MyMedR

Fulltext A case of two common culprits causing pulmonary embolism

Timothy, C.T.J., Mansor, A., Wengvei, C.T.K.

JUMMEC, 2017;20(1):1-3.

MyJurnal

Pulmonary embolism is the obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches, commonly by thrombus or
fat. We report an unusual case of double pathology - both pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism
syndrome in a patient with bilateral femur and bilateral tibia fractures. This highlights the importance of a high
index of suspicion of these conditions while managing patients with multiple long bone fractures. Morbidity
and mortality can be significantly reduced with prompt and appropriate prevention strategies.

Fulltext Current Status of Mimosa pigra L. Infestation in Peninsular Malaysia

Mansor A, Crawley MJ

Trop Life Sci Res, 2011 May;22(1):37-49.

PMID: 24575208 MyJurnal

The status and distribution of Mimosa pigra L., a semi-aquatic invasive species in Peninsular Malaysia, were continuously assessed between 2004 and 2007. This assessment investigated its population stand density and related weed management activities. In total, 106 sites of 6 main habitat types i.e., construction site (CS), dam/ reservoir (DM), forest reserve (FR), plantation (PL), river bank/waterway (RB) and roadside (RD) were assessed, and 55 sites were recorded with M. pigra populations. A CS is the most likely habitat to be infested with M. pigra (16 out of 18 assessed sites have this weed), whereas none of the FR visited were found to harbour M. pigra. In terms of population stand density, 41 populations were in the low range of stand density (individual plant of ≤5 m(-2)), compared to only 9 populations in the high range of stand density (individual plant of >10 m(-2)). In general, the current impact of M. pigra infestation on natural habitats is relatively low, as its distribution is only confined to disturbed areas. However, continuous monitoring of this weed species is highly recommended, especially in the riparian zone and wetland habitats.

Fulltext Establishing freeze drying process for cortical and cancellous bone allograft cubes

Ariffin, A.A., Chan, H.H., Yusof, N., Mohd, S., Ng, W.M., Mansor A.

JUMMEC, 2019;22(1):66-71.

MyJurnal

Freeze drying is a dehydration method to dry bone under freezing environment, enabling removal of water
with no or minimial effects on bone strength and durability. Larger size bones obviously require longer freeze
drying time to reduce water content to the required level for long term storage at room temperature. For small
size bone cubes or chips, it is a normal practice to pool cortical and cancellous bones for freeze drying. The
study was aimed at determining if different type of bones of the same size influence the drying time. Human
bone cubes of 10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm were prepared from cortical bone of tibiae and cancellous bone from
femoral heads. The bone cubes were freeze dried to reduce water content to less than 6%. Moisture content
was monitored using gravimetric method.Weight and density of cortical bone were significantly higher than
cancellous bone despite of having similar small size (p

Fulltext Cadaveric Bone Donation amid COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unstoppable Chronicle in Uncharted Waters

Mansor A, Ramalingam S, Yusof N

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Nov;15(3):155-156.

PMID: 34966515 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2111.028

Normative beliefs about aggression as a mediator of narcissistic exploitativeness and cyberbullying

Ang RP, Tan KA, Talib Mansor A

J Interpers Violence, 2011 Sep;26(13):2619-34.

PMID: 21156699 DOI: 10.1177/0886260510388286

The current study examined normative beliefs about aggression as a mediator between narcissistic exploitativeness and cyberbullying using two Asian adolescent samples from Singapore and Malaysia. Narcissistic exploitativeness was significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying and normative beliefs about aggression and normative beliefs about aggression were significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying. Normative beliefs about aggression were a significant partial mediator in both samples; these beliefs about aggression served as one possible mechanism of action by which narcissistic exploitativeness could exert its influence on cyberbullying. Findings extended previous empirical research by showing that such beliefs can be the mechanism of action not only in offline but also in online contexts and across cultures. Cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts should include modification of norms and beliefs supportive of the legitimacy and acceptability of cyberbullying.

Macrosomia is the only reliable predictor of shoulder dystocia in babies weighing 3.5 kg or more

Mansor A, Arumugam K, Omar SZ

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2010 Mar;149(1):44-6.

PMID: 20042263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.12.003

To determine if shoulder dystocia can be predicted in babies born weighing 3.5 kg or more.

Fulltext The distribution of anacardiaceae in teluk bahang forest reserve, pulau pinang

Juperi S, Zakaria R, Mansor A

Trop Life Sci Res, 2012 May;23(1):35-44.

