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Fulltext Diagnostic Implication and Clinical Relevance of Ancillary Techniques in Clinical Pathology Practice

Makki JS

Clin Med Insights Pathol, 2016;9:5-11.
PMID: 27042154 DOI: 10.4137/CPath.S32784

Hematoxylin-eosin-stained slide preparation is one of the most durable techniques in medicine history, which has remained unchanged since implemented. It allows an accurate microscopic diagnosis of the vast majority of tissue samples. In many circumstances, this technique cannot answer all the questions posed at the initial diagnostic level. The pathologist has always been looking for additional ancillary techniques to answer pending questions. In our daily histopathology practice, we referred to those techniques as special stains, but nowadays, they are more than stains and are collectively called ancillary tests. They include a wide range of techniques starting from histochemical stains and ending in one or more advanced techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, molecular studies, cytogenetic studies, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction.
Fulltext Remembering M K Rajakumar

Jaafar S

Malays Fam Physician, 2008;3(3):125.
Fulltext Recurrent re-expansion pulmonary oedema complicating rapid decompression of large pneumothoraces

Liam CK, Jaafar S

Med J Malaysia, 1991 Jun;46(2):199-202.
PMID: 1839427

A young male who developed ipsilateral pulmonary oedema on two occasions as a complication of treatment of pneumothoraces involving the left lung is reported. The importance of large pneumothoraces, the rapidity of decompression and the application of suction to the pleural space as factors predisposing to the development of re-expansion pulmonary oedema is well demonstrated by this case. The re-expansion pulmonary oedema was more severe on the second occasion when the lung had collapsed for a longer duration compared to the first pneumothorax which was of more recent onset.
Fulltext Ex-vivo differentiation of stem cells from human extracted deciduous teeth into bone forming cells

Fazliah, S.N., Jaafar, S., Shamsuddin, S., Zainudin, Z., Hilmi, A.B., Razila, A.R., et al.

ASM Science Journal, 2010;4(1):1-14.
MyJurnal

Stem cells from human extracted deciduous teeth (SHED) have the ability to multiply much faster and double their population in culture at a greater rate, indicating that it may be in a more immature state than other type of adult stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from human primary molars were isolated and cultured in media supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. The MSCs were confirmed using CD 105 and CD 166 and the identification of the osteoblast cells were done using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Differentiated osteoblast cells (DOC) were characterized by alkaline phosphotase and von Kossa staining followed by immunocytochemistry staining using osteocalcin and osteonectin antibodies. Further validation of SHED was done by RT-PCR to detect the presence of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) and discoidin domain tyrosine kinase-2 (DDTK-2) transcripts, while the presence of Runx-2 mRNA was used to characterize DOC. The results showed that SHED was found positive for CD 105 and CD 166 and could differentiate into osteoblast, bone forming cells. The findings revealed the presence of distinct MSC population which had the capability to generate living human cells that could be a possible source for tissue engineering in the future.
Fulltext Health in all policies: The primary health care approach in Malaysia. 50-years experience in addressing social determinants of health through Intersectoral Action for Health

Mohamad Noh K, Jaafar S

World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, 2011.

Citation: Mohamad Noh K, Jaafar S. Health in all policies: The primary health care approach in Malaysia. 50-years experience in addressing social determinants of health through Intersectoral Action for Health. World Conference on Social Determinants of Health. 19-21 October 2011, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At Independence in 1957, Malaysia inherited a rural urban divide and racial identification of specific economic functions. Thus, the government’s welfarist policy was on growth with equity. This entailed the formulation of national social policies to reduce poverty and at the same time to restructure society by addressing economic imbalances and eventually eliminating racial identification of specific economic functions. The poverty reduction approaches placed a strong emphasis on rural socio-economic development addressing the social determinants of health. This approach has served Malaysia well over the decades but since the 1990s Malaysia has been caught in a middle income trap. Realising that achieving a high income nation status by 2020 is not possible at the present economic trajectory, Malaysia has now embarked on a national transformation agenda based on the four pillars of inculcating the cultural and societal values under the 1Malaysia Concept and the twin commitments of people first in all policies & projects and performance now; a government transformation programme (GTP); macroeconomic policies under the economic transformation programme (ETP); and the operationalisation of these policies through the 10th Malaysia Plan. The highest political commitment is given to the implementation of these national policies by the various agencies, orchestrated and coordinated by a central planning process which cascades down to the state and district administrative levels of the government machinery. The health policies follow these national policies and the thrust of the Malaysian health care system is primary health care, supported by an inclusive referral system to decentralized secondary care and regionalized tertiary care. This model of comprehensive public primary health care delivers promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative care across the life course. The network of static health facilities is organized into a two-tier system which includes outreach services for remote areas. Community participation is encouraged through village health promoters, health volunteers and advisory panels. The primary health care approach has delivered increased access to health care at a relatively low-cost. This has translated into health gains for the Malaysian population comparable with countries of similar economic development. As Malaysia moves towards a high income nation status, as demographic and epidemiological transitions continue, and as new health technology develops, the demand for health care by the - Draft Background Paper 7 - 2 population will continue to rise with increasing expectations for more care of even higher quality, and at ever increasing cost. This is especially challenging as Malaysia’s open economy is yet to recover fully from the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The government transformation programme, with its focus on a whole-of-government approach, is a natural progression for the primary health care approach to addressing the social determinants of health as a vehicle for social justice to reduce health inequalities.
Fulltext Obesity among years 1 and 6 primary school children in Selangor Darul Ehsan

