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Septic arthritis of temporomandibular joint

Azmi NS, Mohamad N, Razali NA, Zamli AKT, Sapiai NA

Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):264-266.
PMID: 33742643

Septic arthritis (SA) occurrence for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare. Pain, fever, swelling or loss of TMJ function are the typical presentation. The more common diagnosis for these presentations is internal derangement, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, TMJ septic arthritis is a challenging diagnosis and at risk of delayed diagnosis. We present a case of TMJ septic arthritis in a 46 year old Malay female with underlying hypertension and hypercholestrolemia, which was diagnosed as internal derangement in the initial presentation. The initial radiograph was normal. Arthrocentesis procedure had temporarily relieved the symptoms before progressive facial swelling developed after a week. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) brain revealed left TMJ abscess formation with left condylar erosion. Patient subsequently improved after wound debridement, left condylectomy and antimicrobial therapy.
Carbonyl Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Hb Crosslinked Network: A Novel Platform for Studying Bio-Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin

Kafi AKM, Yam CCL, Azmi NS, Yusoff MM

J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2018 Apr 01;18(4):2422-2428.
PMID: 29442911 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2018.14327

In this work, the direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin (Hb), which was immobilized on carbonyl functionalized single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and deposited onto a gold (Au) electrode has been described. The synthesis of the network of crosslinked SWCNT/Hb was done with the help of crosslinking agent EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide). The UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy of SWCNT/Hb networks showed that Hb maintained its natural structure and kept good stability. In addition with this, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated that SWCNT/Hb networks had a featured layered structure and Hb being strongly liked with SWCNT surface. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to study and to optimize the performance of the resulting modified electrode. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) responses of SWCNT/Hb networks in pH 7.0 exhibit prominent redox couple for the FeIII/II redox process with a midpoint potential of -0.46 V and -0.34, cathodic and anodic respectively. Furthermore, SWCNT/Hb networks are utilized for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Electrochemical measurements reveal that the resulting SWCNT/Hb electrodes display high electrocatalytic activity to H2O2 with high sensitivity, wide linear range, and low detection limit. Overall, the electrochemical results are due to excellent biocompatibility and excellent electron transport efficiency of CNT as well as high Hb loading and synergistic catalytic effect of the modified electrode toward H2O2.
Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of farmers towards urban agroecology in Malaysia

Noor Azmi NS, Ng YM, Masud MM, Cheng A

Heliyon, 2024 Jun 30;10(12):e33365.
PMID: 39021900 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33365

Adopting agroecological approaches to build resilient urban food systems has recently gained traction around the world, but there is little to no reliable literature on the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of urban farmers towards these nature-based solutions in many developing nations, including Malaysia. The present study conducted an online survey to determine the extent to which local urban farmers understand and employ agroecology, as well as to assess their awareness and views on using agroecological practices and sustainable farm management. We found that the majority of respondents are unfamiliar with agroecological principles, with 79 % agreeing or strongly agreeing that implementing sustainable agricultural practices is challenging. However, more than 90 % of respondents are aware of the environmental consequences of excessive input utilisation. Our findings highlight the need for improved initiatives to promote agroecological approaches among farmers by sharing knowledge and best practices. In light of the growing threat posed by urban heat islands and the rapid urbanisation, this study offers novel insights into the knowledge gaps and perceptions about agroecological approaches among urban farmers, challenges that must be addressed to promote sustainable agriculture, and the potential role of farmers in achieving the three fundamental pillars of sustainability-planet, people, and prosperity.
Fulltext Ficus deltoidea promotes bone formation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Samsulrizal N, Goh YM, Ahmad H, Md Dom S, Azmi NS, NoorMohamad Zin NS, et al.

Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):66-73.
PMID: 33399485 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2020.1865411

CONTEXT: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of bone diseases including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. We have previously demonstrated that Ficus deltoidea Jack (Moraceae) is capable of reducing hyperglycaemia. However, whether F. deltoidea could protect against diabetic osteoporosis remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: The study examines the effect of F. deltoidea on bone histomorphometric parameters, oxidative stress, and turnover markers in diabetic rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6 animals per group) received one of the following treatments via gavage for 8 weeks: saline (diabetic control), metformin (1000 mg/kg bwt), and methanol leaves extract of F. deltoidea (1000 mg/kg bwt). A group of healthy rats served as normal control. The femoral bones were excised and scanned ex vivo using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for histomorphometric analysis. The serum levels of insulin, oxidative stress, and bone turnover markers were determined by ELISA assays.
RESULTS: Treatment of diabetic rats with F. deltoidea could significantly increase bone mineral density (BMD) (from 526.98 ± 11.87 to 637.74 ± 3.90). Higher levels of insulin (2.41 ± 0.08 vs. 1.58 ± 0.16), osteocalcin (155.66 ± 4.11 vs. 14.35 ± 0.97), and total bone n-3 PUFA (2.34 ± 0.47 vs. 1.44 ± 0.18) in parallel with the presence of chondrocyte hypertrophy were also observed following F. deltoidea treatment compared to diabetic control.
CONCLUSIONS: F. deltoidea could prevent diabetic osteoporosis by enhancing osteogenesis and inhibiting bone oxidative stress. These findings support the potential use of F. deltoidea for osteoporosis therapy in diabetes.
Fulltext Caregiving Self-efficacy and Knowledge Regarding Patient Positioning Among Malaysian Caregivers of Stroke Patients

Tan CE, Hi MY, Azmi NS, Ishak NK, Mohd Farid FA, Abdul Aziz AF

Cureus, 2020 Mar 24;12(3):e7390.
PMID: 32337117 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7390

Background Most family caregivers of stroke patients in Malaysia do not receive adequate prior preparation or training. This study aimed to determine levels of patient positioning knowledge and caregiving self-efficacy among caregivers of stroke patients. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban teaching hospital involving 128 caregivers of stroke patients. The caregivers were conveniently sampled and completed the data collection forms, which comprised their socio-demographic data, patients' functional status, the Caregiving Knowledge For Stroke Questionnaire: Patient Positioning (CKQ-My© Patient Positioning) to measure caregiver's knowledge on patient positioning, and the Family Caregiver Activation Tool (FCAT©) to measure caregivers' self-efficacy in managing the patient. Descriptive and multivariate inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results Among the caregivers sampled, 87.3% had poor knowledge of positioning (mean score 14.9 ± 4.32). The mean score for FCAT was 49.7 ± 6.0 from a scale of 10 to 60. There was no significant association between knowledge on positioning and self-efficacy. Multiple linear regression showed that caregivers' age (B = 0.146, p = 0.003) and caregiver training (B = 3.302, p = 0.007) were independently associated with caregivers' self-efficacy. Conclusion Caregivers' knowledge on the positioning of stroke patients was poor, despite a fairly good level of self-efficacy. Older caregivers and receiving caregiver training were independently associated with better caregiver self-efficacy. This supports the provision of caregiver training to improve caregiver self-efficacy.
Fulltext Management of prediabetes in Malaysian population: An experts' opinion

Mafauzy M, Khoo EM, Hussein Z, Yusoff Azmi NS, Siah GJ, Mustapha FI, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 07;75(4):419-427.
PMID: 32724007

INTRODUCTION: Prediabetes, typically defined as blood glucose levels above normal but below diabetes thresholds, denotes a risk state that confers a high chance of developing diabetes. Asians, particularly the Southeast Asian population, may have a higher genetic predisposition to diabetes and increased exposure to environmental and social risk factors. Malaysia alone was home to 3.4 million people with diabetes in 2017; the figure is estimated to reach 6.1 million by 2045. Developing strategies for early interventions to treat prediabetes and preventing the development of overt diabetes and subsequent cardiovascular and microvascular complications are therefore important.

METHODS: An expert panel comprising regional experts was convened in Kuala Lumpur, for a one-day meeting, to develop a document on prediabetes management in Malaysia. The expert panel comprised renowned subject-matter experts and specialists in diabetes and endocrinology, primary-care physicians, as well as academicians with relevant expertise.

RESULTS: Fifteen key clinical statements were proposed. The expert panel reached agreements on several important issues related to the management of prediabetes providing recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, lifestyle and pharmacological management of prediabetes. The expert panel also proposed changes in forthcoming clinical practice guidelines and suggested that the government should advocate early screening, detection, and intensive management of prediabetes.

CONCLUSION: This document provides a comprehensive approach to the management of prediabetes in Malaysia in their daily activities and offer help in improving government policies and the decision-making process.