Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. R.(III) P. Dioso
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):55-66.
    MyJurnal
    Through the six domains of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) - physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationship, environment and spirituality or religion - ten out of one hundred randomly selected studies were analysed and evaluated as a theoretical outcome of self care using health products such as food supplements, multivitamins and minerals. A reconstructed HRQOL tool was used in the qualitative and the quantitative analysis and evaluation of the ten selected studies. A Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was also used in making sense of the evidences of the study trials. The Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome guide focused the protocol for the selection of the studies used in this meta-analysis. A probability sampling generated a uniform distribution of the populations. The manner of consuming or the route of administration, the volume and the preparation of commercially prepared health products were neither analysed nor evaluated as the exclusion criteria. Of the ten studies, nine gave a high significance to the six domains of the (O.R. = 90% / p =
    MeSH terms: Clothing; Humans; Minerals; Probability; Quality of Life; Sampling Studies; Self Care; Dietary Supplements; Spirituality; Population Groups
  2. Abdullah, A.L., Lim, H.S., Yasin, Z., Razalli, N.M.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):44-53.
    MyJurnal
    Chlorophyll-a concentrations (mg/l) in surface waters of Songsong Islands were mapped using an optically derived remote sensing model. Landsat TM imagery dated 8 October 2008 was used in the classification process and in situ measurements made on 19 May 2012 during spring tidal condition (HW: 2.6 m, LW: 0.9 m) served as ground truthing data. The temporal difference between data used will be useful to review the robustness of the model. Three classes of chlorophyll-a concentrations were mapped: Class 1: 10 mg/l. Considering the dynamic nature of coastal and marine waters particularly the shallow region, and the temporal difference between the Landsat TM imagery used in classification and the field data, results of chlorophyll-a mapping using the developed remote sensing model was high at 83.3%, with producer’s accuracy of 50%–100% and user’s accuracy of 80%–100%. Kappa coefficient of agreement, Kˆ , calculated was 57.1%.
    MeSH terms: Chlorophyll; Water; Remote Sensing Technology; Islands
  3. Naji, H.R., Sahri, M.H., Bakar, E.S., Soltani, M., Hamid, H.A.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):36-43.
    MyJurnal
    Wood density and types of shrinkage were examined in two rubberwood latex timber clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) namely RRIM 2020 and RRIM 2025, planted at densities of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 trees/ha, within a trial plot. The mean wood density showed a low descending trend towards high planting densities in both clones. Wood density was significantly and negatively correlated with planting density. The strength of correlation was moderate. The mean longitudinal shrinkage in both clones and tangential shrinkages in clone RRIM 2020 showed no significant difference among planting densities. The tangential (in RRIM 2025), radial and volumetric shrinkages in both clones decreased from low to high planting densities and the differences were more pronounced between densities of 500 trees/ha and 2000 trees/ha. The magnitudes of correlation between these shrinkages and planting density were low. The regression models indicated that wood density could be more ascribed by planting density followed by volumetric shrinkage. This study exhibited low variations in wood density and shrinkages among clones and the respective planting densities; however, RRIM 2025 was more stable than RRIM 2020.
    MeSH terms: Developmental Disabilities; Latex; Nervous System Diseases; Rubber; Trees; Wood; Plant Stems; Hevea
  4. Yunus, N.A.M., Jaafar, H., Halin, I.A., Green, N.G.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):29-35.
    MyJurnal
    This paper presents a suitable and unique system for observing dielectrophoretic particle separation in a microfluidic device. Details presented on the experimental setup used will enable real time examination, monitoring and analysis of carboxylate-modified latex sphere particles in a colloidal mixture. Observations of the particles were made possible through an optical setup that illuminates the particles that went through the microelectrode array in the microchannel that was controlled by two analog signal generators. Through the setup, it was easily observed that the latex sphere particles move at a flow rate of 0.2 μl/s without colliding or overlapping on each other and successfully separated in two bands left and right. The new separation of one finest particles size for finest purification with respect to frequency was also observed, obtained and analysed.
    MeSH terms: Light; Lighting; Microelectrodes; Microspheres; Paper; Particle Size; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
  5. Teh, G.B., Wong, Y.C., Tilley, R.D.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):21-28.
    MyJurnal
    Co(II)-Ti(IV)-substituted magnetoplumbite-type (M-type) barium ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel technique employing ethylene glycol as the gel precursor. Structural and magnetic properties were characterised via X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The particle sizes of the M-type BaCoXTiXFe12-2XO19 (0.2 ≤  ≤ 1.0) were found to be 900 Å – 1500 Å. The XRD results confirmed that the Co(II)-Ti(IV) substituted ferrites in the range of 0.2 ≤  ≤ 1.0 substitution had the M-type ferrite as the dominant phase. The hysteresis loss per-cycle decreased with increasing Co(II)-Ti(IV) substitution in M-type ferrites which showed reduced values in coercivity and remnant magnetisation with moderate effect on the saturation magnetisation.
