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  1. Fulltext Stability risk assessment of slopes using logistic model tree based on updated case histories
    Ahmad F, Tang XW, Ahmad M, González-Lezcano RA, Majdi A, Arbili MM
    Math Biosci Eng, 2023 Nov 29;20(12):21229-21245.
    PMID: 38124595 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023939
    A new logistic model tree (LMT) model is developed to predict slope stability status based on an updated database including 627 slope stability cases with input parameters of unit weight, cohesion, angle of internal friction, slope angle, slope height and pore pressure ratio. The performance of the LMT model was assessed using statistical metrics, including accuracy (Acc), Matthews correlation coefficient (Mcc), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and F-score. The analysis of the Acc together with Mcc, AUC and F-score values for the slope stability suggests that the proposed LMT achieved better prediction results (Acc = 85.6%, Mcc = 0.713, AUC = 0.907, F-score for stable state = 0.967 and F-score for failed state = 0.923) as compared to other methods previously employed in the literature. Two case studies with ten slope stability events were used to verify the proposed LMT. It was found that the prediction results are completely consistent with the actual situation at the site. Finally, risk analysis was carried out, and the result also agrees with the actual conditions. Such probability results can be incorporated into risk analysis with the corresponding failure cost assessment later.
  2. Fulltext Exploring the Barriers and Expectations Towards Health Care Services Among Parents/Caretakers of People with Intellectual Disability in Kuantan, Malaysia: A Qualitative Study
    Mohd FN, Said AH, Ahmad MS, Ridzwan AN, Muhammad AI, Mat Naji AS
    J Int Soc Prev Community Dent, 2023;13(6):477-484.
    PMID: 38304533 DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_89_23
    BACKGROUNDS: People with intellectual disabilities (PWID) are often characterized by challenges in learning and difficulties in performing daily activities. These difficulties can have an impact not only on the individuals themselves but also on the people around them, especially their parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers. Therefore, establishing a positive relationship between parents or caregivers and individuals with disabilities is crucial as a key factor in promoting positive healthcare experiences and outcomes.

    AIM: This study aims to explore the barriers and perceptions toward healthcare services among parents or caretakers of people with intellectual disability, including the challenges and their expectations toward healthcare services.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a qualitative study using purposive sampling. Thirty participants were contacted at the initial stage and invited to participate in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done among parents and caretakers of PWID who attended Special Care Dentistry and Paediatric Dentistry clinics in Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre, Kuantan, Pahang. Topic guides were generated from literature review and expert opinions, followed by pilot interviews to refine them. However, after the interviews were done for the first 13 participants, we have reached data saturation, and no new themes emerged. The interviews were recorded, verbatim transcribed, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's guidelines for thematic analysis.

    RESULTS: The satisfaction of parents or caretakers toward healthcare services for PWID and positive experiences in receiving healthcare services were noted. However, the results revealed several barrier themes in seeking healthcare services: lack of availability of parking, longer waiting time, appointment time, crowded environment, limited information on the availability of the services, and longer travel duration. Furthermore, expectation themes emerged from this study: continuous follow-up, accessibility to healthcare services, and staff attitude.

  3. Unexplained subfertility: active or conservative management?
    Ahmad SM, Mat Jin N, Ahmad MF, Abdul Karim AK, Abu MA
    Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig, 2023 Dec 01;44(4):379-384.
    PMID: 38124670 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2022-0087
    OBJECTIVES: Unexplained subfertility (UEI) describes a couple whose standard subfertility workout consider acceptable but unable to conceived.

    METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in the Advanced Reproductive Centre, UKM Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, from January 2016 to December 2019. The data of 268 UEI couples were obtained from the clinical database. Women aged 21-45 years old was included and further divided into four groups according to the female partner's age and subfertility duration: group A (age <35 years and subfertility <2 years), group B (age <35 years and subfertility >2 years), group C (age >35 years and subfertility <2 years), and group D (age >35 years and subfertility <2 years). All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 for Windows.

    RESULTS: A total of 255 cases were included in this study. The mean age of the women was 32.9 ± 4.04 years, and the mean subfertility duration was 5.04 ± 2.9 years. A total of 51 (20 %) cases underwent timed sexual intercourse, 147 (57.6 %) cases had intrauterine insemination (IUI), whereas 57 (22.4 %) cases opted for in vitro fertilization (IVF). A total of 204 cases underwent active management (IUI/IVF), which showed a significant difference (p<0.05). Out of eight clinical pregnancies, half of them were from group B.

