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Fulltext Community-based supplementary feeding programme for malnourished indigenous children: sharing an experience in Kemar, Hulu Perak settlement

Noor Asmah A. S. A., Farhana A. K., Norazlina M. N., Mohd Shazuan Irwan M. S.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):3-3.
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Introduction: Childhood malnutrition is common and severe among indigenous community. The Community Feed-ing Program was first launched in 2010 among 15 villages in Kemar indigenous settlement among children below six years old. The objective of this study was to improve the nutrition status of indigenous children in Kemar settlement, Hulu Perak. Methods: All the indigenous children aged below six received high calorie food, full cream milk and multivitamin with an average of 500kcal/day. Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), specified for malnourished children, provides nutrition that accounts for one-half to two-thirds of a child’s daily needs. The feeding sessions was carried out once a day, five days a week and managed by a group of trained local volunteers and research assistants. Weight and height were measured monthly. Results: The coverage throughout 2013 to 2018, ranged from 90.3% to 100%. The percentage of children with normal body weight had increased from only 38.7 % in 2010 to 60.6% in 2018. From year 2013 to 2018, the percentage of stunted children had reduced from 77% to 72.5%, and severe stunting reduced from 35.2% in 2015 to 24.9% in 2018. Conclusion: The continuity of this program is essential to sustain normal nutritional status and hence the wellbeing of this group of children in the interior remote community.
Fulltext Bio-inspired computing for network modelling

Rajaee, N., Hussaini, A. A. S. A, Zulkharnain, A., Masra, S. M. W

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2015;6(1):1-10.
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In this paper, we propose an approach to model and simulate a network problem using
bio-inspired computing. Information in a network is embedded in DNA sequence strands and in-vitro
implementation is proposed via bio-molecular tools such as hybridization, ligation and polymerase
chain reaction. The output of the computation is derived from gel electrophoresis process.
Tongue necrosis secondary to mucormycosis in a diabetic patient: A first case report in Malaysia

Fattah SY, Hariri F, Ngui R, Husman SI

J Mycol Med, 2018 Sep;28(3):519-522.
PMID: 30205883 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.06.004

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection and high mortality that commonly affects patients with the weakened immune system. We present an unusual case of tongue necrosis probably due to the healthcare-associated mucormycosis (HCM) in a diabetic patient. Although cannot be proved with certainty, we surmise that intubation as a risk factor in our case. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination (HPE) of the necrotic tissue specimen. The patient was responded well to lipid complex amphotericin B (250mg) regime after surgery. Subsequent follow up revealed that no signs of recurrence. Early, recognition, diagnosis, prompt treatment and awareness among clinician are representing the most effective way of managing the disease.
Fulltext Frequency of gallbladder stones among patients underwent abdominal ultrasound in a tertiary hospital in Sana’a City, Yemen

Hameed M. Aklan, Abdullah A. S. A. Esmail, Abdulrahman A. Al-Sadeq, Gebreel A. Eissa, Osamah A. Hassan, Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):36-39.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Gallbladder stone (GBS) disease is most commonly asymptomatic that may lead to several complications such as ascending cholangitis and obstructive jaundice. In this study the frequency of gallblad- der stones among patients referred for abdominal ultrasound at the University of Science and Technology hospital (USTH), Sana’a – Yemen, have been estimated during the period between January and June 2013. Methods: This study is a record-based and conducted at the radiology department in USTH, on cases underwent abdominal ultrasound during the period from January – June 2013. Information were collected from abdominal ultrasonography reports. Results: In this study 4935 patients’ records are included. Of them, 2541 were males and 2394 were females. The frequency of patients with GBS was 5.53%. Multiple stones were observed in 3.57% of patients and 4.34% patients had large stones with size  5 mm. Females had significantly higher frequency of GBS (8.0%: 191/2394) than males (3.2%: 82/2541) (P < 0.001). It was found that, no significant difference between males and females in harboring small stones (< 5mm) (P = 0.251). However, significantly higher frequency of large GBS ( 5 mm) was found among females compared to males (P < 0.001). The frequencies of GBS, small size of GBS and large size of GBS have significantly increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study it was found that females had significantly higher frequency of GBS than males. No significant difference between males and females in harboring small stones. There was a significantly higher frequency of large GBS was found among females compared to males. The frequencies of GBS, small size of GBS and large size of GBS have significantly increased with increasing age.
Fulltext Compression Behaviour of Bio-Inspired Honeycomb Reinforced Starfish Shape Structures Using 3D Printing Technology

