MyMedR

Micro-interdigitated electrodes genosensor based on Au-deposited nanoparticles for early detection of cervical cancer

Jaapar FN, Parmin NA, Halim NHA, Hashim U, Gopinath SCB, Halim FS, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 2):126745.

PMID: 37689297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126745

Genosensor-based electrodes mediated with nanoparticles (NPs) have tremendously developed in medical diagnosis. Herein, we report a facile, rapid, low cost and highly sensitive biosensing strategy for early detection of HPV 18 using gold-nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on micro-IDEs. This study represents surface charge transduction of micro-interdigitated electrodes (micro-IDE) alumina insulated with silica, independent and mini genosensor modified with colloidal gold NPs (AuNPs), and determination of gene hybridization for early detection of cervical cancer. The surface of AuNPs deposited micro-IDE functionalized with optimized 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) followed by hybridization with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus to develop DNA genosensor. The results of ssDNA hybridization with the ssDNA target of human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 have affirmed that micro-IDE functionalized with colloidal AuNPs resulted in the lowest detection at 0.529 aM. Based on coefficient regression, micro-IDE functionalized with AuNPs produces better results in the sensitivity test (R2 = 0.99793) than unfunctionalized micro-IDE.

Fulltext Spectrum of infections in splenectomised thalassaemia patients

Zarina AL, Norazlin KN, Hamidah A, Aziz DA, Zulkifli SZ, Jamal R

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Dec;65(4):283-5.

PMID: 21901946

Splenectomised thalassaemia patients are at risk of developing sepsis. As the infection may be life-threatening, treatment should be sought and given promptly. A retrospective study was performed amongst our thalassaemia major patients who were splenectomised. The vaccination status of each patient and the types of infections seen were reviewed to obtain a local perspective. In our cohort of 49 splenectomised patients, 25 patients required hospitalization for the treatment of infection. There were a total of 40 febrile episodes within this hospitalised group of which 27.5% were microbiologically documented infection with bacteraemia. The predominant causative organisms were gram negative rods and three patients succumbed to overwhelming septicaemic shock as a result of delayed presentation. Sixty percent of the febrile episodes were clinically documented infection and comprised mainly upper respiratory tract infections. Based on the spectrum of infections seen, there is a need to improve the patients' awareness level so that early treatment is sought. There is also a need to re-address the approach towards vaccination in this immunocompromised group of patients by administering a booster pneumococcal and influenza vaccination in an attempt to reduce morbidity.

Hamidah A, Wong CY, Tamil AM, Zarina LA, Zulkifli ZS, Jamal R

Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2011 Jul 15;57(1):105-9.

PMID: 21465639 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.23125

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in pediatric leukemia patients in Malaysia has not been studied before. This was mainly due to a lack of databases on patients in the past. Many patients abandoned treatment or were lost to follow up. With more children now fully compliant and completing treatment nowadays, with higher cure rate, HRQOL has become important for our patients. The purpose of the current study was to determine the HRQOL scores in children with acute leukemia and to compare the scores for those on maintenance chemotherapy with those off-treatment as well as to determine factors which might affect HRQOL.

Fulltext Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia: a case series

Azma RZ, Zarina AL, Hamidah A, Jamal R, Sharifah NA, Ainoon O, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2009 Dec;31(2):121-8.

PMID: 20514855 MyJurnal

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML), previously known as juvenile chronic myeloid leukaemia (JCML) is a rare, myelodysplastic - myeloproliferative disease typically presenting in early childhood. This disorder is difficult to distinguish from other myeloproliferative syndrome such as chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) because of the similarities in their clinical and bone marrow findings. However, because of its unique biological characteristics such as absolute monocytosis with dysplasia, absence of Philadelphia chromosome or BCR-ABL fusion protein, hypergammaglobulinaemia and raised fetal haemoglobin level, this disorder does not satisfy the criteria for inclusion in the CML or chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) group, as seen in adult patients. We describe a series of three patients with JMML, who had almost similar clinical and laboratory findings, and discuss the difficulty in the classification and treatment of the disease.

Assessment of P-gp and MRP1 activities using MultiDrugQuant Assay Kit: a preliminary study of correlation between protein expressions and its functional activities in newly diagnosed acute leukaemia patients

Fazlina N, Maha A, Zarina AL, Hamidah A, Zulkifli SZ, Cheong SK, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2008 Dec;30(2):87-93.