    CONCLUSIONS: Active management in younger women with a shorter subfertility duration revealed a better pregnancy outcome. Otherwise, individualized treatment should be considered in selecting a suitable treatment plan.

  4. Integrating phytoremediation and mycoremediation with biosurfactant-producing fungi for hydrocarbon removal and the potential production of secondary resources
    Ahmad J, Marsidi N, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Hasan HA, Othman AR, Ismail N', et al.
    Chemosphere, 2024 Feb;349:140881.
    PMID: 38048826 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140881
    Treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil to a less toxic medium via physical and chemical treatment is too costly and requires posttreatment. This review focuses on the employment of phytoremediation and mycoremediation technologies in cleaning hydrocarbon-contaminated soil which is currently rare. It is considered environmentally beneficial and possibly cost-effective as it implements the synergistic interaction between plants and biosurfactant producing mycorrhiza to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. This review also covers possible sources of hydrocarbon pollution in water and soil, toxicity effects, and current technologies for hydrocarbon removal and degradation. In addition to these problems, this review also discusses the challenges and opportunities of transforming the resultant treated sludge and treating plants into potential by-products for a higher quality of life for future generations.
  5. Fulltext Acute Oral, Subacute, and Developmental Toxicity Profiling of Naphthalene 2-Yl, 2-Chloro, 5-Nitrobenzoate: Assessment Based on Stress Response, Toxicity, and Adverse Outcome Pathways
    Anwar F, Saleem U, Rehman AU, Ahmad B, Ismail T, Mirza MU, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:810704.
    PMID: 35126145 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.810704
    The U.S. National Research Council (NRC) introduced new approaches to report toxicity studies. The NRC vision is to explore the toxicity pathways leading to the adverse effects in intact organisms by the exposure of the chemicals. This study examines the toxicity profiling of the naphthalene-2-yl 2-chloro-5-dinitrobenzoate (SF5) by adopting the vision of NRC that moves from traditional animal studies to the cellular pathways. Acute, subacute, and developmental toxicity studies were assayed according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The stress response pathway, toxicity pathway, and adverse effects outcome parameters were analyzed by using their standard protocols. The results showed that the acute toxicity study increases the liver enzyme levels. In a subacute toxicity study, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were raised in both male and female animals. SF5 significantly increases the normal sperm count in the male animals corresponding to a decrease in the abnormality count. Developmental toxicity showed the normal skeletal and morphological parameters, except little hydrocephalus was observed in developmental toxicity. Doses of 20 mg/kg in males and 4 mg/kg in females showed decreased glutathione (GSH) levels in the kidney and liver. MDA levels were also increased in the kidney and liver. However, histopathological studies did not show any cellular change in these organs. No statistical difference was observed in histamine levels, testosterone, nuclear factor erythroid two-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which showed no initiation of the stress response, toxicity, and adverse effect pathways. Immunomodulation was observed at low doses in subacute toxicity studies. It was concluded that SF5 did not produce abrupt and high-toxicity levels in organs and biochemical parameters. So, it is safe for further studies.
  6. Fulltext An outcome of Surgically Treated Head and Neck Cancer in one of the tertiary Referral Center in the East Coast of Malaysia: A 6-year Retrospective Analysis
    Abdullah K, Raja Lope Ahmad RA, Asha'ari ZA, Razali MS, Leman WI
    Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Jul;21(4):28-36.
    PMID: 25977619 MyJurnal
    Surgical management of head and neck cancer is undoubtedly challenging, and we would like to see the outcome of managing such cases at one of the tertiary referral center in the East Coast of Malaysia.
  7. Fulltext Assessing patient pain scores in the emergency department
    Baharuddin KA, Mohamad N, Nik Abdul Rahman NH, Ahmad R, Nik Him NA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):17-22.
    PMID: 22135521 MyJurnal
    BACKGROUND: Pain management in the Emergency Department is challenging. Do we need to ask patients specifically about their pain scores, or does our observational scoring suffice? The objective of this study was to determine the inter-rater differences in pain scores between patients and emergency healthcare (EHC) providers. Pain scores upon discharge or prior to ward admission were also determined.
    METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in which patients independently rated their pain scores at primary triage; EHC providers (triagers and doctors) separately rated the patients' pain scores, based on their observations.
