Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 61 in total

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  1. Teledentistry in practice: literature review
    Khan SA, Omar H
    Telemed J E Health, 2013 Jul;19(7):565-7.
    PMID: 23672799 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2012.0200
    Teledentistry can be defined as the remote provision of dental care, advice, or treatment through the medium of information technology, rather than through direct personal contact with any patient(s) involved. Within dental practice, teledentistry is used extensively in disciplines like preventive dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontal conditions, detection of early dental caries, patient education, oral medicine, and diagnosis. Some of the key modes and methods used in teledentistry are electronic health records, electronic referral systems, digitizing images, teleconsultations, and telediagnosis. All the applications used in teledentistry aim to bring about efficiency, provide access to underserved population, improve quality of care, and reduce oral disease burden.
  2. Fulltext Effect of working characteristics and taught ergonomics on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst dental students
    Khan SA, Chew KY
    BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2013;14:118.
    PMID: 23547959 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-118
    Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are one of the main occupational health hazards affecting dental practitioners. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD) amongst dental students. Possible correlations with the working environment and ergonomics taught in Malaysian dental schools were also sought.
  3. Fulltext Structural and optical properties of ITO/TiO2 anti-reflective films for solar cell applications
    Ali K, Khan SA, Jafri MZ
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2014;9(1):175.
    PMID: 24721986 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-175
    Indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) were deposited on a (100) P-type monocrystalline Si substrate by a radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Polycrystalline ITO and anatase TiO2 films were obtained at room temperature (RT). The thickness of ITO (60 to 64 nm) and TiO2 (55 to 60 nm) films was optimized, considering the optical response in the 400- to 1,000-nm wavelength range. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The XRD analysis showed preferential orientation along (211) and (222) for ITO and (200) and (211) for TiO2 films. The XRD analysis showed that crystalline ITO/TiO2 films could be formed at RT. The crystallite strain measurements showed compressive strain for ITO and TiO2 films. The measured average optical reflectance was about 12% and 10% for the ITO and TiO2 ARCs, respectively.
  4. Fulltext Perceptions and myths regarding oral health care amongst strata of low socio economic community in Karachi, Pakistan
    Khan SA, Dawani N, Bilal S
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2012 Nov;62(11):1198-203.
    PMID: 23866411
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dental myths and perceived knowledge regarding oral healthcare practices and its associations with levels of education amongst low socioeconomic strata in Karachi, Pakistan.
    METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2011. Two-staged random sampling was conducted to achieve a sample size of 576 participants from 8 union councils of Gadap Town, Karachi, Pakistan. An interview-based questionnaire was used to determine the participants' perceptions towards oral health and hygiene practices as well as the prevalence of common dental myths. The subjects were interviewed through a formulated questionnaire that was cross-translated into Urdu language.
    RESULTS: Response rate from the participants was 550 (95.48%). Of the total, 270 (47%) respondents believed in the myth of tooth extraction affecting the eye vision. This was significantly associated with the socio-demography of the respondents. Besides, 421 (73%) thought that tooth extraction is not the ultimate remedy for pain relief and it was statistically significant with age and educational status of the participants. Those who considered bleeding while brushing to be normal were 144 (25%), and it was significantly associated with age and education level. Impact of oral health on general health was positively responded by 392 (68%), while 418 (72.5%) respondents did not think that the retention of baby teeth is important. Both these perceptions were significantly associated with age and level of education.
    CONCLUSION: Pakistani population has considerable belief in myths and false perceptions regarding oral health issues. Various stakeholders should be involved to develop policies towards healthy attitudes and beliefs within the community towards their oral healthcare.
  5. Structured student-generated videos for first-year students at a dental school in Malaysia
    Omar H, Khan SA, Toh CG
    J Dent Educ, 2013 May;77(5):640-7.
