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Fulltext Factors influencing consumers’ knowledge towards contaminated peanut-based products

Hassan, N. A., Kamarulzaman, N. H., Mohd Nawi, N.

International Food Research Journal, 2018;25(102):147-156.
MyJurnal

Food products contamination has become a huge global issue, mostly related to foodborne diseases. Morbidity and mortality are on the increase worldwide due to the increasing incidence of foodborne diseases. Peanut-based products are reported to contribute significantly to food contamination issues. It needs to be addressed well to make sure consumers are safe from these hazards. Besides, all of the scientific knowledge of food products contaminations symptoms needs to be known not only among scientists but also among consumers. Thus, the objectives of this study are to examine consumers’ knowledge level towards contaminated peanut-based products and to determine factors influencing consumers’ knowledge towards consuming contaminated peanut-based products. A survey using a structured questionnaire was carried out among 1,263 respondents who consumed peanut and peanut-based products in daily, weekly or monthly diet at Klang Valley area. The results from this study showed that about 73.9% of total respondents have inadequate knowledge and only 26.1% have adequate knowledge towards the issue of contaminated peanut-based products. The results also indicated that there are five factors (mass media, practicing standard, packaging information, experience, and official government website) that greatly influenced consumers’ knowledge towards the issue of contaminated peanut-based products. Consumers who have lack knowledge of the danger in consuming contaminated peanuts-based products are at risk of adverse health effects if consumed in a long term. Hence, the government and NGOs need to carry out campaigns that would increase awareness among consumers towards the risks of consuming contaminated peanut-based products.
Fulltext Prevalence and Pattern of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Malaysian Hockey League Players

Manaf H, Justine M, Hassan N

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Mar;15(1):21-26.
PMID: 33880144 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2103.004

Introduction: Hockey is a team sport that involves running, sprinting, and making sudden changes in directions of movement to control a ball against the opposing team. Therefore, due to its nature of fast movement, hockey players may be at risk of various musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and pattern of musculoskeletal injuries sustained among Malaysian Hockey League players.
Materials and Method: Data were collected from 84 field hockey players that participated in the Malaysian Hockey League competition from June 2016 until December 2016. All injuries were recorded by the participating medical team using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-Square test were used to explore the prevalence of the injury.
Result: More than half of the players were reported to have lower limb injuries (51.6%). Sprain and strain were the most prevalent injuries (63%) and mostly affected the ankle (29%). Male players sustained more injuries (50.8%) compared to female players (49.2%).
Conclusion: This study suggests that a guideline is needed for injury prevention strategies that will benefit the hockey players in preventing injuries.
Fulltext Sparse Component Analysis (SCA) Based on Adaptive Time-Frequency Thresholding for Underdetermined Blind Source Separation (UBSS)

Hassan N, Ramli DA

Sensors (Basel), 2023 Feb 11;23(4).
PMID: 36850657 DOI: 10.3390/s23042060

Blind source separation (BSS) recovers source signals from observations without knowing the mixing process or source signals. Underdetermined blind source separation (UBSS) occurs when there are fewer mixes than source signals. Sparse component analysis (SCA) is a general UBSS solution that benefits from sparse source signals which consists of (1) mixing matrix estimation and (2) source recovery estimation. The first stage of SCA is crucial, as it will have an impact on the recovery of the source. Single-source points (SSPs) were detected and clustered during the process of mixing matrix estimation. Adaptive time-frequency thresholding (ATFT) was introduced to increase the accuracy of the mixing matrix estimations. ATFT only used significant TF coefficients to detect the SSPs. After identifying the SSPs, hierarchical clustering approximates the mixing matrix. The second stage of SCA estimated the source recovery using least squares methods. The mixing matrix and source recovery estimations were evaluated using the error rate and mean squared error (MSE) metrics. The experimental results on four bioacoustics signals using ATFT demonstrated that the proposed technique outperformed the baseline method, Zhen's method, and three state-of-the-art methods over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ranges while consuming less time.
Enhanced production of short-peptide tagged Ss3a recombinant protein as a novel potential biomarker for strongyloidiasis

Mohd-Hassan NH, Noordin R, Arifin N

Trop Biomed, 2020 Sep 01;37(3):578-586.
PMID: 33612773 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.3.578