    RESULTS: The mean patient pain score on arrival was 6.8 ± 1.6, whereas those estimated by doctors and triagers were 5.6±1.8 and 4.3±1.9, respectively. There were significant differences among patients, triagers and doctors (P< 0.001). There were five conditions (soft tissue injury, headache, abdominal pain, fracture and abscess/cellulites) that were significantly different in pain scores between patients and EHC providers (P<0.005). The mean pain score of patients upon discharge or admission to the ward was 3.3 ± 1.9.
    CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in mean patient pain scores on arrival, compared to those of doctors and triagers. Thus, asking for pain scores is a very important step towards comprehensive pain management in emergency medicine.
    KEYWORDS: emergency medicine; neurosciences; pain assessment; pain management; pain score
    Study site: Emergency department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur
  8. Fulltext Calcitriol-mediated Reversible Hypercalcemia in a Patient with Primary Adrenal Lymphoma
    Mir SA, Masoodi SR, Wani AI, Ahmad SN, Hameed I
    Malays J Med Sci, 2016 Nov;23(6):118-122.
    PMID: 28090186 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.6.13
    Primary adrenal lymphomas (PAL) are rare occurrences with only less than 150 cases reported in the literature. Two-thirds of these cases were reported in the last decade due to the advancements in imaging techniques and immunohistochemistry. The non-specific signs and symptoms have resulted in a delayed onset of symptoms and diagnosis of these tumors. Reports of the results of chemotherapy are not gratifying, and most patients die within one year of the diagnosis. We report a 65-year-old male with adrenal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), who presented with hypercalcemia and renal failure. We reviewed all adrenal NHL cases presented with hypercalcemia and attempted to comprehend its etiology and overall survival effect.
  9. Fulltext Differential regulation of KCC2 and NKCC1 expression by zolpidem in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal subregions of the lithium-pilocarpine status epilepticus rat model
    Othman MZ, Mohd Nasir MH, Wan Ahmad WAN, Abdullah JM, Che Has AT
    Exp Anim, 2025 Jan 09.
    PMID: 39779249 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.24-0120
    Status epilepticus is linked to cognitive decline due to damage to the hippocampus, a key structure involved in cognition. The hippocampus's high vulnerability to epilepsy-related damage is the main reason for this impairment. Convulsive seizures, such as those observed in status epilepticus, can cause various hippocampal pathologies, including inflammation, abnormal neurogenesis, and neuronal death. Interestingly, substantial evidence points to the therapeutic potential of the sedative/hypnotic agent zolpidem for neurorehabilitation in brain injury patients, following the unexpected discovery of its paradoxical awakening effect. In this study, we successfully established an ideal lithium-pilocarpine rat model of status epilepticus, which displayed significant deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. The Morris water maze test was used to assess zolpidem's potential to improve learning and memory, as well as its impact on anxiety-like behavior and motor function. Immunohistochemical staining and fluorescence analysis were used to examine the effect of zolpidem on KCC2 and NKCC1 protein expression in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3. Our findings showed that zolpidem did not improve learning and memory in status epilepticus rats. Additionally, its sedative/hypnotic effects were not apparent in the status epilepticus condition. However, immunohistochemical results revealed that zolpidem significantly restored altered NKCC1 levels in the CA1 and CA3 to levels similar to those seen in normal rats. These findings suggest that zolpidem may contribute to molecular restoration, particularly through its impact on NKCC1 protein expression in the hippocampus, which is crucial for proper inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain.
  10. Fulltext Validity of Time to Sputum Culture Conversion to Predict Cure in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Single-Center Study
    Javaid A, Ahmad N, Afridi AK, Basit A, Khan AH, Ahmad I, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2018 06;98(6):1629-1636.