PMID: 24575224 MyJurnal

To investigate the distribution of Anacardiaceae in Teluk Bahang Permanent Forest Reserve (TBPFR) in Pulau Pinang, all trees with a diameter at breast high (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were enumerated in a study site constituting 0.4 ha of the reserve. Seventy five individuals of Anacardiaceae (14% of all trees) are recorded. These individuals represent 4 genera and 5 species, namely, Mangifera pentandra, Mangifera macrocarpa, Gluta elegans, Campnosperma auriculatum and Swintonia floribunda. The mean density of Anacardiaceae within the study plots is 7.50±8.14 (mean±S.D.) per ha whereas the basal area (BA) calculated is 0.97 m(2)/0.40 ha. The importance value (IVi) for Anacardiaceae is 81%. The estimated total aboveground biomass (TAGB) for Anacardiaceae is 24.24 ton/0.40 ha. A total of 333 Anacardiaceae saplings with a DBH < 5 cm are recorded. These saplings have been identified as juveniles of the genera Gluta (9.99%), Swintonia (84.90%) and Mangifera (5.11%).

Fulltext Rattan (Calamoideae) Diversity and Biomass Change in Different Habitat Types During Two Years

Ruppert N, Mansor A, Sah SA

Trop Life Sci Res, 2017 Jan;28(1):33-44.

PMID: 28228915 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.3

Rattans (subfamily Calamoideae) are an important component of the forests of the Old World. However, few studies have been conducted on the distribution of these abundant palms within different habitats, specifically in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was aimed at assessing rattan diversity, abundance and biomass change across two different habitat types, namely, dipterocarp forests and fresh-water swamps within the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve, Perak, within two years. All rattan stems within five 100 m × 100 m sized study plots (A-E) of the two habitat types were counted in 2011 and 2013, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H') and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity indices were calculated. A total of 11 species from 5 genera (161 stems ha(-1)) were sampled. Rattan abundance was higher in all swamp plots; however, rattan diversity (H') was highest in the dipterocarp plot (D: H' (2011)1.79; H' (2013)1.84). Bray-Curtis indices of rattan abundance (highest similarity in swamp: plot BC(2011) 0.484, BC(2013) 0.262) and biomass were highest for study plots with the same vegetation types in both years. For rattan biomass, the most similar plot pairs changed during the years: dipterocarp plots A and D were most similar in 2011 (0.509), and swamp plots B and C were most similar in 2013 (0.282). This study helped contribute information regarding the distribution and dynamics of rattans in a primary rainforest of Peninsular Malaysia.

Fulltext Rattan spines as deterrence? A spinescence study on different species of rattans

Liu K, Mansor A, Ruppert N, Fadzly N

Plant Signal Behav, 2020 10 02;15(10):1795393.

PMID: 32693670 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1795393

Rattan spines are most often regarded as an identification trait and perhaps as a physical protection structure. In this study, we study the spinescence traits from five different species rattan: Daemonorops lewisiana, Daemonorops geniculata, Calamus castaneus, Plectomia griffithii, and Korthalsia scortechinii. We tested length, width, angle, strength, spine density, cross-section surface, spine color, and leaf trichomes (only for D. lewisiana, C. castaneus and D. geniculata). We also tested whether the spines were capable of deterring small climbing mammals (for Plectomia griffithii and Calamus castaneus) by using a choice selection experiment. Due to a variety of spine traits, we could not categorize whether any species is more or less spinescent than the others. We suggest that spines have a much more significant role than merely as a physical defense and work together with other rattan characteristics. This is also evidenced by our choice selection experiment, in which the spines on a single stem donot deter small climbing mammals. However, this is a work in progress, and we have outlined several alternative methods to be used in future work.

Fulltext Knowledge on Bone Banking among Participants in an Orthopaedic Conference: A Preliminary Survey

Mohd S, Yusof N, Ramalingam S, Ng WM, Mansor A

Malays Orthop J, 2017 Jul;11(2):1-6.

PMID: 29021871 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1707.004

Despite increasing use of bone graft in Malaysia, there was still lack of data to quantify knowledge level on bone banking among orthopaedic community who are involved in transplantation related work. Therefore, a survey on awareness in tissue banking specifically bone banking, usage and choice of bone grafts was conducted. From 80 respondents, 82.5% were aware about tissue banking however only 12.5% knew of the existence of tissue banks in Malaysia. Femoral head was the bone allograft most often used as a substitute to autograft. Only 34.8% respondents preferred irradiated bone grafts whilst 46.9% preferred nonirradiated, indicating the need to educate the importance of radiation for sterilising tissues. Exhibition was the most preferred medium for awareness programme to disseminate information about bone banking in the orthopaedic community. The professional awareness is necessary to increase the knowledge on the use of bone graft, hence to increase bone transplantation for musculoskeletal surgeries in the country.

Fulltext Avoiding diagnostic pitfalls in mimics of neoplasia: the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach

Samsudin EZ, Kamarul T, Mansor A

Singapore Med J, 2015 May;56(5):e92-5.

