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Fulltext Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. A report of two cases

Yaakub JA, Abdullah MM

Med J Malaysia, 1990 Sep;45(3):263-6.
PMID: 2152092

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare form of chronic pyelonephritis affecting adults and children. Two patients with the disease are reported.
Pseudoaneurysm of the renal artery associated with melioidosis

Noordin K, Abdullah MM, Natarajan C, Wahab YA, Abdullah K

Br J Urol, 1995 May;75(5):680-1.
PMID: 7613814
Fulltext Iatrogenic ureteric injuries

Lei CC, Abdullah MM, Abdullah K

Med J Malaysia, 1991 Jun;46(2):163-70.
PMID: 1839421

Damage to the lower ureters during pelvic surgery is a serious and well-recognised complication. This iatrogenic injury, when undetected intra-operatively, continues to give rise to significant patient morbidity. In 1987, this Department was referred 18 cases of iatrogenic ureteric injuries. 16 patients were from gynaecologic surgery and 2 patients were from general surgery. Only 4 cases (24%) were detected and referred intra-operatively. 13 patients presented post-operatively with various symptoms viz., anuria, loin pain and urinary leak per vagina. Good recovery of urinary function was achieved in all cases after urological intervention, usually by ureteric re-implantation.
Fulltext Breast cancer in pregnancy--our experience with six patients in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur

Yip CH, Taib NA, Abdullah MM, Wahid I

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Sep;55(3):308-10.
PMID: 11200709

Presentation of breast cancer during pregnancy is a rare situation and one that requires a multidisciplinary approach involving an obstetrician, surgeon and oncologist. Management should be along the same principles as in non-pregnant patients and delay is not justifiable. Mastectomy and axillary clearance is the best option, followed by chemotherapy, which is safe after the first trimester. Radiation if required should be delayed until after delivery of the baby. We present here our experience with 6 patients who presented with breast cancer during pregnancy. Five patients refused any treatment until after delivery, while one underwent only a mastectomy and axillary clearance. The outcome was poor; all of them died between 14 months and 52 months. The poor outcome probably reflects the late stage at presentation in four of the patients (State 3 and 4) rather than the delay in treatment, while delay in treatment in the two who presented with early cancer (Stage 1 and 2) led to a more advanced stage after delivery.
Exclusive predation of sea turtle hatchlings by juvenile blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus at a turtle nesting site in Malaysia

Bashir Z, Abdullah MM, Ghaffar MA, Rusli MU

J Fish Biol, 2020 Dec;97(6):1876-1879.
PMID: 32951197 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14550

This study reports the discovery of the exclusive predation of sea turtle hatchlings by several juvenile blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in Chagar Hutang bay on Redang Island, Malaysia, in the South China Sea. Three dead specimens of C. melanopterus were retrieved from ghost nets, and the entire digestive tracts of these sharks solely contained the partially digested bodies of sea turtle hatchlings, with no evidence of the remains of any other prey. Thus, juvenile C. melanopterus may opportunistically feed primarily on turtle hatchlings during times when hatchling abundance is high.
Fulltext Thermal Resistance Variations of Fly Ash Geopolymers: Foaming Responses

Cheng-Yong H, Yun-Ming L, Abdullah MM, Hussin K

Sci Rep, 2017 03 27;7:45355.
PMID: 28345643 DOI: 10.1038/srep45355

This paper presents a comparative study of the characteristic of unfoamed and foamed geopolymers after exposure to elevated temperatures (200-800 °C). Unfoamed geopolymers were produced with Class F fly ash and sodium hydroxide and liquid sodium silicate. Porous geopolymers were prepared by foaming with hydrogen peroxide. Unfoamed geopolymers possessed excellent strength of 44.2 MPa and degraded 34% to 15 MPa in foamed geopolymers. The strength of unfoamed geopolymers decreased to 5 MPa with increasing temperature up to 800 °C. Foamed geopolymers behaved differently whereby they deteriorated to 3 MPa at 400 °C and increased up to 11 MPa at 800 °C. Even so, the geopolymers could withstand high temperature without any disintegration and spalling up to 800 °C. The formation of crystalline phases at higher temperature was observed deteriorating the strength of unfoamed geopolymers but enhance the strength of foamed geopolymers. In comparison, foamed geopolymer had better thermal resistance than unfoamed geopolymers as pores provide rooms to counteract the internal damage.
Fulltext Fly ash porous material using geopolymerization process for high temperature exposure