    PMID: 29611497 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0936
    To evaluate the predictive value of time to sputum culture conversion (SCC) in predicting cure and factors associated with time to SCC and cure in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients, a retrospective study was conducted at programmatic management unit of drug resistant tuberculosis (TB), Peshawar. A total of 428 pulmonary MDR-TB patients enrolled at the study site from January 1, 2012 to August 31, 2014 were followed until treatment outcome was recorded. Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazards model and multivariate binary logistic regression were, respectively, used to identify factors associated with time to SCC and cure. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, 90.9% patients achieved SCC, and 76.9% were cured. Previous use of second-line drugs (SLDs) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.637; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.429-0.947), ofloxacin resistance (HR = 0.656; 95% CI = 0.522-0.825) and lung cavitation (HR = 0.744; 95% CI = 0.595-0.931) were significantly associated with time to SCC. In predicting cure, sensitivities of SCC at 2, 4, and 6 months were 64.1% (95% CI = 58.69-69.32), 93.0% (95% CI = 89.69-95.52), and 97.6% (95% CI = 95.27-98.94), respectively, whereas specificities were 67.7% (95% CI = 57.53-76.73), 51.5% (95% CI = 41.25-61.68), and 44.4% (95% CI = 34.45-54.78), respectively. Furthermore, patients' age of 41-60 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.202; 95% CI = 0.067-0.605) and > 60 years (OR = 0.051; 95% CI = 0.011-0.224), body weight > 40 kg (OR = 2.950; 95% CI = 1.462-5.952), previous SLD use (OR = 0.277; 95% CI = 0.097-0.789), lung cavitation (OR = 0.196; 95% CI = 0.103-0.371) and ofloxacin resistance (OR = 0.386; 95% CI = 0.198-0.749) were significantly associated with cure. Association of SCC with cure was substantially stronger at 6 months (OR = 32.10; 95% CI = 14.34-71.85) than at 4 months (OR = 14.13; 95% CI = 7.92-25.21). However in predicting treatment outcomes, the combined sensitivity and specificity of SCC at 4 months was comparable to SCC at 6 months. Patients with risk factors for delayed SCC were also at high risk of unsuccessful outcomes.
  11. Effect of growth differentiation factor 5 on the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro
    Tan SL, Ahmad RE, Ahmad TS, Merican AM, Abbas AA, Ng WM, et al.
    Cells Tissues Organs, 2012;196(4):325-38.
    PMID: 22653337
    The use of growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) in damaged tendons has been shown to improve tendon repair. It has been hypothesized that further improvements may be achieved when GDF-5 is used to promote cell proliferation and induce tenogenic differentiation in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). However, the optimal conditions required to produce these effects on hMSCs have not been demonstrated in previous studies. A study to determine cell proliferation and tenogenic differentiation in hMSCs exposed to different concentrations of GDF-5 (0, 5, 25, 50, 100 and 500 ng/ml) was thus conducted. No significant changes were observed in the cell proliferation rate in hMSCs treated at different concentrations of GDF-5. GDF-5 appeared to induce tenogenic differentiation at 100 ng/ml, as reflected by (1) a significant increase in total collagen expression, similar to that of the primary native human tenocyte culture; (2) a significant upregulation in candidate tenogenic marker gene expression, i.e. scleraxis, tenascin-C and type-I collagen; (3) the ratio of type-I collagen to type-III collagen expression was elevated to levels similar to that of human tenocyte cultures, and (4) a significant downregulation of the non-tenogenic marker genes runt-related transcription factor 2 and sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 at day 7 of GDF-5 induction, further excluding hMSC differentiation into other lineages. In conclusion, GDF-5 does not alter the proliferation rates of hMSCs, but, instead, induces an optimal tenogenic differentiation response at 100 ng/ml.
  12. Fulltext A prospective study of tracheal intubation in an academic emergency department in Malaysia
    Fathil SM, Mohd Mahdi SN, Che'man Z, Hassan A, Ahmad Z, Ismail AK
    Int J Emerg Med, 2010;3(4):233-7.
    PMID: 21373289 DOI: 10.1007/s12245-010-0201-0
    BACKGROUND: Airway management is an important part of the management of the critically ill and injured patients in the Emergency Department (ED). Numerous studies from developed countries have demonstrated the competency of emergency doctors in intubation. To date there have been no published data on intubations performed in EDs in Malaysia.
    METHODS: Data on intubations from 7 August 2007 till 28 August 2008 were prospectively collected.
    RESULTS: There were 228 intubations included in the study period. Cardiopulmonary arrest was the main indication for intubation (35.5%). The other indications were head injury (18.4%), respiratory failure (15.4%), polytrauma (9.6%) and cerebrovascular accident (7.0%). All of the 228 patients were successfully intubated. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) was the most frequent method (49.6%) of intubation. A total of 223 (97.8%) intubations were done by ED personnel. In 79.8% of the cases, intubations were successfully performed on the first attempt. Midazolam was the most common induction agent used (97 patients), while suxamethonium was the muscle relaxant of choice (109 patients). There were 34 patients (14.9%) with 38 reported immediate complications. The most common complication was oesophageal intubation.
