Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 29 in total

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  1. Agbaje, R., Hassan, C. Z., Norlelawati, A., Huda-Faujan, N., Abdul Rahman, A.
    MyJurnal
    The need for nutritional and functional foods has increased. Consumers, these days, do not
    eat snacks only to provide satisfaction for their hunger, but also to supply essential nutrients
    to body. The objective of this study was to develop six formulations of granolas/cereal bars
    using different combination of Sunnah fruits such as dates (Phoenix dactylifera), raisins (Vitis
    vinifera L.) and figs (Ficus carica). The cereal bars were formulated using dry raw materials
    (glutinous rice, black Cummins, etc.) and binding agents (honey and glucose syrup). The cereal
    bars were assessed for water activity and proximate composition. It was observed that the
    sample B, made with 70 g of glucose syrup, 100 g honey and 450 g of total fruits had the
    highest value of moisture (18.73%) as compared to other formulations (P˂ 0.05). There were no
    differences in protein contents of the cereal bars formulated. Ash contents of the formulations
    were significantly different (P˂ 0.05) in samples B and F; the values ranged between 0.97%
    and 1.88%. The fat contents were significantly different with formulation B having the highest
    fat content (10.72%) and carbohydrate contents were affected by fibre contents; samples with
    lower crude fibres had higher carbohydrate contents which also reflect in the energy contents
    of the granola/cereal bar samples. Lowest aw (water activity) was observed in the samples with
    lower fruit contents which could be as a result of their lower moisture contents. According to
    the results, incorporation of glutinous rice flakes with different composition Sunnah foods and
    binding agents; honey and glucose syrup can be used to formulate cereal bars with appreciable
    proximate and energy contents.
  2. Norhayati, Z., Nooraisyah, S., Shanmugavelu, S., Wan Zahari, M., Abdul Rahman, A.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2018;30(1):20-22.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to assess the carcass characteristic of male Dorper sheep weaned at three different ages.
    A total of 27 newborn male Dorper sheep (average body weight, 3.06 ± 0.74 kg) were selected randomly and divided
    into three groups. Animals in group 1 (n=9) were weaned at day 30, while animals in group 2 (n=9) and 3 (n=9) were
    weaned at day 60 and 90, respectively. Group 3 was acted as a control group. Creep feed and grower feed were given to
    the animals based on 3.5% of body weight. There were no significant differences (P
  3. Rahman S, Rahman T, Ismail AA, Rashid AR
    Diabetes Obes Metab, 2007 Nov;9(6):767-80.
    PMID: 17924861 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2006.00655.x
    The complications associated with diabetic vasculopathy are commonly grouped into two categories: microvascular and macrovascular complications. In diabetes, macrovascular disease is the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity and is responsible for high incidence of vascular diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular diseases. Macrovascular diseases are traditionally thought of as due to underlying obstructive atherosclerotic diseases affecting major arteries. Pathological changes of major blood vessels leading to functional and structural abnormalities in diabetic vessels include endothelial dysfunction, reduced vascular compliance and atherosclerosis. Besides, advanced glycation end product formation interacts with specific receptors that lead to overexpression of a range of cytokines. Haemodynamic pathways are activated in diabetes and are possibly amplified by concomitant systemic hypertension. Apart from these, hyperglycaemia, non-enzymatic glycosylation, lipid modulation, alteration of vasculature and growth factors activation contribute to development of diabetic vasculopathy. This review focuses on pathophysiology and pathogenesis of diabetes-associated macrovasculopathy.
  4. Ismail R, Sarriff A, Abdul Rahman AF
    Med J Malaysia, 1990 Mar;45(1):57-64.
    PMID: 2152070
    We evaluated the usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for gentamicin and the use of a two-point peak and trough pair concentration method to adjust its dose. Of the 194 patients included, initial concentrations were appropriate in only sixty nine. In the seventy one cases of dosage adjustments using this method, those attaining therapeutic levels increased overall from 38% to 67%. It is concluded that TDM for gentamicin with dosage adjustment using this simple pharmacokinetic approach is useful and adequate in monitoring for gentamicin therapy.
  5. Abdul Rahman A, Sivanesaratnam V, Nuruddin AA
    Med J Malaysia, 1982 Sep;37(3):276-80.
