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  1. Genotoxicity evaluation of dental restoration nanocomposite using comet assay and chromosome aberration test
    Musa M, Ponnuraj KT, Mohamad D, Rahman IA
    Nanotechnology, 2013 Jan 11;24(1):015105.
    PMID: 23221152 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/1/015105
    Nanocomposite is used as a dental filling to restore the affected tooth, especially in dental caries. The dental nanocomposite (KelFil) for tooth restoration used in this study was produced by the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia and is incorporated with monodispersed, spherical nanosilica fillers. The aim of the study was to determine the genotoxic effect of KelFil using in vitro genotoxicity tests. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of KelFil was evaluated using MTT assay, comet assay and chromosome aberration tests with or without the addition of a metabolic activation system (S9 mix), using the human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Concurrent negative and positive controls were included. In the comet assay, no comet formation was found in the KelFil groups. There was a significant difference in tail moment between KelFil groups and positive control (p < 0.05). Similarly, no significant aberrations in chromosomes were noticed in KelFil groups. The mitotic indices of treatment groups and negative control were significantly different from positive controls. Hence, it can be concluded that the locally produced dental restoration nanocomposite (KelFil) is non-genotoxic under the present test conditions.
  2. Expression of Odontogenic and Osteogenic Markers in DPSCs and SHED: A Review
    Ching HS, Luddin N, Rahman IA, Ponnuraj KT
    Curr Stem Cell Res Ther, 2017;12(1):71-79.
    PMID: 27527527
    The odontogenic and osteogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous tooth (SHED) have been shown clearly by various in vitro and in vivo studies. The findings are promising and demonstrated that dental tissue engineering can give a new hope to the individuals suffering from tooth loss and dental diseases. The evaluation of odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs and SHED is commonly carried out by an illustration of the expression of varied related markers. In this review, few commonly used markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1 (Col I), dentin matrix acid phosphoprotein 1 (DMP1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). DSPP, DMP1, and MEPE (odontogenic markers), which play an important role during early odontoblastic differentiation and late dentin mineralization, have been highlighted. Osteoblastic proliferation and early/late osteoblastic differentiation can be assessed by estimating the expression of Col I, ALP, OCN and OPN. Despite that, till date, there is no marker which could demonstrate for certain, the differentiation of human DPSCs and SHED towards the odontogenic and osteogenic lineage. This review suggests that SHED are noticeably different from DPSCs and exhibited higher capacity for osteogenic differentiation compared to DPSCs. On the other hand, different expression levels are shown by SHED and DPSCs with regards to the osteoblast markers for osteoblastic differentiation, where, SHED expressed higher levels of ALP, Col I and OCN compared to DPSCs.
  3. Fulltext In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Novel Nano-Hydroxyapatite-Silica Incorporated Glass Ionomer Cement
    Noorani TY, Luddin N, Rahman IA, Masudi SM
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2017 Apr;11(4):ZC105-ZC109.
    PMID: 28571275 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/24753.9739
    INTRODUCTION: Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC) are among the most popular restorative materials, but their use in dentistry is limited due to their physical properties. The hardness of GIC was improved by incorporation of nano-hydroxyapatite-silica into GIC, to expand its applicability.

    AIM: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of nano-hydroxyapatite-silica incorporated glass ionomer cement (HA-SiO2-GIC) on human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) and compare it with conventional GIC and resin modified GIC.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material extracts of Fuji IX, Fuji II LC and HA-SiO2-GIC were prepared into seven serial concentrations and applied to 96-well-plates seeded with DPSC. The 96-well-plates were incubated for 24 and 72 hours. The morphology of DPSC was observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell viability was determined using MTT assay at both time intervals. Kruskal-Wallis test was performed for statistical analysis.

    RESULTS: At maximum concentration, DPSC appeared fewer in number, but the normal spindle morphology was maintained in all groups except for Fuji II LC. At lower concentrations, DPSC appeared normal and more confluent in all groups. The cytotoxic effects of all groups were dose dependent. Fuji IX demonstrated the lowest cytotoxicity, followed by HA-SiO2-GIC. Fuji II LC demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity. The difference was significant between all groups at 200 mg/ml concentration (p<0.05). At concentration <100 mg/ml, cytotoxicity of HA-SiO2-GIC was comparable to that of Fuji IX and lower than that of Fuji II LC.