    CONCLUSION: Emergency Department UKMMC personnel have a high competency level in intubation with an acceptable complication rate. RSI was the most common method for intubation.
    KEYWORDS: Airway; Intubation; Orotracheal intubation; Rapid sequence intubation
  13. Intelligent skin disease prediction system using transfer learning and explainable artificial intelligence
    Abbas S, Ahmed F, Khan WA, Ahmad M, Khan MA, Ghazal TM
    Sci Rep, 2025 Jan 11;15(1):1746.
    PMID: 39799199 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83966-4
    Skin diseases impact millions of people around the world and pose a severe risk to public health. These diseases have a wide range of effects on the skin's structure, functionality, and appearance. Identifying and predicting skin diseases are laborious processes that require a complete physical examination, a review of the patient's medical history, and proper laboratory diagnostic testing. Additionally, it necessitates a significant number of histological and clinical characteristics for examination and subsequent treatment. As a disease's complexity and quantity of features grow, identifying and predicting it becomes more challenging. This research proposes a deep learning (DL) model utilizing transfer learning (TL) to quickly identify skin diseases like chickenpox, measles, and monkeypox. A pre-trained VGG16 is used for transfer learning. The VGG16 can identify and predict diseases more quickly by learning symptom patterns. Images of the skin from the four classes of chickenpox, measles, monkeypox, and normal are included in the dataset. The dataset is separated into training and testing. The experimental results performed on the dataset demonstrate that the VGG16 model can identify and predict skin diseases with 93.29% testing accuracy. However, the VGG16 model does not explain why and how the system operates because deep learning models are black boxes. Deep learning models' opacity stands in the way of their widespread application in the healthcare sector. In order to make this a valuable system for the health sector, this article employs layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) to determine the relevance scores of each input. The identified symptoms provide valuable insights that could support timely diagnosis and treatment decisions for skin diseases.
  14. Fulltext Service innovation management practices in the telecommunications industry: what does cross country analysis reveal?
    Rahman SA, Taghizadeh SK, Ramayah T, Ahmad NH
    Springerplus, 2015;4:810.
    PMID: 26722630 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1580-8
    Service innovation management practice is currently being widely scrutinized mainly in the developed countries, where it has been initiated. The current study attempts to propose a framework and empirically validate and explain the service innovation practices for successful performance in the telecommunications industry of two developing countries, Malaysia and Bangladesh. The research framework proposes relationships among organisational culture, operating core (innovation process, cross-functional organisation, and implementation of tools/technology), competition-informed pricing, and performance. A total of 176 usable data from both countries are analysed for the purpose of the research. The findings show that organisational culture tends to be more influential on innovation process and cross-functional organisation in Malaysian telecommunication industry. In contrast, implementation of tools/technology plays a more instrumental role in competition-informed pricing practices in Bangladesh. This study revealed few differences in the innovation management practices between two developing countries. The findings have strategic implications for the service sectors in both the developing countries regarding implementation of innovative enterprises, especially in Bangladesh where innovation is the basis for survival. Testing the innovation management practices in the developing countries perhaps contains uniqueness in the field of innovation management.
  15. Fulltext Larvicidal activity, inhibition effect on development, histopathological alteration and morphological aberration induced by seaweed extracts in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
    Yu KX, Wong CL, Ahmad R, Jantan I
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2015 Dec;8(12):1006-1012.
    PMID: 26706671 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2015.11.011
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the larvicidal activity, inhibition effect on development, histopathological alteration and morphological aberration induced by the extracts derived from seaweeds Bryopsis pennata (B. pennata), Sargassum binderi (S. binderi) and Padina australis in Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) larvae and to characterize the phytochemical components of the three seaweeds.

    METHODS: Larvicidal activity of the seaweeds towards the larvae of Ae. aegypti was determined according to WHO. The inhibition effect of seaweeds was assessed by determining the mortality, adult emergence rate, larval and pupa duration of the treated larvae. Histopathological effect on midgut epithelium of larvae and morphological aberration induced by the methanol extracts were examined. Phytochemical analysis was done to determine the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids and terpenoids in the seaweeds.

