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Fulltext Rapid detection and identification of pathogens in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) associated peritonitis by 16s rRNA gene sequencing

Ahmadi SH, Neela V, Hamat RA, Goh BL, Syafinaz AN

Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):602-7.
PMID: 24522129 MyJurnal

Peritonitis still remains a serious complication with high rate of morbidity and mortality in patients on CAPD. Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens causing peritonitis in a CAPD patient is essential for early and optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to use 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing to identify common bacterial and fungal pathogens directly from the peritoneal fluid without culturing. Ninety one peritoneal fluids obtained from 91 different patients on CAPD suspected for peritonitis were investigated for etiological agents by 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing. Data obtained by molecular method was compared with the results obtained by culture method. Among the 45 patients confirmed for peritonitis based on international society of peritoneal dialysis (ISPD) guidelines, the etiological agents were identified in 37(82.2%) samples by culture method, while molecular method identified the etiological agents in 40(88.9%) samples. Despite the high potential application of the 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing in comparison to culture method to detect the vast majority of etiological agents directly from peritoneal fluids; it could not be used as a standalone test as it lacks sensitivity to identify some bacterial species due to high genetic similarity in some cases and inadequate database in Gene Bank. However, it could be used as a supplementary test to the culture method especially in the diagnosis of culture negative peritonitis.
Fulltext Evaluation of enhanced virgin coconut oil and senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum) as anthelmintics against caprine strongyle nematodes

Basripuzi HB, Sani RA, Ariff OM, Chandrawathani P

Trop Biomed, 2013 Sep;30(3):516-25.
PMID: 24189681 MyJurnal

A study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic properties of enhanced virgin coconut oil (EVCO) and senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum) plant against strongyle nematodes in goats. Two preparations of 10% EVCO dissolved in 90% virgin coconut oil and 10% EVCO dissolved in 90% palm oil, were given orally to two groups of mixed breeds goats. The efficacy test indicated that EVCO was insufficiently active as an anthelmintic. Four concentrations of senduduk solution (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg ml(-1)) were compared with a control and albendazole in an in vitro test for larvicidal effect. There was no significant larval mortality using senduduk solution. An in vivo test of senduduk was conducted by comparing three groups of goats, namely control, levamisole and treatment groups that were given a daily oral dose of senduduk crude extract with 1g kg(-1) from Day 0 to Day 12 and 2 g kg(-1) from Day 13 to Day 30. This efficacy test with senduduk also gave negative results. The findings obtained indicated that EVCO and senduduk were ineffective as anthelmintics against caprinestrongyle nematodes at the concentrations used.
Fulltext Active infection and morphometric study of Trypanosoma evansi among horses in Peninsula Malaysia

Elshafie EI, Sani RA, Hassan L, Sharma R, Bashir A, Abubakar IA

Trop Biomed, 2013 Sep;30(3):444-50.
PMID: 24189674 MyJurnal

Apart from occasional reports of clinical disease affecting horses, there is no information about Trypanosoma evansi in horses in Peninsula Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted in eight states in Peninsula Malaysia to determine the active presence of T. evansi in horses. A total of 527 blood samples were obtained and examined by haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT), Giemsa-stained thin blood smear (GSS), morphometric measurements, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloning of PCR products. The results showed an overall parasitological prevalence of 0.57% (3/527, CI: 1.6-0.19%) with both HCT and GSS. Morphometric study revealed the mean total length of the trypanosomes including the free flagellum was 27.94 ± 2.63 μm. PCR successfully amplified a trypanosome specific 257 bp in 1.14% of samples (6/527, CI: 2.4-0.52%) and was confirmed by nucleotide sequences. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) for the positive cases detected by HCT was lower (23% ± 7.00) compared to the positive cases detected by PCR alone in the state of Terengganu (35% ± 4.73). In conclusion, this study showed T. evansi infection occurred in low frequency in horses in Peninsula Malaysia, and anaemia coincided with parasitaemic animals. PCR is considered as a sensitive diagnostic tool when parasitaemia is undetectable. The slight lengthier mean of parasite and anaemia may indicate a virulent strain of T. evansi circulating throughout the country. Thus, it's highly recommended to shed light on host-parasite relationship for better epidemiological understanding.
Fulltext First report of bovine lungworm disease in South-East Asia

Lat-Lat H, Hassan L, Sani RA, Sheikh-Omar AR, Hishamfariz M, Ng V

Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):77-81.
PMID: 17568380 MyJurnal