Strongyloidiasis is a mysterious yet important parasitic disease that is hard to diagnose. While microscopic examination remains a "controversial" gold standard method, improved diagnosis is achieved through confirmatory assays with serological and/or molecular diagnostic approaches. In the current serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis, recombinant proteins have been adopted in place of the use of native parasite antigens, although the availability of diagnostically potential proteins are still limited. Here, we introduce a novel Strongyloides recombinant protein that is uniquely attached to two different short peptide tags as a potential diagnostic biomarker for serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis, namely lysine (7K) and aspartic acid (7D). The work presented focus on improving the yield and purity of the previously unexpressed recombinant protein. Preliminary diagnostic evaluation of the recombinant favors Ss3a7K protein owing to its higher antigenicity performance with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity, respectively.
A review on self-modification of zirconium dioxide nanocatalysts with enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants

Hassan NS, Jalil AA

J Hazard Mater, 2022 Feb 05;423(Pt A):126996.
PMID: 34461544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126996

Over the past few years, photocatalysis is one of the most promising approaches for removing organic pollutants. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) has been shown to be effective in the photodegradation of organic pollutants. However, low photoresponse and fast electron-hole recombination of ZrO2 affected the efficiency of catalytic performance. Modifying the photocatalyst itself (self-modification) is a prominent way to enhance the photoactivity of ZrO2. Moreover, as ZrO2-like photocatalysts have a large bandgap, improving the spectral response via self-modification could extend the visible light region and reduce the chance of recombination. Here, we review the self-modification of ZrO2 for enhanced the degradation of organic pollutants. The approaches of the ZrO2 self-modification, including the type of synthetic route and synthesis parameter variation, are discussed in the review. This will be followed by a brief section on the effect of ZrO2 self-modification in terms of morphology, crystal structure, and surface defects for enhanced photodegradation efficiency. It also covers the discussion on the photocatalytic mechanism of ZrO2 self-modification. Finally, some challenges with ZrO2 catalysts are also discussed to promote new ideas to improve photocatalytic performance.
Fulltext Entropy, Measures of Distance and Similarity of Q-Neutrosophic Soft Sets and Some Applications

Abu Qamar M, Hassan N

Entropy (Basel), 2018 Sep 05;20(9).
PMID: 33265761 DOI: 10.3390/e20090672

The idea of the Q-neutrosophic soft set emerges from the neutrosophic soft set by upgrading the membership functions to a two-dimensional entity which indicate uncertainty, indeterminacy and falsity. Hence, it is able to deal with two-dimensional inconsistent, imprecise, and indeterminate information appearing in real life situations. In this study, the tools that measure the similarity, distance and the degree of fuzziness of Q-neutrosophic soft sets are presented. The definitions of distance, similarity and measures of entropy are introduced. Some formulas for Q-neutrosophic soft entropy were presented. The known Hamming, Euclidean and their normalized distances are generalized to make them well matched with the idea of Q-neutrosophic soft set. The distance measure is subsequently used to define the measure of similarity. Lastly, we expound three applications of the measures of Q-neutrosophic soft sets by applying entropy and the similarity measure to a medical diagnosis and decision making problems.
Fulltext Factors influencing patient satisfaction with dental appearance and treatments they desire to improve aesthetics

Tin-Oo MM, Saddki N, Hassan N

BMC Oral Health, 2011;11:6.
PMID: 21342536 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6831-11-6

We assessed factors influencing patients' satisfaction with their dental appearance and the treatments they desired to improve dental aesthetics.
Fulltext Single rare central lesion with triple common aerodigestive symptoms

Mohamad I, Mohamad IS, Nik Hassan N

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(1):57-58.
PMID: 29796215 MyJurnal

An elderly gentleman with a known history of
well-controlled hypertension presented with
a three-week history of hoarseness associated
with mild breathlessness. There was no episode
of cyanosis, no noisy breathing, and no
reduction in effort tolerance. There was also no
history of chest pain or orthopnea. He denied
any feeling of food stuck in his throat or chest,
and he had no history of choking sensations
during meals. He, however, was unable to
count from 1 to 10 in one breath, and lung
auscultation revealed reduced air entry on both
sides. A chest radiograph was then obtained. (Copied from article).
Fulltext Challenging lymphoid malignancy of primary central nervous system lymphoma: A case report

Kasinathan G, Kori AN, Hassan N

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2020 Sep;57:307-310.
PMID: 32874561 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.08.011