PMID: 19291917

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is believed to be responsible for poor response of patients towards chemotherapy particularly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The best-characterized resistance mechanism is the one mediated by permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by MDR1 gene, which is responsible for drug efflux. We studied P-gp and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) expression and functional activities in 43 newly diagnosed acute leukemia cases (19 paediatric ALL cases and 24 adult AML cases). The expression and functional activities were examined using flow cytometry and MultiDrugQuant assay kit (involving calcein AM uptake and efflux). P-gp and MRP1 expression and its functional activities were observed in 68.4% of paediatric ALL. In adult AML cases, all cases expressed MRP1 and its functional activities but only 58.3% were positive for P-gp and its functional activities. We were able to show a significant correlation between the expression of the multidrug resistant protein (P-gp and MRP1) and their functional activity in adult AML and paediatric ALL samples.

Fulltext Transient abnormal myelopoeisis in newborns with Down syndrome

Zarina AL, Hamidah A, Yong SC, Rohana J, Hamidah NH, Azma RZ, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2007 Dec;29(2):107-11.

PMID: 19108403 MyJurnal

Transient abnormal myelopoeisis (TAM) is a haematological phenomenon commonly seen in newborns with Down syndrome. Although the majority show spontaneous resolution, this condition should not be dismissed too readily as there have been associated fatalities. Furthermore, even for those who do show spontaneous resolution, a significant percentage will develop acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia within the next few years of life. We report a series of four patients with TAM who presented with hepatosplenomegaly and leucocytosis detected on preliminary investigations.

Prevalence and parental perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine use by children with cancer in a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian population

Hamidah A, Rustam ZA, Tamil AM, Zarina LA, Zulkifli ZS, Jamal R

Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2009 Jan;52(1):70-4.

PMID: 18937312 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21798

The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by children with cancer and to compare the characteristics of CAM users and CAM nonusers.

Recurrent gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour in a 13-year-old male

Hamidah A, Khu SY, Thambidorai CR, Muhaizan WM, Zarina AL, Jamal R

Pediatr Surg Int, 2007 Jun;23(6):601-3.

PMID: 17063336

A 13-year-old boy who had epigastric pain and pallor for 2 months and found to have an ulcerative mass in the stomach and underwent partial gastrectomy. A diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) of the stomach was made on histological examination. Three years later, recurrence in the stomach, with invasion into the pancreas and hilum of the spleen was noted and was managed by wide wedge resection of the stomach, distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The patient has been recurrence-free for the past 2 years. Gastric IMT is an uncommon tumour in children with unpredictable prognosis.

Congenital factor VII deficiency: a case report

Zarina L, Hamidah A, Rohana J, Faraizah AK, Noryati AA, Jamal R, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2004 Jun;26(1):65-7.

PMID: 16190109

Factor VII deficiency is a rare congenital blood disorder. Its clinical features are rather variable and ranges from epistaxis to massive intracranial haemorrhage. Treatment involves replacement therapy, which constitutes use of fresh frozen plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates or recombinant activated factor VII. Although it is a rare entity, one still needs to consider it as a probable diagnosis in a newborn with coagulopathy. We report here a case of Factor VII deficiency in a newborn who presented with subdural haemorrhage at day 4 of life.

Fulltext Cefepime plus amikacin as an initial empirical therapy of febrile neutropenia in paediatric cancer patients

Hamidah A, Lim YS, Zulkifli SZ, Zarina AL, Nordiah AJ, Jamal R

Singapore Med J, 2007 Jul;48(7):615-9.

PMID: 17609821

We evaluated the efficacy of cefepime in association with amikacin in the initial empirical therapy of febrile neutropenic children.

Exploring the beliefs of caregivers about the caregiving experiences of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Malaysia

Chong ASS, Mahadir A, Hamidah A, Rizuana IH, Afifi L, Chan CMH

Belitung Nurs J, 2022;8(3):204-212.

PMID: 37547110 DOI: 10.33546/bnj.2083

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the major leading causes of childhood death, and the most common type is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The survival rate has increased in recent years; however, the long patient trajectory may trigger psychological distress among caregivers as they play an active role in ensuring that the child's basic needs are met. Being in a patient-focused system, the needs of caregivers may be neglected.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the caregivers' beliefs on children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia caregiving experiences in order to promote their well-being.

METHODS: Caregivers from thirteen families of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia participated in this phenomenological study. NVivo 12 was used for the thematic analysis of the data. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were used in this study.