Abdullah MM, Jamaludin L, Hussin K, Bnhussain M, Ghazali CM, Ahmad MI

Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(4):4388-95.
PMID: 22605984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13044388

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of temperature on geopolymers manufactured using pozzolanic materials (fly ash). In this paper, we report on our investigation of the performance of porous geopolymers made with fly ash after exposure to temperatures from 600 °C up to 1000 °C. The research methodology consisted of pozzolanic materials (fly ash) synthesized with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution as an alkaline activator. Foaming agent solution was added to geopolymer paste. The geopolymer paste samples were cured at 60 °C for one day and the geopolymers samples were sintered from 600 °C to 1000 °C to evaluate strength loss due to thermal damage. We also studied their phase formation and microstructure. The heated geopolymers samples were tested by compressive strength after three days. The results showed that the porous geopolymers exhibited strength increases after temperature exposure.
Fulltext Fly ash-based geopolymer lightweight concrete using foaming agent

Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Hussin K, Bnhussain M, Ismail KN, Yahya Z, Razak RA

Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(6):7186-98.
PMID: 22837687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13067186

In this paper, we report the results of our investigation on the possibility of producing foam concrete by using a geopolymer system. Class C fly ash was mixed with an alkaline activator solution (a mixture of sodium silicate and NaOH), and foam was added to the geopolymeric mixture to produce lightweight concrete. The NaOH solution was prepared by dilute NaOH pellets with distilled water. The reactives were mixed to produce a homogeneous mixture, which was placed into a 50 mm mold and cured at two different curing temperatures (60 °C and room temperature), for 24 hours. After the curing process, the strengths of the samples were tested on days 1, 7, and 28. The water absorption, porosity, chemical composition, microstructure, XRD and FTIR analyses were studied. The results showed that the sample which was cured at 60 °C (LW2) produced the maximum compressive strength for all tests, (11.03 MPa, 17.59 MPa, and 18.19 MPa) for days 1, 7, and 28, respectively. Also, the water absorption and porosity of LW2 were reduced by 6.78% and 1.22% after 28 days, respectively. The SEM showed that the LW2 sample had a denser matrix than LW1. This was because LW2 was heat cured, which caused the geopolymerization rate to increase, producing a denser matrix. However for LW1, microcracks were present on the surface, which reduced the compressive strength and increased water absorption and porosity.
Roles of Ki67 in Breast Cancer - Important for Management?

Yip Ch, Bhoo-Pathy N, Daniel J, Foo Y, Mohamed A, Abdullah M, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(3):1077-82.
PMID: 27039727

BACKGROUND: The three standard biomarkers used in breast cancer are the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The Ki-67 index, a proliferative marker, has been shown to be associated with a poorer outcome, and despite absence of standardization of pathological assessment, is widely used for therapy decision making. We aim to study the role of the Ki-67 index in a group of Asian women with breast cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 450 women newly diagnosed with Stage 1 to 3 invasive breast cancer in a single centre from July 2013 to Dec 2014 were included in this study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between Ki-67 (positive defined as 14% and above) and age, ethnicity, grade, mitotic index, ER, PR, HER2, lymph node status and size. All analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22.
RESULTS: In univariable analysis, Ki -67 index was associated with younger age, higher grade, ER and PR negativity, HER2 positivity, high mitotic index and positive lymph nodes. However on multivariable analysis only tumour size, grade, PR and HER2 remained significant. Out of 102 stage 1 patients who had ER positive/PR positive/HER2 negative tumours and non-grade 3, only 5 (4.9%) had a positive Ki-67 index and may have been offered chemotherapy. However, it is interesting to note that none of these patients received chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Information on Ki67 would have potentially changed management in an insignificant proportion of patients with stage 1 breast cancer.
Fulltext Retrospective Analysis of Cancer Care Performance and Survival Outcome for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma at a leading Cancer Treatment Centre in Malaysia 2008-2012