Bong ASL, Jaafar S

Malays J Nutr, 1996 Mar;2(1):21-7.
PMID: 22692098 MyJurnal

A study was conducted from March to June 1991 to determine the prevalence of obesity among primary school children in the State of Selangor. One School Health Team in each of the 9 Districts of Selangor participated in the collection of data, the whole project being coordinated by the Selangor State Health Department. A total of 28 rural and 24 urban schools were selected for the study, involving a total of 2,688 pupils in Standard 1 and Standard 6. The prevalence of obesity, using >120% of the reference weight-for-height as the criteria, varied considerably in the different districts, with an overall prevalence of 7.8% in the State. The proportion of boys affected (66.7%) was twice that among girls (33.3%). The prevalence of obesity of 9.8% in the urban schools was significantly higher than the 6.1% found for rural schools (p<0.0001). 151 (11.1%) were from Standard 6 and 59 (4.4%) were from Standard 1 (p<0.0001). It was also found that there was a significantly higher prevalence of obesity amongst primary 6 children (p<0.0001). Whilst the problem may not be as serious as that found in developed countries, the findings of this study should serve as an early warning to health authorities of the seriousness of the problem.
Ionic composition of rainwater at selected sites of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia: a preliminary study

Tay JH, Jaafar S, Mohd Tahir N

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2014 Mar;92(3):329-33.
PMID: 24435136 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-014-1203-z

A short-term investigation on the chemical composition of rainwater was carried out at five selected sampling stations in Kuantan district, Pahang, Malaysia. Sampling of rainwater was conducted by event basis between September and November 2011. Rainwater samples were collected using polyethylene containers and the parameters measured were cations (sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium and magnesium) and anions (chlorides, nitrates and sulphates). The average pH value for rainwater samples was 6.0 ± 0.57 in which most of the sampling sites exhibited pH values >5.6. Calcium and sulphate were the most abundant cation and anion, respectively, whilst the concentrations of other major ions varied according to sampling location.
Fulltext Morbidity profiles at three primary care clinics in Perlis, Malaysia

Kamarudin MF, Mohamad Noh K, Jaafar S

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Aug;67(4):363-8.
PMID: 23082442 MyJurnal
Fulltext Beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in severe mitral stenosis

Sebastian VJ, Bhattacharya S, Ray S, Jaafar SM

Med J Malaysia, 1989 Dec;44(4):291-5.
PMID: 2562442

There are several reports of beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in both primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. However the effect of ACE inhibitors in mitral stenosis is not documented. The authors report three patients with severe mitral stenosis in whom surgery was delayed. They had initial symptomatic improvement with diuretics and sodium restriction, but had recurrence of their symptoms while on treatment. Enalapril not only relieved their symptoms in particular exertional dyspnoea and haemoptysis but prevented recurrence and improved their effort tolerance without causing excessive fall of blood pressure or impairment of renal function.
Fulltext 40 years of Alma Ata Malaysia: targeting equitable access through organisational and physical adaptations in the delivery of public sector primary care

Fadzil F, Jaafar S, Ismail R

Prim Health Care Res Dev, 2020 02 24;21:e4.
PMID: 32090729 DOI: 10.1017/S146342362000002X