    PMID: 23658411
    Student-generated videos provide an authentic learning experience for students, enhance motivation and engagement, improve communication skills, and improve collaborative learning skills. This article describes the development and implementation of a student-generated video activity as part of a knowledge, observation, simulation, and experience (KOSE) program at the School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It also reports the students' perceptions of an activity that introduced first-year dental students (n=44) to clinical scenarios involving patients and dental team aiming to improve professional behavior and communication skills. The learning activity was divided into three phases: preparatory phase, video production phase, and video-watching. Students were organized into five groups and were instructed to generate videos addressing given clinical scenarios. Following the activity, students' perceptions were assessed with a questionnaire. The results showed that 86 percent and 88 percent, respectively, of the students agreed that preparation of the activity enhanced their understanding of the role of dentists in provision of health care and the role of enhanced teamwork. In addition, 86 percent and 75 percent, respectively, agreed that the activity improved their communication and project management skills. Overall, the dental students perceived that the student-generated video activity was a positive experience and enabled them to play the major role in driving their learning process.
  6. Fulltext Beliefs and attitudes of medical students from public and private universities in Malaysia towards individuals with HIV/AIDS
    Koh KC, Teh JR, Khan SA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:462826.
    PMID: 24285935 DOI: 10.1155/2013/462826
    We describe the findings from a survey assessing the beliefs regarding testing, confidentiality, disclosure, and environment of care and attitudes towards care of people with HIV/AIDS (PLHWA), in 1020, 4th and 5th year medical students, from public and private medical universities in Malaysia. A self-administered validated questionnaire based on the UNAIDS Model Questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale (5, strongly disagree; 4, disagree; 3, neutral; 2, agree; 1, strongly agree) was used as a survey tool. The survey included demographic data and data on undergraduate training received on HIV/AIDS. Statistical significance in the demographic data and training received by respondents was evaluated using the chi-square test while the independent Student's t-test was used for comparison of means between public and private universities. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant with 95% confidence interval. Our study revealed less than 20% of medical students received adequate training to care for PLHWA. They had prevalent negative beliefs regarding testing, confidentiality, disclosure and environment of care towards PLHWA although in giving care to PLHWA, their attitudes were largely positive and nondiscriminatory.
    Study site: 7 public and private universities in Malaysia
  7. Fulltext Role of ethical beliefs and attitudes of dental students in providing care for HIV/AIDS patients
    Khan SA, Liew ML, Omar H
    Saudi Dent J, 2017 Jan;29(1):7-14.
    PMID: 28270704 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2016.08.005
    INTRODUCTION: Dental care has remained as an unmet need for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). Dental students are considered as future healthcare workforce and having beliefs which are discriminating may have negative attitudes towards providing care to these individuals (Azodo et al., 2010). The study aimed to assess the ethical beliefs and attitudes of dental students towards PLWHAs for providing care.
    METHODS: It is a descriptive correlational and cross sectional study. Nine public and private dental schools in Malaysia participated in the study. Data was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire.
    RESULTS: A total of 481 dental students participated in this study, yielding response rate of 78%. Majority of the participants (74%) believed that patients' HIV status should be disclosed to patients' sexual partner without permission. Approximately 60% of the participants reported that rooms/beds of HIV patients should be clearly marked. Regarding patient disease status 28% of the students reported that it is appropriate to test a patient for HIV/AIDS without patient's permission. Only Fifty five percent of the students expressed the willingness to treat HIV patients and 49% reported to held fear of getting infected while treating patients with HIV/AIDS. Sixty four percent of the participants reported to be more comfortable giving care to non-HIV patients than HIV-positive patients.
    CONCLUSION: Dental students' ethical beliefs about HIV/AIDS were not consistent with the ethical principles as stated in the code of ethics and they held negative attitudes towards PLWHAs. Ethical beliefs were found to be a determinant that may influence future attitudes of these students towards individuals with HIV/AIDS when providing care.
  8. Fulltext People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and HIV/AIDS associated oral lesions; a study in Malaysia
    Khan SA, Moorthy J, Omar H, Hasan SS
    BMC Public Health, 2012;12:850.
    PMID: 23043358 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-850
    The continuous increase in number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) represents a serious health and economic burden. HIV positive individuals with oral lesions have significantly lower oral health-related quality of life than HIV positive individuals without oral lesions. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) within a cohort of HIV/AIDS positive patients towards HIV/AIDS associated oral lesions.
