutting Tools
    Ghazali MF, Abdullah MMAB, Abd Rahim SZ, Gondro J, Pietrusiewicz P, Garus S, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Mar 26;14(7).
    PMID: 33810517 DOI: 10.3390/ma14071628
    This paper reports on the potential use of geopolymer in the drilling process, with respect to tool wear and surface roughness. The objectives of this research are to analyze the tool life of three different economy-grade drill bit uncoated; high-speed steel (HSS), HSS coated with TiN (HSS-TiN), and HSS-cobalt (HSS-Co) in the drilling of geopolymer and to investigate the effect of spindle speed towards the tool life and surface roughness. It was found that, based on the range of parameters set in this experiment, the spindle speed is directly proportional to the tool wear and inversely proportional to surface roughness. It was also observed that HSS-Co produced the lowest value of surface roughness compared to HSS-TiN and uncoated HSS and therefore is the most favorable tool to be used for drilling the material. For HSS, HSS coated with TiN, and HSS-Co, only the drilling with the spindle speed of 100 rpm was able to drill 15 holes without surpassing the maximum tool wear of 0.10 mm. HSS-Co exhibits the greatest tool life by showing the lowest value of flank wear and produce a better surface finish to the sample by a low value of surface roughness value (Ra). This finding explains that geopolymer is possible to be drilled, and therefore, ranges of cutting tools and parameters suggested can be a guideline for researchers and manufacturers to drill geopolymer for further applications.
  12. Fulltext Warpage Optimisation on the Moulded Part with Straight Drilled and Conformal Cooling Channels Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Glowworm Swarm Optimisation (GSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) Optimisation Approaches
    Mohd Hanid MH, Abd Rahim SZ, Gondro J, Sharif S, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Zain AM, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Mar 10;14(6).
    PMID: 33802032 DOI: 10.3390/ma14061326
    It is quite challenging to control both quality and productivity of products produced using injection molding process. Although many previous researchers have used different types of optimisation approaches to obtain the best configuration of parameters setting to control the quality of the molded part, optimisation approaches in maximising the performance of cooling channels to enhance the process productivity by decreasing the mould cycle time remain lacking. In this study, optimisation approaches namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Glowworm Swarm Optimisation (GSO) were employed on front panel housing moulded using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Each optimisation method was analysed for both straight drilled and Milled Groove Square Shape (MGSS) conformal cooling channel moulds. Results from experimental works showed that, the performance of MGSS conformal cooling channels could be enhanced by employing the optimisation approach. Therefore, this research provides useful scientific knowledge and an alternative solution for the plastic injection moulding industry to improve the quality of moulded parts in terms of deformation using the proposed optimisation approaches in the used of conformal cooling channels mould.
  13. Fulltext Hybrid Mold: Comparative Study of Rapid and Hard Tooling for Injection Molding Application Using Metal Epoxy Composite (MEC)
    Hussin R, Sharif S, Nabiałek M, Zamree Abd Rahim S, Khushairi MTM, Suhaimi MA, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Feb 01;14(3).
    PMID: 33535504 DOI: 10.3390/ma14030665
    The mold-making industry is currently facing several challenges, including new competitors in the market as well as the increasing demand for a low volume of precision moldings. The purpose of this research is to appraise a new formulation of Metal Epoxy Composite (MEC) materials as a mold insert. The fabrication of mold inserts using MEC provided commercial opportunities and an alternative rapid tooling method for injection molding application. It is hypothesized that the addition of filler particles such as brass and copper powders would be able to further increase mold performance such as compression strength and thermal properties, which are essential in the production of plastic parts for the new product development. This study involved four phases, which are epoxy matrix design, material properties characterization, mold design, and finally the fabrication of the mold insert. Epoxy resins filled with brass (EB) and copper (EC) powders were mixed separately into 10 wt% until 30 wt% of the mass composition ratio. Control factors such as degassing time, curing temperature, and mixing time to increase physical and mechanical properties were optimized using the Response Surface Method (RSM). The study provided optimum parameters for mixing epoxy resin with fillers, where the degassing time was found to be the critical factor with 35.91%, followed by curing temperature with 3.53% and mixing time with 2.08%. The mold inserts were fabricated for EB and EC at 30 wt% based on the optimization outcome from RSM and statistical ANOVA results. It was also revealed that the EC mold insert offers better cycle time compared to EB mold insert material.
  14. Gender disparity in the prescription of secondary prevention medications in a Malaysian primary care clinic
    Baharudin N, Ahmad Roslan AM, Mohamed Yassin MS, Ramli AS, Zainal Abidin ANI, Sahar NH, et al.
    Malays Fam Physician, 2021 Jul 22;16(2):37-44.
    PMID: 34386162 DOI: 10.51866/oa1080
    Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the proven benefit of secondary prevention medications (SPMs), their utilisation remains suboptimal in many countries. This study aimed to assess the use of SPMs in a Malaysian primary care clinic and factors associated with it.

    Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted to assess the prescription of SPMs among patients with coronary artery disease who attended the clinic between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2018. Prescriptions of SPMs were documented in numbers and percentages. Multiple logistic regressions were used to analyse factors associated with the prescription of SPMs.

    Results: Of the 662 patients included in the study, 99.1% were prescribed statins, 97% antiplatelets, 81.7% angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and 78.7% beta-blockers. Male patients were more likely to be prescribed statins (OR = 8.584, 95% CI: 1.431 - 51.510) and antiplatelets (OR = 6.818, 95% CI: 2.294 - 20.257). Another significant factor for antiplatelets prescription was having diabetes (OR = 3.318, 95% CI: 1.148 - 9.590). Having hypertension was associated with ACE-inhibitors or ARBs prescription (OR = 4.008, 95% CI: 2.522 - 6.370).

    Conclusion: Although the majority of patients received SPMs, there were significant disparities for some SPMs prescriptions among female patients. As these medications are widely available in the Malaysian primary care setting, steps should be taken to ensure that these medications are prescribed equally for all eligible patients.

  15. Fulltext Geopolymer Ceramic Application: A Review on Mix Design, Properties and Reinforcement Enhancement
    Mohd Mortar NA, Abdullah MMAB, Abdul Razak R, Abd Rahim SZ, Aziz IH, Nabiałek M, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2022 Oct 28;15(21).
    PMID: 36363159 DOI: 10.3390/ma15217567
    Geopolymers have been intensively explored over the past several decades and considered as green materials and may be synthesised from natural sources and wastes. Global attention has been generated by the use of kaolin and calcined kaolin in the production of ceramics, green cement, and concrete for the construction industry and composite materials. The previous findings on ceramic geopolymer mix design and factors affecting their suitability as green ceramics are reviewed. It has been found that kaolin offers significant benefit for ceramic geopolymer applications, including excellent chemical resistance, good mechanical properties, and good thermal properties that allow it to sinter at a low temperature, 200 °C. The review showed that ceramic geopolymers can be made from kaolin with a low calcination temperature that have similar properties to those made from high calcined temperature. However, the choice of alkali activator and chemical composition should be carefully investigated, especially under normal curing conditions, 27 °C. A comprehensive review of the properties of kaolin ceramic geopolymers is also presented, including compressive strength, chemical composition, morphological, and phase analysis. This review also highlights recent findings on the range of sintering temperature in the ceramic geopolymer field which should be performed between 600 °C and 1200 °C. A brief understanding of kaolin geopolymers with a few types of reinforcement towards property enhancement were covered. To improve toughness, the role of zirconia was highlighted. The addition of zirconia between 10% and 40% in geopolymer materials promises better properties and the mechanism reaction is presented. Findings from the review should be used to identify potential strategies that could develop the performance of the kaolin ceramic geopolymers industry in the electronics industry, cement, and biomedical materials.
  16. A comparative study based on performance and techno-economic analysis of different strategies for PV-Electrolyzer (green) hydrogen fueling incinerator system
    Majeed Butt O, Shakeel Ahmad M, Kai Lun T, Seng Che H, Fayaz H, Abd Rahim N, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2023 Feb 01;156:1-11.
    PMID: 36424243 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.11.016
    The integration of hydrogen in the primary energy mix requires a major technological shift in virtually every energy-related application. This study has attempted to investigate the techno-economic solar photovoltaic (PV) integrated water electrolysis and waste incineration system. Three different strategies, i.e., (i) PV + Battery(Hybrid mode with required batteries); (ii) auto-ignition (Direct coupling); and (iii) PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer(Direct coupling assisted with secondary electrolyzer), have been envisioned. The 'PV + Battery' consume 42.42 % and 15.07 % less energy than the auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' methods. However, the capital cost of 'PV + Battery' has been calculated to be 15.4 % and 11.8 % more than auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer, respectively.The energy consumption relative to waste input, the 'PV + Battery' method used 80 % less energy, while auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' showed 70.5 % and 77.5 % less energy, respectively. Furthermore, these approaches showed a vast difference in cost-benefit for the longer run. 'PV + Battery' was forecasted to be 73.3 % and 23.3 % more expensive than auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' methods, respectively, for 30 years. Overall, this study can benefit from using either of these methods depending on the application, usage scale, and climatic conditions.
  17. Fulltext Factors of Never Screened with Faecal Occult Blood Test in Public Primary Care Facilities
    Sazali MF, Syed Abdul Rahim SS, Avoi R, Hassan MR, Hayati F, Azhar ZI, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2021 Jan 01;22(1):163-169.
    PMID: 33507695 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.1.163
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still a major public health threat. In the effort to reduce CRC incidence and mortality, faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is currently the screening tools used for early detection of CRC. However, the uptake of FOBT screening is less than promising. This study aims to identify the prevalence and predictors of Never Screened with FOBT (NS-FOBT).

    METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in five health clinics under Kota Kinabalu district, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo involving 162 attendees with age of 50 years old and above. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of NS-FOBT.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of NS-FOBT was 85.8% (n=139). Important predictors of NS-FOBT were age (aOR: 0.922; 95% CI: 0.855, 0.995; p=0.035), Bumiputera ethnicity (vs Non Bumiputera; aOR: 4.285; 95% CI: 1.384, 13.263; p=0.012), knowledge score (aOR: 0.921; 95% CI: 0.856, 0.99; p=0.027), and attitude score (aOR: 0.801; 95% CI: 0.702, 0.913; p=0.001).

    CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of NS-FOBT. Age, ethnicity, knowledge, and attitude were important predictors of NS-FOBT. Strategies are needed to improve FOBT screening rate among the public. Socio-culturally tailored health promotion strategies as well as strengthening the communication, collaboration, and education to enhance the role of family physician is vital in improving the CRC prevention and care.

  18. Fulltext Producing Metal Powder from Machining Chips Using Ball Milling Process: A Review
    Wei LK, Abd Rahim SZ, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Yin ATM, Ghazali MF, Omar MF, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2023 Jun 27;16(13).
    PMID: 37444950 DOI: 10.3390/ma16134635
    In the pursuit of achieving zero emissions, exploring the concept of recycling metal waste from industries and workshops (i.e., waste-free) is essential. This is because metal recycling not only helps conserve natural resources but also requires less energy as compared to the production of new products from virgin raw materials. The use of metal scrap in rapid tooling (RT) for injection molding is an interesting and viable approach. Recycling methods enable the recovery of valuable metal powders from various sources, such as electronic, industrial, and automobile scrap. Mechanical alloying is a potential opportunity for sustainable powder production as it has the capability to convert various starting materials with different initial sizes into powder particles through the ball milling process. Nevertheless, parameter factors, such as the type of ball milling, ball-to-powder ratio (BPR), rotation speed, grinding period, size and shape of the milling media, and process control agent (PCA), can influence the quality and characteristics of the metal powders produced. Despite potential drawbacks and environmental impacts, this process can still be a valuable method for recycling metals into powders. Further research is required to optimize the process. Furthermore, ball milling has been widely used in various industries, including recycling and metal mold production, to improve product properties in an environmentally friendly way. This review found that ball milling is the best tool for reducing the particle size of recycled metal chips and creating new metal powders to enhance mechanical properties and novelty for mold additive manufacturing (MAM) applications. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research on various parameters associated with ball milling to optimize the process of converting recycled copper chips into powder. This research will assist in attaining the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness in particle size reduction and powder quality. Lastly, this review also presents potential avenues for future research by exploring the application of RT in the ball milling technique.
  19. Fulltext The Influence of MMA Esterification on Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Kenaf Bast/Glass Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites
    Rahman R, Syed Putra SZF, Abd Rahim SZ, Nainggolan I, Jeż B, Nabiałek M, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Apr 28;14(9).
    PMID: 33924838 DOI: 10.3390/ma14092276