    CONCLUSION: HA-SiO2-GIC showed a favourable cytotoxicity response and thus holds promise as a future potential restorative material in clinical dentistry.

  4. Fulltext Effects of incorporating wollastonite and mine - silica by - product to the hardness of glass ionomer cement (GIC)
    Tengku Yasmin Tengku Azam, Quah, Xin Ying, Ismail Ab Rahman, Sam’an Malik Masudi, Norhayati Luddin, Rashita Abd Rashid
    Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2013;8(2):54-59.
    MyJurnal
    Glass ionomer cement (GIC) has theunique fluoride release property and able to formionic bond with tooth structure. However, the brittleness of the material results in low hardness. In the present study, a new approach in utilization of local waste materials as fillers for improvement of hardness of GIC is reported.The synthesized wollastonite and mine-silica by-product were individually incorporated into commercial GIC and the Vickers hardness were evaluated. The results shown that the incorporation of 1 % wollastonite into GIC gave ~ 6% increment in hardness compared to the control GIC (66.53H ±7.37 versus 62.66HV±2.98)but not for themine-silica. Thus, wollastonite could be a potential material to be utilized as fillersin dental restorative composite
  5. Fulltext Genotoxicity assessment of locally produced dental nanocomposite using Comet assay
    Siti Robayah Mohd Zakri, Kannan, Thirumulu Ponnuraj, Nora Aziz, Siti Fadilah Abdullah, Dasmawati Mohamad, Ismail Ab Rahman, et al.
    Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2011;6(1):15-20.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of a locally produced nanocomposite by Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia using Comet assay. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were treated with the nanocomposite at five different concentrations (0.006, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/ml) along with concurrent negative (medium alone) and positive control (zinc sulfate heptahydrate) and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in an incubator at 5% CO2. The tail moment was used to assess the extent of DNA damage. The tail moment for the group of SHED treated with nanocomposite (for all the five different concentrations) was not statistically significant as compared to the negative control, suggesting that the locally produced dental nanocomposite did not induce any DNA damage. Hence, it can be concluded that the locally produced nanocomposite is non-genotoxic on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.
  6. Fulltext COLOURFASTNESS PROPERTIES OF NATURAL DYE FROM TAGETES ERECTA ON SILK FABRIC USING DIFFERENT DYEING TECHNIQUES
    Nur Amirah Fadzlena Md Fadzli, Wan Syazehan Ruznan, Suraya Ahmad Suhaimi, Mohd Azlin Mohd Nor, Suhaidi Ariffin, Mohd Rozi Ahmad, et al.
    Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2021;9(1):166-172.
    MyJurnal
    Of late, dyeing fabrics with natural dyes have become an attraction because of its eco-friendly and less threatening disposition towards humankind. In the textile colouration industry, natural dyes play an important role because of the need for replacement synthetic dyes which have a great deal of tension with the environmental issues. This study focuses on the colour shade, colour coordinates, and fastness properties of dyed silk fabric from tagetes erecta (Mexican Marigold flower) using the water boiling extraction method. The dyeing was carried out using lemon juice as a natural mordant through the simultaneous mordanting method, using two different dyeing methods: infrared (IR) dyeing and exhaustion dyeing. The shades produced for exhaustion dyed fabric is light-yellow compared to the IR dyed fabric, which is medium-light yellow. These shades were confirmed with the CIELAB colour coordinates, L*a*b* values. The colourfastness to washing, perspiration, rubbing, and light of the fabrics were conducted to investigate the performance of the dye and mordant on the dyed silk fabrics. The colourfastness properties of the dyed silk fabric using infrared (IR) dyeing technique have better performance than using exhaustion dyeing technique.
  7. Fulltext Mediating effect of behavioural intention on podcast acceptance
    Ifedayo AE, Ziden AA, Ismail AB
    Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), 2021;26(3):2767-2794.