    MeSH terms: Ferric Compounds; Magnetics; Particle Size; X-Ray Diffraction; Barium Compounds; Ethylene Glycol; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles; Magnets; Magnetometry
  6. Dinesh, S., Faudzi, M.M., Rafidah, M., Shakhira, B.N.I., Robiah, A.S., Shalini, S.S., et al.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):11-20.
    MyJurnal
    In this study, Global Positioning System (GPS) simulation was employed to study the effect of radio frequency interference (RFI) on two hand-held GPS receivers; Garmin GPSmap 60CSx (evaluated GPS receiver) and Garmin GPSmap 60CS (reference GPS receiver). Both GPS receivers employed the GPS L1 coarse acquisition (C/A) signal. It was observed that the interference signal power levels required to affect the location fixes of the GPS receivers were significantly high compared to the corresponding GPS signal power levels. The noiselike C/A code structure, which modulated the L1 signal over a 2 MHz bandwidth, allowed for the signal to be received at low levels of interferences. The evaluated GPS receiver had better RFI operability as compared to the reference GPS receiver. This is because the evaluated GPS receiver had higher receiver sensitivity, allowing it to have increased carrier-to-noise density (C/N0) levels for GPS satellites tracked by the receiver. The absence of other error parameters, including ionospheric and tropospheric delays, satellite clock, ephemeris and multipath errors, and unintentional signal interferences and obstructions, resulted in the required minimum jamming power levels in this study to be significantly higher as compared to field evaluations. These minimum jamming power levels vary with location and time. This was due to the GPS satellite constellation being dynamic, causing varying GPS satellite geometry over location and time, resulting in the minimum required GPS jamming power levels being location / time dependent. In general, the lowest minimum jamming power levels were observed for readings with the highest position dilution of precision (PDOP) values, and vice versa.
    MeSH terms: Food; Indicator Dilution Techniques; Noise; Meridians; Satellite Communications; Geographic Information Systems
  7. Pereira, J.J., Hunt, J.C.R., Chan, J.C.L.
    ASM Science Journal, 2014;8(1):1-10.
    MyJurnal
    The role of science and technology (S&T) in preventing disasters and building resilience to climate change is featured in this paper, drawing primarily on the presentations and discussion of researchers, practitioners and policy makers from 31 institutions in 17 countries during the Workshop on Natural Disasters and Climate Change in Asia, held on 5–7 November 2012 in Bangi, Malaysia. Issues highlighted include advances in climate modelling and weather forecasts, with emphasis on information gaps; hazards and its cascading effects, focusing on current research and approaches; and the potential for land-based mitigation-adaptation strategies. Progress in mobilizing S&T to support disaster prevention and climate resilience is hindered by factors such as absence or lack of research, incomplete and non-existent scientific records, restricted access to data and capacity to innovate and transmit S&T, among others. The establishment of an Asian Network for Climate Science and Technology is proposed to provide and facilitate exchange of information and aid development of research co-ordination projects led by Asian researchers and possibly to act as a one-stop repository of global climate change related research too. The scope of the network would cover climate research with particular relevance to disaster resilience, including scientific capacity, which is all very distinct in Asia.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Climate; Disasters; Malaysia; Research Personnel; Weather; Climate Change
  8. Siti Mariam Ab Ghani, Lillywhite, Graeme
    Compendium of Oral Science, 2014;1(1):30-39.
    MyJurnal
    The management of patients with severely worn dentition is challenging due to the loss of occlusal vertical dimension and tooth structure creating an uneven plane of occlusion. This case report describes the importance of every step of the conventional and improvised methods in treating tooth wear patients. Stages from the initial work-up of tooth wear assessment, substantial surgical crown lengthening, the controlled method of increasing vertical dimension, the precise method of crown preparations, advanced impression techniques till the cementation procedure of final restorations.

    The whole treatment was in a reorganized approach such that the new inter-cuspal position (ICP) coincided with the retruded axial position (RAP). When restoring worn dentition, cl inician should always have a proper planning, decent implementation for each stages thus guarantee excellent performances. However maintenance and recall visits are the main keys to long term success.