This paper presents investigation of lungworm disease outbreaks that is based on retrospective examination of cases recorded between 1994 and 2000 on a government beef cattle breeding centre in the state of Pahang, peninsular Malaysia. The breed of cattle on the centre was Nelore and the mean population over a 7-year period (from 1994 to 2000) was 1612. All animals were allowed to graze on pasture and mixed grazing was practiced on the farm. The routine de-worming programme was performed using levamisole and ivermectin from 1994 to 1998 and abamectin in 1999 and 2000 on 1 to 3-month-old calves and an annual dose given to the adult cattle. Nelore was introduced into the farm in 1991, three years before the first outbreak from Brazil where Dictyocaulus viviparus infection had been reported. No lungworm infection had been observed in the farm prior to the animal introduction. Within the 7-year period, 36 fatalities occurred and the annual mortality rate due to lungworm infection was 0.31%. The highest rate was recorded in 1997. Among the total 36 deaths, about 75% of deaths occurred in calves aged between 6 months and 12 months, 67% were males and 33% were female cattle. The highest number of deaths (19%) occurred in the month of November. In conclusion, D. viviparus infection may have been introduced into a tropical climate along with consignments of cattle from lungworm endemic areas resulting in fatal disease outbreaks for a few years following the animal's initial introduction.
Kayser-Fleischer rings and Wilson's disease

Low QJ, Siaw C, Lee RA, Cheo SW

QJM, 2020 Sep 01;113(9):693-694.
PMID: 31917404 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcaa005
Acute Ischemic Stroke and Acute on Chronic Kidney Disease

Aftab RA, Khan AH, AbdulRazzaq HA, Adnan AS

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc, 2016 12 10;54(202):85-87.
PMID: 27935930

Ischemic stroke is due to either local thrombus formation or emboli that occlude a cerebral artery, together with chronic kidney disease represent major mortality and morbidity.Here we present a case of 53 years old Malay man, admitted to a hospital in Malaysia complaining of sudden on set of weakness on right sided upper and lower limb associated with slurred speech. Patient was also suffering from uncontrolled hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease stage 4, and diabetes mellitus (uncontrolled). He was diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke with cranial nerve 7 palsy (with right hemiparesis), acute on chronic kidney disease precipitated by dehydration and ACE inhibitor, and hyperkalemia. Patients with ischemic disease and chronic kidney disaese require constant monitering and careful selected pharmacotherapy. Patient was placed under observation and was prescribed multiple pharamacotherpay to stabalise detoriating condition.
Species richness of scavenger insects on different carcass types

Mashaly AM, Al-Ajmi RA, Rady A, Al-Musawi Z, Farrukh A

Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):630-639.
PMID: 33597485

The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of food webs. In this study, we analyzed differences in species richness of scavengers based on carcass type in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected insects from experimental carcasses of three different types, domestic dogs (Canidae, Canis lupus familiaris), Hijazi goats (Bovidae, Capra aegagrus hircus), and camels (Camelidae, Camelus dromedarius). Data collection was conducted during the decay stage in June, 2016. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes as a marker for the molecular identification of the scavenger insects. The results showed that there were more insects on the camels and goats than the dogs. In total, seven species were found on all carrions. Six species were found on the camels and goats, but only five were found on the dog. Musca domestica was the most collected species of flies whereas, Necrobia rufipes was the most collected species of beetles. Overall, this study showed that carrion type had an effect on the type and number of insects attracted to the carrions. Thus, one of the significant factors that influence the associated scavenger assemblage is a carcass type.
Gender Differences in Treatment Outcome among Tuberculosis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis in Pakistan

Khan AH, Israr M, Mateen O, Hadi MA, Aftab RA

West Indian Med J, 2015 Dec 15.
PMID: 27399217 DOI: 10.7727/wimj.2014.234

Gender differences among tuberculosis (TB) patients are notable; however, studies evaluating the impact of gender on treatment outcomes have reported inconsistent results.
Letter to the editor on the article "Impact on the upper airway space of different types of orthognathic surgery for the correction of skeletal class III malocclusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis"

Tan SK, Leung WK, Tang ATH, Zwahlen RA

Int J Surg, 2017 09;45:156-157.
PMID: 28433756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.03.083
Backtracking search algorithm in CVRP models for efficient solid waste collection and route optimization

Akhtar M, Hannan MA, Begum RA, Basri H, Scavino E

Waste Manag, 2017 Mar;61:117-128.
PMID: 28153405 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.01.022

