Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 27 in total

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  1. Wan Hasrulnizzam, W.M., Fatimah, A., Seri Rahayu, K., Ruzy Haryati, H., Noor Amira, M.R.
    MyJurnal
    Research on environmental ergonomics of train/commuter is very limited. Thus, this study was conducted with aims
    to determine the environmental ergonomic of public transport, whether it is in accordance to indoor air quality
    standard inside women coach cabin train during operations. Although the number of passengers is increasing, some
    claimed that the indoor air quality for the Malaysian commuter train is uncertain, especially at peak times.
    Unsatisfactory feedback from some respondents—especially female passengers—will affect other passengers to
    remain loyal to use this facility as one of the main transportation to reduce the traffic congestion that will be faced
    if using private vehicles. The study conducted during peak hours on the weekends and the trip took exactly two hours
    and covered 18 main stations. The measurement devices placed at the centre of the cabin Komuter using Air Quality
    Meter (AIRFLOW Instrument Model TA465). The main parameters measured were temperature, humidity, and carbon
    dioxide (CO2). This study also counts the number of passengers riding the train. The results showed that the indoor
    air quality (AIQ) level of the morning hour will affect passengers’ health more compared to the evening hour (this is
    due to the CO2 level that has exceeded the safety standard). Morning hour gave higher reading of CO2 (43.8%) and
    relative humidity (17%) compared to evening hour. Evening hours also showed greater temperature at 3%. The
    findings can give awareness to the train company to improve the IAQ by installing a suitable ventilation system and
    can give comfort to the passengers when travelling using Malaysian commuter train.
  2. Madinah A, Fatimah A, Mariana A, Abdullah MT
    PMID: 22299462
    Field surveys of ectoparasites on rodents and scandents were conducted in four localities of wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia from October 2008 to November 2009. A total of 16 animals comprising 5 species of hosts were caught and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined were Maxomys rajah, Maxomys whiteheadi, Leopoldamys sabanus, Lariscus insignis and Tupaia glis. Of these hosts, 9 genera, consisting of 14 species of ectoparasites were extracted. Three species of ticks (Ixodidae), 7 species of mesostigmatid mites (Laelaptidae), 3 species of chiggers (Trombiculidae) and 1 species of listrophorid mites (Listrophoriidae) were identified. The infestation rate of ectoparasites observed ranged from 12.5% to 62.5%. Among the ectoparasites found, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known medical importance.
  3. Fatimah A, Md Idris MN, Romzi MA, Faizah H
    Malays J Nutr, 1995;1(1):11-19.
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this paper is to assess the perception of bodyweight status among the office workers in two government departments in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 385 Malay workers aged between 18 to 55 years were randomly selected from the Prime Minister’s Department and the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development. The weights and heights of all subjects were measured and their Body Mass Index (BMI) determined. In this study, obesity is defined as individuals having 25 kg/rn 2 . A questionnaire was prepared to obtained information on socioeconomic status, health aspects, dietary intakes, activity levels and perception on bodyweight status. The study revealed a high prevalence of obesity (38.1 %) and among the obese subjects, 21.7 % perceived themselves as having normal weight. The normal weight and underweight subjects perceived themselves as obese (33.5 % and 6.3 % respectively). A small percentage (5.7 %) of the obese individuals who perceived themselves as obese did not wish to lose weight. In contrast, 9.7 % of the normal weight subjects who perceived themselves as having normal weight wanted to lose weight. A third person’s perception on the subjects’ bodyweight status is significantly associated with the subjects’ bodyweight status (P
  4. Madinah A, Mariana A, Fatimah A, Abdullah MT
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Sep;30(3):547-51.
    PMID: 24189685 MyJurnal
    A survey of ectoparasites was carried out during Eco-Zoonoses Expedition in Bukit Aup Jubilee Park (BAJP), Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo from 5(th) to 9(th) June 2008. A total of nine individuals comprising two species of rodents were captured. The species of rodents screened for ectoparasites were Sundamys muelleri and Callosciurus notatus. Four genera and six species of ectoparasites were collected, namely, Ixodes granulatus, Ixodes sp., Laelaps sedlaceki, Laelaps nuttalli, Hoplopleura dissicula and Listrophoroides sp. Three species of the ectoparasites are known to have potential health risk. The species were Ixodes granulatus, Laelaps nuttalli and Hoplopleura dissicula. This survey produced the first list of ectoparasites in Bukit Aup Jubilee Park, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  5. Yamin, S., Shuhaimi, M., Arbakariya, A., Khalilah, A. K., Anas, O., Yazid, A. M., et al.
