Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 32 in total

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  1. Golam F, Prodhan ZH
    J Sci Food Agric, 2013 Feb;93(3):449-56.
    PMID: 23238771 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5983
    Kernel elongation after cooking is an important character of fine rice and most rice consumers prefer length-wise elongation. Although improvement of aromatic rice began early in the 1970s, until now the mechanisms and genetics of kernel elongation has remained unrevealed. Kernel elongation is considered as a physical phenomenon and is influenced by several physicochemical and genetic factors, including genotypes, aging temperature, aging time, water uptake, amylose content and gelatinization temperature. Recently the complete genetic map of fine rice has been created and the gene responsible for kernel length identified; moreover, this gene is tightly linked with the cooked kernel elongation trait. Several molecular markers linked with cooked kernel elongation have been developed. These tools will be helpful for the improvement of this important trait. For the proper study of cooked kernel elongation of rice, this review paper will provide the basis and directional materials for further studies.
  2. Woon LSC, Zakaria H
    East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2019 Dec;29(4):118-123.
    PMID: 31871308 DOI: 10.12809/eaap1851
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid mental disorders in a Malaysian forensic mental hospital.

    METHODS: All adult patients admitted to the forensic wards who were able to understand Malay or English language and give written informed consent were included. Participants were assessed using the Conners Adult Attention-Deficit Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (for presence of adult ADHD and a history of childhood ADHD) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (for psychiatric comorbidities). Sociodemographic and offence-related data were also collected.

    RESULTS: Of 199 patients admitted, 120 were included for analysis. The mean age of participants was 36.3 years. 94.2% were men. 81.7% were single, divorced, or separated. 25% had a history of childhood ADHD. The prevalence of adult ADHD was 15.8%. The persistence rate was 63%. Among the 19 participants with adult ADHD, the most common psychiatric comorbidities were substance dependence (68.4%), lifetime depression (63.2%), and generalised anxiety disorder (47.4%). Compared with participants without ADHD, participants with adult ADHD were less likely to be married (0% vs 21.8%, p = 0.022) and more likely to have alcohol abuse (15.8% vs 2%, p = 0.028), lifetime manic/hypomanic episodes (42.1% vs 7.9%, p = 0.001), and generalised anxiety disorder (47.4% vs 19.8%, p = 0.017), and were of younger age at first offence (21.8 years vs 26.9 years, p = 0.021).

    CONCLUSIONS: Adult ADHD is common in a Malaysian forensic mental hospital and is associated with unmarried status, alcohol abuse, lifetime manic/hypomanic episodes, generalised anxiety disorder, and younger age at first offence.

  3. Sariah M, Choo CW, Zakaria H, Norihan MS
    Mycopathologia, 2005 Jan;159(1):113-7.
    PMID: 15750742
    Basal stem rot of oil palm caused by Ganoderma boninense is of major economic importance. Observations of the low incidence of disease due to Ganoderma species in natural stands, suggest that the disease is kept under control by some biological means. Trichoderma spp. are saprophytic fungi with high antagonistic activities against soil-borne pathogens. However, their abundance and distribution are soil and crop specific. Trichoderma species have been found to be concentrated in the A1 (0-30 cm) and Be soil horizons (30-60 cm), although the abundance of Trichoderma was not significantly different between the oil palm and non-oil palm ecosystems. Characterisation of Trichoderma isolates based on cultural, morphological and DNA polymorphism showed that T. harzianum, T. virens, T. koningii and T. longibrachiatum made up 72, 14, 10 and 4% of the total Trichoderma isolates isolated. As Trichoderma species are present in the oil palm ecosystem, but at lower numbers and in locations different from those desired, soil augmentation with antagonistic Trichoderma spp. can be developed as a strategy towards integrated management of basal stem rot of oil palm.
  4. Chhoa KH, Zakaria H, Abd Rahman FN
    Pediatr Int, 2019 Mar;61(3):284-292.
    PMID: 30636372 DOI: 10.1111/ped.13789
    BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption in the under-aged is one of the main concerns regarding Malaysian adolescents. There is no previous study on problematic alcohol use (PAU) in adolescents in Sarawak. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PAU, its associated variables and its relationship with depression.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 327 secondary school students completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Children's Depression Inventory, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between the different variables.

