MyMedR

Human behavior state profile mapping based on recalibrated speech affective space model

Kamaruddin N, Wahab A

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2012;2012:2021-4.

PMID: 23366315 DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346354

People typically associate health with only physical health. However, health is also interconnected to mental and emotional health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their behaviors and experience better quality of life. Hence, understanding human behavior is very important in ensuring the complete understanding of one's holistic health. In this paper, we attempt to map human behavior state (HBS) profiles onto recalibrated speech affective space model (rSASM). Such an approach is derived from hypotheses that: 1) Behavior is influenced by emotion, 2) Emotion can be quantified through speech, 3) Emotion is dynamic and changes over time and 4) the emotion conveyance is conditioned by culture. Empirical results illustrated that the proposed approach can complement other types of behavior analysis in such a way that it offers more explanatory components from the perspective of emotion primitives (valence and arousal). Four different driving HBS; namely: distracted, laughing, sleepy and normal are profiled onto the rSASM to visualize the correlation between HBS and emotion. This approach can be incorporated in the future behavior analysis to envisage better performance.

Fulltext Correlation of rheumatoid factor serotypes and computed tomography findings in rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease

Sakthiswary R., Radhika S., Syahrul Sazliyana, S., Abdul Wahab, A.

Medicine & Health, 2019;14(2):203-211.

MyJurnal

The most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is interstitial lung disease (ILD). RA related ILD (RA-ILD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the rheumatoid factor (RF) serotypes and the severity of RA-ILD based on computed tomography (CT) findings. We recruited a total of 100 RA patients who were tested for IgA RF, IgG RF and IgM RF and had high resolution CT chest performed. Seventy-two patients had ILD changes on HRCT of the chest and were included in this study. We found that the the CT scores for ground glass showed significant positive correlation with disease duration and IgA RF levels whereas the fibrosis scores had significant relationship with multiple clinical covariates i.e age, disease duration, IgA RF levels, IgG RF levels and anti-CCP levels. On multivariate analysis, only IgA levels remained significantly (p

Fulltext Morphological characterization of Haemonchus contortus in goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) in Penang, Malaysia

Rahman WA, Abd Hamid S

Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):23-7.

PMID: 17568374 MyJurnal

The large stomach worm, Haemonchus contortus is an important pathogen of goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries). This paper describes characteristics of surface cuticular ridges (synlophe) of H. contortus adults from the two hosts. There were more ridges in H. contortus from goats compared to that from sheep. Total body length, vulvar morphology, spicule length and cervical papillae had been considered as markers of physical adaptation and were studied and described.

Fulltext Prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis in Perak State, peninsular Malaysia

Rahman WA, Ning CH, Chandrawathani P

Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):13-8.

PMID: 20562808 MyJurnal

The Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and thin blood smears were conducted to establish the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs presented for treatment by pet owners at five private and one government veterinary clinic. Results showed that 15% of the dogs were positive for the parasite via IFAT, but none using blood smears. However, infected dogs did not show severe clinical symptoms of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME).

Fulltext COVID-19 pandemic and the changing views of mobility: the case of Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor

Wahab A, Hamidi M

Comp Migr Stud, 2022;10(1):44.

PMID: 36340579 DOI: 10.1186/s40878-022-00320-1

For decades, Malaysia has been heavily dependent on unskilled and temporarily contracted migrant workers to fulfil labour gaps in the country. While Malaysia's economy continues to rely on migrant workers, the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated their precarious working and living conditions. In-depth interviews with Nepali migrant workers and community leaders in Malaysia and Nepal in 2021 revealed the incidence of labour rights violations, compounded by the lack of access to justice and effective remedies. Besides, workers are allegedly no longer benefiting from the competitive wages, subsequently limiting the value of their remittance to Nepal. We argue that these incidents serve as the drivers of the changing views of mobility, eventually influencing the emigration environment in which the social construction of migration exists in Nepal. This study examines the migratory realities in the Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor during the pandemic, subsequently contributing to current debate on the aspiration-ability model as a class of research.

Fulltext Comparative seroprevalences of bovine trypanosomiasis and anaplasmosis in five states of Malaysia

Rahman WA, Fong S, Chandrawathani P, Nurulaini R, Zaini CM, Premalaatha B

Trop Biomed, 2012 Mar;29(1):65-70.

PMID: 22543604 MyJurnal

A comparative seroprevalence study on bovine trypanosomiasis and anaplasmosis was conducted. Sera of adult cattle and buffaloes of different breeds from farms from five different states in Malaysia were collected and tested for the presence of Trypanosoma evansi antibodies by CATT and Anaplasma marginale antibodies by c-ELISA. Of the 116 samples, 14.7% tested positive for bovine trypanosomiasis and 77.6% for bovine anaplasmosis.

