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Fulltext Criteria towards achieving sustainable construction through implementation of environmental management plan (EMP)

Rashidi, M. N., Begum, R. A., Mokhtar, M., Pereira, J. J.

Journal of Advanced Review on Scientific Research, 2014;1(1):43-64.
MyJurnal

Malaysia is experiencing an encouraging socio-economic development, especially in its
quest towards Vision 2020 and achieving the status as a developed country. The success can be
attributed to the government’s efforts and commitment in developing projects, which include the
construction of new townships and public infrastructures. Through the implementation of
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) during the construction phase, the government has taken
great efforts and initiatives to ensure that construction projects are well-developed in a sustainable
manner. Unfortunately, these rapid physical developments affect and pollute the surrounding
environment, even though EMP is implemented at the construction site. The effectiveness of
sustainable construction methods in the plan has been found to be very limited in the actual industrial
practice. Hence, this paper aims to determine the important criteria needed to be incorporated into
EMP in enhancing and ensuring its effectiveness in managing environmental aspects during the
construction stage.
Fulltext Implementation of data analysis using rasch measurement model for determining the weights of items

M. N. Rashidi, Ara Begum, R., M. Mokhtar, Pereira, J. J.

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2014;2(1):1-9.
MyJurnal

Acquisition of adequate and meaningful research data, as well as the appropriate analysis
is important in ensuring the strategic direction and objectives of the study are well achieved. Data
analysis is an important element in any study. Good data analysis is obtained from the study that is
carefully planned based on an appropriate design, as well as the approach that is used in the process
of analysing the data. The objective of the study to be conducted is to determine the weight of criteria
for sustainable construction. Therefore, the right selection of data analysis is very important to ensure
that the objectives are successfully achieved. This manuscript writing presents the description of the
data analysis used in this study, by applying the Rasch measurement model to meet the objective. In
addition, by using this measurement model, the importance of calibrating the measurement instruments
are also highlighted, which involves separating the misfit raw data through the analysis to ensure
statistically more accurate analytical results. Evaluation of the quality of the technical aspects for each
of the involved item is very important in the measurement model. The analysis will be able to improve the reliability of the items which could indirectly serve the purpose of calibrating the instrument to
ensure a more accurate measurement to produce a meaningful research.
Fulltext The conduct of structured interviews as research implementation method

Nor Rashidi, M., Mokhtar, M., Pereira, J. J., Begum, R. Ara

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2014;1(1):28-34.
MyJurnal

Selection of a suitable and appropriate method is an important aspect in ensuring successful
implementation of a research. The proposed study aims to obtain weights for sustainable construction
criteria from the input and perception of industrial practitioner, and also to explore their opinion on
the criteria. Therefore, the selection and use of study implementation method will determine the
direction of the study whether the intended objectives can be achieved. This manuscript writing presents
the description of the structured interview used to obtain and collect the required data. The suitability
and implementation of the methods have been described in this study, in which the ultimate aim of its
application is to ensure that the collected data is meaningful to the study.
Fulltext Is Google search a useful medical diagnostic tool for third year medical students?

Nalliah S, Pereira J, Lim ST, Jayasingam V, Phang GG

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2015;9(3):33-37.
MyJurnal

In recent years, the internet has become an increasingly popular tool for people to obtain information due to the overwhelming availability of material. As internet access becomes more readily available, the newer generation of patients, medical students and doctors are starting to prefer the internet as a source of reference to acquire medical knowledge. The main objectives of this study were to determine the accuracy of using Google search in establishing a clinical diagnosis based on information provided from the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and to determine the concordance rate of Google diagnosis with the actual diagnosis from NEJM.
Predictors associated with the willingness to take human papilloma virus vaccination

Naing C, Pereira J, Abe T, Eh Zhen Wei D, Rahman Bajera IB, Kavinda Perera UH

J Community Health, 2012 Apr;37(2):288-93.
PMID: 21928103 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-011-9473-4

Human papilloma virus vaccine is considered to be the primary form of cervical cancer prevention. The objectives were (1) to determine knowledge about, and perception of human papilloma virus infection in relation to cervical cancer, (2) to explore the intention of the community to be vaccinated with human papilloma virus vaccine, and (3) to identify variables that could predict the likelihood of uptake of the vaccine. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a semi-urban Town of Malaysia, using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Summary statistics, Pearson chi-square test and a binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. A total of 232 respondents were interviewed. Overall, only a few had good knowledge related to human papilloma virus (14%) or vaccination (8%). Many had misconceptions that it could be transmitted through blood transfusion (57%). Sixty percent had intention to take vaccination. In the binary logistic model, willingness to take vaccination was significant with 'trusts that vaccination would be effective for prevention of cervical cancer' (P = 0.001), 'worries for themselves' (P < 0.001) or 'their family members' (P = 0.003) and 'being Indian ethnicity' (P = 0.024). The model could fairly predict the likelihood of uptake of the vaccine (Cox & Snell R(2) = .415; Nagelkerke R(2) = 0.561). Results indicate that intensive health education dispelling misconception and risk perception towards human papilloma virus infection and cervical cancer would be helpful to increase the acceptability of vaccination program.
Fulltext Disease Progression of WHIM Syndrome in an International Cohort of 66 Pediatric and Adult Patients

Geier CB, Ellison M, Cruz R, Pawar S, Leiss-Piller A, Zmajkovicova K, et al.