    RESULTS: A total of 42.2% of adolescents had PAU. Urban adolescents had a higher prevalence compared with rural adolescents (OR, 1.612; 95% CI: 1.036-2.508 P = 0.034). Female adolescents (56.8%) and Bumiputera Sarawak adolescents (76.8%) comprised a large proportion of the respondents with PAU. Cultural norm (78.3%) and curiosity (68.1%) were the two main reasons for PAU. Only family history of alcohol use (OR, 2.273; 95% CI: 1.013-5.107; P = 0.047), ever consumed alcohol (OR, 57.585; 95% CI: 21.885-151.525; P 

  5. Tang SS, Prodhan ZH, Biswas SK, Le CF, Sekaran SD
    Phytochemistry, 2018 Oct;154:94-105.
    PMID: 30031244 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.07.002
    Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), the self-defence products of organisms, are extensively distributed in plants. They can be classified into several groups, including thionins, defensins, snakins, lipid transfer proteins, glycine-rich proteins, cyclotides and hevein-type proteins. AMPs can be extracted and isolated from different plants and plant organs such as stems, roots, seeds, flowers and leaves. They perform various physiological defensive mechanisms to eliminate viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and so could be used as therapeutic and preservative agents. Research on AMPs has sought to obtain more detailed and reliable information regarding the selection of suitable plant sources and the use of appropriate isolation and purification techniques, as well as examining the mode of action of these peptides. Well-established AMP purification techniques currently used include salt precipitation methods, absorption-desorption, a combination of ion-exchange and reversed-phase C18 solid phase extraction, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. Beyond these traditional methods, this review aims to highlight new and different approaches to the selection, characterisation, isolation, purification, mode of action and bioactivity assessment of a range of AMPs collected from plant sources. The information gathered will be helpful in the search for novel AMPs distributed in the plant kingdom, as well as providing future directions for the further investigation of AMPs for possible use on humans.
  6. Yeap HY, Faruq G, Zakaria HP, Harikrishna JA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:569268.
    PMID: 24222741 DOI: 10.1155/2013/569268
    Allele Specific Amplification with four primers (External Antisense Primer, External Sense Primer, Internal Nonfragrant Sense Primer, and Internal Fragrant Antisense Primer) and sensory evaluation with leaves and grains were executed to identify aromatic rice genotypes and their F1 individuals derived from different crosses of 2 Malaysian varieties with 4 popular land races and 3 advance lines. Homozygous aromatic (fgr/fgr) F1 individuals demonstrated better aroma scores compared to both heterozygous nonaromatic (FGR/fgr) and homozygous nonaromatic (FGR/FGR) individuals, while, some F1 individuals expressed aroma in both leaf and grain aromatic tests without possessing the fgr allele. Genotypic analysis of F1 individuals for the fgr gene represented homozygous aromatic, heterozygous nonaromatic and homozygous nonaromatic genotypes in the ratio 20:19:3. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis revealed that aroma in F1 individuals was successfully inherited from the parents, but either molecular analysis or sensory evaluation alone could not determine aromatic condition completely. The integration of molecular analysis with sensory methods was observed as rapid and reliable for the screening of aromatic genotypes because molecular analysis could distinguish aromatic homozygous, nonaromatic homozygous and nonaromatic heterozygous individuals, whilst the sensory method facilitated the evaluation of aroma emitted from leaf and grain during flowering to maturity stages.
  7. Looi ML, Zakaria H, Osman J, Jamal R
    Clin. Lab., 2012;58(3-4):307-12.
    PMID: 22582505
    Saliva has been suggested as an attractive resource for evaluating physiological and pathological conditions in humans. This study aims to evaluate saliva sampling as an alternative to blood sampling for molecular testing.
  8. Woon LS, Kanapathy A, Zakaria H, Alfonso CA
    Psychodyn Psychiatry, 2017;45(2):237-257.
    PMID: 28590207 DOI: 10.1521/pdps.2017.45.2.237