    MeSH terms: Cementation; Crowns; Dental Occlusion; Dentition; Humans; Transcription Factors; Vertical Dimension; Crown Lengthening; Tooth Attrition; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Tooth Wear
  9. Faisal Ismail Bahnasi, Nagham Mohammed Abdullah, Mohamed Ibrahim Abu-Hassan
    Compendium of Oral Science, 2014;1(1):24-29.
    MyJurnal
    Objectives: To evaluate the effect of light-cure devices and curing times on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets.

    Material and Methods: 60-extracted human premolars were divided into 6-groups of 10-teeth each and bonded with stainless-steel brackets by using 3M Unitek Transbond XT composite. Specimens were cured with halogen, LED and plasma arc lights with two different times for each. The specimens were subjected to shear force till debond with a crosshead speed of 1mm/min and tested after 5min. The stress was calculated and data were subjected to statistical analysis.

    Results: one-way ANOVA and Dunnett T3 post hoc comparison test were used. There were no significant differences between the 6 groups (p < 0.05).

    Conclusions: all curing light methods with loading force after 5 min achieved SBS more than the normal range; therefore, arch wire can be inserted at the same visit using any of tested curing light device or curing time.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Bicuspid; Dental Bonding; Halogens; Humans; Reference Values; Stainless Steel; Orthodontic Brackets; Resin Cements
  10. Krishna Kishore, R.
    Compendium of Oral Science, 2014;1(1):13-23.
    MyJurnal
    Honey is a rich source of natural nutrients. Its production is a slow, natural process with the pace of which varies seasonally. However, based on recent reports, we hypothesize that the long-term storage of processed honey, even under the most appropriate storage conditions, results in a deterioration of its quality. To test our hypothesis, we collected Tualang honey samples harvested during the years 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and tested various parameters including physicochemical properties and also performed comparative analyses of antioxidant capacities to assess its medicinal values. Our results indicate that, upon long-term storage, the quality of honey samples deteriorates, as observed in our TH 2008 and TH 2005 year honey samples, which showed unacceptable quality based on the recommended criteria of free acidity (71 .34±1.31 meq/kg), moisture (27.72%), diastase activity (3.38±0.34 Goth scale) and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (449.89±3.23 mg/kg) by Codex and European Commission Regulation. A significant (p
    MeSH terms: Acids; Amylases; Antioxidants; Furaldehyde; Honey
  11. Elfseyie, Majda T.M., Nagham Mohammed Abdullah, Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan
    MyJurnal
    Objectives: To assess the occlusal features, tongue habits, lip competence and their gender dimorphism in 12 years old Malaysian Malay school-children.

    Materials and methods: The method involved cl inical examination of 208 subjects from public schools in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Occlusal status was assessed according to Angle classification. The following features were also assessed and recorded: overjet, overbite, traumatic overbite, crowding, spacing, midline diastema, cross bite, scissors bite, dental midline shifts, canine displacement, missing teeth, traumatically fractured teeth, tongue thrust and lip competence. Descriptive statistics were used for all measurements; Chi-square was used to assess gender differences.

    Results: Class I malocclusion is most prevalent in boys and girls (44.0% and 43.8% respectively), followed by Class Ill malocclusion (31% in boys and 30 .4% in girls). Anterior crowding was found in 69.7% of the sample while anterior spacing was found in 30.8%. Incompetent lips were more common in boys than gir1s.

    Conclusions: The prevalence of malocclusion in this age group may warrant the need for more preventive and interceptive measures in dental and oral health planning.
    MeSH terms: Child; Dental Occlusion; Diastema; Female; Health Planning; Humans; Lip; Malaysia; Male; Malocclusion; Malocclusion, Angle Class I; Tongue Habits; United States; Prevalence; Tooth Injuries; Overbite
  12. Faezah Sabirin
    MyJurnal
    Blood pressure (BP) measurement was first recorded in 1700's by Hales who concluded that it was due to a pressure in the blood (1 , 2]. This is his well renowned discovery besides his other experiments on the capacity of ventricles and many other feature of circulatory system. The development of BP measurement was then rather quiet until about a century later. The accurate study of BP started with the introduction of mercury manometer by Poiseuille in 1800's who demonstrated that the arterial pressure was maintained in smaller arteries and that the blood flow through mesenteric bed did not depend on development of the venous change but varied directly with arterial pressure [3]. In the year of 1928, Poiseuille work was recognised when he won the gold medal of Royal Academy of Medicine for his doctoral dissertation on the measurement of BP using mercury manometer that was directly inserted with cannula filled with potassium bicarbonate as anticoagulant into an artery [3]. Later, his invention has enabled Carl Ludwig to develop kymograph, a method to record clinical physiological data including the BP measurements [3]. (Copied from article).