Waste collection is an important part of waste management that involves different issues, including environmental, economic, and social, among others. Waste collection optimization can reduce the waste collection budget and environmental emissions by reducing the collection route distance. This paper presents a modified Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) in capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) models with the smart bin concept to find the best optimized waste collection route solutions. The objective function minimizes the sum of the waste collection route distances. The study introduces the concept of the threshold waste level (TWL) of waste bins to reduce the number of bins to be emptied by finding an optimal range, thus minimizing the distance. A scheduling model is also introduced to compare the feasibility of the proposed model with that of the conventional collection system in terms of travel distance, collected waste, fuel consumption, fuel cost, efficiency and CO2 emission. The optimal TWL was found to be between 70% and 75% of the fill level of waste collection nodes and had the maximum tightness value for different problem cases. The obtained results for four days show a 36.80% distance reduction for 91.40% of the total waste collection, which eventually increases the average waste collection efficiency by 36.78% and reduces the fuel consumption, fuel cost and CO2 emission by 50%, 47.77% and 44.68%, respectively. Thus, the proposed optimization model can be considered a viable tool for optimizing waste collection routes to reduce economic costs and environmental impacts.
Differences in humoral immune response between patients with or without nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

Ghasemzadeh-Moghaddam H, van Wamel W, van Belkum A, Hamat RA, Neela VK

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2017 Mar;36(3):451-458.
PMID: 27815779 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2817-3

The humoral immune response against 43 staphylococcal antigens was compared among hospitalized patients where none of them had any staphylococcal infection on the day of admission with or without nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Fifty-nine carriers and 59 matched non-carriers were studied. The carriers harbored S. aureus of 35 different spa types, including three t037/ST239 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (5.1%). Among the 118 patients, 31 acquired S. aureus during hospitalization. In colonized and non-colonized patients, unique patterns of S. aureus-specific immune responses were observed. The mean fluorescence indices (MFIs) of antibodies against 36/43 (83.7%) antigens were seen to be elevated among carriers. The MFI among carriers with acquisition was significantly higher for staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 5 (SSL5, p = 0.028) when compared to carriers without acquisition. High antibody levels against staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) among carriers illustrate its role as a superantigen in both infection and colonization. We also report a dynamic immune response in S. aureus-carrying patients against the recently reported formyl peptide receptor-like inhibitory (FLIPr)-like protein. In the current study, the dynamics of antibodies against staphylococcal antigens among carrier patients seem quite similar to non-carrier patients. To better understand the dynamic immunogenicity during S. aureus infection and colonization, artificial colonization studies and investigation of the changes in the levels of antibodies against other staphylococcal antigens are recommended.
Abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis: A rare but devastating complication of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure

Mohd Said MR, Abdul Rani R, Raja Ali RA, Ngiu CS

Med J Malaysia, 2017 02;72(1):77-79.
PMID: 28255151 MyJurnal

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tubes were often offered to patients requiring long term enteral feeding. Even though the procedure is relatively safe, it is associated with various complications such as peritonitis or even death.1 We presented a case of a 54-year-old gentleman with underlying ischemic stroke and pus discharges from a recently inserted PEG tube. Computed Topography (CT) scan confirmed abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis complicated with hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia state (HHS) and later succumbed after 48 hours of admission. Our case illustrated the rare complication related to the insertion of PEG tube; abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis that was associated with mortality.
Development and characterization of sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose reinforced sugar palm starch bionanocomposites

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Carbohydr Polym, 2018 Dec 15;202:186-202.
PMID: 30286991 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.09.002

Sugar palm fibre (SPF) was treated with NaClO2, bleached with NaOH and subsequently hydrolyzed with acid to obtain sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose (SPNCCs). Bionanocomposites in the form of films were prepared by mixing sugar palm starch (SPS) and sorbitol/glycerol with different nanofiller SPNCCs compositions (0-1.0 wt%) using solution casting method. The resulting fibres and nanocomposites were characterized in terms of morphology (FESEM and TEM), footprint, crystallinity (XRD), light transmittance, biodegradability, physical, water barrier, thermal (TGA, DSC and DMA) and mechanical properties. The length (L), diameter (D) and L/D values of the SPNCCs were 130 ± 30.23, 8.5 ± 1.82 nm, and 15.3, respectively. The SPS/SPNCCs nanocomposite films exhibited higher crystallinity, tensile strength, Young's modulus, thermal and water-resistance compared to the neat SPS film. The results showed that the tensile strength and moduli of the bionanocomposites increased after being reinforced with SPNCCs and the optimum nanofiller content was 0.5%.
Fulltext PH levels effect on functional properties of different molecular weight eel (Monopterus sp.) protein hydrolysate

Samsudin NA, Halim NRA, Sarbon NM

J Food Sci Technol, 2018 Nov;55(11):4608-4614.
PMID: 30333657 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-018-3399-0