    MyJurnal
    The use of component from Ganoderma lucidum as prebiotic source is interesting as the G. lucidum itself was known for more than a decade in the traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, Ganoderma lucidum crude polysaccharides (GLCP) and Polysaccharide-fraction number 2 (PF-2) were used as carbon sources in the fermentation with Bifidobacterium sp. The results showed the potential of prebiotic effect of the G. lucidum extract in batch-culture fermentation based on increment in the growth of bacteria used (0.4 – 1.5 log10 CFU/mL) after 18h fermentation. Fermentation was further done using faecal materials as bacterial inocula and bacterial growth changes were examined using real-time PCR. The results showed the ability of GLCP and PF-2 to support the growth of Bifidobacterium genus with 0.3 and 0.7 log10 cells/ml increased, respectively. Interestingly, Lactobacillus which is known as beneficial bacterial genus also showed growth increment with 0.7 and 1 log10 cells/ml increased. The competition for carbon sources thus inhibits the growth of potentially harmful genus, Salmonella (0.3 and 0.5 log10 cells/ml) in comparison to the control.
  6. Ruzita AT, Osman A, Fatimah A, Khalid BA
    Med J Malaysia, 1996 Mar;51(1):48-51.
    PMID: 10967979
    Sixty three and fifty nine non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients in rural (land resettlement scheme) and urban areas respectively were studied to determine factors associated with diabetic control. The anthropometric and metabolic data (HbA1 and fructosamine levels) were analysed. After adjusting for gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and food intake, the fructosamine level which correlates with short term diabetic control, was significantly lower among patients in urban areas compared to patients in rural areas (p < 0.05). However, for longer term diabetic control (HbA1 level) the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The socio-economic status, level of education, BMI and types of food did not correlate with diabetic control in either group of patients. More diabetes education is needed together with socio-economic development and changes in lifestyles to enhance compliance towards health and dietary regimens and to achieve better metabolic control.
  7. Suzana S, Azhar Y, Fatimah A
    Malays J Nutr, 2004 Sep;10(2):173-82.
    PMID: 22691738 MyJurnal
    A case control study to determine the association of dietary fibre and cancer among Malaysians. It was conducted among 100 newly-diagnosed cancer patients admitted to the Radiotherapy and Oncology Ward, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. A total of 100 controls matched with the cases for age, sex and ethnic origin were selected from the Outpatient Health Clinic in Sentul. The subjects were interviewed to obtain information on their habitual dietary intakes and lifestyles. Family history of cancer, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were found to be significant risk factors for cancer (p<0.05 for all parameters). The mean intake of total energy was higher among men with nasopharyngeal cancer and women with gastrointestinal cancer as compared to their controls (p<0.05 for both parameters). The percentage of energy contribution from fat was higher among cases (35%) than controls (32.1%). The mean dietary fibre intake among cases (10.86 ± 8.90 g/d) was apparently lower than the controls (13.22 ± 5.99 g/d), with significant differences noted for breast cancer and also nasopharyngeal cancer. Women with low fibre intake (<10g/d) had a 2.2 times higher risk of getting breast cancer. There is a need to educate the public to adhere to a wholesome diet, in particular to increase the consumption of high-fibre food for disease prevention.

    Study site: Radiotherapy and Oncology Ward, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Outpatient Health Clinic in Sentu
  8. Tajabadi N, Baradaran A, Ebrahimpour A, Rahim RA, Bakar FA, Manap MY, et al.
    Microb Biotechnol, 2015 Jul;8(4):623-32.
    PMID: 25757029 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12254
    Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important bioactive compound biosynthesized by microorganisms through decarboxylation of glutamate by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). In this study, a full-length GAD gene was obtained by cloning the template deoxyribonucleic acid to pTZ57R/T vector. The open reading frame of the GAD gene showed the cloned gene was composed of 1410 nucleotides and encoded a 469 amino acids protein. To improve the GABA-production, the GAD gene was cloned into pMG36e-LbGAD, and then expressed in Lactobacillus plantarum Taj-Apis362 cells. The overexpression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and GAD activity, showing a 53 KDa protein with the enzyme activity increased by sevenfold compared with the original GAD activity. The optimal fermentation conditions for GABA production established using response surface methodology were at glutamic acid concentration of 497.973 mM, temperature 36°C, pH 5.31 and time 60 h. Under the conditions, maximum GABA concentration obtained (11.09 mM) was comparable with the predicted value by the model at 11.23 mM. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful cloning (clone-back) and overexpression of the LbGAD gene from L. plantarum to L. plantarum cells. The recombinant Lactobacillus could be used as a starter culture for direct incorporation into a food system during fermentation for production of GABA-rich products.
