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Fulltext The Impact of the Teaching of Ethics in a Medical and Allied Health Sciences Curriculum in International Islamic University Malaysia

Naznin, M, Abdul Rahman, S., Ariff, O., Ahmad Mansur, M, Kasule, O.H.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2008;7(1):0-0.
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Background: The approach to the teaching of ethics and professionalism in the Faculty of Medicine (FM) of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is unique. A specifically designed package is incorporated designated as the Islamic Input into the Medical Programme (IIMP). The IIMP spans over the entire 5 years of the medical programme. In the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS) students do not go through a similar Islamic Input module but exposed to ethical issues specific to health sciences. Method: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the teaching of ethics through the IIMP. A cross-sectional study was conducted in medical and allied health sciences faculties of IIUM. In total 259 students volunteered and were allocated to 4 groups, Years 2 and 5 students of FM and Years 2 and 4 of FAHS. A set of questionnaire consisting of 20 vignettes related to medical ethics was distributed to all students. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean total scores between the groups. Results: A significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen between the mean total scores for the Year 2 and Year 5 students of FM; Year 2 students of FM and Year 2 students of FAHS; and between the Year 5 students of FM and Year 4 students of FAHS. Also there was significant difference between the two medical and allied health sciences groups as a whole. Discussion: This study suggests that the IIMP of the IIUM has a positive impact on the medical students when dealing with ethical issues. The Year 5 medical students were expected to have obtained a higher mean total score. The probable reason for the lower mean total score include the teaching-learning approach utilized which is mainly lecture with minimal small group approach. Also the allocation of marks for medical ethics in summative assessment in the IIUM medical curriculum is minimal compared to the core medical subjects which would have some influence on the weight given by students. Conclusion: The Medical Faculty of IIUM believes that the approach to the teaching of medical ethics by incorporating the Islamic Input module is effective, practical and relevant. However the teaching-learning method and the assessment will have to be re-addressed to achieve greater impact.
Serum lipid profiles in Malay mothers and neonates: a cross-sectional study

Choo KE, Davis TM, Mansur MA, Azman E, Achana S

J Paediatr Child Health, 1996 Oct;32(5):428-32.
PMID: 8933405

OBJECTIVE: Preliminary epidemiological data suggest that dyslipidaemia contributes significantly to rising mortality due to atherosclerosis in Peninsular Malays. The aim of this study was to determine whether abnormal serum lipid profiles are present at birth in this population.
METHODOLOGY: The patients were 487 non-diabetic Malay women who had an uncomplicated antenatal course and delivered healthy singleton babies at term. Cord blood and maternal post-partum venous blood samples were taken for assay of serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations using standard enzymatic methods.
RESULTS: Maternal total serum cholesterol concentrations (mean +/- SD; 7.5 +/- 2.5 mmol/L) were higher than in other reported series (range of published means 5.2-6.5 mmol/L) with a correspondingly low high-density lipoprotein (HDL): total cholesterol ratio. The mean cord blood total serum cholesterol (1.7 +/- 1.0 mmol/L) was consistent with previously reported population means (1.5-1.9 mmol/L) but there was a relatively high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and depressed HDL: cholesterol ratio. Significant correlations between maternal and neonatal serum total (P = 0.038) and especially HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) were observed. Maternal and cord blood serum triglyceride levels were comparable to those in other series.
CONCLUSIONS: These cross-sectional data provide evidence that abnormal serum cholesterol profiles are found in pregnant Malay women and their neonates which may have implications for the prevalence of macrovascular disease in the Malay population.
Fulltext Differential expression of galectin-3 in advancing thyroid cancer cells: a clue toward understanding tumour progression and metastasis

Htwe TT, Karim N, Wong J, Jahanfar S, Mansur MA

Singapore Med J, 2010 Nov;51(11):856-9.
PMID: 21140111

INTRODUCTION: Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family that plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion and in cell-to-matrix interaction. Cellular expression of galectin-3 is correlated with cancer aggressiveness and metastasis.
METHODS: We examined the differential expression of galectin-3 in a collection of 142 cases of thyroid lesions, including 108 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 34 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCA). An immunohistochemical method was applied and semiquantitative scoring was performed on the staining intensity of the positive tissue. Scoring was done on cells at the central portion of the tumour foci and on cells at the periphery that were adjacent to the neighbouring normal thyroid tissue matrix.
RESULTS: A significantly higher expression (p is 0.001) of galectin-3 was observed in the advancing peripheral thyroid cancer cells compared to the centrally located cells that were not in close contact with the neighbouring stromal tissue in cases with PTC compared to those with FCA.
CONCLUSION: This finding supported the role of galectin-3 in its cell-to-cell adhesion and cell-to-matrix interaction. Galectin-3 is a potential tumour marker for indicating local and distance metastasis, especially in cases with PTC.
Helicobacter pylori infection in north-eastern peninsular Malaysia. Evidence for an unusually low prevalence

Uyub AM, Raj SM, Visvanathan R, Nazim M, Aiyar S, Anuar AK, et al.