    The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites for various applications has increased, which is leading to more research being conducted on natural fiber hybrid composites due to their promising mechanical properties. However, the incompatibility of natural fiber with polymer matrix limits the performance of the natural fiber hybrid composite. In this research work, the mechanical properties and fiber-to-matrix interfacial adhesion were investigated. The efficiency of methyl methacrylate (MMA)-esterification treatments on composites' final product performance was determined. The composite was prepared using the hand lay-up method with varying kenaf bast fiber (KBF) contents of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 (weight%) and hybridized with glass fiber (GF) at 5 and 10 (weight%). Unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were used as binders and catalysts, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine the effects of MMA-esterification treatment on tensile strength and morphology (tensile fracture and characterization of MMA-esterification treatment) of the composite fabricated. The tensile strength of MMA-treated reinforced UPE and hybrid composites are higher than that of untreated composites. As for MMA treatment, 90 min of treatment showed the highest weight percent gain (WPG) and tensile strength of KBF-reinforced UPE composites. It can be concluded that the esterification of MMA on the KBF can lead to better mechanical properties and adhesion between the KFB and the UPE matrix. This research provides a clear reference for developing hybrid natural fibers, thus contributing to the current field of knowledge related to GF composites, specifically in transportation diligences due to their properties of being lightweight, superior, and involving low production cost.
  20. Fulltext Optimisation of Shrinkage and Strength on Thick Plate Part Using Recycled LDPE Materials
    Roslan N, Abd Rahim SZ, Abdellah AE, Abdullah MMAB, Błoch K, Pietrusiewicz P, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Apr 05;14(7).
    PMID: 33916414 DOI: 10.3390/ma14071795
    Achieving good quality of products from plastic injection moulding processes is very challenging, since the process comprises many affecting parameters. Common defects such as warpage are hard to avoid, and the defective parts will eventually go to waste, leading to unnecessary costs to the manufacturer. The use of recycled material from postindustrial waste has been studied by a few researchers. However, the application of an optimisation method by which to optimise processing parameters to mould parts using recycled materials remains lacking. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) methods were conducted on thick plate parts moulded using virgin and recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) materials (100:0, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50; virgin to recycle material ratios) to find the optimal input parameters for each of the material ratios. Shrinkage in the x and y directions increased in correlation with the recycled ratio, compared to virgin material. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of the thick plate part continued to decrease when the recycled ratio increased. R30 (70:30) had the optimum shrinkage in the x direction with respect to R0 (100:0) material where the shrinkage increased by 24.49% (RSM) and 33.20% (PSO). On the other hand, the shrinkage in the y direction for R30 material increased by 4.48% (RSM) and decreased by 2.67% (PSO), while the tensile strength of R30 (70:30) material decreased by 0.51% (RSM) and 2.68% (PSO) as compared to R0 (100:0) material. Validation tests indicated that the optimal setting of processing parameter suggested by PSO and RSM for R0 (100:0), R30 (70:30), R40 (60:40) and R50 (50:50) was less than 10%.
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