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  1. Fulltext Health related quality of life among Iraqi immigrants settled in Malaysia
    Daher AM, Ibrahim HS, Daher TM, Anbori AK
    BMC Public Health, 2011;11:407.
    PMID: 21624118 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-407
    Migrants everywhere face several demands for health and maintaining good health and quality of life could be challenging. Iraqis are the second largest refugee group that has sought refuge in the recent years, yet little is known about their health related quality of life (HRQOL). The study aims at assessing the HRQOL among Iraqis living in Malaysia.
  2. Fulltext Bilateral Proximal Femur Fractures in a Patient with Renal Tubular Acidosis: A Case Report
    Charl SS, Shahrul-Hisham S, Mohamad-Sha S
    Malays Orthop J, 2018 Mar;12(1):42-44.
    PMID: 29725512 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1803.009
    The diagnosis of pathological fractures is on the rise. The morbidity involved does not only burden the patient and their families but it has a great toll on the healthcare system as well. Early identification of the patient at risk is an invaluable tool to cut cost and improve the patient's quality of life. Multiple renal pathologies have been highlighted in relation to the risk of pathological fractures; however, complications in renal tubular acidosis have been rarely documented. Nevertheless, prompt action with adequate and relevant patient education ultimately can reduce the associated morbidity. We present a case of poor control of the disease and its debilitating pathological fracture complications.
  3. Knowledge and Barriers Among Physicians Toward Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia
    Al-Abdulkarim DA, Aljadhey HS, Mahmoud MA, Poff GA, Hassali MA, Ali S
    Hosp Pharm, 2021 Aug;56(4):368-373.
    PMID: 34381276 DOI: 10.1177/0018578720910385
    Background: Spontaneous reporting systems are essential as they help detect serious unknown adverse drug reaction (ADR). However, underreporting of ADR is a commonly associated problem. This research work aims to assess knowledge, barriers, and factors that encourage the reporting of ADR among physicians.

    Methods: A total of 600 physicians working at a tertiary referral hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were included in this cross-sectional study. A pretested questionnaire was used.

    Results: Out of the 600 physicians, 240 (40%) completed the questionnaire. Most of the participants (85.4%) could correctly define ADR; nearly 75% physicians were unaware of the spontaneous reporting of ADR in Saudi Arabia. A total of 175 (72.9%) physicians had not reported any ADR among their patients in the last year; 40% of the physicians said that they did not report ADR because they were unaware of the online reporting of ADR. Providing guidelines and regular bulletins on the reporting of ADR is a critical aspect that encourages physicians to report ADR (51%). Education and training are the most recognized measures for improving the reporting of ADR.

    Conclusion: Physicians were adequately aware of ADR but inadequately aware of the reporting system and reporting authorities. Continuing medical education, training, and integration of the reporting of ADR into physicians' various clinical activities may improve ADR reporting.