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pH levels on functional properties of various molecular weights of eel (Monopterus sp.) protein hydrolysate (EPH). The eel was enzymatically hydrolyzed and fractionated through membranes filter (10 kDa, 5 kDa and 3 kDa). The foaming capacity and stability, emulsifying capacity and stability index, water holding capacity and fat binding capacity between pH 2 and 10 were determined. The 5 kDa EPH was found to have the highest foaming capacity at pH 2, pH 4 and pH 6, and foaming stability and emulsifying activity index at all pH levels, except pH 8 and fat binding capacity at pH 2, as compared to 10 kDa and 3 kDa EPH fractions. The 10 kDa EPH had the highest emulsifying stability index and water holding capacity at all pH levels. This study shows that the EPH fractions at low pH level had high foaming and oil binding capacity, while at neutral pH, the fractions had high foaming stability and water holding capacity. These properties are important in making whipped cream, mousse and meringue. In contrast, EPH fractions demonstrated strong emulsifying properties at high pH levels and show potential as an emulsifier for breads, biscuits and frozen desserts.
Severe hypothyroidism presenting with supraventricular tachycardia

Mak WW, Raja Nurazni RA, Mohamed Badrulnizam LB

Med J Malaysia, 2018 10;73(5):349-350.
PMID: 30350825 MyJurnal

Thyroid disease is common and can have various systemic manifestations including cardiac diseases. Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with sinus bradycardia, low QRS complexes, prolonged QT interval and conduction blocks but rarely may cause arrhythmias. We present a patient who presented with presyncope and supraventricular tachycardia with severe hypothyroidism. Patient responded well to thyroxine replacement with biochemical improvement, the disappearance of arrhythmia after restoration of euthyroidism suggests that hypothyroidism might be the cause of supraventricular tachycardia. The aim of this report is to underline the possible aetiological link between supraventricular tachycardia and hypothyroidism, although supraventricular arrhythmias are ordinary features of hyperthyroidism.
Three-dimensional pharyngeal airway changes in dento-skeletal class II patients after two-jaw orthognathic surgery with segmentation - a pilot study

Tan SK, Tang ATH, Leung WK, Zwahlen RA

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2018 Dec;119(6):461-468.
PMID: 30099221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2018.07.004

PURPOSE: To investigate short- and long-term post-surgical three-dimensional changes of pharyngeal airway morphology and hyoid bone position in dento-skeletal class II deformity patients after two-jaw surgery with segmentation.
METHODS: Relations between skeletal movement, hyoid bone position and three-dimensional pharyngeal airway changes were retrospectively analyzed on pre- and post-surgical CBCTs in dento-skeletal class II patients who underwent orthognathic two-jaw surgery with segmentation.
RESULTS: While long-term significant reductions in length (P= 0.003), surface area (P= 0.042) and volume (P= 0.004) were found in the nasopharynx, the highly significant increases in oropharyngeal airway length, surface area, volume and the minimal cross-sectional area (P
Sugar palm nanofibrillated cellulose (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr): Effect of cycles on their yield, physic-chemical, morphological and thermal behavior

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Feb 15;123:379-388.
PMID: 30447353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.11.124

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFCs) were extracted from sugar palm fibres (SPS) in two separate stages; delignification and mercerization to remove lignin and hemicellulose, respectively. Subsequently, the obtained cellulose fibres were then mechanically extracted into nanofibres using high pressurized homogenization (HPH). The diameter distribution sizes of the isolated nanofibres were dependent on the cycle number of HPH treatment. TEM micro-images displayed the decreasing trend of NFCs diameter, from 21.37 to 5.5 nm when the number of cycle HPH was increased from 5 to 15 cycles, meanwhile TGA and XRD analysis showed that the degradation temperature and crystallinity of the NFCs were slightly increased from 347 to 347.3 °C and 75.38 to 81.19% respectively, when the number of cycles increased. Others analysis also were carried on such as FT-IR, FESEM, AFM, physical properties, zeta potential and yield analysis. The isolated NFCs may be potentially applied in various application, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, bio-nanocomposites, filtration media, bio-packaging and etc.
Does Vitamin K Intake Influence High Phosphate Induced Vascular Pseudo-ossification: An Underappreciated Therapeutic Prospect in General Population?

