Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 173 in total

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  1. Aziz A, Agamuthu P, Fauziah SH
    Waste Manag Res, 2018 Oct;36(10):975-984.
    PMID: 30058954 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X18790360
    Landfill leachate contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs), namely, bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, which exceed the permissible limits. Thus, such landfill leachate must be treated before it is released into natural water courses. This article reports on investigations about the removal efficiency of POPs such as BPA and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol from leachate using locust bean gum (LBG) in comparison with alum. The vital experimental variables (pH, coagulant dosage and stirring speed) were optimised by applying response surface methodology equipped with the Box-Behnken design to reduce the POPs from leachate. An empirical quadratic polynomial model could accurately model the surface response with R2 values of 0.928 and 0.954 to reduce BPA and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed on treated flocs for further understanding. FTIR analysis revealed that the bridging of pollutant particles could be due to the explicit adsorption and bridging via hydrogen bonding of a coagulation mechanism. SEM micrographs indicated that the flocs produced by LBG have a rough cloudy surface and numerous micro-pores compared with alum, which enabled the capture and removal of POPs from leachate. Results showed that the reduction efficiencies for BPA and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol at pH 7.5 were 76% and 84% at LBG dosage of 500 mg·L-1 and 400 mg·L-1, respectively. Coagulant dosage and pH variation have a significant effect on POPs reduction in leachate. Coagulation/flocculation using LBG could be applied for POPs reduction in leachate as a pre-treatment prior to advanced treatments.
  2. Taha, H., Mohebali, N., Chung, Y. L., Ismail, N. H., Aziz , A., Bakar, M. Z. A., et al.
    MyJurnal
    his is a short report on the recent investigation on the anticancer and antioxidant potential
    of Pseuduvaria macrophylla stem bark and leaf extract on human breast cancer cell (MCF-7), human
    prostate cancer cell (PC-3) and human colon cancer cell (HT29). LCMS experiment was done to
    identify the chemical composition in the methanolic extracts while GCMS analysis was done to
    determine the chemical composition in the hexanolic extracts. For antioxidant activity, the most active
    extract was leaf methanolic with 69.22 % of DPPH inhibition. Additionally, the leaf methanolic extract
    inhibited the better proliferation especially on human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) compared to hexane
    crude extracts due to more than 90% of cancer cell death and lowest IC50 value at range of 80.70
    µg/mL ± 0.08 – 106.70 µg/mL ± 0.07. The major detected compounds were α-Cadinol, neophytadiene,
    palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and isopolycerasoidal and isopolycerasoidal methyl ester. The
    findings of this study support the anti-cancer claims of Pseuduvaria macrophylla leaf. Copyright© 2016
    Penerbit Akademia Baru- All rights reserved.
  3. Makhadmeh GN, Abdul Aziz A
    Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol, 2018;46(sup3):S1043-S1046.
    PMID: 30449196 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2018.1528982
    BACKGROUND: Achieved Silica Nanoparticles (SiNPs) to encapsulate the photosensitizer [Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)] in photodynamic therapy (PDT) application was reported in this research.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity for five different concentrations of encapsulated and naked PpIX was measured. Optimum concentration and optimum exposure time of encapsulated and naked PpIX that needed to destroy the cells (Osteosarcoma cells) was measured.

    RESULTS: The results showed that the encapsulated PpIX has more efficacy compared to the naked PpIX and the applicability of the encapsulated PpIX-SiNPs was proved on osteosarcoma cells.

    CONCLUSION: The results established the important in-vitro photodynamic effectiveness of PpIX-SiNP, which may open a new application for PpIX in its clinical and in-vitro studies.

  4. Hassan R, Abd Aziz A
    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Apr;17(2):29-39.
    PMID: 22135535 MyJurnal
    Blunt abdominal trauma can cause multiple internal injuries. However, these injuries are often difficult to accurately evaluate, particularly in the presence of more obvious external injuries. Computed tomography (CT) imaging is currently used to assess clinically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma. CT can provide a rapid and accurate appraisal of the abdominal viscera, retroperitoneum and abdominal wall, as well as a limited assessment of the lower thoracic region and bony pelvis. This paper presents examples of various injuries in trauma patients depicted in abdominal CT images. We hope these images provide a resource for radiologists, surgeons and medical officers, as well as a learning tool for medical students.