  9. Effect of CAD-CAM porcelain veneers thickness on their cemented color
    Omar H, Atta O, El-Mowafy O, Khan SA
    J Dent, 2010;38 Suppl 2:e95-9.
    PMID: 20493232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2010.05.006
    To determine the effect of thickness of porcelain veneers constructed from CAD-CAM on their final color when two resin cements were used.
  10. Utilization of debate as an educational tool to learn health economics for dental students in Malaysia
    Khan SA, Omar H, Babar MG, Toh CG
    J Dent Educ, 2012 Dec;76(12):1675-83.
    PMID: 23225687
    Health economics, a special branch of science applying economic principles to the health delivery system, is a relatively young subdiscipline. The literature is scanty about teaching health economics in the medical and dental fields. Delivery methods of this topic vary from one university to another, with lectures, seminars, and independent learning reported as teaching/learning tools used for the topic. Ideally, debates should foster the development of logical reasoning and communication skills. Health economics in dentistry is taught under the community oral health module that constitutes part of an outcome-based dental curriculum in a private dental school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For this study, the students were divided into two groups: active participants (active debaters) and supporting participants (nonactive debaters). The debate style chosen for this activity was parliamentary style. Active and nonactive debaters' perceptions were evaluated before and after the activity through a structured questionnaire using a five-point rating scale addressing the topic and perceptions about debate as an educational tool. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used as a measure of internal consistency for the questionnaire items. Among a total of eighty-two third-year dental students of two successive cohorts (thirty-eight students and forty-four students), seventy-three completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 89 percent. Students' responses to the questionnaire were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test. Results revealed that the students felt that their interest in debate, knowledge of the topic, and reinforcement of the previous knowledge had improved following participation in the debate. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that debate was a useful tool in teaching health economics to dental students.
  11. Fulltext A novel rules based approach for estimating software birthmark
    Nazir S, Shahzad S, Khan SA, Alias NB, Anwar S
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:579390.
    PMID: 25945363 DOI: 10.1155/2015/579390
    Software birthmark is a unique quality of software to detect software theft. Comparing birthmarks of software can tell us whether a program or software is a copy of another. Software theft and piracy are rapidly increasing problems of copying, stealing, and misusing the software without proper permission, as mentioned in the desired license agreement. The estimation of birthmark can play a key role in understanding the effectiveness of a birthmark. In this paper, a new technique is presented to evaluate and estimate software birthmark based on the two most sought-after properties of birthmarks, that is, credibility and resilience. For this purpose, the concept of soft computing such as probabilistic and fuzzy computing has been taken into account and fuzzy logic is used to estimate properties of birthmark. The proposed fuzzy rule based technique is validated through a case study and the results show that the technique is successful in assessing the specified properties of the birthmark, its resilience and credibility. This, in turn, shows how much effort will be required to detect the originality of the software based on its birthmark.
  12. Fulltext Students' Feedback about Feedback; Have our PBL tutors started the shift towards a dialogic ask-tell-ask approach?
    Saeed M, Isnani AC, Khan SA, Khamis N
    Pak J Med Sci, 2020 11 26;36(7):1698-1702.
    PMID: 33235600 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.36.7.1778
    Objective: A paradigm shift towards a PBL bidirectional dialogic feedback can enhance learners' performance. This study aimed to investigate undergraduate medical students' perceptions of their PBL feedback.

    Methods: We sent e-mail invitations to a web-based survey to year one and two students at College of Medicine, King Saud University. Items included the process, content, and benefits of PBL feedback.

    Results: Of 209 respondents, 110 (53%) were first and 99 (47%) were second-year students. About 50% agreed that the feedback was regularly provided at scheduled timing and 72% perceived feedback environment as non-threatening. Agreement rates that the tutors asked students first to assess their performance, tell them what went well, what the areas for improvement are and develop with them an improvement plan were 59%, 61%, 61% and 52%, respectively. 61% agreed that tutors judged performance not personality. More year one students significantly agreed that the PBL feedback helped them to improve their knowledge acquisition and non-technical skills.