    PMID: 33223925 DOI: 10.1007/s10639-020-10385-z
    This research contributes to knowledge in mediating effect of lecturers' behavioural intention towards the acceptance of podcasts technology in universities. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was involved in this study. Also, a total of eight hundred and twenty-nine (829) lecturers participated in this research from three different south-west Nigeria Federal universities. The research instrument was titled lecturer's acceptance questionnaire (LAQ) with a calculated Cronbach's alpha of .919, which confirmed the instrument validity. The gathered data was analysed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance. The result from descriptive analysis of data suggested that behavioural intention was at a low level among lecturers and the results of hypothesis testing revealed the effect of behavioural intention as partial mediator of podcast acceptance. Based on these findings relevant conclusions and recommendations were suggested in this research.
  8. Fulltext Podcast acceptance for pedagogy: the levels and significant influences
    Ifedayo AE, Ziden AA, Ismail AB
    Heliyon, 2021 Mar;7(3):e06442.
    PMID: 33748494 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06442
    There is limited empirical evidence arguing against accepting and using podcasts for educational purposes. This may in part, explain the recent surge in the acceptance of podcasts for pedagogy, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. Both students and lecturers have been greatly affected by this pandemic which may explain the uptake in the use of podcasts. However, few studies have explored podcast use for pedagogy and thus, there is limited empirical backing. This study investigated pedagogy and considered podcast performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, cultural, social, and political beliefs factors in Nigerian universities. This research introduced cross-sectional quantitative methods, which utilised a questionnaire, gathering data from three Federal Universities in Nigeria. The formulated hypothesis was rejected using multiple regression and a total of eight hundred and twenty-nine questionnaires were gathered from Nigerian university lecturers. The data was analysed and the results showed a low-level outcome with regards to podcast acceptance for pedagogy in Nigeria Federal Universities.
  9. Effect of different calcium phosphate scaffold ratios on odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells
    AbdulQader ST, Kannan TP, Rahman IA, Ismail H, Mahmood Z
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2015 Apr;49:225-233.
    PMID: 25686943 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.12.070
    Calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds have been widely and successfully used with osteoblast cells for bone tissue regeneration. However, it is necessary to investigate the effects of these scaffolds on odontoblast cells' proliferation and differentiation for dentin tissue regeneration. In this study, three different hydroxyapatite (HA) to beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ratios of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds, BCP20, BCP50, and BCP80, with a mean pore size of 300μm and 65% porosity were prepared from phosphoric acid (H2PO4) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) sintered at 1000°C for 2h. The extracts of these scaffolds were assessed with regard to cell viability and differentiation of odontoblasts. The high alkalinity, more calcium, and phosphate ions released that were exhibited by BCP20 decreased the viability of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) as compared to BCP50 and BCP80. However, the cells cultured with BCP20 extract expressed high alkaline phosphatase activity and high expression level of bone sialoprotein (BSP), dental matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) genes as compared to that cultured with BCP50 and BCP80 extracts. The results highlighted the effect of different scaffold ratios on the cell microenvironment and demonstrated that BCP20 scaffold can support HDPC differentiation for dentin tissue regeneration.
  10. Extraction of biogenic amines using sorbent materials containing immobilized crown ethers
    Saaid M, Saad B, Rahman IA, Ali AS, Saleh MI
    Talanta, 2010 Jan 15;80(3):1183-90.
    PMID: 20006072 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2009.09.006
    Three sorbent materials (A18C6-MS, DA18C6-MS and AB18C6-MS) based on the crown ether ligands, 1-aza-18-crown-6, 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo octadecane and 4'-aminobenzo-18-crown-6, respectively, were prepared by the chemical immobilization of the ligand onto mesoporous silica support. The sorbents were characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, elemental analysis and nitrogen adsorption-desorption test. The applicability of the sorbents for the extraction of biogenic amines by the batch sorption method was extensively studied and evaluated as a function of pH, biogenic amines concentration, contact time and reusability. Under the optimized conditions, all the sorbents exhibited highest selectivity toward spermidine (SPD) compared to other biogenic amines (tryptamine, putrescine, histamine and tyramine). Among the sorbents, AB18C6-MS offer the highest capacity and best selectivity towards SPD in the presence of other biogenic amines. The AB18C6-MS sorbent can be repeatedly used three times as there was no significant degradation in the extraction of the biogenic amines (%E>85). The optimized procedure was successfully applied for the separation of SPD in food samples prior to the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography separation.
