Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 38 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Lee LK
    Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):266-77.
    PMID: 12440265 MyJurnal
    A survey was conducted in December 1995 to study car occupant restraint usage in Selangor. A total of 1082 car occupants were observed in 536 cars. The results of the study shows that only 57.3% of the car occupants observed were protected by any form of restraints. Most of the cars (99.8%) examined had front seat belts but only 44.2% had rear seat belts. Only 0.6% of the cars were found to have child restraints in the cars. 80.2% of drivers used restraints and only 65.4% of front seat passengers used any forms of restraints. In the case of the rear seat passengers, only 0.42% used an available restraint. More people in the urban areas (84.42%) than in the rural areas (66.51%) used seat belts. Usage of seat belts by car drivers influenced the use of seat belts by front seat passengers. Type of seat belts fitted was associated with usage rate. It is sad to note that 21.9% of the drivers used seat belts incorrectly.
  2. Phua KL, Lee LK
    J Public Health Policy, 2005 Apr;26(1):122-32.
    PMID: 15906881
    Challenges arising from epidemic infectious disease outbreaks can be more effectively met if traditional public health is enhanced by sociology. The focus is normally on biomedical aspects, the surveillance and sentinel systems for infectious diseases, and what needs to be done to bring outbreaks under control quickly. Social factors associated with infectious disease outbreaks are often neglected and the aftermath is ignored. These factors can affect outbreak severity, its rate and extent of spread, influencing the welfare of victims, their families, and their communities. We propose an agenda for research to meet the challenges of infectious disease outbreaks. What social factors led to the outbreak? What social factors affected its severity and rate and extent of spread? How did individuals, social groups, and the state react to it? What are the short- and long-term effects on individuals, social groups, and the larger society? What programs can be put in place to help victims, their families, and affected communities to cope with the consequences--impaired mental and physical health, economic losses, and disrupted communities? Although current research on infectious disease outbreaks pays attention to social factors related to causation, severity, rate and extent of spread, those dealing with the "social chaos" arising from outbreaks are usually neglected. Inclusion, by combining traditional public health with sociological analysis, will enrich public health theory and understanding of infectious disease outbreaks. Our approach will help develop better programs to combat outbreaks and equally important, to help survivors, their families, and their communities cope better with the aftermath.
  3. Lee LK, Foo KY
    Clin Biochem, 2014 Jul;47(10-11):973-82.
    PMID: 24875852 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2014.05.053
    Infertility is a worldwide reproductive health problem which affects approximately 15% of couples, with male factor infertility dominating nearly 50% of the affected population. The nature of the phenomenon is underscored by a complex array of transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic differences which interact in unknown ways. Many causes of male factor infertility are still defined as idiopathic, and most diagnosis tends to be more descriptive rather than specific. As such, the emergence of novel transcriptomic and metabolomic studies may hold the key to more accurately diagnose and treat male factor infertility. This paper provides the most recent evidence underlying the role of transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis in the management of male infertility. A summary of the current knowledge and new discovery of noninvasive, highly sensitive and specific biomarkers which allow the expansion of this area is outlined.
  4. Lee LK, Hassim IN
    Environ Health Prev Med, 2005 Jan;10(1):33-41.
    PMID: 21432161 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.10.33
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of cases and episodes of needlestick injury among three groups of health care workers in the past one-year, the level of knowledge on blood-borne diseases and universal precautions and the practice of universal precautions. Other factors associated with the occurrence of needlestick injuries and the reporting of needlestick injuries were also analysed.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2003 to study the needlestick injuries among 285 health care workers (doctors, nurses, medical students) in a public teaching hospital in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of needlestick injuries among the respondents was 24.6% involving 71 cases i.e. 48.0% among doctors, 22.4% among medical students, and 18.7% among nurses and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). There were a total of 174 episodes of needlestick injury. Prevalence of episode of needlestick injuries was highest among doctors (146%), followed by nurses (50.7%) and medical students (29.4%). Cases of needlestick injuries attained lower scores on practice of universal precautions compared to non-cases (p<0.001). About 59% of cases of needlestick injury did not report their injuries.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that needlestick injuries pose a high risk to health care workers and it is underreported most of the time. Many needlestick injuries can be prevented by strictly following the practice of universal precautions.