Introduction: Primary central nervous lymphoma is an aggressive disease without evidence of systemic spread with an annual incidence of 7 cases per 1,000,000 people in the United States.
Case presentation: A 68-year-old gentleman of Malay ethnicity presented with left sided weakness associated with reduced sensation for one month. The patient was healthy and denied any constitutional symptoms, joint pains, rash or seizures. There was no recent trauma. Physical examination revealed left upper and lower limb motor grade power of 3/5 with upper motor neurone weakness of the left facial nerve. He had brisk reflexes and an upgoing extensor plantar response. Brain imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) showed two lesions: one occupying the right head of the caudate nucleus and the other seen at the right side of the body of the corpus callosum. Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry confirmed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) of non-germinal center type. He was treated with De Angelis protocol which involves chemoradiotherapy consisting of high dose methotrexate and whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), followed by high dose cytarabine. Brain imaging post chemoradiation showed complete remission.
Conclusion: Prompt detection with appropriate therapeutic protocol could significantly minimise the permanent neurological deficits in patients with this rare and challenging lymphoid malignancy.
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA) findings in diabetic and non-diabetic female: A retrospective cohort study

Jawhar DS, Hassan NA, Shamssain MH

Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):47-51.
PMID: 32008020

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a silent disease which has an effect on bone structure. Studies on the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) revealed conflicting results. We conducted a
study to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in females with T2DM and compare dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan results between diabetic and non-diabetic females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed hospital records and DXA scan measurements of 635 patients at tertiary hospital in Ajman, UAE. Patients with T2DM were compared to non-diabetic control group. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Student’s t test was used for continuous variables, while chi-square test for categorical variables. Relative risk (RR) and it’s 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) were calculated for prevalence
of osteoporosis among the two group.
RESULTS: In all 141 patients in the diabetic group and 428 patients in the control group, while 66 patients were
excluded based on exclusion criteria. Prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in diabetic group (RR:
1.2, 95%CI: 1.1, 1.2). BMD and T-score values were similar in diabetic and control groups. Z-score values of lumbar spine, L1 and L3 were significantly higher in diabetic group. Obese patients have significantly higher BMD than non-obese in both studied groups. Younger diabetic patient had significantly higher value of BMD, T-score and Z-score in left femur total hip.
CONCLUSION: Although BMD and T-score values were similar between the two groups, women with T2DM had significant higher prevalence of osteoporosis.
Fulltext Nutritional Status and Health-Related Quality of Life among Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Patients under Rehabilitation Care in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Zamri N, Harith S, Mat-Hassan N, Ong YQ

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Jul;15(2):77-88.
PMID: 34429826 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2107.012

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 80% of people with osteoarthritis (OA) have movement limitations while 25% of them cannot perform their major daily activities, thus resulting in a decline of their nutritional status and quality of life (QOL). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the nutritional status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of OA patients between gender and age group.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 131 OA patients in Rehabilitation Health Organisation, Terengganu. Socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle histories, 24-hour dietary intake and HRQOL were assessed using a structured questionnaire.
Results: Knee and/or hip OA patients recruited consisted of 19.1% of men and 80.9 % of women collectively with a mean age of 61.81 (9.28) years ranging from 38 to 83 years. The percentages of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese patients were 1.5%, 12.2%, 36.7%, and 49.6%, respectively. Further assessment of HRQOL showed that the highest mean score was obtained by the social functioning (SF) domain of 41.25 (27.16), while the mental domain scored the least mean score of 21.15 (20.92). In terms of gender breakdown, the males had significantly greater weight and height but lower body fat (BF) compared to their female counterparts, as well as a significantly higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake. According to the age group, patients aged < 60 years had significantly greater weight, height, and BF than those aged ≥ 60 years.
Conclusion: This study is an important baseline reference for proper OA management and prevention by providing crucial nutritional status and HRQOL information.
Fulltext Head and neck tuberculosis: The great mimic

Mohamad I, Nik Hassan N, Nik Othman NA

Malays Fam Physician, 2016;11(2-3):38.
PMID: 28461859
Chemical and Chemometric Methods for Halal Authentication of Gelatin: An Overview

Hassan N, Ahmad T, Zain NM

J Food Sci, 2018 Dec;83(12):2903-2911.
PMID: 30440088 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14370