J Clin Immunol, 2022 Nov;42(8):1748-1765.
PMID: 35947323 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-022-01312-7

Warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome (WS) is a combined immunodeficiency caused by gain-of-function mutations in the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) gene. We characterize a unique international cohort of 66 patients, including 57 (86%) cases previously unreported, with variable clinical phenotypes. Of 17 distinct CXCR4 genetic variants within our cohort, 11 were novel pathogenic variants affecting 15 individuals (23%). All variants affect the same CXCR4 region and impair CXCR4 internalization resulting in hyperactive signaling. The median age of diagnosis in our cohort (5.5 years) indicates WHIM syndrome can commonly present in childhood, although some patients are not diagnosed until adulthood. The prevalence and mean age of recognition and/or onset of clinical manifestations within our cohort were infections 88%/1.6 years, neutropenia 98%/3.8 years, lymphopenia 88%/5.0 years, and warts 40%/12.1 years. However, we report greater prevalence and variety of autoimmune complications of WHIM syndrome (21.2%) than reported previously. Patients with versus without family history of WHIM syndrome were diagnosed earlier (22%, average age 1.3 years versus 78%, average age 5 years, respectively). Patients with a family history of WHIM syndrome also received earlier treatment, experienced less hospitalization, and had less end-organ damage. This observation reinforces previous reports that early treatment for WHIM syndrome improves outcomes. Only one patient died; death was attributed to complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The variable expressivity of WHIM syndrome in pediatric patients delays their diagnosis and therapy. Early-onset bacterial infections with severe neutropenia and/or lymphopenia should prompt genetic testing for WHIM syndrome, even in the absence of warts.
Fulltext Global validation of the WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections: a prospective multicentre study (WISS Study)

Sartelli M, Abu-Zidan FM, Catena F, Griffiths EA, Di Saverio S, Coimbra R, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2015;10:61.
PMID: 26677396 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-015-0055-0

BACKGROUND: To validate a new practical Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) including the clinical conditions at the admission (severe sepsis/septic shock), the origin of the cIAIs, the delay in source control, the setting of acquisition and any risk factors such as age and immunosuppression.
METHODS: The WISS study (WSES cIAIs Score Study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 132 medical institutions worldwide during a four-month study period (October 2014-February 2015). Four thousand five hundred thirty-three patients with a mean age of 51.2 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the WISS study.
RESULTS: Univariate analysis has shown that all factors that were previously included in the WSES Sepsis Severity Score were highly statistically significant between those who died and those who survived (p
Fulltext Physiological parameters for Prognosis in Abdominal Sepsis (PIPAS) Study: a WSES observational study

Sartelli M, Abu-Zidan FM, Labricciosa FM, Kluger Y, Coccolini F, Ansaloni L, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2019;14:34.
PMID: 31341511 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-019-0253-2

Background: Timing and adequacy of peritoneal source control are the most important pillars in the management of patients with acute peritonitis. Therefore, early prognostic evaluation of acute peritonitis is paramount to assess the severity and establish a prompt and appropriate treatment. The objectives of this study were to identify clinical and laboratory predictors for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute peritonitis and to develop a warning score system, based on easily recognizable and assessable variables, globally accepted.
Methods: This worldwide multicentre observational study included 153 surgical departments across 56 countries over a 4-month study period between February 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018.
Results: A total of 3137 patients were included, with 1815 (57.9%) men and 1322 (42.1%) women, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range [IQR] 28-66). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 8.9%, with a median length of stay of 6 days (IQR 4-10). Using multivariable logistic regression, independent variables associated with in-hospital mortality were identified: age > 80 years, malignancy, severe cardiovascular disease, severe chronic kidney disease, respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min, systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg, AVPU responsiveness scale (voice and unresponsive), blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2) < 90% in air, platelet count < 50,000 cells/mm3, and lactate > 4 mmol/l. These variables were used to create the PIPAS Severity Score, a bedside early warning score for patients with acute peritonitis. The overall mortality was 2.9% for patients who had scores of 0-1, 22.7% for those who had scores of 2-3, 46.8% for those who had scores of 4-5, and 86.7% for those who have scores of 7-8.
Conclusions: The simple PIPAS Severity Score can be used on a global level and can help clinicians to identify patients at high risk for treatment failure and mortality.
Fulltext Estimating global injuries morbidity and mortality: methods and data used in the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study

James SL, Castle CD, Dingels ZV, Fox JT, Hamilton EB, Liu Z, et al.

Inj Prev, 2020 Oct;26(Supp 1):i125-i153.
PMID: 32839249 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043531

BACKGROUND: While there is a long history of measuring death and disability from injuries, modern research methods must account for the wide spectrum of disability that can occur in an injury, and must provide estimates with sufficient demographic, geographical and temporal detail to be useful for policy makers. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study used methods to provide highly detailed estimates of global injury burden that meet these criteria.
METHODS: In this study, we report and discuss the methods used in GBD 2017 for injury morbidity and mortality burden estimation. In summary, these methods included estimating cause-specific mortality for every cause of injury, and then estimating incidence for every cause of injury. Non-fatal disability for each cause is then calculated based on the probabilities of suffering from different types of bodily injury experienced.
RESULTS: GBD 2017 produced morbidity and mortality estimates for 38 causes of injury. Estimates were produced in terms of incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, cause-specific mortality, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life-years for a 28-year period for 22 age groups, 195 countries and both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS: GBD 2017 demonstrated a complex and sophisticated series of analytical steps using the largest known database of morbidity and mortality data on injuries. GBD 2017 results should be used to help inform injury prevention policy making and resource allocation. We also identify important avenues for improving injury burden estimation in the future.
Fulltext Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

James SL, Castle CD, Dingels ZV, Fox JT, Hamilton EB, Liu Z, et al.

Inj Prev, 2020 10;26(Supp 1):i96-i114.
PMID: 32332142 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043494

BACKGROUND: Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries.
METHODS: We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
FINDINGS: In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505).
INTERPRETATION: Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.