RESULTS: Overall, five main themes for caregivers' beliefs were identified from their responses: 1) dietary intake with emphasis on its importance in aiding recovery and its potential influence on cancer complications, 2) childcare which emphasized the need to be strong and self-sacrifice, 3) treatment which reflected the use of home or natural remedies and caregivers' negative perception towards chemotherapy, 4) causes of cancer believed to be linked to early childcare choices on food, beverage, and stress imposed on the child, and 5) source of beliefs that included doctors, online platforms, personal encounters and information on food labels.

CONCLUSION: Caregivers' beliefs are varied and nuanced, formed in a multicultural social background of Malaysia. These findings provide knowledge for future supportive cancer care for patients, their caregivers, and the treatment outcome in the Malaysian context. Nurses, who play an essential role between healthcare professionals and patients and/or their caregivers, can be empowered to provide psychological support, early detection of psychological distress, and exploration of caregiver beliefs, given that the number of clinical psychologists in Malaysia is lacking, and there is greater preference for care to be provided by doctors or nurses.

Designing DNA probe from HPV 18 and 58 in the E6 region for sensing element in the development of genosensor-based gold nanoparticles

Jaapar FN, Parmin NA, Halim NHA, Hashim U, Gopinath SCB, Halim FS, et al.

Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2021 Sep 23.

PMID: 34554606 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2260

The E6 region has higher protuberant probability annealing than consensus probe focusing on another region in the human papillomavirus (HPV) genome in terms of detection and screening method. Here, we designed the first multiple virus single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) for multiple detections in an early phase of screening for cervical cancer in the E6 region and became a fundamental evolution of detection electrochemical HPV biosensor. Gene profiling of the virus ssDNA sequences has been carried by high-end bioinformatics tools such as GenBank, Basic Local Alignment Searching Tools (BLAST), and Clustal OMEGA in a row. The output from bioinformatics tools resulted in 100% of similarities between our virus ssDNA probe and HPV complete genome in the databases. The cross-validation between HPV genome and our designed virus ssDNA provided high specificity and selectivity during screening methods compared with Pap smear. The DNA probe for HPV 18, 5' COOH-GAT CCA GAA GGT ACA GAC GGG GAG GGC ACG 3', while 5'COOH-GGG CGC TGT GCA GTG TGT TGG AGA CCC CGA3' as DNA probe for HPV 58 designed with 66.77% guanine (G) and cytosine (C) content for both. Our virus ssDNA probe for the HPV biosensor promises high sensitivity, specificity, selectivity, repeatability, low fluid consumption, and will be useful in mini-size diagnostic devices for cervical cancer detection.

Successful treatment of very large congenital infantile fibrosarcoma

Hamidah A, Reena M, Halim ARA, Ibrahim S, Eguchi M, Zarina AL, et al.

Pediatr Int, 2011 Oct;53(5):768-770.

PMID: 21955012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.2011.03358.x

Fulltext Parental reports of behavioural outcome among paediatric leukaemia survivors in Malaysia: a single institution experience

Hamidah A, Sham Marina M, Tamil AM, Loh CK, Zarina LA, Jamal R, et al.

Trop Med Int Health, 2014 Oct;19(10):1177-84.

PMID: 25047756 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12358

To determine the behavioural impact of chemotherapy in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated with chemotherapy only and to identify treatment-related or sociodemography-related factors that might be associated with behavioural outcome.

Physical activity of pediatric patients with acute leukemia undergoing induction or consolidation chemotherapy

Tan SY, Poh BK, Chong HX, Ismail MN, Rahman J, Zarina AL, et al.

Leuk. Res., 2013 Jan;37(1):14-20.

PMID: 23099236 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2012.09.005

This study aimed to assess the physical activity levels of pediatric patients with acute leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Thirty-eight pediatric patients and matched controls, aged 3-12 years old, were measured for weight, height, and other anthropometric parameters. Physical activity was assessed using actical accelerometer and activity log book. Patients recorded significantly lower mean total activity counts (26.2±30.2 cpm vs. 192.2±68.8 cpm; p<0.01) and spent more time in sedentary activities (1301±121 min vs. 1020±101 min; p<0.001) compared to controls. They also achieved fewer 1-5-min bouts of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to controls (1.50±5.95 vs. 37.38±40.36; p<0.001). In conclusion, patients had lower physical activity level and intensity; and simple exercise intervention programs may be needed to minimize the detrimental effects of prolonged sedentary behaviors.

Displaying publications 21 - 35 of 35 in total