Saufi SASA, Zuhri MYM, Dezaki ML, Sapuan SM, Ilyas RA, As'arry A, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Dec 14;13(24).
PMID: 34960939 DOI: 10.3390/polym13244388

The bio-inspired structure (e.g., honeycomb) has been studied for its ability to absorb energy and its high strength. The cell size and wall thickness are the main elements that alter the structural ability to withstand load and pressure. Moreover, adding a secondary structure can increase the compressive strength and energy absorption (EA) capability. In this study, the bio-inspired structures are fabricated by fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology using polylactic acid (PLA) material. Samples are printed in the shape of a honeycomb structure, and a starfish shape is used as its reinforcement. Hence, this study focuses on the compression strength and EA of different cell sizes of 20 and 30 mm with different wall thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Subsequently, the deformation and failure of the structures are determined under the compression loading. It is found that the smaller cell size with smaller wall thickness offered a crush efficiency of 69% as compared to their larger cell size with thicker wall thickness counterparts. It is observed that for a 20 mm cell size, the EA and maximum peak load increase, respectively, when the wall thickness increases. It can be concluded that the compression strength and EA capability increase gradually as the cell size and wall thickness increase.
Environmental surface sampling of SARS-CoV-2 in selected hospitals in Malaysia

Rajendiran S, Thahir SSA, Veloo Y, Suppiah J, Pahrol MA, Shakor ASA, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):462-468.
PMID: 34608120 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.089

COVID-19 has spread rapidly worldwide. The role of fomites in facilitating onward transmission is plausible. This study aimed to determine the presence of viable virus and its persistence on the surfaces of fomites in wards treating COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. This study was conducted in two stages. First, environmental sampling was performed on random days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and general wards. Then, in the second stage, samples were collected serially on alternate days for 7 days in two selected general wards. In Stage 1, a total of 104 samples were collected from the surfaces of highly touched and used areas by patients and healthcare workers. Only three samples were tested positive for SARS-COV-2. In Stage 2, three surface samples were detected positive, but no persistence of the virus was observed. However, none of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA was viable through tissue culture. Overall, the environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 was low in this hospital setting. Hospitals' strict infection control and the compliance of patients with wearing masks may have played a role in these findings, suggesting adherence to those measures to reduce occupational exposure of COVID-19 in hospital settings.
Influence of oxyhydrogen gas retrofit into two-stroke engine on emissions and exhaust gas temperature variations

Kamarudin R, Ang YZ, Topare NS, Ismail MN, Mustafa KF, Gunnasegaran P, et al.

Heliyon, 2024 Mar 15;10(5):e26597.
PMID: 38434285 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26597

The generation of power and fuel sustainability that contributes to a cleaner output of exhaust gases is one of the most important objectives the world seeks. In this paper, oxyhydrogen gas is used to retrofit into a two-stroke engine. The water was electrolysed and generated a mixture of oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) or known as oxyhydrogen (HHO) gas via an electrolytic dry cell generator. The HHO was retrofitted experimentally to investigate the engine emissions and exhaust gas temperature from a 1.5 kW gasoline engine. The engine was tested with different power ratings (84-720 W) to investigate the performance and emissions of the engine using gasoline followed by the addition of HHO. The emissions of CO and NOx were measured with different amounts of HHO added. The exhaust temperature was calculated as one of the variables to be considered in relation to pollution. The air-fuel ratios are varied from 12 to 20% in the experiment. The most appropriate air-fuel ratio needed to start the generator with the most environmentally friendly gas emission was analysed. The results showed that the addition of HHO to the engine is successful in reducing fuel consumption up to 8.9%. A higher percentage of HHO added also has improved the emissions and reduced exhaust gas temperature. In this study, the highest quantity of HHO added at 0.15% of the volume fraction reduced CO gas emission by up to 9.41%, NOx gas up to 4.31%, and exhaust gas temperature by up to 2.02%. Generally, adding oxyhydrogen gas has significantly reduced the emissions, and exhaust temperature and provided an eco-friendly environment.
A review on chitosan-cellulose blends and nanocellulose reinforced chitosan biocomposites: Properties and their applications