  5. Sajjadi B, Abdul Aziz AR, Ibrahim S
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 Jan;22:463-73.
    PMID: 24981808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.06.004
    The influence of sonoluminescence transesterification on biodiesel physicochemical properties was investigated and the results were compared to those of traditional mechanical stirring. This study was conducted to identify the mechanistic features of ultrasonication by coupling statistical analysis of the experiments into the simulation of cavitation bubble. Different combinations of operational variables were employed for alkali-catalysis transesterification of palm oil. The experimental results showed that transesterification with ultrasound irradiation could change the biodiesel density by about 0.3kg/m(3); the viscosity by 0.12mm(2)/s; the pour point by about 1-2°C and the flash point by 5°C compared to the traditional method. Furthermore, 93.84% of yield with alcohol to oil molar ratio of 6:1 could be achieved through ultrasound assisted transesterification within only 20min. However, only 89.09% of reaction yield was obtained by traditional macro mixing/heating under the same condition. Based on the simulated oscillation velocity value, the cavitation phenomenon significantly contributed to generation of fine micro emulsion and was able to overcome mass transfer restriction. It was found that the sonoluminescence bubbles reached the temperature of 758-713K, pressure of 235.5-159.55bar, oscillation velocity of 3.5-6.5cm/s, and equilibrium radius of 17.9-13.7 times greater than its initial size under the ambient temperature of 50-64°C at the moment of collapse. This showed that the sonoluminescence bubbles were in the condition in which the decomposition phenomena were activated and the reaction rate was accelerated together with a change in the biodiesel properties.
  6. Hassan R, Abd Aziz A, Mohamed SKC
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Aug;67(4):445-51; quiz 452.
    PMID: 23082464 MyJurnal
    Computed tomography (CT) is currently the diagnostic modality of choice in the evaluation of clinically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma, including the assessment of blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries. CT signs of bowel and/or mesenteric injuries are bowel wall defect, free air, oral contrast material extravasation, extravasation of contrast material from mesenteric vessels, mesenteric vascular beading, abrupt termination of mesenteric vessels, focal bowel wall thickening, mesenteric fat stranding, mesenteric haematoma and intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal fluid. This pictorial essay illustrates CT features of bowel and/or mesenteric injuries in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Pitfalls in interpretation of images are emphasized in proven cases.
  7. Cha TS, Yee W, Aziz A
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2012 Apr;28(4):1771-9.
    PMID: 22805959 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-011-0991-0
    The successful establishment of an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method and optimisation of six critical parameters known to influence the efficacy of Agrobacterium T-DNA transfer in the unicellular microalga Chlorella vulgaris (UMT-M1) are reported. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring the binary vector pCAMBIA1304 containing the gfp:gusA fusion reporter and a hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) selectable marker driven by the CaMV35S promoter were used for transformation. Transformation frequency was assessed by monitoring transient β-glucuronidase (GUS) expression 2 days post-infection. It was found that co-cultivation temperature at 24°C, co-cultivation medium at pH 5.5, 3 days of co-cultivation, 150 μM acetosyringone, Agrobacterium density of 1.0 units (OD(600)) and 2 days of pre-culture were optimum variables which produced the highest number of GUS-positive cells (8.8-20.1%) when each of these parameters was optimised individually. Transformation conducted with the combination of all optimal parameters above produced 25.0% of GUS-positive cells, which was almost a threefold increase from 8.9% obtained from un-optimised parameters. Evidence of transformation was further confirmed in 30% of 30 randomly-selected hygromycin B (20 mg L(-1)) resistant colonies by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gfp:gusA and hpt-specific primers. The developed transformation method is expected to facilitate the genetic improvement of this commercially-important microalga.
  8. Abioye OP, Agamuthu P, Abdul Aziz AR
    Biotechnol Res Int, 2012;2012:587041.