Fulltext Solitary mesenteric vascular anomaly presenting as acute abdomen

Thambidorai CR, Wahab A, Hamzaini AH

J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg, 2008 Jul;13(3):115-7.

PMID: 20011488 DOI: 10.4103/0971-9261.43820

A 4-year-old girl with a solitary vascular anomaly of the mesentery presented with acute lower abdominal pain. Despite the use of ultrasound, computed tomography scan and image-guided core biopsies, the lesion was initially mistaken for an inflammatory intra-abdominal mass. The correct diagnosis was made at laparotomy. Solitary vascular anomaly of the mesentery is rare and its presentation as an acute abdomen has not been reported before.

Two dimensional affective state distribution of the brain under emotion stimuli

Yaacob H, Karim I, Wahab A, Kamaruddin N

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2012;2012:6052-5.

PMID: 23367309 DOI: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6347374

Emotions are ambiguous. Many techniques have been employed to perform emotion prediction and to understand emotional elicitations. Brain signals measured using electroencephalogram (EEG) are also used in studies about emotions. Using KDE as feature extraction technique and MLP for performing supervised learning on the brain signals. It has shown that all channels in EEG can capture emotional experience. In addition it was also indicated that emotions are dynamic as represented by the level of valence and the intensity of arousal. Such findings are useful in biomedical studies, especially in dealing with emotional disorders which can results in using a two-channel EEG device for neurofeedback applications.

Relationship between Breteau and House indices and cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sulaiman S, Pawanchee ZA, Arifin Z, Wahab A

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 1996 Sep;12(3 Pt 1):494-6.

PMID: 8887232

The relationship between the Breteau index, the House index, and the occurrence of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 6 zones of Kuala Lumpur was studied throughout 1994. Cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever varied between zones and between months, ranging from 0 to 21 cases. In most of the zones in Kuala Lumpur, the occurrence of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever has no relationship with the Breteau and House indices. Cases of dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever occurred in all zones despite the low Breteau and House indices.

Fulltext On the parasitic fauna of two species of anurans collected from Sungai Pinang, Penang Island, Malaysia

Wahab AR, Andy Tan WA, Intan S

Trop Biomed, 2008 Aug;25(2):160-5.

PMID: 18948888

A total of fifty anurans, comprising of Rana limnocharis and Bufo melanostictus were collected from Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang. The prevalence, mean intensity and distribution of parasite species along the digestive tract were reported. Seven species of parasites were recorded. Blood parasites recovered were trypansomes and microfilariae.

The recognition of anti-nuclear antibody's dense fine speckled pattern and the detection of anti-DFS70 antibodies in the laboratory practice: Its prevalence and clinical significance

Wahab AA, Jauhary EJ, Ding CH

Malays J Pathol, 2023 Aug;45(2):157-173.

PMID: 37658526

Anti-nuclear antibody test (ANA) is the test commonly requested for the working diagnosis of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) particularly in ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARDs) such as SLE, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren syndrome, mixed connective tissue diseases, and dermatomyositis. Dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern is an ANA fluorescence pattern that is commonly encountered in laboratories. This pattern is largely detected among the healthy population and in non-SARDs patients. Although this pattern is still can be observed among SARDs patients, the low prevalence of monospecific or isolated anti-DFS70 antibodies makes it useful for ruling out AARDs diagnosis. Thus, the inclusion of anti-DFS70 antibodies is perhaps logical for the exclusion of SARDs/AARDs. This review provides evidence of the prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies in different populations including healthy individuals, patients with SARDs and non- SARDs. The algorithm that includes the detection of anti-DFS70 antibodies during ANA screening is also suggested.

Fulltext Case series of syphilis and HIV co-infections

Abdul Wahab A, Rahman MM, Mohammad M, Hussin S

Pak J Med Sci, 2013 May;29(3):856-8.

PMID: 24353643

Syphilis and HIV co-infection are indeed dangerous combinations. The present communication describes three different cases of syphilis and HIV co-infection in young men. The first case is a 25-year-old medical graduate with a primary and secondary syphilis lesions at time of presentation. The second case is a 24-year-old government officer with right eye posterior uveitis where the serology tests for syphilis were reactive. His HIV tests were also positive. The final case is a 25-year-old homosexual who was admitted to the medical ward because of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The HIV and syphilis serology tests were noted to be positive.