  9. Jalil AA, Panjang NF, Akhbar S, Sundang M, Tajuddin N, Triwahyono S
    J Hazard Mater, 2007 Sep 5;148(1-2):1-5.
    PMID: 17669589
    Electrochemical dechlorination of chlorobenzene in organic solutions was studied. Electrolysis of chlorobenzene in acetonitrile solution in a one-compartment cell fitted with a platinum cathode and a zinc anode at 60mA/cm(2) and 0 degrees C was found to be the optimum conditions, which gave complete dechlorination of chlorobenzene. However, similar result could not be achieved when applying these conditions to 1,3-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. We found that the use of naphthalene which reacted as a mediator in the appropriate system could accelerate the reduction and gave complete dechlorination of those chlorobenzenes. Moreover, in the presence of naphthalene the reaction time could be shortened by half compared to dechlorination in the absence of naphthalene.
  10. Norhayati M, Noor Hayati MI, Oothuman P, Fatmah MS, Zainudin B, Fatimah A
    Med J Malaysia, 1995 Dec;50(4):382-90.
    PMID: 8668061
    A dietary survey was carried out in 216 children (109 males, 107 females) aged 1-7 years, living in rural villages in Selangor, Malaysia to assess their nutrient intake and to determine the association between nutrient consumption and socio-economic background. All the children studied had inadequate intakes of energy, iron and niacin according to Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). Children aged of 4-9 years showed inadequate intake of calcium, thiamine and riboflavin. However, the intake of protein, vitamin A and ascorbic acid were above the recommended value. The mean percentage requirements of protein, iron and niacin were significantly higher in children from small families compared with children from large families. However the employment status of mothers had a significantly effect on the mean percentage requirements of niacin. The results indicate that education level of the mothers, is strongly associated with the mean percentage nutrient requirements of children and we strongly feel that this is a strategy to be adopted for improvement in nutrition of children.
  11. Noor AM, Muthupalaniappen L, Shamsul AS, Hizlinda T, Khairani O, Fatimah A
    Malays J Nutr, 2012 Apr;18(1):47-55.
    PMID: 23713229 MyJurnal
    Body weight of children is affected by many factors including food habits which are influenced by their parents. Studies in the West have shown that parents tend to control child feeding in response to their child's weight status. The aim of this study was to assess Malaysian parental concerns about child weight and the control they exert on child feeding.
  12. Kasmini K, Idris MN, Fatimah A, Hanafiah S, Iran H, Asmah Bee MN
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1997 Sep;6(3):172-4.
    PMID: 24394759
    6239 children aged 7 to 16 years, attending 22 primary and secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were screened using a self report questionnaire, with their heights and weights measured using a digital electronic SECA beam balance. The selection was done by a two staged stratified random sampling from a total of 226 schools in Kuala Lumpur. The racial distribution was 56.7% Malays, 33.8% Chinese and 8.1% Indians; 3.6% (n:222) of the children were identified as obese and 6% (n:373) identified as overweight. The definitions of obese and overweight were computed using growth charts of the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) from the median of the reference population. There were no significant differences amongst the 3 major ethnic groups in the obese group. The differences were significant in the overweight group with the Indians most overweight, followed by the Chinese and the Malays.
  13. Raftari M, Jalilian FA, Abdulamir AS, Son R, Sekawi Z, Fatimah AB
    Open Microbiol J, 2009 Aug 04;3:121-7.
    PMID: 19696918 DOI: 10.2174/1874285800903010121
    Appropriate and safe antibacterial agents able to decontaminate meat surfaces have long been big concern of meat industry. In an attempt to manage beef carcass contamination, spray wash treatments utilizing three concentrations (1, 1.5 and 2%) of acetic, lactic, propionic and formic acids were performed to evaluate their efficacy in reducing numbers of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus on meat tissues. The procured beef pieces of freshly slaughtered animals were decontaminated with hot water and then inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus individually which then were spray washed with organic acids separately. The total plate count of the treated samples showed that the populations of bacteria decreased after being exposed to organic acids. Spray wash of formic acid resulted in the highest reduction of both bacterial species on meat surface. Significantly, higher log reductions were obtained for S. aureus than E. coli O157:H7. It was concluded that organic acids are highly effective in decontaminating meat surfaces and organic acids are shown to be safe, simple, efficient, and cheap modality of meat decontamination which can be highly recommended for industrial scales.