    PMID: 22919502 DOI: 10.1155/2012/587041
    Soil and surface water contamination by used lubricating oil is a common occurrence in most developing countries. This has been shown to have harmful effects on the environment and human beings at large. Bioremediation can be an alternative green technology for remediation of such hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Bioremediation of soil contaminated with 5% and 15% (w/w) used lubricating oil and amended with 10% brewery spent grain (BSG), banana skin (BS), and spent mushroom compost (SMC) was studied for a period of 84 days, under laboratory condition. At the end of 84 days, the highest percentage of oil biodegradation (92%) was recorded in soil contaminated with 5% used lubricating oil and amended with BSG, while only 55% of oil biodegradation was recorded in soil contaminated with 15% used lubricating oil and amended with BSG. Results of first-order kinetic model to determine the rate of biodegradation of used lubricating oil revealed that soil amended with BSG recorded the highest rate of oil biodegradation (0.4361 day(-1)) in 5% oil pollution, while BS amended soil recorded the highest rate of oil biodegradation (0.0556 day(-1)) in 15% oil pollution. The results of this study demonstrated the potential of BSG as a good substrate for enhanced remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil at low pollution concentration.
  9. Abioye OP, Agamuthu P, Abdul Aziz AR
    Biodegradation, 2012 Apr;23(2):277-86.
    PMID: 21870160 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-011-9506-9
    Soil contamination by hydrocarbons, especially by used lubricating oil, is a growing problem in developing countries, which poses a serious threat to the environment. Phytoremediation of these contaminated soils offers environmental friendly and a cost effective method for their remediation. Hibiscus cannabinus was studied for the remediation of soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% used lubricating oil and treated with organic wastes [banana skin (BS), brewery spent grain (BSG) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)] for a period of 90 days under natural conditions. Loss of 86.4 and 91.8% used lubricating oil was recorded in soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% oil and treated with organic wastes respectively at the end of 90 days. However, 52.5 and 58.9% oil loss was recorded in unamended soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% oil, respectively. The plant did not accumulate hydrocarbon from the soil but shows appreciable accumulation of Fe and Zn in the root and stem of H. cannabinus at the end of the experiment. The first order kinetic rate of uptake of Fe and Zn in H. cannabinus was higher in organic wastes amendment treatments compared to the unamended treatments, which are extremely low. The results of this study suggest that H. cannabinus has a high potential for remediation of hydrocarbon and heavy metal contaminated soil.
  10. Agamuthu P, Abioye OP, Aziz AA
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Jul 15;179(1-3):891-4.
    PMID: 20392562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.03.088
    Soil contamination by used lubricating oil from automobiles is a growing concern in many countries, especially in Asian and African continents. Phytoremediation of this polluted soil with non-edible plant like Jatropha curcas offers an environmental friendly and cost-effective method for remediating the polluted soil. In this study, phytoremediation of soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% (w/w) waste lubricating oil using J. curcas and enhancement with organic wastes [Banana skin (BS), brewery spent grain (BSG) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)] was undertaken for a period of 180 days under room condition. 56.6% and 67.3% loss of waste lubricating oil was recorded in Jatropha remediated soil without organic amendment for 2.5% and 1% contamination, respectively. However addition of organic waste (BSG) to Jatropha remediation rapidly increases the removal of waste lubricating oil to 89.6% and 96.6% in soil contaminated with 2.5% and 1% oil, respectively. Jatropha root did not accumulate hydrocarbons from the soil, but the number of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria was high in the rhizosphere of the Jatropha plant, thus suggesting that the mechanism of the oil degradation was via rhizodegradation. These studies have proven that J. curcas with organic amendment has a potential in reclaiming hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.
  11. Khan TM, Aziz A, Suleiman AK
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2016 3 10;8(1):74-6.