  11. Flow-through chloroquine sensor and its applications in pharmaceutical analysis
    Saad B, Zin ZM, Jab MS, Rahman IA, Saleh MI, Mahsufi S
    Anal Sci, 2005 May;21(5):521-4.
    PMID: 15913140
    Poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes that responded selectively towards the antimalarial drug chloroquine are described. The electrodes were based on the use of the lipophilic potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate as ion-exchanger and bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (BEHA), or trioctylphosphate (TOP) or dioctylphenylphosphonate (DOPP) as plasticizing solvent mediator. All electrodes produced good quality characteristics such as Nernstian- and rapid responses, and are minimally interfered with by the alkali and alkaline earth metal ions tested. The membranes were next applied to a flow-through device, enabling it to function as flow-injection analysis (FIA) detector. The performance of the sensor after undergoing the FIA optimization was further evaluated for its selectivity characteristics and lifetime. Results for the determination of chloroquine in synthetic samples that contained common tablet excipients such as glucose, starch, and cellulose, and other foreign species such as cations, citric acid or lactic acid were generally satisfactory. The sensor was also successfully used for the determination of the active ingredients in mock tablets, synthetic fluids and biological fluids. The sensor was applied for the determination of active ingredients and the dissolution profile of commercial tablets was also established.
  12. Fulltext Modifications of Glass Ionomer Cement Powder by Addition of Recently Fabricated Nano-Fillers and Their Effect on the Properties: A Review
    Moheet IA, Luddin N, Rahman IA, Kannan TP, Nik Abd Ghani NR, Masudi SM
    Eur J Dent, 2019 Jul;13(3):470-477.
    PMID: 31280484 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693524
    The aim of this article is to provide a brief insight regarding the recent studies and their recommendations related to the modifications to glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder in order to improve their properties. An electronic search of publications was made from the year 2000 to 2018. The databases included in the current study were EBSCOhost, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The inclusion criteria for the current study include publication with abstract or full-text articles, original research, reviews or systematic reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies that were written in English language. Among these only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Articles published in other languages, with no available abstract and related to other nondentistry fields, were excluded. A detailed review of the recent materials used as a filler phase in GIC powder has revealed that not all modifications produce beneficial results. Recent work has demonstrated that modification of GIC powder with nano-particles has many beneficial effects on the properties of the material. This is due to the increase in surface area and surface energy, along with better particle distribution of the nano-particle. Therefore, more focus should be given on nano-particle having greater chemical affinity for GIC matrix as well as the tooth structure that will enhance the physicochemical properties of GIC.
  13. Field efficacy of palm oil-based nanoemulsion insecticides against Aedes aegypti in Malaysia
    Shaari A, Yunus R, Raman IA, Omar D, Shahar MK, Awang Biak DR, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2021 Dec;224:106107.
    PMID: 34450061 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106107
    This study evaluates the efficacy of palm oil-based nanoemulsion insecticides in thermal fogging applications against adult Ae. aegypti. The nanoemulsion formulations contained a palm oil methyl ester solvent, water, a non-ionic surfactant, and active ingredient deltamethrin, with nanoemulsion droplet diameters ranging from 362 to 382 nm. Knockdown and mortality rates of caged mosquitoes were measured at various distances up to 18 m from the spray nozzle. After 15 min of insecticide exposure, nanoemulsion insecticides achieved a knockdown rate of >97% at a spraying distance of 4 m, and the knockdown effect increased substantially with exposure time. At an 18 m spraying distance, the best nanoemulsion formulation, NanoEW8, achieved a high mosquito mortality rate of more than 80%, whereas the non-nanoemulsion and the commercial product reached only 14 and 8 m distances, respectively, for comparable mortality. The artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict the mosquito knockdown distribution over the spraying distances and time intervals. The models predicted that NanoEW8 can still cause knockdown at a maximum distance of 61.5 m from the discharge point 60 min after spraying. The results established that Ae. aegypti was susceptible to the newly developed palm oil-based nanoemulsion insecticide, indicating a high potential for mosquito control.