    PMID: 7177012
    An analysis of 86 patients sterilized laparoscopically with Hulka clips is presented. We find that the method is simple, acceptable and has minimal complication. The failure rate is similar to that reported by others. However, this method could be done under local anaesthesia thus shortening the hospital stay for the patients. This method has the advantage of safety and prospects for reversal when desired.
  6. Ngim CA, Abdul Rahman AR, Ibrahim A
    Acta Cardiol, 1999 Oct;54(5):277-82.
    PMID: 10596307
    BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness, an aging process which is accelerated by hypertension, is emerging as a useful index of vascular health. There are evidences to suggest that hyperinsulinaemia may be an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, besides its possible pathogenic role in essential hypertension. The main objectives of this study were to compare arterial stiffness between untreated hypertensives and normotensives and to investigate the relationship between fasting serum insulin and arterial stiffness.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was designed. Forty normotensive (median age 47 +/- 6 yrs.) and twenty untreated hypertensive Malay men (median age 50 +/- 7 yrs.) without clinical evidence of cardiovascular complications were selected. Pulse wave velocity measured using the automated Complior machine was used as an index of arterial stiffness. Other measurements obtained were blood pressure, body mass index, fasting insulin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and creatinine level.

    RESULTS: The blood pressure and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were significantly higher in the hypertensives compared to the normotensives (blood pressure 169/100 mm Hg +/- 14/7 vs. 120/80 mm Hg +/- 10/4, p < 0.001; PWV 11.69 m/s +/- 1.12 vs. 8.83 m/s +/- 1.35, p < 0.001). Other variables such as body mass index, fasting insulin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and haematocrit were comparable among the two groups. Within each group, there was a significant positive correlation between pulse wave velocity and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.76, p < 0.001 in normotensives; r = 0.73, p < 0.001 in hypertensives) and mean arterial pressure (r = 0.74, p < 0.001 in normotensives; r = 0.73, p < 0.001 in hypertensives). No correlation was noted between pulse wave velocity and diastolic blood pressure, age, body mass index, fasting insulin level, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

    CONCLUSION: Arterial stiffness as determined by PWV is increased in newly diagnosed untreated hypertensive subjects even before clinically evident cardiovascular disease. However, arterial stiffness is not correlated with the fasting insulin level in normotensives and newly diagnosed hypertensives.

  7. Muhammad BG, Jaafar MS, Abdul Rahman A, Ingawa FA
    Environ Monit Assess, 2012 Aug;184(8):5043-9.
    PMID: 21901308 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2320-3
    Soil serves as a major reservoir for contaminants as it posseses an ability to bind various chemicals together. To safeguard the members of the public from an unwanted exposure, studies were conducted on the sediments and soil from water bodies that form the major sources of domestic water supply in northern peninsular Malaysia for their trace element concentration levels. Neutron Activation Analysis, using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Zaria, Nigeria was employed as the analytical tool. The elements identified in major quantities include Na, K, and Fe while As, Br, Cr, U, Th, Eu, Cs, Co, La, Sm, Yb, Sc, Zn, Rb, Ba, Lu, Hf, Ta, and Sb were also identified in trace quantities. Gamma spectroscopy was also employed to analyze some soil samples from the same area. The results indicated safe levels in terms of the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index as well as the mean external exposure dose rates from the soil. The overall screening of the domestic water sources with relatively high heavy metals concentration values in sediments and high activity concentration values in soil is strongly recommended as their accumulation overtime as a consequence of leaching into the water may be of health concern to the members of the public.
  8. Abdul Rahman A, Sinnathuray TA, Sivanesaratnam V, Ng KH
    Med J Malaysia, 1981 Jun;36(2):92-9.
    PMID: 6211595
    The early Malaysian experience of laparoscopic sterilisation with the Fallope tubal rings, as undertaken at the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Unit of the University Hospital, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is reported in a study of 291 consecutive females that had had the procedure undertaken during the one year period, May 1975 to April 1976. Of the 291 cases, 247 women were sterilised in the "interval" period, 43 after "menstrual regulation" procedure and one after a spontaneous abortion. General anaesthesia was used in all except one case. The salient socio-demographic, contraceptive and reproductive characteristics of study cases are presented and discussed. The technical problems, the early complications and morbidity encountered in this study are presented and discussed in the light of other similar studies, and in relation to sterilisation by laparoscopic tubal electrocoagulation. The overall impression is that laparoscopic sterilisation with the Fallope tubal rings is preferred to that by tubal electrocoagulation, in view of the possible inadvertent serious electrical burns of other structures during the use of the latter procedure.
