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Fulltext Within cluster pattern identification: A new approach for optimizing recycle point distribution to support policy implementation on waste management in Malaysia

Azri S, Ujang U, Abdullah NS

Waste Manag Res, 2023 Mar;41(3):687-700.
PMID: 36129019 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X221123489

Despite the government's policies and objectives, Malaysia lags behind in sustainable waste management techniques, particularly recycling. Bins should be located conveniently to encourage recycling and reduce waste. The current model of bin location-allocation is mostly determined by distance. However, it has been identified that previous studies excluded an important factor: litter pattern identification. Litter pattern is important to identify waste generation hotspots and litter distribution. Thus, we proposed the within cluster pattern identification (WCPI) approach to optimize the recycle point distribution. WCPI gathers the information on litter distribution using geotagged images and analyses the pattern distribution. The optimal location for recycle bin can be identified by incorporating k-means clustering to the pattern distribution. Since k-means faces the non-deterministic polynomial-time-hard challenge of selecting the ideal cluster and cluster centre, WCPI used the total within-cluster sum of square on top of k-means clustering. The proposed location by WCPI is validated in terms of accessibility and suitability. Furthermore, this study provides further analysis of carbon footprint that can be reduced by simulating the data from geotagged images. The results show that 10,323.55 kg of carbon emission can be reduced if the litter is sent for recycling. Thus, we believe that locating bins at an optimal location will embark on consumer motivation to dispose of recycled waste, reduce litter and lessen the carbon footprint. At the same time, these efforts could transform Malaysia into a clean and sustainable nation that aims to achieve Agenda 2030.
Fulltext Willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine and its associated factors among adults with chronic disease: A cross-sectional study in Putrajaya, Malaysia

Abdullah NS, Ching SM, Ali H

Malays Fam Physician, 2023;18:30.
PMID: 37292226 DOI: 10.51866/oa.260

INTRODUCTION: Booster vaccination has been shown to reduce transmission and serious infection with COVID-19. This study examined the willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine and its associated factors among high-risk patients at Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 9.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged >18 years attending Klinik Kesihatan Putrajaya Presint 9 with a high risk of contracting COVID-19 recruited via systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors.
RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 97.4% (N=489). The median patient age was 55 years. Approximately 51.7% were men, and 90.4% were Malays. Approximately 81.2% were willing to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine. The patients who perceived COVID-19 as a serious illness (Adjusted Odd Ratio, AOR=2.414), those who perceived COVID-19 booster vaccines as beneficial (AOR=7.796), those who disagreed that COVID-19 booster vaccines have many side effects (AOR=3.266), those who had no doubt about the content of COVID-19 vaccines (AOR=2.649) and those who were employed (AOR=2.559) and retired (AOR=2.937) were more likely to be willing to receive a booster vaccine than those who were unemployed and those who did not have close friends or family members who contracted severe COVID-19 (AOR=2.006).
CONCLUSION: The majority of the participants were willing to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine. Healthcare authorities should take initiatives to design targeted public intervention programmes to increase the willingness for COVID-19 booster vaccination.
A Review on Microdialysis Calibration Methods: the Theory and Current Related Efforts

Kho CM, Enche Ab Rahim SK, Ahmad ZA, Abdullah NS

Mol Neurobiol, 2017 07;54(5):3506-3527.
PMID: 27189617 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9929-8

Microdialysis is a sampling technique first introduced in the late 1950s. Although this technique was originally designed to study endogenous compounds in animal brain, it is later modified to be used in other organs. Additionally, microdialysis is not only able to collect unbound concentration of compounds from tissue sites; this technique can also be used to deliver exogenous compounds to a designated area. Due to its versatility, microdialysis technique is widely employed in a number of areas, including biomedical research. However, for most in vivo studies, the concentration of substance obtained directly from the microdialysis technique does not accurately describe the concentration of the substance on-site. In order to relate the results collected from microdialysis to the actual in vivo condition, a calibration method is required. To date, various microdialysis calibration methods have been reported, with each method being capable to provide valuable insights of the technique itself and its applications. This paper aims to provide a critical review on various calibration methods used in microdialysis applications, inclusive of a detailed description of the microdialysis technique itself to start with. It is expected that this article shall review in detail, the various calibration methods employed, present examples of work related to each calibration method including clinical efforts, plus the advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods.
Fulltext Anti-GABAB Receptor Encephalitis Presenting with Atypical Corticobasal Syndrome in a Patient with Parkinson's Disease

Abdullah NS, Jan TH, Remli R, Mukari SAM, Ibrahim NM

J Mov Disord, 2020 Sep;13(3):235-237.
PMID: 32894902 DOI: 10.14802/jmd.20011
The diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities associated with Trichoderma-treated rice fields

Abdullah NS, Doni F, Chua KO, Mispan MS, Saiman MZ, Mohd Yusuf Y, et al.

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2022 Dec;75(6):1645-1650.
PMID: 36073093 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13832

Microbial-based fertilizer has been widely used as a healthier and better alternative to agrochemical products. However, the effects of biofertilizers on the rhizospheric microbiota has rarely been investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of symbiotic fungus Trichoderma asperellum SL2-based inoculant on the soil bacterial population through next generation sequencing using a metabarcoding approach. The treatment plots were treated with T. asperellum SL2 spore suspension, while the control plots were treated with sterilized distilled water. The results showed similar bacterial microbiome profiles in the soil of control and T. asperellum SL2-treated plots. In conclusion, the application of the T. asperellum SL2 inoculant had not exerted a negative impact towards the bacterial population as similar observation was reflected in control plots. Nonetheless, future research should be conducted to investigate the effects of repeated application of T. asperellum SL2 over a longer period on the rice microbiota communities.
Home-Initiated-Programme-to-Prepare-for-Operation: evaluating the effect of an animation video on peri-operative anxiety in children: A randomised controlled trial

Nair T, Choo CSC, Abdullah NS, Lee S, Teo LLE, Chen Y, et al.