Abdullah MM, Foo YC, Yap BK, Lee CML, Hoo LP, Lim TO

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 06 01;20(6):1701-1708.
PMID: 31244290 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.6.1701

Objective: This report focuses on a private medical centre cancer care performance as measured by patient survival
outcome for up to 5 years. Methods: All patients with nasopharyngeal cancer treated at SJMC between 2008 and 2012
were enrolled for this observational cohort study. Mortality outcome was ascertained through record linkage with
national death register, linkage with hospital registration system and finally through direct contact by phone. Result:
266 patients treated between 2008 and 2012 were included for survival analysis. 31% of patients were diagnosed with
Early NPC Cancer (Stage I or II), another 44% with Locally Advanced Cancer (Stage III) and 25% with late stage IV
metastatic cancer. 2%, 27% and 67% had WHO Class I, II and III NPC respectively. The overall survival at 5 years
was 100% for patients with Stage I disease, 91% for Stage II disease, 72% for Stage III disease, and decreasing to
44% for Stage IV disease. Overall survival at 5 years for all stages was 73%. Conclusion: SJMC is among the first
hospitals in Malaysia to embark on routine measurement of the performance of its cancer care services and its results
are comparable to any leading centers in developed countries.
Fulltext Applicability of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network/Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Southeast Asia: A Consensus Statement

Chan A, Abdullah MM, Ishak WZBW, Ong-Cornel AB, Villalon AH, Kanesvaran R

J Glob Oncol, 2017 Dec;3(6):801-813.
PMID: 29244998 DOI: 10.1200/JGO.2016.005728

A meeting of regional experts was convened in Manila, Philippines, to develop a resource-stratified chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) management guideline. In patients treated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy in general clinical settings, triple therapy with a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine-3 [5-HT3]) antagonist (preferably palonosetron), dexamethasone, and aprepitant is recommended for acute CINV prevention. In resource-restricted settings, triple therapy is still recommended, although a 5-HT3 antagonist other than palonosetron may be used. In both general and resource-restricted settings, dual therapy with dexamethasone (days 2 to 4) and aprepitant (days 2 to 3) is recommended to prevent delayed CINV. In patients treated with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, dual therapy with a 5-HT3 antagonist, preferably palonosetron, and dexamethasone is recommended for acute CINV prevention in general settings; any 5-HT3 antagonist can be combined with dexamethasone in resource-restricted environments. In general settings, for the prevention of delayed CINV associated with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, corticosteroid monotherapy on days 2 and 3 is recommended. If aprepitant is used on day 1, it should be continued on days 2 and 3. Prevention of delayed CINV with corticosteroids is preferred in resource-restricted settings. The expert panel also developed CINV management guidelines for anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide combination schedules, multiday cisplatin, and chemotherapy with low or minimal emetogenic potential, and its recommendations are detailed in this review. Overall, these regional guidelines provide definitive guidance for CINV management in general and resource-restricted settings. These consensus recommendations are anticipated to contribute to collaborative efforts to improve CINV management in Southeast Asia.
Fulltext Optimization of NaOH Molarity, LUSI Mud/Alkaline Activator, and Na2SiO3/NaOH Ratio to Produce Lightweight Aggregate-Based Geopolymer

Razak RA, Abdullah MM, Hussin K, Ismail KN, Hardjito D, Yahya Z

Int J Mol Sci, 2015 May 21;16(5):11629-47.
PMID: 26006238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160511629