  4. Quantification of Pubic Symphysis Metamorphosis Based on the Analysis of Clinical MDCT Scans in a Contemporary Malaysian Population
    Hisham S, Abdullah N, Mohamad Noor MH, Franklin D
    J Forensic Sci, 2019 Nov;64(6):1803-1811.
    PMID: 31310668 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14125
    Forensic age estimation methods are biased to sex and population; in general, accuracy is reduced when applied to foreign populations. This study assessed the accuracy of the Suchey-Brooks method in contemporary Malaysian individuals and aimed to formulate population-specific standards. Multi-detector computed tomography scans of 355 individuals (165 male; 190 female) of 15-83 years of age were reconstructed using 3D-volumetric rendering in RadiAnt. Pubic symphyseal phase, bias, inaccuracy, and percentage correct age classifications are examined. Transition analysis was used to develop age estimation standards. High observer agreement (κ = 0.763-0.832) and a positive relationship between age and pubic symphyseal phase (r = 0.884-0.90) were demonstrated. Mean inaccuracies were 8.62 and 8.95 years for males and females, respectively; overall correct classification was 97.8%. Transition ages between phases in males were 18.79, 23.29, 28.85, 43.64, and 61.15 years; in females, the corresponding data were 19.77, 22.53, 32.62, 41.85, and 57.39 years.
  5. Quantification of secondary dentin formation based on the analysis of MDCT scans and dental OPGs in a contemporary Malaysian population
    Hisham S, Abdullah N, Noor MHM, Franklin D
    Leg Med (Tokyo), 2019 02;36:59-66.
    PMID: 30415193 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2018.11.004
  6. Quantification of spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion in a contemporary Malaysian population
    Hisham S, Flavel A, Abdullah N, Noor MHM, Franklin D
    Forensic Sci Int, 2018 Mar;284:78-84.
    PMID: 29353220 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.12.046
    Timing of fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is correlated with age. Previous research, however, has demonstrated variation in the timing of closure among different global populations. The present study aims to quantify the timing of SOS fusion in Malaysian individuals as visualised in multi-detector computed tomography (CT) scans and to thereafter formulate age estimation models based on fusion status. Anonymised cranial CT scans of 336 males and 164 females, aged 5-25 years, were acquired from the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital Sultanah Aminah. The scans were received in DICOM format and reconstructed into three-dimensional images using OsiriX. The SOS is scored as open, fusing endocranially, fusing ectocranially or completely fused. Statistical analyses are performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. Transition analysis (Nphases2) is then utilised to calculate age ranges for each stage. To assess the reliability of an observation, intra- and inter-observer agreement is quantified using Fleiss Kappa and was found to be excellent (κ=0.785-0.907 and 0.812). The mean (SD) age for complete fusion is 20.84 (2.84) years in males and 19.78 (3.35) years in females. Transition ages between Stages 0 and 1, 1 and 2, and 2 and 3 in males are 12.52, 13.98 and 15.52 years, respectively (SD 1.37); in females, the corresponding data are 10.47, 12.26 and 13.80 years (SD 1.72). Complete fusion of the SOS was observed in all individuals above the age of 18 years. SOS fusion status provides upper and lower age boundaries for forensic age estimation in the Malaysian sample.
  7. Prediction of carbon-dioxide activity coefficient for solubility in ionic liquids using multi-non-linear regression analysis
    Rather SU, Shariff AM, Sulaimon AA, Bamufleh HS, Qasim A, Saad Khan M, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2023 Jan;311(Pt 2):137102.
    PMID: 36334738 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137102
    Activity coefficient values offer insight into the intermolecular interactions between the solute and the solvent and the deviation from the ideal behavior. CO2 capture from different industrial processes is a globally pertinent issue and the search for suitable chemicals is required. To address the issue, knowledge of activity coefficient values is crucial for CO2 separation-based process. In this regard, a correlation is developed that predicts the coefficient of CO2 activity in ionic liquids by multi-nonlinear regression analysis. The correlation is developed between the pressure range of 1-50 bar and the temperature range of 298.15-33.15 K for mole fractions of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7. Outliers' analysis is performed using the boxplot method to determine the suitability of ranges of the selected input parameters. The preceding literature does not predict the activity coefficient in relatively lower to higher temperature and pressure ranges for CO2 solubility in ionic liquids. Initially, the activity coefficient values from COSMO-RS were obtained and compared with the correlation results. The COSMO-RS and the correlation predicted results were subsequently validated with the experimental data. The average absolute error (AAE%) of the predicted correlation values is 19.53% while the root mean square error (RMSE) value is 0.465. The correlation can be used in the future to predict the CO2 activity coefficient values in ionic liquids to facilitate qualitative analyses of their CO2 capture efficiency.
  8. Corrigendum to 'Prediction of carbon-dioxide activity coefficient for solubility in ionic liquids using multi-non-linear regression analysis', Chemosphere, 311, (2023), 1-10, 137102
    Rather SU, Shariff AM, Sulaimon AA, Bamufleh HS, Qasim A, Khan MS, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2023 Feb;315:137721.
    PMID: 36634556 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137721
  9. Physicochemical approaches reveal the impact of electrolytes and hydrotropic salt on micellization and phase separation behavior of polymer polyvinyl alcohol and surfactant mixture