This paper illustrates the development of Primary Health Care (PHC) public sector in Malaysia, through a series of health reforms in addressing equitable access. Malaysia was a signatory to the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978. The opportunity provided the impetus to expand the Rural Health Services of the 1960s, guided by the principles of PHC which attempts to address the urban-rural divide to improve equity and accessibility. The review was made through several collation of literature searches from published and unpublished research papers, the Ministry of Health annual reports, the 5-year Malaysia Plans, National Statistics Department, on health systems programme and infrastructure developments in Malaysia. The Public Primary Care Health System has evolved progressively through five phases of organisational reforms and physical restructuring. It responded to growing needs over a 40-year period since the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978, keeping equity, accessibility, efficiency and universal health coverage consistently in the backdrop. There were improvements of maternal, infant mortality rates as well as accessibility to health services for the population. The PHC Reforms in Malaysia are the result of structured and strategic investment. However, there will be continuing dilemma between cost-effectiveness and equity. Hence, continuous efforts are required to look at opportunity costs of alternative strategies to provide the best available solution given the available resources and capacities. While recognising that health systems development is complex with several layers and influencing factors, this paper focuses on a small but crucial aspect that occupies much time and energies of front-line managers in the health.
Fulltext Stem cells from childrens' teeth

Mohd Hilmi, A.B., Fazliah, S.N., Siti Fadilah, A., Asma, H., Siti Razila, A.R., Shaharum, S., et al.

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2008;3(1):29-31.
MyJurnal

The aim of this study was to isolate stem cells from dental pulp of primary molars and incisors to be used as possible source for tissue engineering. Human primary molars and incisors were collected from subjects aged 4-7 year-old under standardized procedures. Within 24 hours, the tooth was cut at the cemento-enamel junction using hard tissue material cutter. The dental pulp tissue was extracted, digested and then cultured in Alpha Modified Eagles's Medium (α-MEM) supplemented with 20% FCS, 100 mM L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, 200 mM L-glutamine and 5000 units/ml Penicillin/Streptomycin. The cells were observed daily under the microscope until confluence. Children's tooth pulp- derived progenitor cells were found positive for stem cell markers CD105 and CD166, which are consistent with the finding for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow.
Fulltext 40 years of Alma Ata Malaysia: Targeting equitable access through organisational and physical adaptations in the delivery of public sector primary care - CORRIGENDUM

Fadzil F, Jaafar S, Ismail R

Prim Health Care Res Dev, 2020 05 21;21:e13.
PMID: 32434613 DOI: 10.1017/S1463423620000146
A review on thalassemia profile in Malaysia and the challenges of its prevention and control programme

Buang SN, Diana R, Jaafar S, Muhammad DI, Daud MSM, Jamaluddin J, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17(3):15-26.

This review aims to profile the disease of thalassemia in Malaysia and to identify the challenges that have kept Malaysia from effectively reducing the birth rate of thalassemia patients. The success of thalassemia prevention programs in some countries have shown that more than 90% of the reduction of cases were achieved by using retrospective screening method (prenatal, premarital, retrospective counselling). However, in Malaysia any impact of the prevention program is yet to be visible, and a reduction in new births of thalassemia patients remains to be seen. The number of patients in the national thalassemia registry (www.mytalasemia.net.my) is increasing over the years from 3588 in 2008 to 4990 in 2010 and to 6624 in 2015. The provision of quality care and disease management imposes a huge economic burden on national health resources, which is why an effective prevention program is urgently needed. For Malaysia to reduce the burden of new thalassemia cases, it is vital to address gaps and limitations of the existing preventive strategies. The screening program has to be integrated into existing primary healthcare settings, promoted to every party including the higher ministry bodies and designed to adapt to the highly diverse local religious and cultural backgrounds. Through continuous support by the government, health care providers and the general public, there is hope that prevention and control of this disease may be achieved in the future.
Fulltext Bibliography of primary care research in Malaysia

Khoo EM, Teng CL, Ng CJ, Jaafar S

ISBN: 978-983-100-450-0

Citation: Khoo EM, Teng CL, Ng CJ, Jaafar S. Bibliography of primary care research in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya; 2008
Screening of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 and Jagged2 Genes in the Malay Population With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate

Ghazali N, Rahman NA, Kannan TP, Jaafar S

Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2015 07;52(4):e88-94.
PMID: 26151095 DOI: 10.1597/14-024

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of mutations in transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) and Jagged2 genes and their association with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) patients.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients.