This paper presents the mechanical function and characterization of an artificial lightweight geopolymer aggregate (ALGA) using LUSI (Sidoarjo mud) and alkaline activator as source materials. LUSI stands for LU-Lumpur and SI-Sidoarjo, meaning mud from Sidoarjo which erupted near the Banjarpanji-1 exploration well in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia on 27 May 2006. The effect of NaOH molarity, LUSI mud/Alkaline activator (LM/AA) ratio, and Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio to the ALGA are investigated at a sintering temperature of 950 °C. The results show that the optimum NaOH molarity found in this study is 12 M due to the highest strength (lowest AIV value) of 15.79% with lower water absorption and specific gravity. The optimum LUSI mud/Alkaline activator (LM/AA) ratio of 1.7 and the Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio of 0.4 gives the highest strength with AIV value of 15.42% with specific gravity of 1.10 g/cm3 and water absorption of 4.7%. The major synthesized crystalline phases were identified as sodalite, quartz and albite. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image showed more complete geopolymer matrix which contributes to highest strength of ALGA produced.
Gefitinib as first line therapy in Malaysian patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: A single-center retrospective study

Abdullah MM, Bhat A, Mohamed AK, Ching FY, Ahmed N, Gantotti S

Oncol Lett, 2016 Apr;11(4):2757-2762.
PMID: 27073548

The present retrospective, single-center study evaluated the objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive Malaysian patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma treated with gefitinib. During May 2008 to July 2013, 33 patients with Stage IV, EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were identified and received gefitinib (250 mg) as first line treatment. The primary and secondary end points were ORR, PFS and safety, respectively. A total of 18 (54.5%) and 2 (6.1%) patients achieved partial response (PR) and complete response (CR) to gefitinib therapy, respectively, yielding an ORR of 60.6% (95% CI, 42.1-77.1%). Patients with exon 20 or 21 mutations (n=6, 66.7%) tended to have better ORR compared with exon 19 (n=22, 59.1%). The median PFS was 8.9 months in Malaysian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, treated with gefitinib. The majority of treatment-related toxicity was mild in nature. The most frequently reported adverse events included dry skin (39.4%), skin rash (27.2%), and dermatitis acneiform (15.2%). In conclusion, Malaysian patients with locally advanced and metastatic EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC responded favorably to gefitinib therapy in terms of ORR, median PFS, and tolerability, the results of which were consistent with those of the IPASS study conducted in an Asian population. Considering the efficacy and safety profile of gefitinib, it is a favorable option for the first-line treatment of Malaysian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. However, future long-term studies in a larger population of Malaysian patients are required to support whether the prolonged PFS conferred by gefitinib will translate into prolonged overall survival.
Neurological Examination Techniques of Speech in Bahasa Malaysia for Adults: Simple Approach Practiced in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Noorsham AH, Abdullah MM, Abdul Halim S, Ghani ARI, Idris Z, Abdullah JM

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Dec;27(6):148-182.
PMID: 33447142 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.6.14

There are four classification levels for speech disorders namely dysphonia, dysarthria, dysprosody and dysphasia. In general, speech examination mainly focuses on three main components that are spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, and oral motor examination. Quick bedside assessment on speech in Bahasa Malaysia is essential to assist the speech language therapist (SLT) and other physicians to determine the disorders. Speech therapy is also essential in monitoring and continuous assessment for patients with speech and language disorders such as dysphasia and dysarthria. Speech clinicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) have been adapting two most widely used batteries of speech assessment tools namely Western aphasia battery-revised (WAB-R) by Andrew Kertesz and Boston diagnostic aphasia examination (BDAE). These tools have been modified into simple and validated speech assessments in Bahasa Malaysia. This video manuscript will demonstrate the use of both tools in performing bedside speech assessment for patients with speech disorders. The Bahasa Malaysia speech examination should not be difficult when WAB-R and BDAE speech assessment tools are applied. The aim of this simple approach using the adapted version of BDAE and WAB-R is to assist the clinician to achieve quick and accurate diagnosis with a validated scoring system.
Breast Cancer Survival at a Leading Cancer Centre in Malaysia