PMID: 26034328 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2015082

Any medical diagnosis should take a multimodal approach, especially those involving tumour-like conditions, as entities that mimic neoplasms have overlapping features and may present detrimental outcomes if they are underdiagnosed. These case reports present diagnostic pitfalls resulting from overdependence on a single diagnostic parameter for three musculoskeletal neoplasm mimics: brown tumour (BT) that was mistaken for giant cell tumour (GCT), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis mistaken for osteosarcoma and a pseudoaneurysm mistaken for a soft tissue sarcoma. Literature reviews revealed five reports of BT simulating GCT, four reports of osteomyelitis mimicking osteosarcoma and five reports of a pseudoaneurysm imitating a soft tissue sarcoma. Our findings highlight the therapeutic dilemmas that arise with musculoskeletal mimics, as well as the importance of thorough investigation to distinguish mimickers from true neoplasms.

Fulltext A preliminary study of biodegradable waste as sorbent material for oil-spill cleanup

Idris J, Eyu GD, Mansor AM, Ahmad Z, Chukwuekezie CS

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:638687.

PMID: 24693241 DOI: 10.1155/2014/638687

Oil spill constitutes a major source of fresh and seawater pollution as a result of accidental discharge from tankers, marine engines, and underwater pipes. Therefore, the need for cost-effective and environmental friendly sorbent materials for oil spill cleanup cannot be overemphasized. The present work focuses on the preliminary study of empty palm fruit bunch fibre as a promising sorbent material. The morphology of the unmodified empty palm fruit bunch, EPFB fibre, was examined using an optical microcopy, scanning electron microcopy coupled with EDX and X-ray diffraction. The effects of oil volume, fibre weight, and time on oil absorption of EPFB fibre were evaluated with new engine oil from the model oil. The results show that EPFB fibre consists of numerous micro pores, hydrophobic, and partially crystalline and amorphous with approximately 13.5% carbon. The oil absorbency of the fibre increased with the increase in oil volume, immersion time, and fibre weight. However, sorption capacity decreased beyond 3 g in 100 mL. Additionally unmodified EPFB fibre showed optimum oil sorption efficiency of approximately 2.8 g/g within three days of immersion time.

Fulltext Differential protein expression between chondrogenic differentiated MSCs, undifferentiated MSCs and adult chondrocytes derived from Oryctolagus cuniculus in vitro

Tay LX, Lim CK, Mansor A, Kamarul T

Int J Med Sci, 2014;11(1):24-33.

PMID: 24396283 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.7244

This preliminary study aims to determine the differentially expressed proteins from chondrogenic differentiated multipotent stromal cells (cMSCs) in comparison to undifferentiated multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) and adult chondrocytes (ACs).

Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for the helophytic plant species Hanguana malayana (Jack) Merr. (Commelinales: Hanguanaceae)

Rahman SN, Mansor A, Boyce PC, Othman AS

J Genet, 2012;91(1):e15-7.

PMID: 22552339

Fulltext Injury Incidence, Patterns, and Risk Factors in Functional Training Athletes in an Asian Population

Cheng TTJ, Mansor A, Lim YZ, Hossain Parash MT

Orthop J Sports Med, 2020 Oct;8(10):2325967120957412.

PMID: 33195710 DOI: 10.1177/2325967120957412

Background: Functional training, also known as CrossFit, is a unique sport that combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning into a single program. There are an estimated 50 functional training centers in Malaysia.

Purpose: To analyze the injury rates, patterns, and risk factors of functional training/CrossFit.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods: Electronic questionnaires were distributed to 244 participants from 15 centers in the country. Descriptive data regarding the athletes, injury occurrence within the past 6 months, injury details, and risk factors were collected.

Results: Of the 244 athletes, 112 (46%) developed at least 1 new injury over the previous 6 months. Injury rates were significantly higher in athletes from nonaffiliate training gyms compared with CrossFit-affiliated gyms, in athletes with previous injuries, and in those who perceived themselves as having more than average fitness.

Conclusion: Coaches and athletes need to be more aware of risk factors for injury to enable safer and better training strategies.

Fulltext Cryptic coloration of Macaranga bancana seedlings: A unique strategy for a pioneer species

Fadzly N, Zuharah WF, Mansor A, Zakaria R

Plant Signal Behav, 2016 07 02;11(7):e1197466.

PMID: 27315145 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2016.1197466

Macaranga bancana is considered as a successful pioneer plant species. Usually found in disturbed and open areas, most of the current research focused on its relations with ants. One of the unique feature of the plants is that the seedling leaves are red, resembling and almost matching the background. Using a portable spectrometer, we measured the color reflectance of M. bancana seedlings (less than 20 cm in height). We also measured the leaf litter reflectance, adult M. bancana leaves and also seedlings of several other species found in the vicinity of M. bancana seedlings. The reflectances of M. bancana seedlings are very similar to that of the leaf litter background. We suggest that this cryptic coloration is crucial during the early stages of the plant when it still cannot rely on the protection of ants.