SETTING: Reconstructive clinic and outpatient dental clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

PATIENTS: Blood samples of 96 nonsyndromic CL±P and 96 noncleft subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence and association of mutations in TGFβ3 and Jagged2 genes with nonsyndromic CL±P.

RESULTS: Most of the nonsyndromic CL±P patients (53.1%) had left unilateral CLP. There were slightly more females (56.6%) compared with males. The prevalence of the mutations in the TGFβ3 gene was 17.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.5, 24.5) and in the Jagged2 gene was 12.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 18.5), which was higher compared with the noncleft group. For the TGFβ3 gene, there was no mutation in the coding region in either of the groups. All variants were single nucleotide polymorphisms located within the intronic flanking region. Two variants were identified (g.15812T>G and g.15966A>G) in both nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients. However, the association was not significant (P > .05). Three variants (g.19779C>T, g.19547G>A, and g.19712C>T) were identified in the Jagged2 gene among nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients. Only g.19712C>T showed a significant association with nonsyndromic CL±P patients (P = .039).

CONCLUSION: g.19712C>T might play a crucial role in the development of cleft lip and palate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the mutation found within intron 13 of the Jagged2 gene among nonsyndromic CL±P Malay patients.

Study site:Reconstructive and outpatient dental clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
Screening of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 and Jagged2 Genes in the Malay Population With Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate

Ghazali N, Rahman NA, Kannan TP, Jaafar S

Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 2014 Nov 05.
PMID: 25372553

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of mutations in transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) and Jagged2 genes and their association with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) patients.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients.
SETTING: Reconstructive clinic and outpatient dental clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains, Malaysia.
PATIENTS: Blood samples of 96 nonsyndromic CL±P and 96 noncleft subjects.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence and association of mutations in TGFβ3 and Jagged2 genes with nonsyndromic CL±P.
RESULTS: Most of the nonsyndromic CL±P patients (53.1%) had left unilateral CLP. There were slightly more females (56.6%) compared with males. The prevalence of the mutations in the TGFβ3 gene was 17.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.5, 24.5) and in the Jagged2 gene was 12.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 18.5), which was higher compared with the noncleft group. For the TGFβ3 gene, there was no mutation in the coding region in either of the groups. All variants were single nucleotide polymorphisms located within the intronic flanking region. Two variants were identified (g.15812T>G and g.15966A>G) in both nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients. However, the association was not significant (P > .05). Three variants (g.19779C>T, g.19547G>A, and g.19712C>T) were identified in the Jagged2 gene among nonsyndromic CL±P and noncleft patients. Only g.19712C>T showed a significant association with nonsyndromic CL±P patients (P = .039).
CONCLUSION: g.19712C>T might play a crucial role in the development of cleft lip and palate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the mutation found within intron 13 of the Jagged2 gene among nonsyndromic CL±P Malay patients.
Fulltext Impact of seasonality and forest stand age on ion deposition in rehabilitated forests

Ibrahim MH, Jaafar S, Yamashita N, Sase H

Plant Environ Interact, 2024 Aug;5(4):e70005.
PMID: 39165798 DOI: 10.1002/pei3.70005

This study examines the critical interaction between seasonal precipitation variability and forest maturity in determining ion deposition patterns in rehabilitated forest ecosystems. This research was conducted in rehabilitated forest sites in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia that had ecologically similar plant distribution, species, and age in each planting area. This facilitated the standardization of rainfall deposition in the different study plots which streamlined the study of these specific facets of ecosystem dynamics. The goal is to understand how seasonal changes and the age of the forest influence the chemical composition of the flux that relates to the movement and deposition of nutrients through the forest ecosystem. This flux is a key factor in the health of the forest ecosystem and nutrient cycling. Using ion exchange resin (IER) samplers, we accurately measured and compared the deposition of different ions (Ca2+, Na+, Fe2+, Cu2+, NO3 -, NH4 + and SO4 2-) across different seasons and forest ages. The deposition of Ca2+ and NH₄+ was significantly lower in the low-precipitation season than in the high-precipitation season in all forest stands, regardless of the year they were established (1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2009). In contrast, ions such as Na+, Fe2+, Cu2+, NO3 - and SO4 2- showed no clear seasonal fluctuations. In addition, the study shows that through-fall in forest stands from 2002, 2005 and 2009 had higher concentrations of Ca2+ in both seasons than in 1996 and 1999. Interestingly, forest stands from 2009 and 2002 had elevated levels of Na+ and SO₄2- in seasons with low precipitation, while stands from 1996 had higher levels in seasons with high precipitation. Our results emphasize the crucial role of precipitation amount and canopy age in determining ion deposition in forest ecosystems. By demonstrating the significant influence of precipitation seasonality and forest maturity on the chemical composition of throughfall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of nutrient dynamics in developing forest landscapes and provides valuable insights for ecological restoration measures.
Source identification of particulate matter in a semi-urban area of Malaysia using multivariate techniques

Wahid NB, Latif MT, Suan LS, Dominick D, Sahani M, Jaafar SA, et al.

