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Fulltext Lung function in Malay children

Ismail Y, Azmi NN, Zurkurnain Y

Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):171-4.
PMID: 8350792

We conducted a study to measure the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in a group of normal Malay primary school children aged 7 to 12 years. PEFR was measured in 920 children (482 boys and 438 girls) while FVC and FEV1 were measured in 292 of them (168 boys and 124 girls). In agreement with previous studies, we found that PEFR was correlated with age and height of the subjects but FVC and FEV1 were correlated with height only. Prediction equations for all 3 lung function indices for Malay boys and girls were formulated. In comparison with the lung function values from Western and Chinese subjects, the lung function values in our subjects are lower.
Fulltext Acute myocardial infarction survival rate and complications after streptokinase therapy in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan--a comparative study

Hishamuddin HM, Azmi NN, Jackson N

Singapore Med J, 1993 Aug;34(4):316-8.
PMID: 8266202

Thrombolytic therapy is a well-established therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), reducing mortality and infarct size. This study is a retrospective analysis of survival and complications after the use of streptokinase at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Streptokinase was first used here in March 1990. Between then and February 1992, 126 patients were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit. Thirty-two patients who fulfilled our criteria for thrombolytic treatment were given an hour intravenous infusion of 1.5 MU streptokinase, and started on aspirin. A control group of 64 patients selected from before March 1990, and matched for age, sex and site of infarct, was given standard therapy. The survival at 4 weeks post-AMI was 91% in the streptokinase therapy group and 91% in both groups (p > 0.05). The complications encountered were reperfusion arrhythmias (2 patients), hypotension(1), maculopapular rash(1) and gum bleeding(1). None of these complications were statistically increased when compared to the control group and none resulted in the death of a patient. We conclude that streptokinase therapy can be given safely in a rural Malaysian setting. Our survival and complication rates are comparable with other published series.
Assessment of self-perceived malocclusion and barriers to orthodontic treatment: A cross-sectional study

Zulkiffili AM, Roslan LH, Azrin NHI, Azmi NN, Manivannan PC, Yap YH

J Orthod Sci, 2023;12:77.
PMID: 38234650 DOI: 10.4103/jos.jos_42_23

CONTEXT: Malocclusion is a common dental issue that can lead to significant oral health problems. However, patient management and treatment options for malocclusion can vary, and there is a lack of information regarding self-perception and barriers to orthodontic care.
AIMS: This study aimed to assess the self-perception of malocclusion and explore barriers to orthodontic care among residents of Bandar Saujana Putra in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study through the use of a validated questionnaire was distributed to the residents of Bandar Saujana Putra. Responses were collected from June 2021 to February 2022 via both online (Google Forms) and physical forms.
METHODS AND MATERIAL: The questionnaire consists of four sections, which assessed the respondents' demographics, understanding and awareness toward malocclusion, and barriers to orthodontic care.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Responses were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test with IBM SPSS version 26.
RESULTS: A total of 231 responses were collected from 83 (35.9%) males and 148 (64.1%) females. Females had a significantly higher level of awareness and knowledge regarding malocclusion compared to males (P < 0.05). The majority of the female respondents (83.8%) agreed that malocclusion can lead to dental caries (P = 0.02) and 60.8% of them identified "unpleasant appearance" as the main barrier to orthodontic treatment (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that clear braces could be a viable alternative for patients who are concerned with their appearance and may be a solution to the barrier of "unpleasant appearance." Our study contributes to the existing literature on malocclusion and barriers to orthodontic care in Malaysia.
Fulltext Antibacterial Activity of Clay Soils against Food-Borne Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus

Azmi NN, Mahyudin NA, Wan Omar WH, Mahmud Ab Rashid NK, Ishak CF, Abdullah AH, et al.

Molecules, 2021 Dec 28;27(1).
PMID: 35011396 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010170