Abdullah MM, Mohamed AK, Foo YC, Lee CM, Chua CT, Wu CH, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(18):8513-7.
PMID: 26745110

BACKGROUND: GLOBOCAN12 recently reported high cancer mortality in Malaysia suggesting its cancer health services are under-performing. Cancer survival is a key index of the overall effectiveness of health services in the management of patients. This report focuses on Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) care performance as measured by patient survival outcome for up to 5 years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women with breast cancer treated at SJMC between 2008 and 2012 were enrolled for this observational cohort study. Mortality outcome was ascertained through record linkage with national death register, linkage with hospital registration system and finally through direct contact by phone or home visits.
RESULTS: A total of 675 patients treated between 2008 and 2012 were included in the present survival analysis, 65% with early breast cancer, 20% with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and 4% with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The overall relative survival (RS) at 5 years was 88%. RS for stage I was 100% and for stage II, III and IV disease was 95%, 69% and 36% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: SJMC is among the first hospitals in Malaysia to embark on routine measurement of the performance of its cancer care services and its results are comparable to any leading centers in developed countries.
Fulltext Potential of New Sustainable Green Geopolymer Metal Composite (GGMC) Material as Mould Insert for Rapid Tooling (RT) in Injection Moulding Process

Yin ATM, Rahim SZA, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Nabialek M, Abdellah AE, Rennie A, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2023 Feb 19;16(4).
PMID: 36837352 DOI: 10.3390/ma16041724

The investigation of mould inserts in the injection moulding process using metal epoxy composite (MEC) with pure metal filler particles is gaining popularity among researchers. Therefore, to attain zero emissions, the idea of recycling metal waste from industries and workshops must be investigated (waste free) because metal recycling conserves natural resources while requiring less energy to manufacture new products than virgin raw materials would. The utilisation of metal scrap for rapid tooling (RT) in the injection moulding industry is a fascinating and potentially viable approach. On the other hand, epoxy that can endure high temperatures (>220 °C) is challenging to find and expensive. Meanwhile, industrial scrap from coal-fired power plants can be a precursor to creating geopolymer materials with desired physical and mechanical qualities for RT applications. One intriguing attribute of geopolymer is its ability to endure temperatures up to 1000 °C. Nonetheless, geopolymer has a higher compressive strength of 60-80 MPa (8700-11,600 psi) than epoxy (68.95 MPa) (10,000 psi). Aside from its low cost, geopolymer offers superior resilience to harsh environments and high compressive and flexural strength. This research aims to investigate the possibility of generating a new sustainable material by integrating several types of metals in green geopolymer metal composite (GGMC) mould inserts for RT in the injection moulding process. It is necessary to examine and investigate the optimal formulation of GGMC as mould inserts for RT in the injection moulding process. With less expensive and more ecologically friendly components, the GGMC is expected to be a superior choice as a mould insert for RT. This research substantially impacts environmental preservation, cost reduction, and maintaining and sustaining the metal waste management system. As a result of the lower cost of recycled metals, sectors such as mould-making and machining will profit the most.
Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among migrant workers from different Asian countries working in Malaysia

Chan BT, Amal RN, Hayati MI, Kino H, Anisah N, Norhayati M, et al.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2008 Jan;39(1):9-13.
PMID: 18567437

A serologic study of Toxoplasma antibodies among 501 foreign migrant workers in Malaysia was conducted in a plantation and detention camp. The highest prevalence rate of 46.2% was among Nepalese workers. Statistical analysis indicated the IgG positivity rate among local residents was significantly higher than the migrants studied (p < 0.05). The IgM positivity rate showed no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). No significant difference in the prevalence rate was noted between the migrants and the local workers when grouped by agricultural and non-agricultural occupations (p > 0.05). The continuous introduction of these infections may influence the epidemiology and further compromise efforts in control and prevention. It is therefore important to monitor of non-notifiable diseases.
Effect of the Sintering Mechanism on the Crystallization Kinetics of Geopolymer-Based Ceramics