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2014 Mar;92(3):317-22.
PMID: 24435135 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-014-1201-1

This study aims to determine the composition and sources of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) in a semi-urban area. PM10 samples were collected using a high volume sampler. Heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cd and Ni) and cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while anions (SO4 (2-), NO3 (-), Cl(-) and F(-)) were analysed using Ion Chromatography. Principle component analysis and multiple linear regressions were used to identify the source apportionment of PM10. Results showed the average concentration of PM10 was 29.5 ± 5.1 μg/m(3). The heavy metals found were dominated by Fe, followed by Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd and Ni. Na(+) was the dominant cation, followed by Ca(2+), K(+) and Mg(2+), whereas SO4 (2-) was the dominant anion, followed by NO3 (-), Cl(-) and F(-). The main sources of PM10 were the Earth's crust/road dust, followed by vehicle emissions, industrial emissions/road activity, and construction/biomass burning.
Fulltext Information technology for patient safety

Huckvale C, Car J, Akiyama M, Jaafar S, Khoja T, Bin Khalid A, et al.

Qual Saf Health Care, 2010 Aug;19 Suppl 2:i25-33.
PMID: 20693213 DOI: 10.1136/qshc.2009.038497

BACKGROUND: Research on patient care has identified substantial variations in the quality and safety of healthcare and the considerable risks of iatrogenic harm as significant issues. These failings contribute to the high rates of potentially avoidable morbidity and mortality and to the rising levels of healthcare expenditure seen in many health systems. There have been substantial developments in information technology in recent decades and there is now real potential to apply these technological developments to improve the provision of healthcare universally. Of particular international interest is the use of eHealth applications. There is, however, a large gap between the theoretical and empirically demonstrated benefits of eHealth applications. While these applications typically have the technical capability to help professionals in the delivery of healthcare, inadequate attention to the socio-technical dimensions of their use can result in new avoidable risks to patients.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Given the current lack of evidence on quality and safety improvements and on the cost-benefits associated with the introduction of eHealth applications, there should be a focus on implementing more mature technologies; it is also important that eHealth applications should be evaluated against a comprehensive and rigorous set of measures, ideally at all stages of their application life cycle.
Fulltext Public health nursing in 1Care

Jaafar S, Mohd Noh K, Suhaili MR, Kiyu A, Ong F, Wong M

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(Special Issue):1-8.

Public health nursingis a specialized nursing combining both nursing and public health principles with the primary focus of improving the health of the whole community rather than just an individual. Its documented history started in the 1800s and has evolved from home visiting to the varied settings that public health nurses find themselves working in as members of public health teams in clinics, schools, workplaces and government health departments.Public health nursing has been a critical component of the country’s health care system, uplifting of the health status of Malaysians and playing a dominant role in the fight against communicable diseases, and is set to face the challenges of the 21st century with public health nurses practising to the full capacity of their training in a restructured Malaysian health system – 1Care for 1Malaysia. The health sector reform allows for optimisation of scarce health care resources to deliver expansion of quality services based on needs, appropriateness, equity &allocative efficiency. The proposed model will be better than the current system, preserving the strengths of the current system but able to respond to increasing population health needs and expectations. There will be increased autonomy for healthcare providers with incentives in place for greater performance. Some of the implications of reform include allowing public- private integration, a slimmer Ministry of Health with a stronger governance role, enhancing the gatekeeping role of the primary care providers and the autonomous management of the public healthcare providers. In this restructured health system, the roles of the public health nurses are no less important than in the current one. In fact, with the increasing emphasis placed on prevention and primary care as the hub of community care with nurses as part of the primary care team delivering continuous comprehensive person-centered care,public health nurses in the future will be able to meet the challenge of refocusing on the true mission of public health: to look at the health problems of a community as a whole and work with the community in alleviating those problems by applying the nursing process to improve health, not just as providers of personal care only.

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