    PMID: 26957874 DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.171736
    Uremic pruritus (UP) is one of the complications faced by majority of the patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Due to complex pathophysiology of UP, most of the anti-inflammatory and tropical lubricants often not provide a long lasting control over pruritus. Recently the uses of certain anti-epileptics are found to demonstrate promising relief to UP. To test the effect of 75 mg pregabalin in patients with treatment resistance pruritus. Data was prospectively collected from a patient with ESRD and suffering from treatment resistance pruritus. Intensity of pruritus was recorded using 5D-itching scale (5D-IS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Pre and post assessment was done for this patient, on initial assess the parathyroid hormone level of the patient was 70.5 pg/ml with a serum phosphate level of 2.61 mmol/L. Upon initial assess the VAS score was 8 and 5D-IS score was twenty. After the duration of four weeks of pregabalin 75 mg post hemodialysis, 5D-IS score reduced to 8 and VAS score move down to 3. Pregabalin 75 mg post hemodialysis was found to reduce the intensity of UP. Pregabalin 75 mg post hemodialysis can be another option to treat UP.
  12. Oothuman P, Jeffery J, Aziz AH, Abu Bakar E, Jegathesan M
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1989 1 1;83(1):133-5.
    PMID: 2603192
    A survey was conducted in 4 paediatric wards in Malaysia to determine the distribution of various species of cockroaches and to examine their gut contents for bacteria. Cockroaches were trapped from food dispensing areas (kitchens), store rooms, cupboards and open wards. 104 cockroaches were caught, consisting of Periplaneta americana (67.3%), Blattella germanica (26%), P. brunnea (4.8%), and Supella longipalpa (1.9%). Bacteria were isolated from all cockroaches except 3 P. americana. Many bacterial species were identified, including the pathogenic and potentially pathogenic species Shigella boydii, S. dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebseilla oxytoca, K. ozaena and Serratia marcescens.
  13. Salmuna ZN, Hashim S, Hasan H, Harun A, Abdul Rahman Z, Ismail N, et al.
    IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2019;18(3):144-152.
    MyJurnal
    Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) were defined as a triad of cough, sore throat and fever. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in knowledge, perceptions and practices towards preventive measures of succumbing to ILI before and after hajj among Malaysian hajj pilgrims.Methodology: An open-labeled randomized control trial study performed on five hundred Malaysian hajj pilgrims in the year 2013. After validated pre-hajj questionnaires completed, 250 subjects were given health education, benzalkonium-based handrub and demonstration of the handrub usage together with pamphlets and labelled as an intervention group. Another 250 subjects from another flight batch were given the same questionnaires without health education with unmedicated hand lotion as a control group. The knowledge, perception, practices and compliances to the handrub practice in both groups were compared with the pre-hajj results. Results: No significant difference between pre and post hajj knowledge and practice among hajj pilgrims in intervention group. Pre hajj perception score [ M (IQR) = 30 (5.00), Z= -2.441, p < 0.05 ] is much higher compared to post hajj perception [ M (IQR) = 29 (6.00), Z = -2.441, p < O.O5 ]. No significant difference between pre and post hajj knowledge, perception and practices among hajj pilgrims in control group. Hand hygiene compliance was not improved with provision of health education and free handrub supply. Conclusion: No significant changes in knowledge, perceptions and practices of Malaysian hajj pilgrims pre and post-hajj in both groups. Provision of handrub did not improved hajj pilgrims compliance.
  14. Mhd Abd Kader, K. A., Ab. Aziz, N., Aziz, A., Talib, A. T., Ahmad, N. H., Tan, C. P., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Pink Guava Puree (PGP) factory produces tons of residues from its unit operation [refiner (R),
    siever (S), and decanter (D)]. These residues represent a waste of nutrients and can contribute
    to environmental problem. However, it can benefit related industries if the properties of the
    residues are known. Thus, this research aims to determine the compositions of the residues
    from PGP processing factory in order to evaluate possible value-added by-product and energy
    sources. The residues from each unit operation were being tested for proximate composition,
    dietary fibre components, pH value, emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsifying stability (ES),
    carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and sugar analysis. The sugar content was analysed using High
    Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-RI detector). Results showed that the residues
    have good composition of carbohydrate (11.82–12.18%), and thus potential as carbon source
    and can be a good substrate for fermentation. These residues may also benefit the food industry
    as a good source of dietary fibre (18.63–29.86%). The pH value for these PGP residues is 4;
    thus they were considered as acidic food by-product. The low pH value also contributed to the
    low EA and ES value other than the low content of protein in the sample. C/N ratio for PGP
    residue from R (46:1) is the lowest compared to the C/N ratio from S (84:1) and D (115:1). The
    amount of sugars detected in the PGP residues in descending order were fructose > glucose >
    sucrose.