  14. Rizal S, H P S AK, Oyekanmi AA, Gideon ON, Abdullah CK, Yahya EB, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Mar 24;13(7).
    PMID: 33805242 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071006
    The exponential increase in textile cotton wastes generation and the ineffective processing mechanism to mitigate its environmental impact by developing functional materials with unique properties for geotechnical applications, wastewater, packaging, and biomedical engineering have become emerging global concerns among researchers. A comprehensive study of a processed cotton fibres isolation technique and their applications are highlighted in this review. Surface modification of cotton wastes fibre increases the adsorption of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have demonstrated high adsorption capacity for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have found remarkable application in slope amendments, reinforcement of expansive soils and building materials, and a proven source for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Several research work on the use of cotton waste for functional application rather than disposal has been done. However, no review study has discussed the potentials of cotton wastes from source (Micro-Nano) to application. This review critically analyses novel isolation techniques of CNC from cotton wastes with an in-depth study of a parameter variation effect on their yield. Different pretreatment techniques and efficiency were discussed. From the analysis, chemical pretreatment is considered the most efficient extraction of CNCs from cotton wastes. The pretreatment strategies can suffer variation in process conditions, resulting in distortion in the extracted cellulose's crystallinity. Acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid is the most used extraction process for cotton wastes-based CNC. A combined pretreatment process, such as sonication and hydrolysis, increases the crystallinity of cotton-based CNCs. The improvement of the reinforced matrix interface of textile fibres is required for improved packaging and biomedical applications for the sustainability of cotton-based CNCs.
  15. Aljindan RY, Alnimr AM, Al Dossary RA, Al Haddad AJ, Alturki FA, Al-Romihi NM, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):100-107.
    PMID: 35002494 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.10
    Background: Pooled specimen screening for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can improve laboratory testing capacity. This study assessed the impact of pooling and retesting individual swabs on the overall detection rate and reduction in the frequency of retesting.

    Methods: One hundred respiratory swabs specimens were tested individually and in pools of three or five samples using the Cepheid's Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test kit. The optimum number of samples per pool was calculated using the application 'A Shiny App for Pooled Testing'.

    Results: Twenty-five pools were generated from 101 samples. Out of 13 pools that contained five samples each, three pools gave true positive results. While out of the 12 pools that contained three samples each, five pools gave true positive results. Four samples gave a false negative pool result. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the assay in the pools were 66.6% and 100%, respectively. The cycle threshold was reduced in most of the pools compared to individual sample tests.

    Conclusion: The overall pooled test had a remarkable impact on laboratory resources. Yet, caution is warranted when selecting the cases for pooled testing, since the reduction in sensitivity can significantly impact and increase the risk of exposure to infection.

  16. Huda-Faujan N, Abdulamir AS, Fatimah AB, Anas OM, Shuhaimi M, Yazid AM, et al.
    Open Biochem J, 2010;4:53-8.
    PMID: 20563285 DOI: 10.2174/1874091X01004010053
    The aim of this study was to determine the changes of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in faeces of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients compared to healthy subjects. SCFAs such as pyruvic, lactic, formic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric and butyric acids were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This study showed that the level of acetic, 162.0 micromol/g wet faeces, butyric, 86.9 micromol/g wet faeces, and propionic acids, 65.6 micromol/g wet faeces, decreased remarkably in IBD faecal samples when compared with that of healthy individuals, 209.7, 176.0, and 93.3 micromol/g wet faeces respectively. On the contrary, lactic and pyruvic acids showed higher levels in faecal samples of IBD than in healthy subjects. In the context of butyric acid level, this study also found that the molar ratio of butyric acid was higher than propionic acid in both faecal samples. This might be due to the high intake of starch from rice among Malaysian population. It was concluded that the level of SCFAs differ remarkably between faecal samples in healthy subjects and that in IBD patients providing evidence that SCFAs more likely play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD.