    MeSH terms: Anticoagulants; Arteries; Bicarbonates; Blood Pressure; Gold; Male; Mercury; Potassium Compounds; Inventions; Arterial Pressure
  13. Ooi, Edwin I.L., Safinaz, M.K., Ropilah, A.R
    MyJurnal
    This was a 28-year-old mentally-challenged girl with underlying congenital Rubella syndrome. She was bilaterally aphakic after congenital cataract surgery. She then developed bilateral aphakic glaucoma and had to undergo multiple glaucoma filtering surgeries. The most recent procedure she had undergone for her left eye was a second Ahmed valve implantation with an overlying sclera patch. Postoperatively, intraocular pressure was well controlled. However, nine months later, slit lamp examination revealed the tube was adherent to the overlying cornea with surrounding deep and superficial cornea vascularization. Siedel test was negative and intraocular pressure was normal. Subsequently the tube was removed but the plate was left in situ.
    MeSH terms: Cataract; Cornea; Female; Glaucoma; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital; Sclera; Tonometry, Ocular; Filtering Surgery; Glaucoma Drainage Implants; Slit Lamp
  14. Roger, A.I., Rachel, Anne J.
    MyJurnal
    A congenital urethrocutaneous fistula is a rare anomaly which was first described in 1962 by Gupta. Clinically, children present when their guardian is alarmed by either frequent urinary dribbling or unusual stream when they pass urine. This congenital anomaly can present in isolation or be accompanied by a chordee, hypospadia and anorectal malformations in a newborn. The surgical management will either be a primary repair of the fistula or converting it to a hypospadia before proceeding with a single or staged hypospadia repair. Surgical technique will depend on the local tissue factors and associated anomalies.
    MeSH terms: Anal Canal; Anus, Imperforate; Child; Fistula; Humans; Hypospadias; Infant, Newborn; Male; Rectum; Thromboplastin; Rivers
  15. Niew, Y.L., Chee, Magdalene M.X., Juanita, J., Nurul Ezzati, A.K., Mohd Sharol, A.W., Azarinah, I., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Anaesthesiology is a specialty which is less well known and the public usually have little knowledge regarding anaesthesia and the roles of Anaesthesiologist. Many hospitals now use a single dedicated consent for anaesthesia. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a single consent for anaesthesia with the combined surgical and anaesthetic consent. A total of 109 patients, scheduled for elective surgery requiring anaesthesia were interviewed with a standardised questionnaire. Patients were divided into two groups, where one group used a single anaesthetic consent while the other used a combined surgical and anaesthetic consent. A single consent for anaesthesia was found to be more effective than the current combined surgical and anaesthetic consent (p
    MeSH terms: Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; Anesthetics; Humans; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Elective Surgical Procedures
  16. Ho, Christopher C.K., Teo, C.H., Ng, C.J., Zulkifli, M.Z., Tan, M.H.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this review was to analyze the gender disparities found as well as the life expectancies in Asia. An analysis of the data on gender disparities as well as life expectancies of the different Asian countries was done based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory Data Repository as well as the regional government databases. Middle Eastern countries have the highest male to female population ratio. The results show that in terms of population pyramid, Asia is moving towards a more geriatric population. Qatar has the highest life expectancy for men and is the only country in Asia where men live longer than women (difference of 2 years). In general, women in Asia live longer than men. High income countries like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore have higher life expectancies as compared to those on the lower income nations. The life expectancy of Asian men still lags women. Men’s health care needs to be addressed urgently. The disparity in income-status reflecting the lifespan of men is an impetus for us to narrow the gap of health in Asian countries.
    MeSH terms: Female; Government; Hong Kong; Humans; Income; Japan; Life Expectancy; Male; Poverty; Qatar; Singapore; Global Health; World Health Organization; Developed Countries; Men's Health
  17. Ruhi Fadzlyana, J., Nani Harlina, M.L., Saladina Jaszle, J., Rohaizak, M.
    MyJurnal
    Radiotherapy has been widely use as an adjuvant therapy in the breast cancer management. The usage has increased the incidence of radiation induce sarcoma. We here present a case of radiation induce sarcoma of the axilla following mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection for infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
    MeSH terms: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Mastectomy; Sarcoma; Incidence; Carcinoma, Ductal
  18. Ng, B.K., Lim, P.S., Ng, Y.L., Kew, T.Y., Abdul Kadir, A.K., Hatta, M.
    MyJurnal
    Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is rare but aggressive. Various treatment options include surgery and adjuvant therapy has been advocated but the outcome remained unpredictable. Standard treatment protocol is yet to be established. We report a case of 54-year-old, Para 4+1, with malignant melanoma of the vagina. She underwent wide local excision but the surgical margin was not clear of malignant cells, hence adjuvant radiotherapy was given. Combination chemotherapy was initiated subsequently as her disease disseminated. She succumbed later due to septicaemic shock. The treatment options for vaginal melanoma were reviewed.