  9. Naes SM, Ab-Rahim S, Mazlan M, Abdul Rahman A
    Biomed Res Int, 2020;2020:5197626.
    PMID: 33344638 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5197626
    Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2 (ENT2) is a bidirectional transporter embedded in the biological membrane and is ubiquitously found in most tissue and cell types. ENT2 mediates the uptake of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleobase besides transporting a variety of nucleoside-derived drugs, mostly in anticancer therapy. Since high expression of ENT2 has been correlated with advanced stages of different types of cancers, consequently, this has gained significant interest in the role of ENT2 as a potential therapeutic target. Furthermore, ENT2 plays critical roles in signaling pathway and cell cycle progression. Therefore, elucidating the physiological roles of ENT2 and its properties may contribute to a better understanding of ENT2 roles beyond their transportation mechanism. This review is aimed at highlighting the main roles of ENT2 and at providing a brief update on the recent research.
  10. You HW, Abdul Rahman A, Hendri Dwisatrya LH
    Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105783.
    PMID: 32642504 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105783
    Road traffic accidents have been recognised as a leading cause of death, and one of the prominent public health problems. The human factor, which is the driving behaviour in particular, is said to be the main cause. In line with this, the objective of this research is to present a data article on the response of driving behaviours among drivers. Driving behaviours have been classified into five dimensions, which are speeding, improper overtaking, mobile phone use while driving, tail-gating and disobeying traffic lights. A quantitative study was conducted with a sample size of 160 drivers consisting of residents in a suburban of Selangor, Malaysia. A stratified random sampling method was adopted to identify the respondents. Data analysis was presented in the form of descriptive statistics and tables. The findings show that the majority of respondents agreed that they have driving behaviours that involve improper overtaking, tail-gating and disobeying traffic lights.
  11. Soh KL, Davidson PM, Leslie G, Bin Abdul Rahman A
    Int J Nurs Stud, 2011 Feb;48(2):258-68.
    PMID: 21030021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.09.014
    To review published studies using action research in the intensive care unit (ICU) in order to provide an intervention framework to improve clinical outcomes.
  12. Liu Y, Abdul Rahman A, Amin SIM, Ja'afar R
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Oct;30(46):103164-103178.
    PMID: 37682439 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29496-4
    Digital finance is an innovative financial model of great significance for sustainable economic growth. By constructing indicators of sustainable economic growth, we explore the impact of digital finance on sustainable economic growth using the fixed effect model, mediating effect model, threshold regression model, and dynamic spatial Dubin model. The study finds that digital finance can drive sustainable economic growth, and the robustness and endogenous treatment results strongly verify this. Digital finance promotes sustainable growth mainly through technological innovation. In addition, with technological innovation and the development of renewable energy, there is a significant nonlinear relationship between digital finance and sustainable economic growth. Finally, the spatial spillover effect results show that digital finance's impact on sustainable economic growth has a positive effect, whether it is a direct effect or an indirect effect. This article provides possible ideas for digital finance to promote sustainable economic growth.
  13. Abdul Rahman A, Jamal AR, Harun R, Mohd Mokhtar N, Wan Ngah WZ
    PMID: 24980711 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-213
    Gamma-tocotrienol (GTT), an isomer of vitamin E and hydroxy-chavicol (HC), a major bioactive compound in Piper betle, has been reported to possess anti-carcinogenic properties by modulating different cellular signaling events. One possible strategy to overcome multi-drug resistance and high toxic doses of treatment is by applying combinational therapy especially using natural bioactives in cancer treatment.
  14. Abdul Rahman A, Abdul Karim N, Abdul Hamid NA, Harun R, Ngah WZ
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2013;2013:189129.