    RESULTS: Chloroform partition of B. pennata extract exhibited the strongest larvicidal activity (LC50 = 82.55 μg/mL), followed by methanol extract of B. pennata (LC50 = 160.07 μg/mL) and chloroform partition of S. binderi extract (LC50 = 192.43 μg/mL). The methanol extract of S. binderi exhibited the strongest effect on prolongation of larval period (1.5-fold longer as compared to control) and resulted in strongest inhibition effect in adult emergence (98.67%). The histopathological study showed that larvae treated with seaweed extracts had cytopathological alteration of the midgut epithelium. The morphological observation revealed that the anal papillae and terminal spiracles of larvae were the common sites of aberrations.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study provided information on various effects of seaweed extracts on Ae. aegypti. Further investigation on identifying the active compounds and their mechanisms of action is recommended.

  16. Fulltext Molecular DNA identification of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Malaysia
    Aziz NA, Ahmad MI, Naim DM
    Genet. Mol. Res., 2015;14(4):15937-47.
    PMID: 26662385 DOI: 10.4238/2015.December.7.5
    Plants have been used throughout human history for food and medicine. However, many plants are toxic, and cannot easily be morphologically distinguished from non-toxic plants. DNA identification solves this problem and is widely used. Nonetheless, plant DNA barcode identification faces a number of challenges, and many studies have been conducted to find suitable barcodes. The present study was conducted to test the efficiency of commonly used primers, namely ITS2, rpoC1, and trnH-psbA, in order to find the best DNA barcode markers for the identification of medicinal plants in Malaysia. Fresh leaves from 12 medicinal plants that are commonly used by Malay traditional healers were collected from the Tropical Spice Garden, Pulau Pinang, and subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification using ITS2, rpoC1, and trnH-psbA DNA markers. We found that trnH-psbA is the best DNA marker for the species-level identification of medicinal plants in Malaysia.
  17. Fulltext Changes in phytochemical synthesis, chalcone synthase activity and pharmaceutical qualities of sabah snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans L.) in relation to plant age
    Ghasemzadeh A, Nasiri A, Jaafar HZ, Baghdadi A, Ahmad I
    Molecules, 2014 Oct 30;19(11):17632-48.
    PMID: 25361426 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191117632
    In the current study, changes in secondary metabolite synthesis and the pharmaceutical quality of sabah snake grass leaves and buds were considered in relation to plant age (1 month, 6 months, and 1 year old). The activity of the enzyme chalcone synthase (CHS, EC 2.3.1.74) was measured, as it is a key enzyme for flavonoid production. Significant differences in total flavonoid (TF) production were observed between the three plant growth periods and the different plant parts. The highest contents of TF (6.32 mg/g dry weight [DW]) and total phenolic (TP) (18.21 mg/g DW) were recorded in 6-month-old buds. Among the flavonoids isolated in this study the most important ones based on concentration were from high to low as follows: catechin > quercetin > kaempferol > luteolin. Production of phenolic acids increased from 1 to 6 months, but after 6 months up to 1 year of age, they decreased significantly. The highest contents of caffeic acid (0.307 mg/g DW) and gallic acid (5.96 mg/g DW) were recorded in 1-year and 6-month-old buds, respectively. The lowest and highest activity of CHS was recorded in 1-month and 6-month-old buds with values of 3.6 and 9.5 nkat/mg protein, respectively. These results indicate that the increment in flavonoids and phenolic acids in 6-month-old buds can be attributed to an increase in CHS activity. The highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity was observed in the extract of 1-year-old buds followed by 6-month-old buds, with 50% of free radical scavenging (IC50) values of 64.6 and 73.5 µg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay showed a higher activity in 6-month-old buds (488 μM of Fe(II)/g) than in 1-year-old buds (453 μM of Fe(II)/g), in contrast to the DPPH result. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between CHS enzyme activity and FRAP activity, TF, catechin, and kaempferol content. Extracts of 6-month-old bud exhibited a significant in vitro anticancer activity against HeLa cancer cells with IC50 value of 56.8 µg/mL. These results indicate that early harvesting of snake grass (6-month-old) may yield increased concentrations of secondary metabolites, which are potent antioxidant compounds.
  18. Fulltext Studies on properties of rice straw/polymer nanocomposites based on polycaprolactone and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and evaluation of antibacterial activity
    Khandanlou R, Ahmad MB, Shameli K, Saki E, Kalantari K
    Int J Mol Sci, 2014;15(10):18466-83.