Mustapa NB, Ahmad R, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Ibrahim WMW, Sandu AV, Nemes O, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2023 Aug 26;16(17).
PMID: 37687546 DOI: 10.3390/ma16175853

This research aims to study the effects of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics when the geopolymer is sintered at different temperatures: 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C for a 3 h soaking time with a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The geopolymer is made up of kaolin and sodium silicate as the precursor and an alkali activator, respectively. Characterization of the nepheline produced was carried out using XRF to observe the chemical composition of the geopolymer ceramics. The microstructures and the phase characterization were determined by using SEM and XRD, respectively. The SEM micrograph showed the microstructural development of the geopolymer ceramics as well as identifying reacted/unreacted regions, porosity, and cracks. The maximum flexural strength of 78.92 MPa was achieved by geopolymer sintered at 1200 °C while the minimum was at 200 °C; 7.18 MPa. The result indicates that the flexural strength increased alongside the increment in the sintering temperature of the geopolymer ceramics. This result is supported by the data from the SEM micrograph, where at the temperature of 1000 °C, the matrix structure of geopolymer-based ceramics starts to become dense with the appearance of pores.
Fulltext Warpage Optimisation on the Moulded Part with Straight Drilled and Conformal Cooling Channels Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Glowworm Swarm Optimisation (GSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) Optimisation Approaches

Mohd Hanid MH, Abd Rahim SZ, Gondro J, Sharif S, Al Bakri Abdullah MM, Zain AM, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Mar 10;14(6).
PMID: 33802032 DOI: 10.3390/ma14061326

It is quite challenging to control both quality and productivity of products produced using injection molding process. Although many previous researchers have used different types of optimisation approaches to obtain the best configuration of parameters setting to control the quality of the molded part, optimisation approaches in maximising the performance of cooling channels to enhance the process productivity by decreasing the mould cycle time remain lacking. In this study, optimisation approaches namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Glowworm Swarm Optimisation (GSO) were employed on front panel housing moulded using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Each optimisation method was analysed for both straight drilled and Milled Groove Square Shape (MGSS) conformal cooling channel moulds. Results from experimental works showed that, the performance of MGSS conformal cooling channels could be enhanced by employing the optimisation approach. Therefore, this research provides useful scientific knowledge and an alternative solution for the plastic injection moulding industry to improve the quality of moulded parts in terms of deformation using the proposed optimisation approaches in the used of conformal cooling channels mould.
Fulltext The Influence of MMA Esterification on Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Kenaf Bast/Glass Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Rahman R, Syed Putra SZF, Abd Rahim SZ, Nainggolan I, Jeż B, Nabiałek M, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Apr 28;14(9).
PMID: 33924838 DOI: 10.3390/ma14092276

The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites for various applications has increased, which is leading to more research being conducted on natural fiber hybrid composites due to their promising mechanical properties. However, the incompatibility of natural fiber with polymer matrix limits the performance of the natural fiber hybrid composite. In this research work, the mechanical properties and fiber-to-matrix interfacial adhesion were investigated. The efficiency of methyl methacrylate (MMA)-esterification treatments on composites' final product performance was determined. The composite was prepared using the hand lay-up method with varying kenaf bast fiber (KBF) contents of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 (weight%) and hybridized with glass fiber (GF) at 5 and 10 (weight%). Unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were used as binders and catalysts, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine the effects of MMA-esterification treatment on tensile strength and morphology (tensile fracture and characterization of MMA-esterification treatment) of the composite fabricated. The tensile strength of MMA-treated reinforced UPE and hybrid composites are higher than that of untreated composites. As for MMA treatment, 90 min of treatment showed the highest weight percent gain (WPG) and tensile strength of KBF-reinforced UPE composites. It can be concluded that the esterification of MMA on the KBF can lead to better mechanical properties and adhesion between the KFB and the UPE matrix. This research provides a clear reference for developing hybrid natural fibers, thus contributing to the current field of knowledge related to GF composites, specifically in transportation diligences due to their properties of being lightweight, superior, and involving low production cost.

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