The issue of food authenticity has become a concern among religious adherents, particularly Muslims, due to the possible presence of nonhalal ingredients in foods as well as other commercial products. One of the nonhalal ingredients that commonly found in food and pharmaceutical products is gelatin which extracted from porcine source. Bovine and fish gelatin are also becoming the main commercial sources of gelatin. However, unclear information and labeling regarding the actual sources of gelatin in food and pharmaceutical products have become the main concern in halal authenticity issue since porcine consumption is prohibited for Muslims. Hence, numerous analytical methods involving chemical and chemometric analysis have been developed to identify the sources of gelatin. Chemical analysis techniques such as biochemical, chromatography, electrophoretic, and spectroscopic are usually combined with chemometric and mathematical methods such as principal component analysis, cluster, discriminant, and Fourier transform analysis for the gelatin classification. A sample result from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, which combines Fourier transform and spectroscopic technique, is included in this paper. This paper presents an overview of chemical and chemometric methods involved in identification of different types of gelatin, which is important for halal authentication purposes.
Fulltext Abdominal Lymphocyte-Depleted Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Rare Presentation

Kasinathan G, Kori AN, Hassan N

Int J Gen Med, 2019;12:405-409.
PMID: 31807052 DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S232254

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a type of lymphoma that arises from the B lymphocytes. The four main subtypes of HL are the nodular sclerosing, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte rich and the lymphocyte depleted. Nodular sclerosis subtype accounts for majority of all classical HL, whereas lymphocytic depletion type accounts for less than 1%. The main objective of reporting this case is to share with the medical fraternity a rare presentation of abdominal lymphocyte-depleted classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
A 47-year-old gentleman of Malay ethnicity with no known pre-morbidities, presented to the haematology unit with a 2-month history of night fever, loss of weight, malaise, anorexia and abdominal swelling. Abdominal examination revealed a periumbilical and lower epigastric swelling measuring 6x6 cms. The swelling was non-tender, firm in consistency and smooth on palpation. The Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) imaging revealed an enlarged mesenteric mass measuring 5.8x6.9x5.7 cm and multiple enlarged aorta-caval lymph nodes. The mesenteric tumour histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with lymphocyte depleted HL. He completed six cycles of intravenous ABVD polychemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) 25mg/m2, Bleomycin 10mg/m2, Vinblastine 6mg/m2 and Dacarbazine 375mg/m2. The Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG PET /CT) imaging post 2 cycles and 6 cycles of ABVD polychemotherapy showed complete metabolic response to chemotherapy.
Conclusion: Lymphocyte-depleted classical Hodgkin lymphoma (LDcHL) is a rare entity and is mostly diagnosed at a later stage rendering it a disease with poor prognostic outcomes. Early detection and prompt institution of therapy is crucial in the management of this disease.
Fulltext Psychological Capital Related to Academic Outcomes Among University Students: A Systematic Literature Review

Li R, Che Hassan N, Saharuddin N

Psychol Res Behav Manag, 2023;16:3739-3763.
PMID: 37705849 DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S421549

In the past two decades, several scholars from different disciplines have conducted theoretical research and practical explorations on the issue of psychological capital and achieved certain research results. Yet, few studies have synthesized the psychological capital related to academic outcomes among university students. Thus, the aim of this article is to explore how PsyCap is described in an academic context and how PsyCap and academic-related outcomes are related. A comprehensive systematic review was conducted on 43 studies between 2012 and 2022, sourced from six leading databases: Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, PsyINFO (EBSCO), Springerlink, and ScienceDirect. Our selection criteria focused on empirical research that specifically discussed PsyCap's impact on university students' academic performance. This review identifies personal and social factors that influence the development of PsyCap in university students, such as self-esteem, motivation, gratitude, family support, and peer relationships. We found that PsyCap plays a key role in academic outcomes, including academic performance, engagement, burnout, adjustment, stress, and intrinsic motivation. Highlighting the significance of PsyCap in academic settings, our study underscores the need for further research on its relationship with student outcomes. Given the substantial influence of PsyCap on academic performance, institutions should consider incorporating psychological capital development programs into their curriculum. Such initiatives could optimize the academic achievements and holistic well-being of students.
S-band multiwavelength ring Brillouin/Raman fiber laser with 20 GHz channel spacing