  14. Genotoxicity assessment of biphasic calcium phosphate of modified porosity on human dental pulp cells using Ames and Comet assays
    Wahab NFAC, Kannan TP, Mahmood Z, Rahman IA, Ismail H
    Toxicol In Vitro, 2018 Mar;47:207-212.
    PMID: 29247761 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.12.002
    Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BCP) with a ratio of 20/80 Hydroxyapatite (HA)/Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) promotes the differentiation of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). In the current study, the genotoxicity of locally produced BCP of modified porosity (65%) with a mean pore size of 300micrometer (μm) was assessed using Comet and Ames assays. HDPCs were treated with BCP extract at three different inhibitory concentrations which were obtained based on cytotoxicity test conducted with concurrent negative and positive controls. The tail moment of HDPCs treated with BCP extract at all three concentrations showed no significant difference compared to negative control (p>0.05), indicating that BCP did not induce DNA damage to HDPCs. The BCP was evaluated using five tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1537 and TA1538. Each strain was incubated with BCP extract with five different concentrations in the presence and absence of metabolic activation system (S9) mix. Concurrently, negative and positive controls were included. The average number of revertant colonies per plate treated with the BCP extract was less than double as compared to the number of revertant colonies in negative control plate and no dose-related increase was observed. Results from both assays suggested that the BCP of modified porosity did not exhibit any genotoxic effect under the present test conditions.
  15. Contamination profiles of antifouling biocides in selected coastal regions of Malaysia
    Harino H, Arai T, Ohji M, Ismail AB, Miyazaki N
    Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2009 Apr;56(3):468-78.
    PMID: 18979060 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-008-9252-0
    The concentrations of butyltins (BTs) in sediment from Peninsular Malaysia along the Strait of Malacca and their spatial distribution are discussed. The concentrations of BTs were high in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia where there is a lot of ship traffic, because trade is prosperous. The concentrations of monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and tributyltin (TBT) in sediment from the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia were in the range 4.1-242 microg/kg dry weight (dw), 1.1-186 microg/kg dw, and 0.7-228 microg/kg dw, respectively. A higher percentage of TBT was observed in the area where TBT concentrations were high. The concentrations of monophenyltin (MPT), diphenyltin (DPT), and triphenyltin (TPT) were in the range <0.1-121 microg/kg dw, 0.4-27 microg/kg dw, and 0.1-34 microg/kg dw in sediment from Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. MPT was the dominant phenyltin species. MBT, DBT, and TBT in green mussel (Perna viridis) samples were detected in the range 41-102 microg/kg, 3-5 microg/kg, and 8-32 microg/kg, respectively. A tolerable average residue level (TARL) was estimated at 20.4 microg/kg from a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.25 microg TBTO/kg body weight/day. The maximum value of TBT detected in green mussel samples was the value near the TARL. TPTs were not detected in green mussel samples. The concentrations of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in sediment from Peninsular Malaysia were in the range <0.1-5 microg/kg dw and <0.1-14 microg/kg dw, respectively. High concentrations of these compounds were observed in locations where the concentrations of TBT were high. Sea Nine 211, Dichlofluanid, and Pyrithiones were not detected in sediment. The concentrations of antifouling biocides in Melaka and the Strait of Johor were investigated in detail. BTs were found in similar concentrations among all sampling sites from Melaka, indicating that BT contamination spread off the coast. However, Sea Nine 211, Diuron, and Irgarol 1051 in the sediment from Melaka were high at the mouth of the river. BT concentrations at the Strait of Johor were higher than those in Peninsular Malaysia and Melaka and were high at the narrowest locations with poor flushing of water. The concentrations of antifouling biocides were compared among Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A higher concentration and wide variations of TBT and TPT in sediment from Malaysia were observed among these countries. The Irgarol 1051 concentrations in sediment from Malaysia were higher than those in Thailand and Vietnam.
