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Fulltext Recent Advancements on COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

Rahman HS, Abdulateef DS, Hussen NH, Salih AF, Othman HH, Mahmood Abdulla T, et al.

Int J Gen Med, 2021;14:10351-10372.
PMID: 34992449 DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S339475

Over the last few decades, there have been several global outbreaks of severe respiratory infections. The causes of these outbreaks were coronaviruses that had infected birds, mammals and humans. The outbreaks predominantly caused respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract symptoms and other mild to very severe clinical signs. The current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a rapidly spreading illness affecting millions of people worldwide. Among the countries most affected by the disease are the United States of America (USA), India, Brazil, and Russia, with France recording the highest infection, morbidity, and mortality rates. Since early January 2021, thousands of articles have been published on COVID-19. Most of these articles were consistent with the reports on the mode of transmission, spread, duration, and severity of the sickness. Thus, this review comprehensively discusses the most critical aspects of COVID-19, including etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, transmission, pathological changes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control, and vaccination.
Fulltext Investigation of Ion Transport Parameters and Electrochemical Performance of Plasticized Biocompatible Chitosan-Based Proton Conducting Polymer Composite Electrolytes

Hadi JM, Aziz SB, R Saeed S, Brza MA, Abdulwahid RT, Hamsan MH, et al.

Membranes (Basel), 2020 Nov 21;10(11).
PMID: 33233480 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110363

In this study, biopolymer composite electrolytes based on chitosan:ammonium iodide:Zn(II)-complex plasticized with glycerol were successfully prepared using the solution casting technique. Various electrical and electrochemical parameters of the biopolymer composite electrolytes' films were evaluated prior to device application. The highest conducting plasticized membrane was found to have a conductivity of 1.17 × 10-4 S/cm. It is shown that the number density, mobility, and diffusion coefficient of cations and anions fractions are increased with the glycerol amount. Field emission scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques are used to study the morphology and structure of the films. The non-Debye type of relaxation process was confirmed from the peak appearance of the dielectric relaxation study. The obtained transference number of ions (cations and anions) and electrons for the highest conducting sample were identified to be 0.98 and 0.02, respectively. Linear sweep voltammetry shows that the electrochemical stability of the highest conducting plasticized system is 1.37 V. The cyclic voltammetry response displayed no redox reaction peaks over its entire potential range. It was discovered that the addition of Zn(II)-complex and glycerol plasticizer improved the electric double-layer capacitor device performances. Numerous crucial parameters of the electric double-layer capacitor device were obtained from the charge-discharge profile. The prepared electric double-layer capacitor device showed that the initial values of specific capacitance, equivalence series resistance, energy density, and power density are 36 F/g, 177 Ω, 4.1 Wh/kg, and 480 W/kg, respectively.
Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of caprine Orf virus in Malaysia

Abdullah AA, Ismail MF, Balakrishnan KN, Bala JA, Hani H, Abba Y, et al.

Virusdisease, 2015 Dec;26(4):255-9.
PMID: 26645035 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-015-0278-4

Orf virus is a DNA virus that causes contiguous ecthyma in goat and sheep. Infection of animals with this virus cause high mortality in young animals resulting in huge economic losses. In this study, we investigated an outbreak of Orf in a goat farm in Malaysia. Samples were collected from infected animals and viral isolation was done using both LT and MDCK cell lines. Molecular detection was done by conventional PCR for specific primers; B2L and F1L genes and phylogenetic analysis was done on the sequence data obtained. Cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed in both cell lines after 3 days of inoculation and were 50 % by the sixth day. PCR showed positive bands for both B2L and F1L genes and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Malaysian strain had close homology to the Chinese and Indian Orf virus isolates. This study gives more insight into the existing Orf viral strains in Malaysia and their relationship with other strains globally.
Fulltext Genetic analysis of the M2/ANXA5 haplotype as recurrent pregnancy loss predisposition in the Malay population

Ang KC, Kathirgamanathan S, Ch'ng ES, Lee YY, Roslani AL, Naidu B, et al.