Fulltext Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody is a good indicator for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

Abdul Wahab A, Mohammad M, Rahman MM, Mohamed Said MS

Pak J Med Sci, 2013 May;29(3):773-7.

PMID: 24353626

Objectives: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody has recently been used in the classification
of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This antibody is more specific than rheumatoid factor (RF) for the diagnosis of RA. The study objectives were to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of anti-CCP in RA diagnosis.
Methodology: Eighty RA patients and 80 non-RA individuals were included in the study. Blood was collected from both arms of study subjects and tested for anti-CCP and RF antibodies. Relevant clinical information and laboratory profiles of the RA patients were evaluated using patients’ medical records and Integrated Laboratory Management System (ILMS), respectively.
Results: The sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP were 35% and 100% respectively. The positive and
negative predictive values were 100% and 61%, respectively. Positive anti-CCP was found significantly
associated with multiple joint pain (p < 0.001) and hand’s joints pain (p=0.01), symmetrical joints
involvement (p=0.015) and high CRP value (p < 0.001). Anti-CCP was also found to have positive association with RF (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Anti-CCP is highly specific for the diagnosis of RA. High positive predictive value should be taken into consideration for effective treatment.
KEY WORD: Rheumatoid arthritis, anti-CCP, Rheumatoid factor, Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative predictive value.
Study site: Rheumatology Unit, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fulltext Neural network modelling of the influence of channelopathies on reflex visual attention

Gravier A, Quek C, Duch W, Wahab A, Gravier-Rymaszewska J

Cogn Neurodyn, 2016 Feb;10(1):49-72.

PMID: 26834861 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-015-9365-x

This paper introduces a model of Emergent Visual Attention in presence of calcium channelopathy (EVAC). By modelling channelopathy, EVAC constitutes an effort towards identifying the possible causes of autism. The network structure embodies the dual pathways model of cortical processing of visual input, with reflex attention as an emergent property of neural interactions. EVAC extends existing work by introducing attention shift in a larger-scale network and applying a phenomenological model of channelopathy. In presence of a distractor, the channelopathic network's rate of failure to shift attention is lower than the control network's, but overall, the control network exhibits a lower classification error rate. The simulation results also show differences in task-relative reaction times between control and channelopathic networks. The attention shift timings inferred from the model are consistent with studies of attention shift in autistic children.

Fulltext Serum Pyridinoline is Associated With Radiographic Joint Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nor Hashimah AMM, Sakthiswary R, Shaharir SS, Wahab A

Arch Rheumatol, 2019 Dec;34(4):387-394.

PMID: 32010887 DOI: 10.5606/ArchRheumatol.2019.7243

Objectives: This study aims to compare the serum pyridinoline (Pyd) levels between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls and to determine the correlation of serum Pyd levels with radiographic joint erosions.

Patients and methods: Serum samples were obtained from 48 patients with RA (9 males, 39 females; mean age 60.5 years; range 54 to 64 years) and 48 healthy controls (9 males, 39 females; mean age 57.5 years; range, 47 to 65 years). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used for quantitative analysis of serum Pyd. Besides, all RA patients were assessed for joint damage based on modified Sharp score, disease activity based on disease activity score in 28 joints and functional capacity based on health assessment questionnaire-disability index.

Results: The median serum Pyd levels were significantly higher among the RA patients (110.20 ng/mL [92.30-120.64]) compared to the controls (98.22 ng/mL [85.54-111.41]); p<0.05. RA patients with erosive disease had significantly higher serum Pyd levels (p=0.024). There was a significant positive correlation between serum Pyd levels and joint erosion score (r=0.285, p=0.049). The serum Pyd levels had no demonstrable association with disease activity or functional capacity. Steroid therapy did not appear to influence the levels of serum Pyd.

Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis patients had significantly higher levels of serum Pyd compared to healthy controls. The serum Pyd levels had significant correlation with radiographic joint erosions which reflected disease damage.

Fulltext Knowledge and perception of treatment among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics in Malaysia

Balakrishnan N, Md Monoto EM, Mohd Tohit N, Abdul Wahab A

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2021 08 31;15(8):1205-1211.

PMID: 34516430 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.12891

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a disease of public health concern. It can be treated effectively with good knowledge about the disease and complete adherence to the recommended treatment regime. This study is intended to assess the level of knowledge and perception of treatment among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics.

METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a validated self-administered questionnaire among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics in Johor Bahru district. A total of 208 tuberculosis patients were enrolled in this study through convenience sampling. We assessed the general knowledge, transmission, causes, and prevention of tuberculosis, where higher scores indicated better knowledge. For the perception of treatment, a higher mean score indicated a more negative perception.