  16. Rapid serodiagnosis of typhoid fever by dot enzyme immunoassay in an endemic area
    Choo KE, Oppenheimer SJ, Ismail AB, Ong KH
    Clin Infect Dis, 1994 Jul;19(1):172-6.
    PMID: 7948526
    A dot enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using 50-kD outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) of Salmonella typhi was compared with the Widal test for the serodiagnosis of typhoid fever in 109 febrile children admitted to a hospital in an endemic area. In the culture-positive typhoid group, the initial dot EIA was positive in 40 of 42 cases and the initial Widal test was positive in 41. In the culture-negative clinical typhoid group, both the dot EIA and the Widal test were positive in 17 of 18 cases. In the nontyphoidal fever group, the dot EIA was negative in all of 49 cases and the Widal test was negative in 44. With culture used as the gold standard, the dot EIA is as sensitive as the Widal test (95% vs. 98%), has a similar high negative predictive value (96% vs. 98%), and is more specific (75% vs. 67%). In addition, the dot EIA offers the advantages of simplicity, speed, early diagnosis, economy, and flexibility (i.e., other diagnostic tests can be conducted simultaneously).
  17. Analysis of the comprehensibility of chemical hazard communication tools at the industrial workplace
    Ta GC, Mokhtar MB, Mohd Mokhtar HA, Ismail AB, Abu Yazid MF
    Ind Health, 2010;48(6):835-44.
    PMID: 20616463
    Chemical classification and labelling systems may be roughly similar from one country to another but there are significant differences too. In order to harmonize various chemical classification systems and ultimately provide consistent chemical hazard communication tools worldwide, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Several countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia, are now in the process of implementing GHS. It is essential to ascertain the comprehensibility of chemical hazard communication tools that are described in the GHS documents, namely the chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Comprehensibility Testing (CT) was carried out with a mixed group of industrial workers in Malaysia (n=150) and factors that influence the comprehensibility were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The ability of the respondents to retrieve information from the SDS was also tested in this study. The findings show that almost all the GHS pictograms meet the ISO comprehension criteria and it is concluded that the underlying core elements that enhance comprehension of GHS pictograms and which are also essential in developing competent persons in the use of SDS are training and education.
  18. Fulltext Economic impact of switching from partially combined vaccine "Pentaxim® and hepatitis B" to fully combined vaccine "Hexaxim®" in the Malaysian National Immunization Program
    Aljunid SM, Al Bashir L, Ismail AB, Aizuddin AN, Rashid SAZA, Nur AM
    BMC Health Serv Res, 2022 Jan 05;22(1):34.
    PMID: 34986870 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07428-7
    BACKGROUND: The decision to implement new vaccines should be supported by public health and economic evaluations. Therefore, this study was primarily designed to evaluate the economic impact of switching from partially combined vaccine (Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B) to fully combined vaccine (Hexaxim®) in the Malaysian National Immunization Program (NIP) and to investigate healthcare professionals (HCPs)' and parents'/caregivers' perceptions.

    METHODS: In this economic evaluation study, 22 primary healthcare centers were randomly selected in Malaysia between December 2019 and July 2020. The baseline immunization schedule includes switching from Pentaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (three doses) to Hexaxim® (four doses), whereas the alternative scheme includes switching from Pentaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (three doses) to Hexaxim® (four doses) and hepatitis B (one dose) administered at birth. Direct medical costs were extracted using a costing questionnaire and an observational time and motion chart. Direct non-medical (cost for transportation) and indirect costs (loss of productivity) were derived from parents'/caregivers' questionnaire. Also, HCPs' and parent's/caregivers' perceptions were investigated using structured questionnaires.