    PMID: 25318051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151018466
    Modified rice straw/Fe3O4/polycaprolactone nanocomposites (ORS/Fe3O4/ PCL-NCs) have been prepared for the first time using a solution casting method. The RS/Fe3O4-NCs were modified with octadecylamine (ODA) as an organic modifier. The prepared NCs were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD results showed that as the intensity of the peaks decreased with the increase of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs content in comparison with PCL peaks, the Fe3O4-NPs peaks increased from 1.0 to 60.0 wt. %. The TEM and SEM results showed a good dispersion of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs in the PCL matrix and the spherical shape of the NPs. The TGA analysis indicated thermal stability of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs increased after incorporation with PCL but the thermal stability of ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NCs decreased with the increase of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs content. Tensile strength was improved with the addition of 5.0 wt. % of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs. The antibacterial activities of the ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NC films were examined against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) by diffusion method using nutrient agar. The results indicated that ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NC films possessed a strong antibacterial activity with the increase in the percentage of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs in the PCL.
  19. Fulltext Topical Lyogel Containing Corticosteroid Decreases IgE Expression and Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy Against Atopic Eczema
    Ng SF, Anuwi NA, Tengku-Ahmad TN
    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2015 Jun;16(3):656-63.
    PMID: 25511806 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-014-0248-y
    Hydrocortisone cream intended for atopic eczema often produces unwanted side effects after long-term use. These side effects are essentially due to repeated percutaneous administration of the medication for skin dermatitis, as atopic eczema is a relapsing disorder. Hence, there is a need to develop a new hydrocortisone formulation that will deliver the drug more effectively and require a reduced dosing frequency; therefore, the side effects could be minimized. In this study, a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) lyogel system based on 80% organic and 20% aqueous solvents containing 1% hydrocortisone was formulated. The hydrocortisone lyogel physicochemical characteristics, rheological properties, stability profile, and in vitro Franz cell drug release properties, as well as the in vivo therapeutic efficacies and dermal irritancy in Balb/c mice were investigated. The HPMC lyogel appeared clear and soft and was easy to rub on the skin. The lyogel also showed a higher drug release profile compared with commercial hydrocortisone cream. Similar to the cream, HPMC lyogels exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. From the mouse model, the hydrocortisone lyogel showed higher inflammatory suppressive effects than the cream. However, it did not reduce the transepidermal water loss as effectively as the control did. The dermal irritancy testing revealed that the hydrocortisone lyogel caused minimal irritation. In conclusion, HPMC lyogel is a promising vehicle to deliver hydrocortisone topically, as it showed a higher drug release in vitro as well as enhanced therapeutic efficacy in resolving eczematous inflammatory reaction compared with commercial cream.
  20. Fulltext Knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in multispecialty hospitals of Qassim, Saudi Arabia
    Khan MU, Shah S, Ahmad A, Fatokun O
    BMC Public Health, 2014;14:1281.
    PMID: 25510239 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1281
    BACKGROUND: With the increase in prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring and subsequently transmitting this lethal virus. In view of this, HCWs were evaluated for their knowledge of and attitude towards MERS in Saudi Arabia.
    METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed in two hospitals of Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. A total of 280 healthcare workers were selected to participate in this study. Knowledge and attitude were assessed by using self-administered and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were carried out to express participants' demographic information, mean knowledge score and mean attitude score of HCWs. Inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis tests, p < 0.05) were used to examine differences between study variables. Chi squares tests were used to assess the association between study variables and attitude questions. Spearman's rho correlation was used to identify the association between the knowledge, attitude scores.
    RESULT: Participants demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitude towards MERS. The mean scores of knowledge and attitude were 9.45 ± 1.69 (based on 13 knowledge questions) and 1.82 ± 0.72 (based on 7 attitude questions). The correlation between knowledge and attitude was significant (correlation coefficient: 0.12; P <0.001). HCWs were less educated about the management (42.4%), source (66%) and consequences of MERS (67.3%), while a majority of them were well aware of the hallmark symptoms (96%), precautionary measures (96%) and hygiene issues (94%). Although the majority of respondents showed positive attitude towards the use of protective measures (1.52 ± 0.84), their attitude was negative towards their active participation in infection control program (2.03 ± 0.97). Gender and experience were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude (P < 0.05).
    CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that healthcare workers in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia have good knowledge and positive attitude towards MERS. Yet there are areas where low knowledge and negative attitude of HCWs was observed. However, studies are required to assess the knowledge and attitude of HCWs at national level so that effective interventions could be designed as surveillance and infection control measures are critical to global public health.
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