    Study site: Hospital Tunku Ja'afar, Seremban
  5. Foo KY, Lee LK, Hameed BH
    Bioresour Technol, 2013 Apr;134:166-72.
    PMID: 23500574 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.139
    This study evaluates the sugarcane bagasse derived activated carbon (SBAC) prepared by microwave heating for the adsorptive removal of ammonical nitrogen and orthophosphate from the semi-aerobic landfill leachate. The physical and chemical properties of SBAC were examined by pore structural analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time and solution pH on the adsorption performance were investigated in a batch mode study at 30°C. Equilibrium data were favorably described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity for ammonical nitrogen and orthophosphate of 138.46 and 12.81 mg/g, respectively, while the adsorption kinetic was best fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results illustrated the potential of sugarcane bagasse derived activated carbon for the adsorptive treatment of semi-aerobic landfill leachate.
  6. Lee LK, Shahar S, Rajab N
    Nutr Res, 2009 May;29(5):327-34.
    PMID: 19555814 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2009.05.006
    The notion that dietary factors affect cognitive function and subsequently the risk of dementia has increased over the years from a global viewpoint. Because low folate intake has been described to impair cognitive function, we tested the hypothesis that low serum folate concentration is associated with cognitive impairment and an attenuated increase in DNA damage. We investigated the relationship between serum folate concentration, cognitive impairment, and DNA damage among elderly people attending health clinics in Klang Valley, an urban area in Malaysia. Two hundred thirty-two participants, composed of 115 men (49.6%) and 117 women (50.4%), were involved; none of the patients were diagnosed with neuropsychiatric problems, nor where they terminally ill. Sociodemography and health variables were assessed through face-to-face interview. Cognitive impairment review was conducted through an Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire. The estimation of dietary intake, serum folate concentration, and DNA damage was individually analyzed using validated Dietary History Questionnaires, immunoassay methods, and an Alkaline Comet Assay study (10 mL of peripheral venous blood), respectively. Results indicated that more men had cognitive impairment (33.0%) and DNA damage (27.0% for percentage DNA in tail, 22.6% tail moment) compared with women (25.6%, 15.4%, and 15.4%, respectively) (P < .05 for all parameters), recording an average folate deficiency value of 13.9% (0.2% higher than women). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis outlined the association of cognitive impairment with older age (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-5.57), smoking habits (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 2.48-10.57), poor serum folate concentration (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.26-9.52), and DNA damage (percentage DNA in tail) (OR, 13.70; 95% CI, 1.36-138.29). In conclusion, this study highlighted the important role of serum folate concentration for cognitive function and provided a concise picture regarding the elevated levels of oxidative DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes.
  7. Foo KY, Lee LK, Hameed BH
    Bioresour Technol, 2013 Apr;133:599-605.
    PMID: 23501142 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.097
    The preparation of tamarind fruit seed granular activated carbon (TSAC) by microwave induced chemical activation for the adsorptive treatment of semi-aerobic landfill leachate has been attempted. The chemical and physical properties of TSAC were examined. A series of column tests were performed to determine the breakthrough characteristics, by varying the operational parameters, hydraulic loading rate (5-20 mL/min) and adsorbent bed height (15-21 cm). Ammonical nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD), which provide a prerequisite insight into the prediction of leachate quality was quantified. Results illustrated an encouraging performance for the adsorptive removal of ammonical nitrogen and COD, with the highest bed capacity of 84.69 and 55.09 mg/g respectively, at the hydraulic loading rate of 5 mL/min and adsorbent bed height of 21 cm. The dynamic adsorption behavior was satisfactory described by the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The findings demonstrated the applicability of TSAC for the adsorptive treatment of landfill leachate.