Natural clays have recently been proven to possess antibacterial properties. Effective natural antimicrobial agents are needed to combat bacterial contamination on food contact surfaces, which are increasingly more prevalent in the food chain. This study sought to determine the antibacterial activity of clays against the food-borne pathogens Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 13565. Soils were processed to yield leachates and suspensions from untreated and treated clays. Soil particle size, pH, cation-exchange capacity, metal composition and mineralogy were characterized. Antibacterial screening was performed on six Malaysian soils via the disc diffusion method. In addition, a time-kill assay was conducted on selected antibacterial clays after 6 h of exposure. The screening revealed that Munchong and Carey clays significantly inhibit Salmonella typhimurium (11.00 ± 0.71 mm) and S. aureus (7.63 ± 0.48 mm), respectively. Treated Carey clay leachate and suspension completely kill Salmonella typhimurium, while S. aureus viability is reduced (2 to 3 log10). The untreated Carey and all Munchong clays proved ineffective as antibacterials. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of pyrite and magnetite. Treated Carey clays had a higher soluble metal content compared to Munchong; namely Al (92.63 ± 2.18 mg/L), Fe (65.69 ± 3.09 mg/L) and Mg (88.48 ± 2.29 mg/L). Our results suggest that metal ion toxicity is responsible for the antibacterial activity of these clays.
Fulltext Acceptability of a microfinance-based empowerment intervention for transgender and cisgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lall P, Shaw SA, Saifi R, Sherman S, Azmi NN, Pillai V, et al.

J Int AIDS Soc, 2017 08 02;20(1):21723.
PMID: 28782331 DOI: 10.7448/IAS.20.1.21723

INTRODUCTION: Cisgender and transgender woman sex workers (CWSWs and TWSWs, respectively) are key populations in Malaysia with higher HIV-prevalence than that of the general population. Given the impact economic instability can have on HIV transmission in these populations, novel HIV prevention interventions that reduce poverty may reduce HIV incidence and improve linkage and retention to care for those already living with HIV. We examine the feasibility of a microfinance-based HIV prevention intervention among CWSW and TWSWs in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
METHODS: We conducted 35 in-depth interviews to examine the acceptability of a microfinance-based HIV prevention intervention, focusing on: (1) participants' readiness to engage in other occupations and the types of jobs in which they were interested in; (2) their level of interest in the components of the potential intervention, including training on financial literacy and vocational education; and (3) possible barriers and facilitators to the successful completion of the intervention. Using grounded theory as a framework of analysis, transcripts were analysed through Nvivo 11.
RESULTS: Participants were on average 41 years old, slightly less than half (48%) were married, and more than half (52%) identified as Muslim. Participants express high motivation to seek employment in other professions as they perceived sex work as not a "proper job" with opportunities for career growth but rather as a short-term option offering an unstable form of income. Participants wanted to develop their own small enterprise. Most participants expressed a high level of interest in microfinance intervention and training to enable them to enter a new profession. Possible barriers to intervention participation included time, stigma, and a lack of resources.
CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that a microfinance intervention is acceptable and desirable for CWSWs and TWSWs in urban Malaysian contexts as participants reported that they were ready to engage in alternative forms of income generation.
Effect of natural antibacterial clays against single biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria on a stainless-steel surface

Wan Omar WH, Mahyudin NA, Azmi NN, Mahmud Ab Rashid NK, Ismail R, Mohd Yusoff MHY, et al.

Int J Food Microbiol, 2023 Jun 02;394:110184.
PMID: 36996693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110184

Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium have a propensity to develop biofilms on food contact surfaces, such as stainless-steel, that persist despite rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Since both bacterial species pose a significant public health risk within the food chain, improved anti-biofilm measures are needed. This study examined the potential of clays as antibacterial and anti-biofilm agents against these two pathogens on appropriate contact surfaces. Natural soil was processed to yield leachates and suspensions of both untreated and treated clays. Soil particle size, pH, cation-exchange capacity, and metal ions were characterized to assess their importance in bacterial killing. Initial antibacterial screening was performed on nine distinct types of natural Malaysian soil using a disk diffusion assay. Untreated leachate from Kuala Gula and Kuala Kangsar clays were found to inhibit S. aureus (7.75 ± 0.25 mm) and Salmonella Typhimurium (11.85 ± 1.63 mm), respectively. The treated Kuala Gula suspension (50.0 and 25.0 %) reduced S. aureus biofilms by 4.4 and 4.2 log at 24 and 6 h, respectively, while treated Kuala Kangsar suspension (12.5 %) by a 4.16 log reduction at 6 h. Although less effective, the treated Kuala Gula leachate (50.0 %) was effective in removing Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm with a decrease of >3 log in 24 h. In contrast to Kuala Kangsar clays, the treated Kuala Gula clays contained a much higher soluble metal content, especially Al (301.05 ± 0.45 ppm), Fe (691.83 ± 4.80 ppm) and Mg (88.44 ± 0.47 ppm). Elimination of S. aureus biofilms correlated with the presence of Fe, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn irrespective of the pH of the leachate. Our findings demonstrate that a treated suspension is the most effective for eradication of S. aureus biofilms with a potential as a sanitizer-tolerant, natural antibacterial against biofilms for applications in the food industry.