Eur J Anaesthesiol, 2021 Aug 01;38(8):880-887.
PMID: 33186309 DOI: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000001385

BACKGROUND: Hospital admissions and surgical operations commonly trigger anxiety in young children. Despite employing numerous support measures in our hospital, such as a pre-operative play room, the encouragement of parental companionship during induction of anaesthesia and distraction therapy, allaying the anxiety of our young surgical patients remains a challenge.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Home-Initiated-Programme-to-Prepare-for-Operation (HIPPO) on emotional manifestation and anxiety in children undergoing surgery.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: One hundred and thirty children were randomly assigned to either control or intervention group between February 2018 and April 2019 in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore.
INTERVENTION: In addition to our standard pre-operative workflow, the intervention group received an additional home preparation kit consisting of an animated video on preoperative preparation and age-specific preoperative preparation activity sheets.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale score to evaluate behaviour and emotion in the children before and during induction of anaesthesia. Secondary outcomes evaluated anxiety levels in parents and children, the child's behaviour and degree of co-operation using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Children scores, the Induction Compliance Checklist scores, the Visual Analogue Scale scores for anxiety and the feedback questionnaire.
RESULTS: The difference between the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale score in control and intervention groups was not statistically significant. A promising difference was however observed in one of the secondary outcomes where the state-State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Children scores of 7 to 10-year olds in the intervention group almost reached significance; P = 0.067.
CONCLUSION: Despite being a child-friendly, easily accessible and affordable tool for patient education, HIPPO did not reduce anxiety experienced by children in the pre-operative waiting area or during induction of anaesthesia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04271553.
A multidimensional approach for microplastics monitoring in two major tropical river basins, Malaysia

Anuar ST, Abdullah NS, Yahya NKEM, Chin TT, Yusof KMKK, Mohamad Y, et al.

Environ Res, 2023 Mar 23;227:115717.
PMID: 36963716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115717

Microplastics (MPs) with the size of 1 μm-5 mm are pollutants of great concern ubiquitously found in the environment. Existing efforts have found that most of the MPs present in the seas mainly originated from land via riverine inputs. Asian rivers are known to be among the top in microplastic emissions. However, field data are scarce, especially in Malaysia. This study presents the distribution and characteristics of MPs in the surface water of two major river basins of Malaysia, namely Langat River (West Coast/Straits of Malacca) and Kelantan River (East Coast/South China Sea). Water samples were collected at 21-22 locations in Kelantan and Langat rivers, covering the river, estuary and sea. MPs were physically classified based on sizes, shapes, colours and surface morphology (SEM-EDS). The average of 179.6 items/L and 1464.8 items/L of MPs had been quantified from Kelantan and Langat rivers, respectively. Fibre (91.90%) was highly recorded at Kelantan, compared to Langat whereby both fibre (59.21%) and fragment (38.87%) were prevalence. Anthropogenic activities and urbanised areas contribute to high microplastic abundance, especially in the Langat River. Micro-FTIR analysis identified 14 polymers in Kelantan River, whereas 20 polymers were found in Langat River. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, phenoxy resins, poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and rayon were discovered in both rivers, although only polyethylene was significant (>1 ppm) when further analysed using pyrolysis-GC/MS. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to explain the relationship between water quality and MP abundance, suggesting only turbidity was positively significant to the microplastic occurrence. This comprehensive study is first to suggest a full-scale monitoring protocol for MPs in Malaysian riverine system and is significant in understanding MPs abundance in correlation to in-situ environmental factors. Consequently, this will allow the right authorities to develop mitigation strategies to address riverine plastic pollution in major river basins in Malaysia and the South East Asia.
Estimation of macroplastic yield from river basin to coastal area: A case study of the Klang River, Malaysia

Sulaiman MS, Anuar ST, Ibrahim YS, Yusof KMKK, Mohamad Y, Khalik WMAWM, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2025 Jan 06;212:117527.
PMID: 39765184 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117527

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a critical global environmental challenge, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and human health. This study investigates macroplastics distribution and characterization in the highly polluted Klang River, Malaysia, and proposes a protocol to compute total macroplastic yield in the river basin. A total of 240 macroplastic items were collected over a 20-km stretch from the river mouth inland, with an average of 0.91 ± 0.80 g/item (dry weight). Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that the macroplastics had weathered slowly in the environment, potentially breaking down into smaller microplastic particles. Biofilms and dead phytoplankton were observed on the plastic surfaces, suggesting that plastic debris may act as vectors for other pollutants. The study used SWAT modelling to simulate physical processes in the Klang River Basin and compute pollutant loads through a loading computation procedure. A macroplastic rating curve was created using river discharge, macroplastic loadings, and associate parameters to estimate plastic loading in the river. The fitted equation models macroplastic loading as a function of river discharge and width, expressed as: log(y) = 1.88216-7.36528log(x) - 4.00491log(x2). Here, log(x) represents the ratio of river discharge to river width, while log(y) denotes macroplastic loading adjusted for sampler width and river width. Results indicated that macroplastic transport in the river system is linked to flow rates and sediment yield, which vary due to topographical factors, with an estimated macroplastics yield in the Klang River Basin of 11,600 kg/day. The findings suggest that a river-specific monitoring programs should be conducted to generate comprehensive datasets, integrating both macroplastics and microplastics abundance, which can be utilized for projecting plastic emissions from Malaysian rivers and comparing data with other river basins in the Southeast Asia.