  17. Sharhar S, Normah H, Fatimah A, Fadilah RN, Rohi GA, Amin I, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Apr-Jun;9(2):343-49.
    PMID: 18712988
    A case control study was carried out to investigate associations between breast cancer risk, antioxidant status and oxidative stress among women in Klang Valley and Selangor. A total of 57 newly diagnosed cases aged 30 to 66 years old participated and were matched for age and ethnicity with 139 controls with no diagnosis of cancer or other chronic diseases. An interview based questionnaire designed to collect information on demographic and socioeconomic status, as well as reproductive, medical and dietary history was used. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, waist and hip circumference were made and a 10 ml fasting venous blood sample was taken for glucose testing and analysis of plasma vitamin antioxidants and malondialdehyde. Hair and toenail samples were taken for selenium analysis. Results showed that the mean intake of vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium among cases (606.8 +/- 334.8 microg/d, 6.1 +/- 2.4 g/d, 56.9 +/- 16.2 microg/d) was lower than controls (724.7 +/- 414 microg/day, 6.9 +/- 3.0 g/d, 60.8 +/- 17.5 microg/d, respectively) (p<0.05 for all parameters). A similar trend was noted for plasma vitamin A and E and also selenium in hair and toenails. Poor antioxidant status as indicated by low plasma vitamin A (<284.3 microg/l or <366.3 microg/l) increased risk of breast cancer by approximately two fold, whilst low plasma vitamin E (<2.5 mg/dl, <2.8 mg/dl and <3.1 mg/dl) increased the risk by two to three fold [Adjusted OR 2.97 (95% CI 1.38-3.48), 2.32 (95% CI 1.07-2.41) and 2.12 (95% CI 1.00-4.21)]. Cases had a greater level of malondialdehyde 4.4 +/- 1.1 mmol/g protein), an indicator of oxidative stress, as compared to controls (3.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/g protein) (p<0.05). A high level of MDA (> or = 4.8 mmol/g protein) was associated with breast cancer [Adjusted OR 6.82 (95% CI 1.95-23.9)]. It is concluded that a poor antioxidant status and high oxidative stress are associated with breast cancer risk. Thus, it is essential for Malaysian women to obtain a good antioxidant status by consuming a diet rich in vitamins A and E as well as selenium and adopt healthy behaviour to reduce oxidative stress in order to prevent breast cancer.
  18. Mazlyn MM, Nagarajah LH, Fatimah A, Norimah AK, Goh KL
    J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2013 Jul;28(7):1141-7.
    PMID: 23432408 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12168
    Evidence suggests that probiotics reduce certain constipation-related symptoms. Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota has never been tested as treatment for functional constipation in otherwise-healthy subjects. To evaluate the efficacy of this probiotic among adults with functional constipation was aimed.
  19. Mazlyn MM, Nagarajah LH, Fatimah A, Norimah AK, Goh KL
    Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):53-64.
    PMID: 24800384 MyJurnal
    Diet and lifestyle modification is commonly used in constipation management. As there is a dearth of studies on this topic in Malaysia, we aim to elucidate the relations between stool patterns, dietary intake and physical activity levels among adults with functional constipation.
  20. Sangeetha-Shyam, Fatimah A, Rohana AG, Norasyikin AW, Karuthan C, Nik SS, et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):9-23.
    PMID: 24800381 MyJurnal
    Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2
    diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve
    cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the
    feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM
    women. Methods: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian
    women with a mean age of 31.0±4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were
    randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received
    conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received
    GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations.
    At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient
    intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food
    records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were
    assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured
    at the end of 3 months. Results: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had
    significant reductions in energy intake (241.7±522.4Kcal, P=0.037, ES=0.463), total
    carbohydrate (48.7±83.5g, P=0.010, ES=0.583), GI (3.9±7.1, P=0.017, ES=0.549) and
    GL (39.0±55.3, P=0.003, ES=0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7±5.4g,
    0.003, ES=0.685) and diet fibre (4.6±7.3g, P=0.06). The CHDR group had a significant
    reduction in fat only (5.7±9.4g, P=0.006, ES=0.606). There was a 30% increase in
    GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p< 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores
    correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P=0.045). Dietary
    adherence was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: GI-education improves
    GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women
    with a history of GDM.
    Keywords: Diet, gestational diabetes mellitus, glycaemic index, glycaemic load,
    prevention, type 2 diabetes
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