    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that often runs a chronic unremitting course. Treatment outcomes can be unsatisfactory despite the availability of various somatic and psychological therapies. Psychodynamic psychotherapy in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) could help patients with treatment-resistant OCD achieve better outcomes. An integrative approach can help patients gain insight, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, improve treatment adherence, and provide symptomatic relief when other treatments seem insufficient or have failed. We describe the treatment process of a person with treatment-resistant OCD who received pharmacotherapy, concurrent CBT/ERP, and a brief course of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Case formulations from cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives are presented. The authors discuss the advantages of doing a psychodynamic assessment and formulation in treatment refractory cases and the wisdom of integrating psychotherapy interventions for OCD, as well as the unique clinical features of cases that warrant a multimodal treatment approach.
  9. Lee SC, Sidi H, Zakaria H, Loo JL, Yahaya R
    MyJurnal
    Exhibitionism is a distressing condition which may have a link with the increasing availability and usage of online sexual activities (OSA). We highlight a 42-year-old man who presented with a constant craving for OSA to achieve his sexual satisfaction which included exposing his genitalia to virtual partners, unsuspected strangers, and colleagues in public areas. His sexual behaviours were further reinforced by an online video chatting with genitalia exposure, which ended commonly with an exchange of masturbatory acts. He denied any problem with his erection and able to achieve orgasm via common sexual acts. There was no past psychiatric history nor family history of mental disorder. He volunteered to seek psychiatric help and subsequently given a psycho education on his illness and how to cope with the distress associated with his sexual acts. He was scheduled for an intensive psychotherapy to instil insight and hope to deal with his sexual difficulties.
  10. Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Morton DW, Adam A, Mizaton HH, Zakaria H
    J Chromatogr A, 2017 Dec 29;1530:192-196.
    PMID: 29132827 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.11.012
    The steady increase of diabetes is becoming a major burden on health care systems. As diabetic complications arise from oxidative stress, an antioxidant therapy along with anti-diabetic drugs is recommended. Myrmecodia or ant plant is highly valued as a traditional medicine in West Papua. It is used as an alternative treatment for diabetes, as the substances produced by ants can reduce blood sugar levels. The aim of this study was to develop and establish high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC)-bioautographic methods to measure the antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects in different extracts from Myrmecodia platytyrea and to compare them with sterol content. Antioxidant activity in methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) extracts were measured with a direct HPTLC-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) assay, while hypoglycemic effects were assessed using a newly developed α-amylase inhibitory activity assay. Stigmasterol is observed, after derivatization with anisaldehyde, as purple colored zones under visible light at hRF values of 0.66. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the ethanol extract which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, while the DCM extract did not show antioxidant activity, but had significant α-amylase inhibitory activity. The highest α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in the EA and DCM extracts and was related to their stigmasterol content.
  11. Hanim BS, Rahim RA, Mohd Salleh MF, Zakaria H, Abd Shukor N
    Malays J Pathol, 2023 Dec;45(3):463-471.
    PMID: 38155387
    INTRODUCTION: Chorioamnionitis is the inflammation of the placenta and is histologically defined as the presence of neutrophilic infiltration into the chorio-amnion membrane with and without involvement of the umbilical cord. Currently, the inflammatory mediators involved in the eliciting of inflammatory response is still largely under investigation. CD47 and CD36 are pro-inflammatory molecules that are still under investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the expressions of CD47 and CD36 in the placenta of mothers with chorioamnionitis.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, involving a total of 100 cases that comprised of acute subchorionitis (stage I, n=20), acute chorioamnionitis (stage II, n=20), acute necrotising chorioamnionitis (stage III, n=20) and non-chorioamnionitis placenta as control (n=40). All tissue blocks were retrieved from the archived pathology record over a period of 4 years. CD36 and CD47 immunohistochemistry were performed on all cases and their expression in various cell types on the placenta were analysed.