Scand. J. Gastroenterol., 1994 Mar;29(3):209-13.
PMID: 8209178

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was determined in peptic ulcer patients, in non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) patients, and in the general adult population. The H. pylori infection rate ascertained by microbiologic examination of multiple gastric antral biopsy specimens was 50% (17 of 34) in duodenal ulcer (DU), 5% (1 of 22) in gastric ulcer, and 9% (15 of 159) in NUD patients. A seroepidemiologic survey showed a prevalence of only 4.2% among 496 blood donors and 4.8% among 921 subjects who attended health screening clinics. H. pylori infection is relatively uncommon and does not appear to be the predominant factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease in the area. The incidence of peptic ulcer perforations in the area in 1991-92 was 1.5 per 100,000 person-years, reflecting a relatively low frequency of peptic ulcers, which might be due to the low prevalence of H. pylori infection in the population.
Fulltext Acute pancreatitis in north-eastern peninsular Malaysia: an unusual demographic and aetiological pattern

Raj SM, Lopez D, Thambidorai CR, Kandasamy P, Toufeeq Khan TF, Mohamad H, et al.

Singapore Med J, 1995 Aug;36(4):371-4.
PMID: 8919148

A survey of 142 cases of acute pancreatitis was undertaken in two major hospitals serving the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Females outnumbered males by a ratio of more than 3:1. The incidence among females peaked in the third decade of life. Twenty-one percent (23/109) of the females were pregnant. Ultrasonography revealed gallstones in only 9.4% (13/138). However, abnormalities of serum transaminases were found in 35% (35/100), suggesting that occult gallstones or microlithiasis may be the cause in a significant proportion of patients. Alcohol was virtually absent as an aetiological factor. There was a higher frequency of Ascaris infection in this group than a control hospital population (11/35 vs 33/242; p < 0.02) suggesting that ascariasis may be an important cause of acute pancreatitis in Kelantan. Only 8.4% fell into the category of severe pancreatitis. The overall mortality rate was 2.1%.
Fulltext Absence of Apo B R3500Q Mutation among Kelantanese Malays with Hyperlipidaemia

Kyi WM, Isa MN, Rashid FA, Osman JM, Mansur MA

Malays J Med Sci, 2000 Jan;7(1):16-21.
PMID: 22844210

Familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with hypercholesterolaemia and premature coronary heart disease. FDB is caused by mutations in and around the codon 3500 of the apolipoprotein B (apo B) gene. Apo B R3500Q mutation is the first apo B mutation known to be associated with FDB and it is the most frequently reported apo B mutation in several different populations. The objective of the present study was to determine the association of apo B R3500Q mutation with elevated plasma cholesterol concentration in Kelantanese population in which both hypercholesterolaemia and coronary heart disease are common. Sixty-two Malay subjects with hyperlipidaemia, attending the lipid clinic at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, were selected for this study. The DNA samples were analysed for the presence of apo B R3500Q mutation by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment analysis method using mutagenic primers. This mutation was not detected in the subjects selected for this study. Apo B R3500Q mutation does not appear to be a common cause of hypercholesterolaemia in Kelantanese Malays.
Fulltext Students' acceptance to distance learning during Covid-19: the role of geographical areas among Indonesian sports science students

Syahruddin S, Mohd Yaakob MF, Rasyad A, Widodo AW, Sukendro S, Suwardi S, et al.

Heliyon, 2021 Sep;7(9):e08043.
PMID: 34611566 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08043

This study was conducted to investigate the perspectives of sports science students on factors affecting distance learning in the setting of Indonesian higher education institutions (HEIs). This study proposed an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with eight variables; experience, enjoyment, self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, intention to use, and actual use. An online survey was used to collect data from 1291 respondents. The structural model was examined through the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The multi-group analysis (MGA) was conducted to understand the role of geographical areas in moderating all hypothetical relationships. The findings show that the respondents were not excited about online learning due to weak means (below 3) for most items of five variables; enjoyment, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use. All relationships were supported except the relationship between experience and perceived usefulness. The strongest significant relationship emerged between intention to use and actual use. Meanwhile, the least significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and perceived usefulness. Three out of 12 hypotheses were confirmed regarding the differences of geographical areas (rural and urban) regarding all relationship paths. The findings add to a deeper understanding of the acceptability of distance learning during pandemics like COVID-19.
Fulltext Analysing the Predictors of Financial Stress and Financial Well-Being among the Bottom 40 Percent (B40) Households in Malaysia

Mansor M, Sabri MF, Mansur M, Ithnin M, Magli AS, Husniyah AR, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Sep 30;19(19).
PMID: 36231802 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912490

This paper aims to analyse factors affecting financial stress among the Bottom 40 Percent (B40) group of Malaysian households, reflecting overall financial well-being. Data were collected through questionnaires from 1008 respondents across five major regions in Malaysia. The data were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This study provides evidence that financial behaviour, financial vulnerability (debt and income), and locus of control (luck and self-confidence) significantly affect financial stress among B40 households. The results show a significantly positive relationship between financial stress with financial vulnerability (debt and income) and locus of control (self-confidence). On the contrary, financial behaviour and locus of control (luck) show a significant negative relationship with financial stress. The result also indicates that financial stress affects financial well-being. Overall, the findings indicate that policy-makers should invent more effective and substantial stimulus packages or other measures to reduce the financial burden on B40 households. The findings could eventually provide insights for future research to delve into the social impact of financial stress. This study also has established a valid and reliable instrument to measure financial stress involving B40 households in Malaysia that eventually reflects the financial well-being of this group of people.