    Rather SU, Rahman MH, Bamufleh HS, Alhumade H, Taimoor AA, Saeed U, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Apr 30;235:123761.
    PMID: 36812977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123761
    The polymer-surfactant mixture has usages in numerous industries mainly in the production of daily used materials. Herein, the micellization and phase separation nature of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and TX-100 along with a synthetic water-soluble polymer-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been conducted using conductivity and cloud point (CP) measurement tools. In the case of micellization study of SDS + PVA mixture by conductivity method, the CMC values were obtained to be dependent on the categories and extent of additives as well as temperature variation. Both categories of studies were performed in aq. solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium acetate (NaOAc), and sodium benzoate (NaBenz) media. The CP values of TX 100 + PVA were decreased and enhanced in simple electrolytes and sodium benzoate media respectively. In all cases, the free energy changes of micellization (∆Gm0) and clouding (∆Gc0) were obtained as negative and positive respectively. The enthalpy (∆Hm0) and entropy (∆Sm0) changes for SDS + PVA system micellization was negative and positive respectively in aq. NaCl and NaBenz media, and in aq. NaOAc medium the ∆Hm0 values were found negative while ∆Sm0 were found negative except at the highest studied temperature (323.15 K). The enthalpy-entropy compensation of both processes was also assessed and described clearly.
  10. Fulltext Hybrid Nanocellulose-Copper (II) Oxide as Engine Oil Additives for Tribological Behavior Improvement
    Hisham S, Kadirgama K, Mohammed HA, Kumar A, Ramasamy D, Samykano M, et al.
    Molecules, 2020 Jun 28;25(13).
    PMID: 32605301 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25132975
    Friction and wear are the main factors in the failure of the piston in automobile engines. The objective of this work was to improve the tribological behaviour and lubricant properties using hybrid Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) and Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles blended with SAE 40 as a base fluid. The two-step method was used in the hybrid nanofluid preparation. Three different concentrations were prepared in a range of 0.1% to 0.5%. Kinematic viscosity and viscosity index were also identified. The friction and wear behavior were evaluated using a tribometer based on ASTM G181. The CNC-CuO nano lubricant shows a significant improvement in term of viscosity index by 44.3-47.12% while for friction, the coefficient of friction (COF) decreases by 1.5%, respectively, during high and low-speed loads (boundary regime), and 30.95% during a high-speed, and low load (mixed regime). The wear morphologies results also show that a smoother surface was obtained after using CNC-CuO nano lubricant compared to SAE 40.
  11. Healthcare Delivery through Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Study from a Tertiary Care Center in South India
    D'Souza B, Suresh Rao S, Hisham S, Shetty A, Sekaran VC, Pallagatte MC, et al.
    Hosp Top, 2021 02 02;99(4):151-160.
    PMID: 33528313 DOI: 10.1080/00185868.2021.1875277
    The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated medical centers across the world to deliver healthcare through telemedicine. We discuss the adoption, delivery of telemedicine services at a tertiary care center and patient satisfaction involving 456 patients in south India. Most respondents had sought telemedicine care at the department of Medicine (16.23%). The maximum satisfaction was reported by patients in OBG (100%). The responses were generally positive across all the age groups. The paper offers insights on best practices adopted at the center, lessons learnt, and provides recommendations for health care systems offering telemedicine during COVID-19 times.
  12. Estimation of stature from hand and handprint measurements in Iban population in Sarawak, Malaysia and its applications in forensic investigation
    Zulkifly NR, Wahab RA, Layang E, Ismail D, Desa WNSM, Hisham S, et al.
    J Forensic Leg Med, 2018 Jan;53:35-45.
    PMID: 29149652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.10.011
    Handprints and dismembered hands are commonly found during crime scene investigations and disaster victim identifications, respectively. It has been indicated that the accuracy of handprint and hand measurements for estimating stature maybe population specific. Since Iban is the largest ethnic population in Sarawak, Malaysia and because the application of anthropometry of hand and handprint within this population as well as other populations within the Southeast Asian countries remain unreported, this present study that investigated the reliability and accuracy of these two anthropometric aspects acquires forensic significance. Upon measuring the height, 21 measurements were recorded on each hand and the corresponding handprint of 50 male and 52 female consented adult Iban subjects. Using univariate statistics as well as simple and multiple regression analyses, interpretation of the measurements examined here was attempted. Results revealed that lengths of hand and handprint are the more reliable traits for estimating stature in both the male and female Iban subjects (p 
  13. Fulltext The Malaysia DREEM: perceptions of medical students about the learning environment in a medical school in Malaysia
    Al-Naggar RA, Abdulghani M, Osman MT, Al-Kubaisy W, Daher AM, Nor Aripin KN, et al.
    Adv Med Educ Pract, 2014;5:177-84.
    PMID: 24959093 DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S61805
    BACKGROUND:
    Students' perceptions of their learning environment, by defining its strengths and weaknesses, are important for continuous improvement of the educational environments and curriculum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore students' perceptions of their learning environment, among medical students in Malaysia. Various aspects of the education environment were compared between year levels and sex.