Effect of differential forest management on land-use change (LUC) in a tropical hill forest of Malaysia

Masum KM, Mansor A, Sah SAM, Lim HS

J Environ Manage, 2017 Sep 15;200:468-474.

PMID: 28618318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.06.009

Forest ownership is considered as a vital aspect for sustainable management of forest and its associated biodiversity. The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 reported that privately owned forest area are increasing on a global scale, but deforestation was found very active in privately owned hill forest areas of Malaysia. Penang State was purposively chosen as it has been experiencing rapid and radical changes due to urban expansion over the last three decades. In this study, analyses of land-use changes were done by PCI Geomatica using Landsat images from 1991 to 2015, future trends of land-use change were assessed using EXCEL forecast function, and its impact on the surrounding environment were conducted by reviewing already published articles on changing environment of the study area. This study revealed an annual deforestation rate of 1.4% in Penang Island since 1991. Trend analysis forecasted a forest area smaller than the current forest reserves by the year 2039. Impact analysis revealed a rapid biodiversity loss with increasing landslides, mudflows, water pollution, flash flood, and health hazard. An immediate ban over hill-land development is crucial for overall environmental safety.

Quantifying the ultrastructure changes of air-dried and irradiated human amniotic membrane using atomic force microscopy: a preliminary study

Mohd S, Ghazali MI, Yusof N, Sulaiman S, Ramalingam S, Kamarul T, et al.

Cell Tissue Bank, 2018 Dec;19(4):613-622.

PMID: 30056604 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-018-9711-4

Air-dried and sterilized amnion has been widely used as a dressing to treat burn and partial thickness wounds. Sterilisation at the standard dose of 25 kGy was reported to cause changes in the morphological structure as observed under the scanning electron microscope. This study aimed to quantify the changes in the ultrastructure of the air-dried amnion after gamma-irradiated at several doses by using atomic force microscope. Human placentae were retrieved from mothers who had undergone cesarean elective surgery. Amnion separated from chorion was processed and air-dried for 16 h. It was cut into 10 × 10 mm, individually packed and exposed to gamma irradiation at 5, 15, 25 and 35 kGy. Changes in the ultrastructural images of the amnion were quantified in term of diameter of the epithelial cells, size of the intercellular gap and membrane surface roughness. The longest diameter of the amnion cells reduced significantly after radiation (p

Does bone marrow aspirate help enhance the integration of gamma irradiated allograft bone?

Thong FY, Mansor A, Ramalingam S, Yusof N

Cell Tissue Bank, 2020 Mar;21(1):107-117.

PMID: 31894432 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-019-09804-4

Bone allografts donated by other individuals offer a viable alternative to autograft. Risks of disease transmission are overcome by sterilizing the bone; unfortunately sterilization methods generally affect bone functional properties including osteogenic potential and biomechanical integrity. This study aimed to determine any enhancement effect when gamma sterilised allografts was impregnated with autologous bone marrow in improving the rate and quality of integration in metaphyseal-tibial defects of rabbits. Almost all subjects showed 50% of the defect being covered by new bones by the third week and smaller residual defect size in the treated group at the fifth week. Hounsfield units at the defect site showed increasing healing in all samples, with the treated group having an apparent advantage although insignificant (p > 0.05). In the histopathological score evaluating healing over cortical and cancellous bone at the fracture site showed only slight variations between the groups (p > 0.05). Therefore no enhanced healing by the autologous bone marrow was observed when added to the bone allografts in treating the unicortical defects.

The Invasive Plant Impatiens glandulifera Manipulates Microbial Associates of Competing Native Species

Ab Razak N, Gange AC, Sutton BC, Mansor A

Plants (Basel), 2023 Apr 04;12(7).

PMID: 37050178 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071552

Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe and can seriously reduce native plant diversity. It often forms continuous monocultures along river banks, but the mechanisms of this arrested succession are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on balsam competitive ability with two native plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. We also studied how competition with Impatiens affects colonisation by foliar endophytes and mycorrhizas of two other co-occurring native species, Urtica dioica and Cirsium arvense. Mycorrhizal colonisation reduced balsam growth when the plants were grown singly, but appeared to have little effect when balsam experienced intra- or interspecific competition. Competition with balsam together with the addition of mycorrhizas had no effect on P. lanceolata biomass, suggesting that the fungi were beneficial to the latter, enabling it to compete effectively with balsam. However, this was not so with H. lanatus. Meanwhile, competition with Impatiens reduced endophyte numbers and mycorrhizal colonisation in U. dioica and C. arvense, leading to enhanced susceptibility of these plants to insect attack. Himalayan balsam is known to degrade soil fungal populations and can also reduce foliar beneficial fungi in neighbouring plants. This allows the plant to compete effectively with itself and other native species, thereby leading to the continuous monocultures.

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 41 in total