  8. Elango S, Jutti RC, Lee LK
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2005 Sep;34(8):511-4.
    PMID: 16205830
    Portfolio writing is a method of encouraging reflective learning among professionals. Although portfolio-based learning is popular among educators, not many studies have been done to determine students' perceptions of portfolio as a learning tool. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 143 medical students to find out their perceptions of the portfolio as a learning tool. A majority of the students felt that the portfolio is a good learning tool. However, they also perceived that it is stressful and time-consuming to develop a proper portfolio. The study indicates that students need appropriate guidance from the academic staff for the system to succeed.
  9. Balachanthar S, Zakaria NA, Lee LK
    Ecol Food Nutr, 2018 07 10;57(4):314-329.
    PMID: 29989434 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2018.1492380
    Emergency food assistance forms an integral component of flood mitigation in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey investigating emergency food assistance among 202 flood victims was conducted and alternative food assistance plan was developed using linear programming targeting post-disaster food requirement scenarios. From the study, the receipt of food aid was significantly associated with ethnicity, household income, residential area and evacuation into temporary shelters. Linear programming analysis identified nutritionally appropriate food assistance targeting mass feeding, emergency food basket, and immediate food requirement for as low as MYR 6.07 (1.55 USD), MYR 7.14 (1.82 USD), and MYR 8.00 (2.04 USD), respectively. This study provides nutritional guidelines for disaster food assistance policy.
  10. Mhd Rodzi NAR, Lee LK
    Heliyon, 2022 Sep;8(9):e10572.
    PMID: 36132179 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10572
    Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia Volubilis L.), SI, is the oleaginous plant of the Euphorbiaceous family originally cultivated in the Amazonian forest. It is traditionally appreciated and consumed as the healthful food. In vivo, in vitro and clinical studies have suggested the beneficial effects of SI for a variety of neuroprotection, dermatology, antidyslipidaemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antitumor modulation activities. Many of these potential impacts are related to its bioactive compounds, particularly essential fatty acids, proteins and phytochemicals. However, there are some scientific evidences underlying the risk of toxicity associated with the high doses of SI seed oils. With the aforementioned, this review outlines a narrative review of SI, including its ethnobotanical components, phytochemistry profile, organoleptic and sensory evaluations. The essential development of its latest applications in the field of medicine, pharmacology, safety and toxicological issues, are laconically demonstrated. Moreover, the underlying challenges and upcoming prospective for the integration of SI use are detailed.
  11. Rodzi NARM, Lee LK
    Food Res Int, 2021 12;150(Pt B):110814.
    PMID: 34863504 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110814
    Food fermentation is a food processing technology that utilizes the growth and metabolic activity of microorganisms for the stabilization and transformation of food materials. Notwithstanding, the technology has evolved beyond food preservation into a tool for creating desirable organoleptic, nutritional, and functional attributes in food products. This narrative review outlines a compilation of traditional fermented foods which available in the South East Asia (SEA) regions as a source vehicle for non-dairy probiotics. The nutritional values of traditional fermented foods are well-appreciated, especially in the resource-poor regions. The sensory and organoleptic preferences of traditional fermented foods as means of dietary routine variations were demonstrated. Furthermore, the evidence underlying its potent impacts on public health promotion and disease prevention is outlined. Lastly, the challenges and future prospects for the integration of traditional fermented foods practice are elucidated.
  12. Mat Zain NS, Lee LK
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Dec 06;19(23).