Thent ZC, Froemming GRA, Muid SA

Curr Drug Targets, 2019;20(4):421-430.
PMID: 30378497 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666181031124430

Increasing interest in vascular pseudo-ossification has alarmed the modern atherosclerotic society. High phosphate is one of the key factors in vascular pseudo ossification, also known as vascular calcification. The active process of deposition of the phosphate crystals in vascular tissues results in arterial stiffness. High phosphate condition is mainly observed in chronic kidney disease patients. However, prolonged exposure with high phosphate enriched foods such as canned drinks, dietary foods, etc. can be considered as modifiable risk factors for vascular complication in a population regardless of chronic kidney disease. High intake of vitamin K regulates the vascular calcification by exerting its anti-calcification effect. The changes in serum phosphate and vitamin K levels in a normal individual with high phosphate intake are not well investigated. This review summarised the underlying mechanisms of high phosphate induced vascular pseudo ossification such as vascular transdifferentiation, vascular apoptosis and phosphate uptake by sodium-dependent co-transporters. Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar were searched using the terms 'vitamin K', 'vascular calcification, 'phosphate', 'transdifferentiation' and 'vascular pseudoossification'. Vitamin K certainly activates the matrix GIA protein and inhibits vascular transition and apoptosis in vascular pseudo-ossification. The present view highlighted the possible therapeutic linkage between vitamin K and the disease. Understanding the role of vitamin K will be considered as potent prophylaxis agent against the vascular disease in near future.
Psychometric properties of the Malay version of motivation scales in drug treatment

Shukri M, Min RM, Abdullah SS, Yusof RAM, Husain Z

Med J Malaysia, 2019 Oct;74(5):377-384.
PMID: 31649212

INTRODUCTION: In recognition of the role of motivation in drug use treatment, patient motivational screening instruments are needed for strategic planning and treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Malay version of the Treatment Motivation Scale, and to compare the motivational levels of patients receiving substance abuse treatment with different modalities (inpatient vs. outpatient). The motivational scale consists of three scales: problem recognition, desire for help and treatment readiness.
METHOD: A convenience sample of 102 patients was recruited from four Cure and Care Service Centres in Malaysia.
RESULTS: Principal component analysis with varimax rotation supported two-factor solutions for each subscale: problem recognition, desire for help and treatment readiness, which accounted for 63.5%, 62.7% and 49.1% of the variances, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were acceptable for the overall measures (24 items: ∝ = 0.89), the problem recognition scale (10 items; ∝ = 0.89), desire for help (6 items; ∝ = 0.64) and treatment readiness scale (8 items; ∝ = 0.60). The results also indicated significant motivational differences for different modalities, with inpatients having significantly higher motivational scores in each scale compared to outpatients.
CONCLUSION: The present study pointed towards the favourable psychometric properties of a motivation for treatment scale, which can be a useful instrument for clinical applications of drug use changes and treatment.
Evaluation of rectal dose discrepancies between planned and in vivo dosimetry using MOSkin detector and PTW 9112 semiconductor probe during 60Co HDR CT-based intracavitary cervix brachytherapy

Jamalludin Z, Jong WL, Malik RA, Rosenfeld AB, Ung NM

Phys Med, 2020 Jan;69:52-60.
PMID: 31830631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.11.025

PURPOSE: Dose to the rectum during brachytherapy treatment may differ from an approved treatment plan which can be quantified with in vivo dosimetry (IVD). This study compares the planned with in vivo doses measured with MOSkin and PTW 9112 rectal probe in patients undergoing CT based HDR cervical brachytherapy with Co-60 source.
METHODS: Dose measurement of a standard pear-shaped plan carried out in phantom to verify the MOSkin dose measurement accuracy. With MOSkin attached to the third diode, RP3 of the PTW 9112, both detectors were inserted into patients' rectum. The RP3 and MOSkin measured doses in 18 sessions as well as the maximum measured doses from PTW 9112, RPmax in 48 sessions were compared to the planned doses.
RESULTS: Percentage dose differences ΔD (%) in phantom study for two MOSkin found to be 2.22 ± 0.07% and 2.5 ± 0.07%. IVD of 18 sessions resulted in ΔD(%) of -16.3% to 14.9% with MOSkin and ΔD(%) of -35.7% to -2.1% with RP3. In 48 sessions, RPmax recorded ΔD(%) of -37.1% to 11.0%. MOSkin_measured doses were higher in 44.4% (8/18) sessions, while RP3_measured were lower than planned doses in all sessions. RPmax_measured were lower in 87.5% of applications (42/47).
CONCLUSIONS: The delivered doses proven to deviate from planned doses due to unavoidable shift between imaging and treatment as measured with MOSkin and PTW 9112 detectors. The integration of MOSkin on commercial PTW 9112 surface found to be feasible for rectal dose IVD during cervical HDR ICBT.

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