    PMID: 24381713 DOI: 10.1155/2013/189129
    Mechanisms determining both functional rate of decline and the time of onset in aging remain elusive. Studies of the aging process especially those involving the comparison of long-lived individuals and young controls are fairly limited. Therefore, this research aims to determine the differential gene expression profile in related individuals from villages in Pahang, Malaysia. Genome-wide microarray analysis of 18 samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two groups: octo/nonagenarians (80-99 years old) and their offspring (50.2 ± 4.0 years old) revealed that 477 transcripts were age-induced and 335 transcripts were age-repressed with fold changes ≥1.2 in octo/nonagenarians compared to offspring. Interestingly, changes in gene expression were associated with increased capacity for apoptosis (BAK1), cell cycle regulation (CDKN1B), metabolic process (LRPAP1), insulin action (IGF2R), and increased immune and inflammatory response (IL27RA), whereas response to stress (HSPA8), damage stimulus (XRCC6), and chromatin remodelling (TINF2) pathways were downregulated in octo/nonagenarians. These results suggested that systemic telomere maintenance, metabolism, cell signalling, and redox regulation may be important for individuals to maintain their healthy state with advancing age and that these processes play an important role in the determination of the healthy life-span.
  15. Sulaiman MR, Zakaria ZA, Abdul Rahman A, Mohamad AS, Desa MN, Stanslas J, et al.
    Biol Res Nurs, 2010 Jan;11(3):293-301.
    PMID: 19689990 DOI: 10.1177/1099800409343311
    The current study was performed to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiedematogenic properties of andrographolide isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata using two animal models. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the acetic acid- induced writhing and the hot-plate tests, while antiedematogenic activity was measured using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of andrographolide (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) did not affect the motor coordination of the experimental animals but produced significant (p < .05) antinociceptive activity when assessed using both tests. However, 2 mg/kg naloxone failed to affect the 25 mg/kg andrographolide activity in both tests, indicating that the activity was modulated via nonopioid mechanisms. Furthermore, andrographolide showed significant (p < .05) antiedematogenic activity. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that andrographolide has antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities; it may be useful for treating pain and inflammation once human studies are conducted.
  16. Al-jarrah AM, Abdul Rahman A, Shahrim I, Razak NN, Ababneh B, Tousi ET
    Phys Med, 2016 Jan;32(1):36-41.
    PMID: 26494156 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.09.003
    Genipin gel dosimeters are hydrogels infused with a radiation-sensitive material which yield dosimetric information in three dimensions (3D). The effect of inorganic salts and glucose on the visible absorption dose-response, melting points and mass density of genipin gel dosimeters has been experimentally evaluated using 6-MV LINAC photons. As a result, the addition of glucose with optimum concentration of 10% (w/w) was found to improve the thermal stability of the genipin gel and increase its melting point (Tm) by 6 °C accompanied by a slight decrease of dose-response. Furthermore, glucose helps to adjust the gel mass density to obtain the desired tissue-equivalent properties. A drop of Tm was observed when salts were used as additives. As the salt concentration increased, gel Tm decreased. The mass density and melting point of the genipin gel could be adjusted using different amounts of glucose that improved the genipin gel suitability for 3D dose measurements without introducing additional toxicity to the final gel.
  17. Salam A, Mahadevan R, Abdul Rahman A, Abdullah N, Abd Harith AA, Shan CP
    Pak J Med Sci, 2015 Jan-Feb;31(1):169-73.
    PMID: 25878637 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.311.6473
    OBJECTIVE: To identify the stress-prevalence and coping-strategies among University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) medical students.
    METHODS: This was an observational study conducted among 234 UKM first and third year medical students. Standardized questionnaire on stress and coping strategies was used. Stress data was related to subjective experiences on some positive and negative adjectives such as tense, relaxed etc. Positive adjectives were measured by sign "++" and "+" scoring "1" while stress-negative adjectives were measured by sign "?" and "-" scoring "0". Forty-eight coping items under task, emotion and avoidance strategies were measured using 5-point Likert-scale.
    RESULTS: Overall stress-prevalence was 49%. Female and Malay respondents were more stressed. Significant differences of stress-level was observed between Malays and non Malays in first year (p=0.04) and in third year (p=0.01). Most common strategies used to cope stress was task-oriented while emotion oriented was least.
    CONCLUSION: Stress-prevalence and stress-level in UKM medical students was high. Most of the respondents coped stress using task-oriented strategies. Stressor and its effective management must be ensured. Educational institutions should act as a creative designer of learning environment to get relieve from educational stressor.
    KEYWORDS: Coping strategies; Medical students; Stress prevalence
  18. Ban A, Ismail A, Harun R, Abdul Rahman A, Sulung S, Syed Mohamed A
    BMC Pulm Med, 2012;12:27.