    Conclusion: Many of our PBL tutors have started the shift to a dialogic bi-directional feedback. We recommend continuing the faculty development efforts, peer-reviewing, and seeking student's feedback within the academic quality satisfaction surveys.

  13. Surface characterization analysis of failed dental implants using scanning electron microscopy
    Daood U, Bandey N, Qasim SB, Omar H, Khan SA
    Acta Odontol Scand, 2011 Nov;69(6):367-73.
    PMID: 21449690 DOI: 10.3109/00016357.2011.569507
    To investigate the failure of 15 dental implants (Paragon/Zimmer) in relation to their surface quality.
  14. Fulltext Entropy-based financial asset pricing: Evidence from Pakistan
    Wang S, Khan SA, Munir M, Alhajj R, Khan YA
    PLoS One, 2022;17(12):e0278236.
    PMID: 36548250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278236
    Entropy is an alternative measure to calculate the risk, simplify the portfolios and equity risk premium. It has higher explanatory power than capital asset price model (CAPM) beta. The comparison of Entropy and CAPM beta provide in depth analysis about the explanatory power of the model that in turn help investor to make right investment decisions that minimizes risk. In this context, this study aims to compare Shannon and Rennyi Entropies with the CAPM beta for measuring the risk. Ordinary Least square approach has been utilized using a dataset of 67 enterprises registered in Pakistan Stock exchange. The comparative analysis of CAPM beta and entropy has been carried out with the R2 parameters. The result indicates that entropy has more explanatory power as compare to CAPM beta's explanatory power, and this turns out to be the best option to evaluate the risk performances. The result implies that an investor should make the best investment decision by choosing an enterprise that provide with good returns at minimum risk based on entropy technique.
  15. Fulltext Prioritizing mosquito-borne diseases during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
    Khan SA, Webb CE, Abu Kassim NF
    Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2021 05 07;12(2):40-41.
    PMID: 34540311 DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2020.11.3.017
  16. Primary non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the lacrimal sac: mortality-related epiphora
    Maharajah KR, Hussein A, Mohamad H, Khan SA, At LS
    Orbit, 2009;28(5):306-8.
    PMID: 19874126 DOI: 10.3109/01676830903044346
    We report a case of primary non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the lacrimal sac in a 60-year-old Asian lady, who presented with persistent epiphora and recurrent medial canthal swelling. Primary lymphoma of the lacrimal sac is rare and it can be easily misdiagnosed. Delayed in diagnosis may be related to mortality. To minimize the risk of overlooking specific pathology it is important to assess the appearance of the lacrimal sac and its surrounding structures intraoperatively. Biopsy of the lacrimal sac is required in cases where specific pathology is suspected.
  17. Enhanced expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the myocardium ameliorates the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy in L-arginine treated Wistar-Kyoto rats
    Ahmad A, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Abdulla MH, Khan SA, Abdullah NA, et al.
    J. Physiol. Pharmacol., 2016 Feb;67(1):31-44.
    PMID: 27010893
    The present study investigated the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in Wistar-Kyoto rats. The effect of L-arginine administration on cardiac structure, arterial stiffness, renal and systemic hemodynamic parameters was studied and the change in expression of eNOS and cystathione γ lyase (CSE) in the myocardium of LVH rats was evaluated. LVH was induced using isoprenaline (5 mg/kg, S.C.) and caffeine (62 mg/L in drinking water) for 14 days. Following to that, L-arginine (1.25g/L in drinking water) was given for 5 weeks as a donor of NO. eNOS and CSE gene expressions were down regulated in the LVH group by about 35% and 67% respectively when compared to control. However, in the LVH group treated with L-arginine there was up regulation of eNOS by almost 27% and down regulation in CSE by 24% when compared to control (all P < 0.05). Heart index and H2S plasma levels were reduced by almost 53% in the L-arginine treated LVH group compared to the control (all P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate and pulse wave velocity were reduced while renal blood perfusion increased in L-arginine treated LVH rats compared to their untreated counterparts (all P < 0.05). The enhanced expression of eNOS in L-arginine treated LVH rats resulted in the amelioration of oxidative and haemodynamic parameters suggesting that NO system is an important therapeutic target in cardiac and LV hypertrophies.