    PMID: 36498443 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316371
    Aquaculture is seen as an essential food-producing sector for improving global food security and nutrition indices. This cross-sectional study examined the health complaints and mental health status of aquaculture workers, as well as their relationship with quality of life, with respect to the brackish water and freshwater aquaculture cultivation system in Penang, Malaysia. The workers’ health complaints were collected, and mental health status was evaluated as means of depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem. Self-perceived quality of life was assessed using a structured questionnaire. This study involved the participation of 88 brackish water (84.6%) and 16 freshwater (15.4%) aquaculture workers. A total of 72.7% of the brackish water aquaculture workers were aged beyond 50 years old and had worked within five years (77.3%) in the aquaculture industry. Both brackish water and freshwater cultivation workers were confronted with fatigue, pain and insomnia. Up to 48%, 40.4%, 26% and 24% of them were facing depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem, respectively. A total of 3.4% of the brackish water aquaculture workers were having bad quality of life. The complaints of neck/shoulder/arm pain (F = 13.963; p < 0.001), back pain (F = 10.974; p < 0.01), hand/wrist pain (F = 8.041; p < 0.01), knee/hip pain (F = 12.910; p < 0.01) and insomnia (F = 10.936; p < 0.01) were correlated with bad quality of life among the workers. For mental health status, self-esteem (F = 4.157; p < 0.05) was found to be negatively correlated with quality of life scores. The results outlined the concerning level of health complaints and psychological distress among the aquaculture workers. The study emphasized the importance of developing an appropriate occupational health strategy in the aquaculture industry. Longitudinal investigations aimed to explore the effects of psychological distress on employment productivity among the high-risk workers are warranted.
  13. Peh SC, Gan GG, Lee LK, Eow GI
    Pathol. Int., 2008 Sep;58(9):572-9.
    PMID: 18801072 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2008.02273.x
    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it is recognized to constitute a heterogenous group of neoplasms. It can be divided into germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subgroups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of immunophenotype subgrouping of DLBCL in a cohort of multi-ethnic Asian patients. A total of 84 reconfirmed de novo DLBCL were immunostained for the expression of CD10, BCL-2, BCL-6 and multiple myeloma-1. Thirty-three (39.3%) had the GCB phenotype, and the remainder (60.7%), the non-GCB phenotype. The results concur with most reports using a similar method of stratification. Forty-five patients had complete demographic and phenotype studies and 42 patients did not have rituximab treatment and had sufficient data for survival rate analysis. Similar to other studies, patients with combined low and low-intermediate International Prognostic Index score had better overall survival (P = 0.006). But patients with GCB phenotype did not have better prognosis, and BCL-2 expression was not associated with better prognosis. The expression of BCL-6 was associated with lower overall survival rate (P = 0.038). No apparent difference in overall and disease-free survival was noted between patients with GCB and non-GCB disease. BCL-6 expression by tumor cells appears to be associated with poorer prognosis.
  14. Lee LK, Chen PC, Lee KK, Kaur J
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2007 Mar;36(3):169-74.
    PMID: 17450261
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of violence-related behaviours among adolescents and the factors associated with it.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional school survey conducted on 4500 adolescent students, using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected using the supervised self-administered questionnaire [a modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance in the Malaysian National Language (Bahasa Malaysia)].

    RESULTS: Our study showed that 27.9% of students had been involved in a physical fight, 6.6% had been injured in a fight, 5.9% had carried a weapon, 7.2% had felt unsafe, 18.5% had had their money stolen and 55.0% had had their property stolen. Adolescents who carried weapons to school, smoked, used drugs, felt sad or hopeless and played truant were more likely to be involved in physical fights after adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity.

    CONCLUSION: Violence-related behaviours among adolescents, especially involvement in physical fights, are common and are positively associated with certain factors such as smoking, taking drugs, playing truant, feeling sad or hopeless. Interventions designed at targeting adolescent violence should also address these factors and target the high-risk groups. There may be a need to identify and provide services for adolescents who exhibit these factors.

  15. Lee LK, Paul CY, Kam CW, Jagmohni K
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2005;17(2):130-6.