    PMID: 22726610 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2466-12-27
    BACKGROUND: Exacerbations, a leading cause of hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect the quality of life and prognosis. Treatment recommendations as provided in the evidence-based guidelines are not consistently followed, partly due to absence of simplified task-oriented approach to care. In this study, we describe the development and implementation of a clinical pathway (CP) and evaluate its effectiveness in the management of COPD exacerbation.
    METHODS: We developed a CP and evaluated its effectiveness in a non-randomized prospective study with historical controls on patients admitted for exacerbation of COPD to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Consecutive patients who were admitted between June 2009 and December 2010 were prospectively recruited into the CP group. Non-CP historical controls were obtained from case records of patients admitted between January 2008 and January 2009. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by comparing the length of stay (LOS), complication rates, readmissions, and mortality rates.
    RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were recruited in the CP group and 98 patients were included in the non-CP historical group. Both groups were comparable with no significant differences in age, sex and severity of COPD (p = 0.641). For clinical outcome measures, patients in the CP group had shorter length of stay than the non-CP group (median (IQR): 5 (4-7) days versus 7 (7-9) days, p 
  19. Abdul Rahman A, Mokhtar NM, Harun R, Jamal R, Wan Ngah WZ
    J Physiol Biochem, 2019 Nov;75(4):499-517.
    PMID: 31414341 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-019-00699-z
    Gamma-tocotrienol (GTT) and hydroxychavicol (HC) exhibit anticancer activity in glioma cancer cells, where the combination of GTT + HC was shown to be more effective than single agent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of GTT + HC by measuring the cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells and elucidating the changes in gene expression mitigated by GTT + HC that are critical to the chemoprevention of glioma cell lines 1321N1 (grade II), SW1783 (grade III), and LN18 (grade IV) using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results of gene expression levels and alternative splicing transcripts were validated by qPCR. Exposure of glioma cancer cells to GTT + HC for 24 h promotes cell cycle arrest at G2M and S phases and inhibits cell migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells. The differential gene expression induced by GTT + HC clustered into response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, cell cycle regulations, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, cell growth, and DNA repair. Subnetwork analysis of genes altered by GTT + HC revealed central genes, ATF4 and XBP1. The modulation of EIF2AK3, EDN1, and FOXM1 were unique to 1321N1, while CSF1, KLF4, and FGF2 were unique to SW1783. PLK2 and EIF3A gene expressions were only altered in LN18. Moreover, GTT + HC treatment dynamically altered transcripts and alternative splicing expression. GTT + HC showed therapeutic potential against glioma cancer as evident by the inhibition of cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells, as well as the changes in gene expression profiles with key targets in ER unfolded protein response pathway, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration/invasion.
  20. Gopal Katherason S, Naing L, Jaalam K, Kamarul Iman Musa K, Nik Abdullah NM, Aiyar S, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Aug;27(2):308-16.
    PMID: 20962730 MyJurnal
    Nosocomial blood stream infection (or nosocomial bacteremia) is a common problem in hospitals worldwide, including Malaysia. A three-year prospective cohort study (October 2003-March 2007) of the incidences, risk factors, and patterns of the microorganisms causing bacteremia was conducted using a validated surveillance form in three intensive care units (ICUs) in Malaysia. Center for Disease Control criteria were used to diagnose bacteremia. Patients were monitored from admission until the end point of study, which was the first detection of bacteremia in the blood in each patient. The frequency of occurrence of bacteremia with clinical symptoms was 10.7% (n=23). Bacteremia was observed to occur within a mean length of stay of 10 days in ICU. The rate of device-related infection was 10.4% per device utilization days with a device utilization rate of 95.9%/1000 patient days. The total number of patient days was 2309 and the period of device utilization was 2211 days. The common bacteria detected were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=6); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6); Acinetobacter species (n=5); Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)(n=3); and (non- ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=2). Multivariable analysis using Cox Proportional Hazard Model showed that the predictors for developing bacteremia were cancer, MRSA carriage, duration of central venous catheter (CVC) infusion, frequency change of CVC, and the administration of hydrocortisone drugs. These results indicate that a combination of nursing and medical interventions as well as patients' severity of illness could lead to bacteremia in ICU. Strategic implementation of quality assurance measures in ICUs could help to control this problem.
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