    RESULTS: CD36 was expressed only on the foetal vascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, CD47 showed positive staining on the neutrophils and its expression was significantly different between maternal inflammatory response stage II chorioamnionitis (n=13/20, p<0.001) with stage I and stage III chorioamnionitis.

    DISCUSSION: Our study showed CD47 was expressed in the neutrophils and it was associated with poorer perinatal outcomes and it may have a role in the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis.

  12. Nordin AS, Kadir RA, Yahya NA, Zakaria H, Rashid RA, Habil MH
    Int Dent J, 2014 Aug;64(4):206-12.
    PMID: 24835463 DOI: 10.1111/idj.12110
    As a signatory to the World Health Organisation 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Malaysia has policies in place and funded 300 public Quit clinics. Unfortunately, government dentists are not included to run tobacco dependence treatment. A cross-sectional exploratory survey was carried out to seek Malaysian dentists' opinion on their knowledge, perception and willingness to conduct tobacco dependence treatment. Participation was voluntary from those who attended a specially designed one-day, four-module workshop on tobacco cessation intervention. Data were collected using the Audience-Response-System equipment which tracked immediate responses covering four domains namely: smoking as a public health problem, smoking as an addiction, the role of dentists in the programme and confidence in conducting smoking cessation in the clinic. Sample comprised more female dentists (73.5%), mean age 33.6 (SD 8.99) years and with more than 3 years working experience. Findings indicated that the majority agreed Malaysia has a rising problem in the prevalence of smoking (71.6%) and predicted that it will affect mostly the young (81.9%). Only half of the dentists surveyed (58.9%) routinely recorded their patients' smoking habits. The majority (71.6%) believed that dentists are effective in helping their patient to stop smoking and 76.3% agreed that dentists should discuss the smoking habit with their patients; however, 60% agreed that doing so is too time consuming. In addition, only 24.7% knew of more ways to treat a smoking habit. The majority felt comfortable giving advice to patients about changing their habits (76.5%) or discussing treatment options (60.5%): 75% would opt for a combined programme of counselling and use of medication if they have to do, 15% would choose to go on counselling only, while 8% did not want to treat. In conclusion, the findings suggest that dentists have a strong potential to contribute significantly to providing smoking cessation treatment if adequately trained.
  13. Biswal BM, Sulaiman SA, Ismail HC, Zakaria H, Musa KI
    Integr Cancer Ther, 2013 Jul;12(4):312-22.
    PMID: 23142798 DOI: 10.1177/1534735412464551
    Hypothesis. Withania somnifera is an herb with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antistress, and adaptogenic properties. Previous studies have shown its antistress effects in animals. Traditional Indian medicine has used it for centuries to alleviate fatigue and improve general well-being.
  14. Alfonso CA, Sutanto L, Zakaria H, Kalayasiri R, Lukman PR, Elvira SD, et al.
    BJPsych Int, 2018 Feb;15(1):8-11.
    PMID: 29953132 DOI: 10.1192/bji.2017.5
  15. Adam RL, Sidi H, Midin M, Zakaria H, Das S, Mat KC
    Curr Drug Targets, 2018;19(12):1402-1411.
    PMID: 28464773 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170502130126
    Sexuality is an important dimension in human beings as a form of expression of individuality. For many decades, sexual functioning has been a neglected area among patients suffering from schizophrenia. It was a presumption that patients with schizophrenia could be asexual and this could be secondary to overwhelming situations of delusion, hallucination, hostility and negative symptoms among others. The deficient in sexual functioning are due to innate factors, i.e. negative symptoms (apathy, avolition and amotivation) and also as a result of prefrontal dysfunction, i.e. inability to plan and execute meaningful relationship. Adverse effects of the psychopharmacological agents, especially the typical antipsychotics, e.g. dystonia, excessive sedation and hyperprolactinemia may interfere with patients' sexual activity. In this review, we highlight the neurobiology of schizophrenia in the context of understanding sexual functioning and to integrate the knowledge of dopamine-serotonin neurotransmitter's interaction and the receptors' target. Interventional approaches consist of psychopharmacological and psychosocial interventions. In the perspective of sexuality, we recommend atypical antipsychotic should be placed as the first line treatment for both drug naïve patients and also to patients who are already receiving psychopharmacological agents in consideration for a drug-switch from typical to atypical antipsychotics. Aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine exert benefits in terms of sexual functioning recovery due to their atypical mechanism of action. However, the potential adverse effect like metabolic syndrome should be adequately managed to prevent negative consequences. Psychosocial interventions, i.e. psychoeducation, destigmatization, supportive psychotherapy and psychiatric rehabilitation also play a crucial role in the management. In conclusion, restoration of sexual function is an achievable recovery target in patients with schizophrenia through these biopsycho- social interventions.
  16. Deang KT, Sidi H, Zakaria H, Adam RL, Das S, Hatta NH, et al.
    Curr Drug Targets, 2019;20(2):210-219.
    PMID: 28494748 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170511145628
    Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), a hyperactivity disorder prevalent among children may continue as an adulthood attention deficit. To date, treating an individual with an adult ADHD may be an arduous task as it involves numerous challenges, which include a need for high index of suspicion to diagnose this medical condition. Many psychiatric disorders masquerade as ADHD and delay the necessary assessment and proper treatment for this debilitating medical disorder. Adult ADHD is often misdiagnosed (or under diagnosed) due to the fact that this medical condition is being masked by the patients' high level of intellectual achievement. As the ADHD in adult persists, it may end-up with impairment in the personal-social-occupational function in which the management becomes a great challenge. The treatment of ADHD can be optimized by using various drugs targets agents like norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), with or without psycho stimulants like methylphenidate, which is marketed as Ritalin. Bupropion, an NDRI has a novel effect on ADHD as the molecule exerts its effects by modulating the reward-pleasure mesolimbic dopaminergic system and at the same time regulates the elevating mood dimension of the noradrenergic neurotransmission. The role of Bupropion in the neural and psychopharmacological perspective treatment of ADHD was deliberated. The present review highlights the novel effects of Bupropion in ADHD treatment, together with the help of other successful bio-psycho-social measures. This may be of immense benefit to the psychiatrists for treating their patients.
  17. Loo JL, Ang JK, Subhas N, Ho BK, Zakaria H, Alfonso CA
    Psychodyn Psychiatry, 2017;45(1):45-57.
    PMID: 28248565 DOI: 10.1521/pdps.2017.45.1.45
    The subjective nature of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PP) makes training and supervision more abstract compared to other forms of psychotherapy. The issues encountered in the learning and supervision process of PP of Malaysian psychiatry trainees are discussed in this article. Issues of preparation before starting PP, case selection, assessment of patients, dynamic formulations, supervision, anxieties in the therapy, countertransference, termination of therapy, the treatment alliance, transfer of care, the therapeutic setting, and bioethical considerations are explored. Everyone's experience of learning PP is unique and there is no algorithmic approach to its practice. With creative thinking, effort, and "good enough" supervision, a trainee can improve PP skills, even in underserved areas of the world.
  18. Assa'edah Mahmud A, Zakaria H, Zaliman Mohd Yusoff M, Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar N, Baharudin A, Mohd Tamil A
    Alpha Psychiatry, 2022 Sep;23(5):223-229.
    PMID: 36426271 DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2022.21781
    BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of a short-term virtual reality exposure therapy among healthy working adults sample. The secondary aim is to measure the effect of virtual reality exposure therapy on negative and positive emotions by comparing it to the standard stress management program and the wait-list groups.

