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Fulltext Bcl-2 expression and clinico-pathological correlations in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Al-Joudi, Fawwaz S., Iskandar Zulkarnain A.

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2010;8(2):59-64.
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Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein belonging to a family of proteins that act as regulators of apoptosis in mammalian cells. Bcl-2 expression has previously been reported in normal breast ductal cells and its involvement in the hormonal regulation of hyperplasia and involution was further suggested, and it was thought to be expressed through hormonedependent pathways. Bcl-2 is a cytoplasmic oncoprotein which is highly expressed in human solid tumours. In breast cancer cells, however, Bcl-2 expression is down regulated, the exact mechanism and the effects of which are not clearly defined, as bcl-2 expression appears to be inversely correlated with the presence of p53 mutations. This work aimed at investigating the expression of bcl-2 in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast utilizing an immunohistochemistry assay as well as studying the clinical correlations of bcl-2. Bcl-2 was detected in 43.7% of 382 invasive ductal carcinoma study cases. Its expression correlated positively, with lower age of patients, higher histological grades, large tumour sizes, estrogen receptor positivity and progesterone receptor negativity. However, the statistical correlations were weak. With the data obtained, it was found that the expression of bcl-2 correlated with unfavourable prognoses. Furthermore, bcl-2 detection alone may not be very helpful in consolidating a clinical diagnosis.

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Fulltext Psychological insulin resistance (PIR) among type 2 diabetes patients at public health clinics in Federal Territory of Malaysia

Nur Azmiah Z, Zulkarnain AK, Tahir A

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2011;10(2):7-12.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Insulin has been viewed as a treatment option of last resort in type 2 diabetes management. The decision to start insulin therapy is often difﬁ cult. Patients are usually reluctant to begin insulin and many cases delay the initiation of insulin therapy. The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of insulin refusal or recognize as psychological insulin resistance (PIR) and to identify its predictors. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and data was collected from two primary public health clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. The study sample consisted of 404 insulin naive patients with type 2 diabetes. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical information. Results: Fifty-one percent of patients with type 2 diabetes were found to be unwilling to take insulin. Regression analysis revealed that females were 2.7 times more likely to resist insulin treatment compared to males and those with uncontrolled diabetes were 1.8 times more likely to resist insulin treatment compared to controlled diabetics. Patients will refuse insulin if they perceived their diabetes worsen with insulin use. After controlling for other attitudinal belief factors in the model, an increase in one unit of perceived disease severity will increase the likelihood of PIR around 2 times. Conclusion: Several misconceptions regarding insulin therapy were identiﬁed and speciﬁ c education intervention is recommended for successful transition to insulin therapy.
Fulltext Improving perception and confidence towards bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and public access automated external defibrillator program: how does training program help?

Liaw SY, Chew KS, Zulkarnain A, Wong SSL, Singmamae N, Kaushal DN, et al.

Int J Emerg Med, 2020 Mar 17;13(1):13.
PMID: 32183687 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-020-00271-3

BACKGROUND: In conjunction with an automated external defibrillator (AED) placement program at various locations within a public university in Malaysia, a series of structured training programs were conducted. The objectives of this study is to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of a structured training program in improving the perception of the importance of AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), (2) evaluate the confidence of the employees in using an AED and performing bystander CPR, (3) identify the fears and concerns of these employees in using AED and performing CPR, and (4) determine the perception of these employees towards the strategy of the AEDs placed at various locations within the university.
METHODS: In this single-center observational study, a validated questionnaire aimed to assess the university employees' attitude and confidence in handling AED and performing CPR before (pre-test) and immediately after (post-test) the training program was conducted.
RESULTS: A total of 184 participants participated in this study. Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the training programs appeared to have improved the perception that "using AED is important for unresponsive victims" (z = 4.32, p AED practice drills should be performed on a regular basis" (z = - 2.41, p = 0.02) as well as increased the confidence to perform CPR (z = - 8.56, p AED (z = - 8.93, p AED without hesitancy (z = - 8.91, p AED also appeared to have been significantly reduced, and the perception on placement strategies of these AEDs was generally positive.
CONCLUSION: Using the theory of planned behavior as the explanatory framework, training programs appear to be helpful in improving the perception and the confidence of the participants towards performing CPR and using AED through the promotion of positive attitude, positive societal expectation, and a positive sense of empowerment. But whether this positive effect will translate into actual CPR performance and AED application in a real cardiac arrest is yet to be seen.
Use of traditional and complementary medicine in Malaysia: a baseline study

Siti ZM, Tahir A, Farah AI, Fazlin SM, Sondi S, Azman AH, et al.

Complement Ther Med, 2009 Oct-Dec;17(5-6):292-9.
PMID: 19942109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2009.04.002

The increasing popularity and use of traditional and complementary medicine (TCAM) in both developed and developing countries, including Malaysia, have raised significant public health policy issues. However, currently, there is a paucity of baseline data on such usage by the Malaysian community.
Fulltext The Discovery of New Antilisterial Proteins From Paenibacillus polymyxa Kp10 via Genome Mining and Mass Spectrometry

Mokhtar NFK, Hashim AM, Hanish I, Zulkarnain A, Raja Nhari RMH, Abdul Sani AA, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2020;11:960.
PMID: 32714281 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00960

The inhibitory properties of novel antimicrobial proteins against food-borne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes offer extensive benefits to the food and medical industries. In this study, we have identified antimicrobial proteins from a milk curd-derived bacterial isolate that exhibits antilisterial activity using genome mining and mass spectrometry analysis. The analysis of the draft genome sequence identified the isolate as Paenibacillus polymyxa Kp10, and predicted the presence of antimicrobial paenibacillin, paenilan, paeninodin, sactipeptides, thiazole-oxazole modified microcin, and histone-like DNA binding protein HU encoded in its genome. Interestingly, nanoLC-MS/MS analysis identified two histone-like DNA binding proteins HU as predicted in silico earlier, exhibiting antilisterial activity. Additionally, translation initiation factor IF-1 and 50S ribosomal protein L29 were also discovered by the mass spectrometry in the active fractions. The antilisterial activity of the four proteins was verified through heterologous protein expression and antimicrobial activity assay in vitro. This study has identified structural regulatory proteins from Paenibacillus possessing antilisterial activity with potential future application in the food and medical industries.