    METHODS:
    This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. A total number of 438 medical students participated in this study, and the response rate was 87.6%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons of the mean scores of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) subscales were calculated. The t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences.

    RESULTS:
    The majority of the study participants were female, Malay, and from year 3 (68.7%, 65.3%, and 55.7%; respectively). Analysis of each of the 50 items of the DREEM inventory showed that 47 items scored ranged between 2.00 and 3.00, and three items scored below 2.00. These were identified as problem areas in this medical school that are required to be critically addressed. The overall score showed that the medical students' perceptions were positive. The students' perception toward educational environment was positive for all five DREEM subscales.

    CONCLUSION:
    The study found that, in general, the perceptions of the participants about the learning environment were positive. Nevertheless, the study also found there is a need for curriculum improvement in this school and identified priority areas for such improvement.

    KEYWORDS:
    DREEM; Malaysia; learning environment; medical education; students’ perceptions
  14. Identifying kinase targets of PPARγ in human breast cancer
    Kandel A, Dhillon SK, Prabaharan CB, Fatnin Binti Hisham S, Rajamanickam K, Napper S, et al.
    J Drug Target, 2021 07;29(6):660-668.
    PMID: 33496213 DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2021.1877719
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Despite advances in screening women for genetic predisposition to breast cancer and risk stratification, a majority of women carriers remain undetected until they become affected. Thus, there is a need to develop a cost-effective, rapid, sensitive and non-invasive early-stage diagnostic method. Kinases are involved in all fundamental cellular processes and mutations in kinases have been reported as drivers of cancer. PPARγ is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays important roles in cell proliferation and metabolism. However, the complete set of kinases modulated by PPARγ is still unknown. In this study, we identified human kinases that are potential PPARγ targets and evaluated their differential expression and gene pair correlations in human breast cancer patient dataset TCGA-BRCA. We further confirmed the findings in human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and SK-BR-3 using a kinome array. We observed that gene pair correlations are lost in tumours as compared to healthy controls and could be used as a supplement strategy for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.
  15. Fulltext Targeted Primary and Secondary Preventive Strategies for Depression among Malaysian Pharmacy Students
    A Wahab I, Goh KW, Zainal ZA, Mohamed Yusof NS, Huri HZ, Jacob SA, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Aug 05;19(15).
    PMID: 35954990 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159629
    The global depression burden has remained a challenge throughout the pre- and post-pandemic era. The pandemic effect has led to the spiraling of mental disorders among young people who will be the next generation of leaders. This study aims to identify university students’ sociodemographic, psychosocial and academic backgrounds and performance associated with depression symptoms for the development of primary and secondary preventive strategies for mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to 19 institutions in Malaysia offering a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree program. The self-rated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42) was used to assess depression symptoms. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess the investigated variables with depression symptoms. Independent T-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare means of depression score across variables. Binary logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between the investigated variables and depression symptoms. A total of 610 pharmacy students participated, of which 47% (n = 289/610) were having depression symptoms. Students who smoke nicotine and those who have separated parents, family history of mental illness, and poor academic performance were associated with depression symptoms (p < 0.05). Differences in geographical areas, race and religion also showed significant associations with depression symptoms. Parental marital status, poor academic performance, history of mental illness and comorbidities were statistically predicting depression symptoms (p < 0.05). Primary preventive strategies allowing students to harness healthy coping skills for stress, nicotine-free campaigns and a holistic curriculum are warranted. Secondary measures on mindfulness and compassion skills activities to benefit students who experienced early life crises are highly recommended. Enforcing these targeted strategies in collaboration with health and social sectors should be the primary agenda of universities to ensure their uptake.