    METHODS: We enrolled 67 participants allocated into 3 groups to receive virtual reality exposure therapy, standard stress management, or wait-list group. The virtual reality exposure therapy group received a total of a 30-minute exposure to a virtual reality environment over 2 weeks. The standard stress management group received a stress management program once during the study period.

    RESULTS: The results showed a heterogeneous sample, whereby a significantly younger, less-working years, and higher anxiety baseline score were found in the virtual reality exposure therapy group compared to standard stress management and wait-list groups. Nonetheless, the virtual reality exposure therapy group showed a reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress score (P < .001). The standard stress management group showed a reduction in anxiety score only (P = .002), whereas no significant changes were observed in the wait-list group. For positive emotion, all 3 groups showed significant improvement.

    CONCLUSION: Short-term virtual reality exposure therapy is a feasible intervention for the negative and positive emotions; however, cautious interpretation is needed due to significant heterogeneous sample. Replication of study with comparable groups is recommended.

  19. Lila MA, Siew JS, Zakaria H, Saad SM, Ni LS, Abdullah JM
    Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jan;11(1):9-23.
    PMID: 22977356 MyJurnal
    Gene therapy is a promising approach towards cancer treatment. The main aim of the therapy is to destroy cancer cells, usually by apoptotic mechanisms, and preserving others. However, its application has been hindered by many factors including poor cellular uptake, non-specific cell targeting and undesirable interferences with other genes or gene products. A variety of strategies exist to improve cellular uptake efficiency of gene-based therapies. This paper highlights advancements in gene therapy research and its application in relation to anti-cancer treatment.
  20. Selamat Din SH, Nik Jaafar NR, Zakaria H, Mohamed Saini S, Ahmad SN, Midin M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2017 Feb 01;18(2):465-471.
    PMID: 28345831
    Background: Anxiety is recognized as a normal psychological reaction of those caring for cancer patients. However, anxiety disorders in caregivers may interfere with their care-giving role and require further clinical attention. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety disorders among caregivers of breast cancer patients receiving oncologic treatment in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 caregiver-patient dyads, recruited by non-random sampling at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Data were collected in 2 stages: 1) the caregivers were screened for psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Scale (DASS-21) while other related factors for the patients and their caregivers were obtained; 2) the identified distressed caregivers (n=64) were then administered the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose anxiety disorders. Results: A total of 11.5% (n=15) of the caregivers reported suffering from anxiety disorders. Bivariate analysis found duration of caregiving (OR=3.31; CI=2.21-11.93), shared caregiving (OR=4.07; CI=1.34-12.36), and patients’ treatment type (OR=3.42; CI=1.92-12.76) were significantly associated with anxiety disorders (p value <0.05), with shared caregiving and patient’s treatment type remaining significant using logistic regression (p value < 0.05, R2 = 0.255). Conclusions: Every one in ten of the caregivers in this study had a diagnosable anxiety disorder, associated with certain care-giving factors and patients’ treatment. This should alert clinicians to such risk and indicates psychological support needs for family caregivers.
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