  15. Chew KS, Kueh YC, Abdul Aziz A
    BMC Med Educ, 2017 Mar 21;17(1):58.
    PMID: 28320367 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-017-0897-0
    BACKGROUND: Despite their importance on diagnostic accuracy, there is a paucity of literature on questionnaire tools to assess clinicians' awareness toward cognitive errors. A validation study was conducted to develop a questionnaire tool to evaluate the Clinician's Awareness Towards Cognitive Errors (CATChES) in clinical decision making.

    METHODS: This questionnaire is divided into two parts. Part A is to evaluate the clinicians' awareness towards cognitive errors in clinical decision making while Part B is to evaluate their perception towards specific cognitive errors. Content validation for both parts was first determined followed by construct validation for Part A. Construct validation for Part B was not determined as the responses were set in a dichotomous format.

    RESULTS: For content validation, all items in both Part A and Part B were rated as "excellent" in terms of their relevance in clinical settings. For construct validation using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for Part A, a two-factor model with total variance extraction of 60% was determined. Two items were deleted. Then, the EFA was repeated showing that all factor loadings are above the cut-off value of >0.5. The Cronbach's alpha for both factors are above 0.6.

    CONCLUSION: The CATChES questionnaire tool is a valid questionnaire tool aimed to evaluate the awareness among clinicians toward cognitive errors in clinical decision making.

  16. Mohamad NS, Che Rahim MJ, Aziz A
    Malays Fam Physician, 2021 Nov 30;16(3):97-100.
    PMID: 34938397 DOI: 10.51866/cr1113
    The clavicle or collarbone is a horizontal-axis bony structure located between the neck and thoracic area. Tumour metastasis at the clavicle is very rare. Due to its location at the border of the neck and chest area, a primary tumour could originate from both areas. We report the case of a 39-year-old man who presented with a painful right sternal-end clavicular mass and intermittent fever. Chest radiography was normal. Musculoskeletal ultrasound of the clavicle revealed a mass. Computed tomography (CT) thorax further identified a mass at the upper lobe of the right lung. CT-guided tissue biopsy confirmed that it was a lung adenocarcinoma. This case shows an atypical presentation of lung carcinoma and how musculoskeletal ultrasound helped in the diagnosis when other features and investigations were inconclusive.
  17. Aziz A, Agamuthu P, Alaribe FO, Fauziah SH
    Environ Technol, 2018 Feb;39(4):527-535.
    PMID: 28281885 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1305455
    Benzo[a]pyrene is a high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon highly recalcitrant in nature and thus harms the ecosystem and/or human health. Therefore, its removal from the marine environment is crucial. This research focuses on benzo[a]pyrene degradation by using enriched bacterial isolates in consortium under saline conditions. Bacterial isolates capable of using benzo[a]pyrene as sole source of carbon and energy were isolated from enriched mangrove sediment. These isolates were identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi, Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila, and Aeromonas salmonicida ss salmonicida. Isolated O. anthropi and S. acidaminiphila degraded 26% and 20%, respectively, of an initial benzo[a]pyrene concentration of 20 mg/L after 8 days of incubation in seawater (28 ppm of NaCl). Meanwhile, the bacterial consortium decomposed 41% of an initial 50 mg/L benzo[a]pyrene concentration after 8 days of incubation in seawater (28 ppm of NaCl). The degradation efficiency of benzo[a]pyrene increased to 54%, when phenanthrene was supplemented as a co-metabolic substrate. The order of biodegradation rate by temperature was 30°C > 25°C > 35°C. Our results suggest that co-metabolism by the consortium could be a promising biodegradation strategy for benzo[a]pyrene in seawater.
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