    MeSH terms: Clinical Protocols; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI; Humans; Melanoma; Vaginal Neoplasms; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  19. Lai, S.C., Choy, Y.C.
    MyJurnal
    This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing the effect of remifentanil and fentanyl on cardiovascular responses from laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Forty-four ASA I or II patients aged between 18-65 yrs scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia, were recruited and randomized into two groups. Each patient in Group R received remifentanil of 0.5 mcg/kg bolus over 30 seconds followed by an infusion of 0.25 mcg/kg/min and each patient in Group F received fentanyl of 2 mcg/kg bolus over 30 seconds followed by an infusion of normal saline. Anaesthesia was then induced with propofol, rocuronium and 2% sevoflurane with 100% oxygen. Cardiovascular changes were recorded every minute for 3 minutes after induction and 5 minutes after tracheal intubation. The heart rate remained stable throughout the induction and intubation period in both groups. None of the patients in the remifentanil group develop bradycardia. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly lower in the fentanyl group at the 3rd minute post-induction and 5th minute post- intubation (p < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the fentanyl group was significantly lower at the 2nd and 3rd minute post-induction and 4th and 5th minute post-intubation (p < 0.05). The blood pressure remained stable for the remifentanil group throughout the induction and intubation period. Six patients (27.2%) in the fentanyl group and one patient (4.5%) in the remifentanil group experienced hypertension. Three patients (13.7%) from each group experienced hypotensive episodes. In conclusion, remifentanil 0.5 mcg/kg bolus followed by 0.25 mcg/kg/min infusion resulted in SBP, MAP and DBP remained slightly lower than baseline throughout the whole period but still consider stable, as these changes were not statistically significant.
    MeSH terms: Androstanols; Anesthesia, General; Blood Pressure; Bradycardia; Double-Blind Method; Fentanyl; Heart Rate; Humans; Hypertension; Intubation, Intratracheal; Laryngoscopy; Methyl Ethers; Oxygen; Piperidines; Prospective Studies; Propofol
  20. Zariyantey Abdul Hamid, Zaliha Harun, Syarif Husin Lubis, Nihayah Mohamed, Ismarulyusda Ishak, Hidayatul Fathi Othman, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Health awareness promotion among farming communities are important for a sustainable agriculture activities. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess health status among farming communities in Cameron Highlands, Pahang (n = 61) and Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan (n = 143). Mobile Health Screening Programme composed of assessment of blood glucose, blood cholesterol, haemoglobin, blood pressure, pterygium, lung function and nerve conductive velocity was utilized. Our results indicate that the percentage of Cameron Highland’s farmers with hyperglycaemia, systolic hypertension, diastolic hypertension and anaemia were 8.2%, 14.8%, 11.5% and 8.2%, respectively. However, higher percentage of farmers in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan with hyperglycaemia (32.8%), hypercholesterolaemia (83%), anaemia (24.2%) and systolic hypertension (41.9%) were observed. Pterygium was positive for 88.6% of farmers in Cameron Highlands and 94.4% in Bachok and Pasir Puteh. Lung function test shows that 61.7% and 11.4% of farmers in Cameron Highlands had restrictive and obstructive lung, respectively. In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, a total of 19.8%, 55.5% and 23.9% of farmers were found to have obstructive, restrictive and combined obstructive and restrictive lung, respectively. Current Perception Threshold (CPT) value which indicate nerve conductive velocity were significantly increased (p < 0.05) among Cameron Highland’s farmers for both median and peroneal nerve at all frequencies (5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2000 Hz). In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, the values of the CPT for median nerve was significantly increased (p < 0.05) for all frequencies (5, 250 and 2000 Hz). Meanwhile, a signifi cant increased (p < 0.05) was observed for the CPT values for peroneal nerve at the frequencies of 250 and 2000 Hz as compared to control groups. In conclusion, analysis revealed different health problem among the studied farming communities which could be influenced by the differences in farming practices. Thus, employed Mobile Health Screening Programme offers a monitoring approach that could highlight the need for suitable health services and awareness programmes for different farming communities.
    MeSH terms: Farmers; Agriculture; Anemia; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination; Cholesterol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Status; Hemoglobins; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperglycemia; Hypertension; Median Nerve; Peroneal Nerve; Pterygium; Residence Characteristics; Respiratory Function Tests; Telemedicine; Control Groups
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