    RESULTS: The cost per dose of Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B vs. Hexaxim® for the baseline scheme was Malaysian ringgit (RM) 31.90 (7.7 United States dollar [USD]) vs. 17.10 (4.1 USD) for direct medical cost, RM 54.40 (13.1 USD) vs. RM 27.20 (6.6 USD) for direct non-medical cost, RM 221.33 (53.3 USD) vs. RM 110.66 (26.7 USD) for indirect cost, and RM 307.63 (74.2 USD) vs. RM 155.00 (37.4 USD) for societal (total) cost. A similar trend was observed for the alternative scheme. Compared with Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B, total cost savings per dose of Hexaxim® were RM 137.20 (33.1 USD) and RM 104.70 (25.2 USD) in the baseline and alternative scheme, respectively. Eighty-four percent of physicians and 95% of nurses supported the use of Hexaxim® in the NIP. The majority of parents/caregivers had a positive perception regarding Hexaxim® vaccine in various aspects.

    CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of Hexaxim® within Malaysian NIP is highly recommended because the use of Hexaxim® has demonstrated substantial direct and indirect cost savings for healthcare providers and parents/caregivers with a high percentage of positive perceptions, compared with Pentaxim® plus hepatitis B.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

  19. The effects of anti-obesity intervention with orlistat and sibutramine on microvascular endothelial function
    Al-Tahami BA, Ismail AA, Bee YT, Awang SA, Salha Wan Abdul Rani WR, Sanip Z, et al.
    Clin. Hemorheol. Microcirc., 2015;59(4):323-34.
    PMID: 24002121 DOI: 10.3233/CH-131765
    INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with impaired microvascular endothelial function. We aimed to determine the effects of orlistat and sibutramine treatment on microvascular endothelial function, anthropometric and lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR).
    METHODS: 76 subjects were recruited and randomized to receive orlistat 120 mg three times daily or sibutramine 10 mg daily for 9 months. Baseline weight, BMI, BP, HR and lipid profile were taken. Microvascular endothelial function was assessed using laser Doppler fluximetry and iontophoresis process. Maximum change (max), percent change (% change) and peak flux (peak) in perfusion to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) iontophoresis were used to quantify endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatations.
    RESULTS: 24 subjects in both groups completed the trial. After treatment, weight and BMI were decreased for both groups. AChmax, ACh % change and ACh peak were increased in orlistat-treated group but no difference was observed for sibutramine-treated group. BP and total cholesterol (TC) were reduced for orlistat-treated group. HR was reduced for orlistat-treated group but was increased in sibutramine-treated group.
    CONCLUSION: 9 months treatment with orlistat significantly improved microvascular endothelial function. This was associated with reductions in weight, BMI, BP, HR, TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. No effect was seen in microvascular endothelial function with sibutramine.
    KEYWORDS: Microvascular endothelial function; obesity; orlistat; sibutramine
  20. A scaffoldless technique for self-generation of three-dimensional keratinospheroids on liquid crystal surfaces
    Soon CF, Thong KT, Tee KS, Ismail AB, Denyer M, Ahmad MK, et al.
    Biotech Histochem, 2016 May;91(4):283-95.
    PMID: 27008034 DOI: 10.3109/10520295.2016.1158865
    We describe a new scaffold-free three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model using cholesteryl ester based lyotropic liquid crystal (LC) substrates. Keratinocytes were deposited randomly on the LC surface where they self-assembled into 3D microtissues or keratinospheroids. The cell density required to form spheroids was optimized. We investigated cell viability using dead/live cell assays. The adhesion characteristics of cells within the microtissues were determined using histological sectioning and immunofluorescence staining. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the biochemistry of the keratinospheroids. We found that both cells and microtissues could migrate on the LC surface. The viability study indicated approximately 80% viability of cells in the microtissues up to 20 days of culture. Strong intercellular adhesion was observed in the stratification of the multi-layered microspheroids using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and histochemical staining. The cytoskeleton and vinculins of the cells in the microtissues were expressed diffusely, but the microtissues were enriched with lipids and nucleic acids, which indicates close resemblance to the conditions in vivo. The basic 3D culture model based on LC may be used for cell and microtissue migration studies in response to cytochemical treatment.
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