    PMID: 16425658 DOI: 10.1177/101053950501700212
    This study was done to determine the prevalence of smoking and factors influencing cigarette smoking among secondary school students in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This is a cross-sectional school survey conducted on 4500 adolescent students based on a structured questionnaire. Data was collected using the supervised self-administered questionnaire the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance in the Malaysian National Language Bahasa Malaysia. The prevalence of smoking among the students was 14.0%. About a third of the students (37.8%) started smoking at 13 to 14 years of age. The prevalence of smoking among the male students was higher (26.6%) compared to the female students (3.1%). Adolescent smoking was associated with (1) sociodemographic factors (age, ethnicity, rural/urban status); (2) environmental factors (parental smoking, staying with parents); (3) behavioural factors (playing truant and risk-taking behaviours such as physical fighting, drug use, alcohol use, sexual activity, lack of seatbelt use, riding with a drunk driver); (4) lifestyle behaviours (being on diet and lack of exercise); (5) personal factors (feeling sad and suicidal behaviours). In conclusion, smoking is a major problem among Malaysian adolescents. Certain groups of adolescents tend to be at higher risk of smoking. This problem should be curbed early by targeting these groups of high risk adolescents.
  16. Chen PC, Lee LK, Wong KC, Kaur J
    J Adolesc Health, 2005 Oct;37(4):337.
    PMID: 16182146
    This study was undertaken to examine factors relating to adolescent suicide behavior.
  17. Abu Bakar MH, Shariff KA, Tan JS, Lee LK
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2020 Sep 15;883:173371.
    PMID: 32712089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173371
    Accumulating evidence indicates that adipose tissue inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle are inextricably linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Celastrol, a bioactive compound derived from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii exhibits a number of attributive properties to attenuate metabolic dysfunction in various cellular and animal disease models. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of celastrol in the obesogenic environment in vivo remain elusive. Therefore, the current study investigated the metabolic effects of celastrol on insulin sensitivity, inflammatory response in adipose tissue and mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle of the high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Our study revealed that celastrol supplementation at 3 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks significantly reduced the final body weight and enhanced insulin sensitivity of the HFD-fed rats. Celastrol noticeably improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activity and increased expression of plasma membrane GLUT4 protein in skeletal muscle. Moreover, celastrol-treated HFD-fed rats showed attenuated inflammatory responses via decreased NF-κB activity and diminished mRNA expression responsible for classically activated macrophage (M1) polarization in adipose tissues. Significant improvement of muscle mitochondrial functions and enhanced antioxidant defense machinery via restoration of mitochondrial complexes I + III linked activity were effectively exhibited by celastrol treatment. Mechanistically, celastrol stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis attributed by upregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling pathways. Together, these results further demonstrate heretofore the conceivable therapeutic mechanisms of celastrol in vivo against HFD-induced obesity mediated through attenuation of inflammatory response in adipose tissue and enhanced mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle.
  18. Lee LK, Shahar S, Chin AV, Yusoff NA
    Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2013 Feb;225(3):605-12.
    PMID: 22932777 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2848-0
    RATIONALE: Epidemiological studies have suggested a beneficial effect of fish oil supplementation in halting the initial progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unclear whether fish oil affects cognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

    OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation on cognitive function in elderly person with MCI.

    METHODS: This was a 12-month, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using fish oil supplementation with concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thirty six low-socioeconomic-status elderly subjects with MCI were randomly assigned to receive either concentrated DHA fish oil (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) capsules. The changes of memory, psychomotor speed, executive function and attention, and visual-constructive skills were assessed using cognitive tests. Secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability of the DHA concentrate.

    RESULTS: The fish oil group showed significant improvement in short-term and working memory (F = 9.890; ηp (2) = 0.254; p 

  19. Seow EK, Tan TC, Lee LK, Easa AM
    J Texture Stud, 2020 12;51(6):909-916.
    PMID: 32537814 DOI: 10.1111/jtxs.12544
    Hardening issue in starch-based products that arises during storage, is ascribed to the long-term starch retrogradation which involves the recrystallisation of amylopectin. Present study aimed to delay storage hardening with the addition of high diastase honey bee honey (HBH) and low diastase kelulut bee honey (KBH) into glutinous rice flour (GRF) gels. As compared to KBH, retardation of texture deterioration by HBH was more prominent as evidenced by the significantly (p 
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links