J Assist Reprod Genet, 2017 Apr;34(4):517-524.
PMID: 28108842 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-0871-0

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new predisposition factor, M2/ANXA5 (RPRGL3), in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients of Malay origin, since it was previously known that the prevalence of this condition is relatively high among the Malay population of Malaysia, where conventional hereditary thrombophilia factors have been generally ruled out.
METHODS: A total of 232 women who had experienced ≥2 unexplained RPL and 141 available male partners were recruited, with 360 healthy Malay and 166 parous female controls. Prevalence of M2 carriage and RPL odds ratios were calculated in (a) control and patient groups; (b) clinically defined subgroups in categories of pregnancy loss, primary, secondary, and tertiary; and (c) timing of pregnancy loss in early, ≤15th gestation week and "late" fetal losses, and >15th gestation week subgroups.
RESULTS: Both male and female subjects had similar M2/ANXA5 allele frequencies. The carrier rate of M2/ANXA5 for the general Malay population was 42.2 and 34.9% for parous controls. These carrier rates compared to Malay RPL subjects (52% M2 carriers) resulted in elevated odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.53 (1.1 to 2.1) and 1.97 (1.3 to 3.1) accordingly for early fetal losses. Moreover, exceeding copy numbers of M2/ANXA5 alleles seemed to afflict a greater chance of RPL in couples, especially when both partners were M2 carriers.
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the proposed role of M2/ANXA5 as embryonic, genetically associated thrombophilia predisposition factor for early RPL among ethnic Malay of Malaysia.
Fulltext Dentatin Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells via Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Survivin Downregulation, Caspase-9, -3/7 Activation, and NF-κB Inhibition

Arbab IA, Looi CY, Abdul AB, Cheah FK, Wong WF, Sukari MA, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:856029.
PMID: 23091559 DOI: 10.1155/2012/856029

This study was set to investigate antiproliferative potential of dentatin (a natural coumarin isolated from Clausena excavata Burm. F) against prostate cancer and to delineate the underlying mechanism of action. Treatment with dentatin dose-dependently inhibited cell growth of PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines, whereas it showed less cytotoxic effects on normal prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1). The inhibitory effect of dentatin on prostate cancer cell growth was due to induction of apoptosis as evidenced by Annexin V staining and cell shrinkage. We found that dentatin-mediated accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and downregulated expression levels of antiapoptotic molecules (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Survivin), leading to disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell membrane permeability, and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. These effects were associated with induction of caspase-9, -3/7 activities, and subsequent DNA fragmentation. In addition, we found that dentatin inhibited TNF-α-induced nuclear translocation of p65, suggesting dentatin as a potential NF-κB inhibitor. Thus, we suggest that dentatin may have therapeutic value in prostate cancer treatment worthy of further development.
Association between medication adherence and blood pressure control and factors associated with antihypertensive medication adherence in the Melaka Tengah District: A cross-sectional survey

Suleiman SZ, Htay MNN, Soe HHK, Low LYC, Alias SH, Yussof S, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2024;19:56.
PMID: 39534762 DOI: 10.51866/oa.651

INTRODUCTION: The burden of cardiovascular disease and early morbidity and mortality is exacerbated by hypertension. According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 30% of adults in Malaysia aged over 18 years had hypertension. Our study aimed to investigate the association between medication adherence and blood pressure control and the factors associated with antihypertensive medication adherence.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with hypertension who had been under treatment at public primary health clinics in the Melaka Tengah District. A self-administered questionnaire was used, and blood pressure was measured. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 28).
RESULTS: A total of 1531 patients were recruited in this study. Among them, 74.1% had good antihypertensive medication adherence, and 51.4% had their blood pressure controlled. Medication adherence was significantly associated with blood pressure control (P<0.005). The multivariate analysis showed that the determinants for antihypertensive medication non-adherence were Malay ethnicity, secondary education, farther distance from the clinic, experience of side effects of antihypertensive medications, concern about long-term side effects and usage of alternative medicine (P<0.05). Taking multiple antihypertensive medications was the only factor associated with uncontrolled blood pressure (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Addressing issues on medication adherence is important to ensure blood pressure control. The factors associated with non-adherence should be closely monitored to improve blood pressure control and prevent adverse health outcomes. Single-pill combination antihypertensive medications are encouraged to reduce pill burden and improve blood pressure control.
Fulltext The upper respiratory tract microbiome of indigenous Orang Asli in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia

Cleary DW, Morris DE, Anderson RA, Jones J, Alattraqchi AG, A Rahman NI, et al.

NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 2021 01 05;7(1):1.
PMID: 33402693 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-00173-5

Much microbiome research has focused on populations that are predominantly of European descent, and from narrow demographics that do not capture the socio-economic and lifestyle differences which impact human health. Here we examined the airway microbiomes of the Orang Asli, the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. A total of 130 participants were recruited from two sites in the north-eastern state of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the nasal microbiome was significantly more diverse in those aged 5-17 years compared to 50+ years (p = 0.023) and clustered by age (PERMANOVA analysis of the Bray-Curtis distance, p = 0.001). Hierarchical clustering of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity scores revealed six microbiome clusters. The largest cluster (n = 28; 35.4%) had a marked abundance of Corynebacterium. In the oral microbiomes Streptococcus, Neisseria and Haemophilus were dominant. Using conventional microbiology, high levels of Staphylococcus aureus carriage were observed, particularly in the 18-65 age group (n = 17/36; 47.2% 95% CI: 30.9-63.5). The highest carriage of pneumococci was in the <5 and 5 to 17 year olds, with 57.1% (4/7) and 49.2% (30/61), respectively. Sixteen pneumococcal serotypes were identified, the most common being the nonvaccine-type 23A (14.6%) and the vaccine-type 6B (9.8%). The prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes covered by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines support introduction into a Malaysian national immunisation schedule. In addition, the dominance of Corynebacterium in the airway microbiomes is intriguing given their role as a potentially protective commensal with respect to acute infection and respiratory health.
Clinical effectiveness of a Malaysian-manufactured CAPD product: A randomised trial

Mak WY, Leong CT, Ong LM, Bavanandan S, Mushahar L, Goh BL, et al.

Perit Dial Int, 2021 05;41(3):273-283.
PMID: 33733911 DOI: 10.1177/0896860821993954

BACKGROUND: We compared the clinical effectiveness of a new peritoneal dialysis (PD) product with polyvinyl chloride-containing tubing (Stay Safe Link®, SSL) with the plastic-free alternative (Stay Safe®, STS) in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
METHOD: A multicentre, parallel, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial was conducted. Adult patients receiving CAPD were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to SSL or STS. The primary outcome was the rate of peritonitis after 1 year of follow-up.
RESULTS: A total of 472 subjects were randomised (SSL, n = 233; STS, n = 239). One subject in each group was excluded from the analysis as they withdrew consent before the first dialysis dose. Four hundred and seventy subjects (SSL, n = 232; STS, n = 238) were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Non-inferiority between two groups was established as no significant difference was found in peritonitis rate (incident rate ratio: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.65-1.28). No significant difference was detected in weekly Kt/V (p = 0.58) and creatinine clearance (p = 0.55). However, the average ultrafiltration volume was significantly lower in SSL, with a mean difference of 93 ml (p < 0.01). SSL also demonstrated a 2.57-times higher risk of device defect than STS (95% CI: 1.77-3.75).
CONCLUSION: SSL was non-inferior in peritonitis rate compared to plastic-free STS over 1 year in patients requiring CAPD. There was no difference in the delivered dialysis dose, but there was a higher rate of device defects with SSL.
Fulltext Expanding Opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Subjects Teaching and Learning: Connecting through Comics

Adnan M, Abdullah JM, Ibharim LFM, Hoe TW, Janan D, Abdullah N, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Jul;26(4):127-133.
PMID: 31496902 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.4.15

This study presents the results of a year-long project focused on analysis and reflection on working with comics by Year One students in Hulu Langat districts. This study presents the use of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) comics to help children understand certain physical phenomena and try to make students interested in mathematics and science subject. Thirteen excellent teachers of science and mathematics from the Hulu Langat district were involved in the analysis of syllabus Year One science and mathematics subjects and the preparation of scripts while the STEM comic illustrator was created by two lecturers from the Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative Industry from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak Malaysia. The study is based on observations of changing perception of phenomena by children as a result of the use of comics. As a result, a STEM comic that contains ten series for Year One science and mathematics subjects has been successfully developed. This comic is expected to attract and enhance the achievement of Year One students in science and mathematics. Implication of this study, STEM comics can be used by teachers as science and mathematics teaching aids. Comics are proven to be a modern pedagogical strategy, which is starting to gain its popularity in teaching about mathematics and science. Comics can be very helpful tools in making science and mathematics concepts interesting, fun learning and comprehensible for a Year One children.