RESULTS: The mean score for knowledge on tuberculosis was 54.33 ± 12.78, ranging from 25 to 88.9%. The mean score for perception was 2.75±0.52, ranging from 2.15-3.39. We found that although 88.9% of respondents knew a person could be infected with TB through inhalation of tuberculosis bacilli, a majority believed that smoking (68.2%), sharing food (69.2%), and eating from the same plate (66.8%) are causes of tuberculosis. Moreover, there was still a negative perception regarding the treatment of tuberculosis with the highest mean score for the statement 'I am afraid if I am told I am tuberculosis positive'.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that there were gaps in knowledge among tuberculosis patients. Intermittent counseling during the treatment re-enforces the knowledge of tuberculosis. An updated standardized counseling sheet of tuberculosis Health Education should be included along with staff training to update their knowledge as part of their important role in health education in tuberculosis prevention.

Typhoid fever presenting as acute psychosis in a young adult: case report and literature review of typhoid psychosis

Esa H, Norazlah B, Hameed AA, Ding CH, Wahab AA

Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):192-195.

PMID: 34172710 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.057

The rarity of acute psychosis in typhoid fever can result in delayed and misdiagnosis of the condition. We report a case of a 20-year-old man who presented with fever and acute psychotic symptoms. This was associated with headache, dizziness, and body weakness. There were no other significant symptoms. Neurological examination revealed reduced muscle tone of bilateral lower limbs but otherwise unremarkable. The computed tomography (CT) scan of his brain showed no abnormality. Blood specimens for microbiological culture grew Salmonella Typhi. This isolate was susceptible to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for one week and responded well. He was discharged with oral ciprofloxacin for another week. The repeated blood and stool for bacterial culture yielded no growth of Salmonella Typhi.

Brain abscess caused by Salmonella Enteritidis following craniotomy for meningioma: A case report and literature review

Ting SMV, Ding CH, Wahab AA

Malays J Pathol, 2021 Aug;43(2):333-336.

PMID: 34448798

Salmonella intracranial infection is infrequently encountered in clinical practice. However, with prompt intervention and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the outcome is usually favourable. A 56-year-old gentleman who worked as an organic fertilizer production supervisor underwent tumour resection for meningioma located at the left frontal temporoparietal region. The surgical procedure went smoothly, and he has prescribed dexamethasone thereafter. He was discharged well. However, a few days after that he developed a fever associated with pus discharged from the surgical wound. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain was performed and it revealed an abscess located at the left frontal temporoparietal subdural and subgaleal regions with adjacent cerebritis. Another craniotomy was done to drain the abscess. The bacterial culture of the pus specimen grew Salmonella Enteritidis. The bacterium was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Clinical improvement was evident after surgical intervention with an additional 6 weeks of ceftriaxone therapy.

Fulltext Field evaluation of cypermethrin and cyfluthrin against dengue vectors in a housing estate in Malaysia

Sulaiman S, Pawanchee ZA, Othman HF, Shaari N, Yahaya S, Wahab A, et al.

J Vector Ecol, 2002 Dec;27(2):230-4.

PMID: 12546459

Cynoff 25ULV (cypermethrin 25 g/l) and Solfac UL015 (cyfluthrin 1.5% w/v) were evaluated against the sentinel sugar-fed adults and 4th-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti in a housing estate endemic of dengue in Malaysia. The impact of both pyrethroids on field populations of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti larvae was monitored weekly using bottle containers. Both Cynoff 25ULV and Solfac UL015 showed adulticidal effects and larvicidal effects. This field trial using Cynoff 25ULV against dengue vectors showed its potential for use in dengue vector control programs.

Field efficacy of fipronil 3G, lambda-cyhalothrin 10%CS, and sumithion 50EC against the dengue vector Aedes albopictus in discarded tires

Sulaiman S, Pawanchee ZA, Wahab A, Jamal J, Sohadi AR

J Vector Ecol, 1999 Dec;24(2):154-7.

PMID: 10672544

The efficacy of three insecticides, fipronil 3G, lambda-cyhalothrin 10%CS, and sumithion 50EC were evaluated against the dengue vector Aedes albopictus in discarded tires in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The dosage given for each insecticide was 0.01 g of active ingredient/m2. Fipronil 3G was the most effective larvicide with a residual activity of up to two weeks, causing 88% mortality in Aedes albopictus. Lambda-cyhalothrin 10%CS was effective for one week causing 92% larval mortality and two weeks with 63% larval mortality. Sumithion 50EC had a residual efficacy of one week with 79% larval mortality.

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