  16. Fulltext Advancing renewable fuel integration: A comprehensive response surface methodology approach for internal combustion engine performance and emissions optimization
    Siaw Paw JK, Kiong TS, Kamarulzaman MK, Adam A, Hisham S, Kadirgama K, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e22238.
    PMID: 38058613 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22238
    In the realm of internal combustion engines, there is a growing utilization of alternative renewable fuels as substitutes for traditional diesel and gasoline. This surge in demand is driven by the imperative to diminish fuel consumption and adhere to stringent regulations concerning engine emissions. Sole reliance on experimental analysis is inadequate to effectively address combustion, performance, and emission issues in engines. Consequently, the integration of engine modelling, grounded in machine learning methodologies and statistical data through the response surface method (RSM), has become increasingly significant for enhanced analytical outcomes. This study aims to explore the contemporary applications of RSM in assessing the feasibility of a wide range of renewable alternative fuels for internal combustion engines. Initially, the study outlines the fundamental principles and procedural steps of RSM, offering readers an introduction to this multifaceted statistical technique. Subsequently, the study delves into a comprehensive examination of the recent applications of alternative renewable fuels, focusing on their impact on combustion, performance, and emissions in the domain of internal combustion engines. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the advantages and limitations of employing RSM, and discusses the potential of combining RSM with other modelling techniques to optimise results. The overarching objective is to provide a thorough insight into the role and efficacy of RSM in the evaluation of renewable alternative fuels, thereby contributing to the ongoing discourse in the field of internal combustion engines.
  17. Fulltext Developing criteria for a profession to be considered as profession of allied health in Malaysia: a qualitative study from the Malaysian perspective
    Lapchmanan LM, Hussin DA, Mahat NA, Ng AH, Bani NH, Hisham S, et al.
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2024 Feb 02;24(1):165.
    PMID: 38308291 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10569-0
    BACKGROUND: The Malaysian Allied Health Profession Act (Act 774) regulates the practice of allied health practitioners in Malaysia, with two described professions viz. allied health profession (AHP) and profession of allied health (PAH). While AHPs have been clearly identified by the law, comprehensive implementation of the act requires development of specific criteria in defining any profession as PAH in the Malaysian context. Hence, the research aims to explore and identify the criteria for defining such professions for healthcare policy direction in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This research utilised two methods of qualitative research (document review and focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 25 participants from four stakeholders (higher education providers, employers, associations and regulatory bodies). Both deductive and inductive thematic content analysis were used to explore, develop and define emergent codes, examined along with existing knowledge on the subject matter.

    RESULTS: Sixteen codes emerged from the FGDs, with risk of harm, set of competency and skills, formal qualification, defined scope of practice, relevant training and professional working within the healthcare team being the six most frequent codes. The frequencies for these six codes were 62, 46, 40, 37, 36 and 18, correspondingly. The risk of harm towards patients was directly or indirectly involved with patient handling and also relates to the potential harms that may implicate the practitioners themselves in performing their responsibilities as the important criterion highlighted in the present research, followed by set of competency and skills.

    CONCLUSIONS: For defining the PAH in Malaysia, the emerged criteria appear interrelated and co-exist in milieu, especially for the risk of harm and set of competency and skills, with no single criterion that can define PAH fully. Hence, the integration of all the empirically identified criteria must be considered to adequately define the PAH. As such, the findings must be duly considered by policymakers in performing suitable consolidation of healthcare governance to formulate the appropriate regulations and policies for promoting the enhanced framework of allied health practitioners in Malaysia.

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