Ahmad H, Zulkifli MZ, Hassan NA, Harun SW

Appl Opt, 2012 Apr 10;51(11):1811-5.
PMID: 22505174 DOI: 10.1364/AO.51.001811

We propose and demonstrate a tunable S-band multiwavelength Brillouin/Raman fiber laser (MBRFL) with a tuning range of between 1490 to 1530 nm. The proposed MBRFL is designed around a 7.7 km long dispersion compensating fiber in a simple ring configuration, acting as a nonlinear medium for the generation of multiple wavelengths from stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and also as a nonlinear gain medium for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) amplification. A laser source with a maximum power of 12 dBm acts as the Brillouin pump (BP), while two 1420 nm laser diodes with a total power of 26 dBm act as the Raman pumps (RPs). The MBRFL can generate a multiwavelength comb consisting of even and odd Stokes at an average power of -12 dBm and -14 dBm respectively, and by separating the even and odd Stokes outputs, a 20 GHz channel spacing is obtained between two consecutive wavelengths. Due to the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect, anti-Stokes lines are also observed. The multiwavelength comb generated is not dependent on the BP, thus providing high stability and repeatability and making it a highly potential source for many real-world applications. This is the first time, to the knowledge of the authors, that a tunable MBRFL has been developed using SRS to obtain gain in the S-band region.
Modified PVA-alginate encapsulated photocatalyst ferro photo gels for Cr(VI) reduction

Idris A, Misran E, Hassan N, Abd Jalil A, Seng CE

J Hazard Mater, 2012 Aug 15;227-228:309-16.
PMID: 22682796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.05.065

In this study magnetic separable photocatalyst beads containing maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe(2)O(3)) in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer were prepared and used in the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in an aqueous solution under sunlight. The unique superparamagnetic property of the photocatalyst contributed by the γ-Fe(2)O(3) and robust property of PVA polymer allow the magnetic beads to be recovered easily and reused for at least 7 times without washing. The concentration of γ-Fe(2)O(3) was varied from 8% (v/v) to 27% (v/v) and the results revealed that the beads with 8% (v/v) γ-Fe(2)O(3) exhibited the best performance where Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) in only 30 min under sunlight. The use of the PVA has improved the bead properties and life cycle of beads which is in line with sustainable practices.
Kinetic and regeneration studies of photocatalytic magnetic separable beads for chromium (VI) reduction under sunlight

Idris A, Hassan N, Rashid R, Ngomsik AF

J Hazard Mater, 2011 Feb 15;186(1):629-35.
PMID: 21168966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.11.101

Physical adsorption and photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in magnetic separable beads were investigated. In order to elucidate the kinetics of photocatalytic process, operating parameters such as catalyst dosage and the initial concentration were examined in detail. It was observed that the reduction rate of Cr(VI) increased with an increase in the catalyst loading, as this translated into an increase in the number of available active sites. Critical scrutiny of the percentage of the initial reduction rate versus time at various initial concentration of Cr(VI) revealed that the rate of substrate conversion decreased as the initial concentration increased. The kinetic analysis of the photoreduction showed that the removal of Cr(VI) satisfactory obeyed the pseudo first-order kinetic according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) model and the absorption of Cr(VI) on the magnetic beads surfaces was the controlling step in the entire reduction process. Furthermore, desorption experiments by elution of the loaded gels with sodium hydroxide indicated that the magnetic photocatalyst beads could be reused without significant losses of their initial properties even after 3 adsorption-desorption cycles.
Fulltext A cross sectional study on the motivators for Asian women to attend opportunistic mammography screening in a private hospital in Malaysia: the MyMammo study

Hassan N, Ho WK, Mariapun S, Teo SH

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:548.
PMID: 26065413 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1892-1

To date, because of limited budgets and lower incidence of breast cancer, the majority of Asian countries do not have population-based screening programmes, but instead offer opportunistic screening. However, there have been few studies which have assessed the motivators for women attending such programmes and the appropriateness of the programmes in terms of targeting women at risk.
Fulltext University students' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding antibiotic use and associated factors: a cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates

Jairoun A, Hassan N, Ali A, Jairoun O, Shahwan M, Hassali M

Int J Gen Med, 2019;12:235-246.
PMID: 31388309 DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S200641

Purpose: Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most fatal health crises. Medical students are the antibiotic prescribers of tomorrow, so better understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) pertaining to antibiotic use is crucial. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the KAP of antibiotics and associated factors among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among a random sample of undergraduate students from Ajman University in the UAE. A self-administered pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on students' demographics and their KAP regarding antibiotic use. Data were analysed using STATA version 14.2. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study showed that university students have a high rate of antibiotic self-medication. The average KAP score was 56% (95% CI 55%-57%). Statistical modeling showed that major, study year, age, and sex were strong determinants of KAP regarding antibiotic use. Conclusion: There is a need to develop an effective and comprehensive antibiotic-stewardship program as part of undergraduate education. Moreover, reinforcing antibiotic-use policies, involving pharmacies, drug supply, distribution, and sale, are also urgently needed.

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