H P S AK, Saurabh CK, A S A, Nurul Fazita MR, Syakir MI, Davoudpour Y, et al.

Carbohydr Polym, 2016 Oct 05;150:216-26.
PMID: 27312632 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.05.028

Chitin is one of the most abundant natural polymers in world and it is used for the production of chitosan by deacetylation. Chitosan is antibacterial in nature, non-toxic, and biodegradable thus it can be used for the production of biodegradable film which is a green alternative to commercially available synthetic counterparts. However, their poor mechanical and thermal properties restricted its wide spread applications. Chitosan is highly compatible with other biopolymers thus its blending with cellulose and/or incorporation of nanofiber isolated from cellulose namely cellulose nanofiber and cellulose nanowhiskers are generally useful. Cellulosic fibers in nano scale are attractive reinforcement in chitosan to produce environmental friendly composite films with improved physical properties. Thus chitosan based composites have wide applicability and potential in the field of biomedical, packaging and water treatment. This review summarises properties and preparation procedure of chitosan-cellulose blends and nano size cellulose reinforcement in chitosan bionanocomposites for different applications.
Pembrolizumab monotherapy versus chemotherapy in platinum-pretreated, recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer (KEYNOTE-122): an open-label, randomized, phase III trial

Chan ATC, Lee VHF, Hong RL, Ahn MJ, Chong WQ, Kim SB, et al.

Ann Oncol, 2023 Mar;34(3):251-261.
PMID: 36535566 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.12.007

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab previously demonstrated robust antitumor activity and manageable safety in a phase Ib study of patients with heavily pretreated, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive, recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The phase III KEYNOTE-122 study was conducted to further evaluate pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with platinum-pretreated, recurrent and/or metastatic NPC. Final analysis results are presented.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: KEYNOTE-122 was an open-label, randomized study conducted at 29 sites, globally. Participants with platinum-pretreated recurrent and/or metastatic NPC were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to pembrolizumab or chemotherapy with capecitabine, gemcitabine, or docetaxel. Randomization was stratified by liver metastasis (present versus absent). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), analyzed in the intention-to-treat population using the stratified log-rank test (superiority threshold, one-sided P = 0.0187). Safety was assessed in the as-treated population.
RESULTS: Between 5 May 2016 and 28 May 2018, 233 participants were randomly assigned to treatment (pembrolizumab, n = 117; chemotherapy, n = 116); Most participants (86.7%) received study treatment in the second-line or later setting. Median time from randomization to data cut-off (30 November 2020) was 45.1 months (interquartile range, 39.0-48.8 months). Median OS was 17.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.7-22.9 months] with pembrolizumab and 15.3 months (95% CI 10.9-18.1 months) with chemotherapy [hazard ratio, 0.90 (95% CI 0.67-1.19; P = 0.2262)]. Grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 12 of 116 participants (10.3%) with pembrolizumab and 49 of 112 participants (43.8%) with chemotherapy. Three treatment-related deaths occurred: 1 participant (0.9%) with pembrolizumab (pneumonitis) and 2 (1.8%) with chemotherapy (pneumonia, intracranial hemorrhage).
CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab did not significantly improve OS compared with chemotherapy in participants with platinum-pretreated recurrent and/or metastatic NPC but did have manageable safety and a lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events.