  18. Fulltext Assessment of potential drug-drug interactions and its associated factors in the hospitalized cardiac patients
    Murtaza G, Khan MY, Azhar S, Khan SA, Khan TM
    Saudi Pharm J, 2016 Mar;24(2):220-5.
    PMID: 27013915 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2015.03.009
    Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may result in the alteration of therapeutic response. Sometimes they may increase the untoward effects of many drugs. Hospitalized cardiac patients need more attention regarding drug-drug interactions due to complexity of their disease and therapeutic regimen. This research was performed to find out types, prevalence and association between various predictors of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in the Department of Cardiology and to report common interactions. This study was performed in the hospitalized cardiac patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. Patient charts of 2342 patients were assessed for pDDIs using Micromedex® Drug Information. Logistic regression was applied to find predictors of pDDIs. The main outcome measure in the study was the association of the potential drug-drug interactions with various factors such as age, gender, polypharmacy, and hospital stay of the patients. We identified 53 interacting-combinations that were present in total 5109 pDDIs with median number of 02 pDDIs per patient. Overall, 91.6% patients had at least one pDDI; 86.3% were having at least one major pDDI, and 84.5% patients had at least one moderate pDDI. Among 5109 identified pDDIs, most were of moderate (55%) or major severity (45%); established (24.2%), theoretical (18.8%) or probable (57%) type of scientific evidence. Top 10 common pDDIs included 3 major and 7 moderate interactions. Results obtained by multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant association of the occurrence of pDDIs in patient with age of 60 years or more (p 
  19. Fulltext Robust Synthesis of Ciprofloxacin-Capped Metallic Nanoparticles and Their Urease Inhibitory Assay
    Nisar M, Khan SA, Qayum M, Khan A, Farooq U, Jaafar HZ, et al.
    Molecules, 2016 Mar 25;21(4):411.
    PMID: 27023506 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21040411
    The fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin (cip) has been used to cap metallic (silver and gold) nanoparticles by a robust one pot synthetic method under optimized conditions, using NaBH₄ as a mild reducing agent. Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) showed constancy against variations in pH, table salt (NaCl) solution, and heat. Capping with metal ions (Ag/Au-cip) has significant implications for the solubility, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of fluoroquinolone molecules. The metallic nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques such as ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) methods. The nanoparticles synthesized using silver and gold were subjected to energy dispersive X-ray tests in order to show their metallic composition. The NH moiety of the piperazine group capped the Ag/Au surfaces, as revealed by spectroscopic studies. The synthesized nanoparticles were also assessed for urease inhibition potential. Fascinatingly, both Ag-cip and Au-cip NPs exhibited significant urease enzyme inhibitory potential, with IC50 = 1.181 ± 0.02 µg/mL and 52.55 ± 2.3 µg/mL, compared to ciprofloxacin (IC50 = 82.95 ± 1.62 µg/mL). MNPs also exhibited significant antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains.
  20. Fulltext Quorum sensing activity of Citrobacter amalonaticus L8A, a bacterium isolated from dental plaque
    Goh SY, Khan SA, Tee KK, Abu Kasim NH, Yin WF, Chan KG
    Sci Rep, 2016;6:20702.
    PMID: 26860259 DOI: 10.1038/srep20702
    Cell-cell communication is also known as quorum sensing (QS) that happens in the bacterial cells with the aim to regulate their genes expression in response to increased cell density. In this study, a bacterium (L8A) isolated from dental plaque biofilm was identified as Citrobacter amalonaticus by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Its N-acylhomoserine-lactone (AHL) production was screened by using two types of AHL biosensors namely Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Escherichia coli [pSB401]. Citrobacter amalonaticus strain L8A was identified and confirmed producing numerous types of AHL namely N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL), N-octanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL) and N-hexadecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C16-HSL). We performed the whole genome sequence analysis of this oral isolate where its genome sequence reveals the presence of QS signal synthase gene and our work will pave the ways to study the function of the related QS genes in this bacterium.
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