Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 71 in total

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  1. Ahmad Fuad AF, Ismail S, Abdul Rahman H
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: About 18% of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel are diagnosed with either hypertension, diabetes or coronary artery disease, while another 8% are obese. The rising prevalence necessitates intervention.
    Methods: This is a single blinded randomized controlled trial among overweight and obese MAF personnel attending medical checkup in MAF hospital in Kuala Lumpur. An intervention module was developed to increase their physical activity level. Short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity in metabolic equivalent of task score (METs score), while blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood lipid profile and fasting blood sugar measurements were also obtained. These parameters were measured at baseline and again at 6 months. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) statistical test were applied to evaluate the effect of the intervention.
    Results: Response rate was 100%. Most of participants were aged above 40 years, male, from Malay ethnic group, completed secondary education and had monthly income above RM 4000. Most of the respondents were obese and had moderate level of physical activity at baseline. All variables compared between groups at baseline showed no significant difference. At six months, after controlling for covariates, the significant difference was only in METs score. The odds of having high METs score in the intervention group after receiving intervention was nearly 3 times higher than those in the control group, after adjusting for interaction between time and group as well as other covari- ates (AOR = 2.908, 95% CI 1.323 – 6.391, P=0.008).
    Conclusion: Intervention was effective in increasing physical activity among overweight and obese military personnel.
    Study site: Malaysian Armed Forces Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  2. Khan Z, Karatas Y, Martins MAP, Jamshed S, Rahman H
    Curr Med Res Opin, 2022 01;38(1):145-154.
    PMID: 34694167 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1997287
    BACKGROUND: Globally, pharmacovigilance (PV) is crucial for the patient's safety and proper use of drugs. Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a professional obligation of every healthcare professionals (HCPs). The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the existing literature about the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) level of HCPs regarding PV and ADRs reporting in Turkey.

    METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive articles search strategy was carried out in different seven electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Goggle Scholar, Ovid-SP, MEDLINE, Wiley Online Library, DergiPark) from 2010 to 2020. We searched to identify existing literature about cross-sectional observational studies investigating the KAP of HCPs regarding PV and ADRs reporting in different geographical regions of Turkey. Quality assessment and risk of bias were assessed among included studies.

    RESULTS: Fifteen studies were chosen for full-text analysis. Finally, according to inclusion criteria, seven research articles were selected for systematic review. Overall, the KAP of HCPs varies across the studies. The lack of a standardized validated measuring tool to evaluate the KAP and differences in questionnaire items were the main limitations in included studies. Around, 69.1% (range: 54.6-100%) of HCPs were not aware of the national pharmacovigilance center in Turkey. About, 37.5% (range: 7.1-75.7%) of HCPs believed that reporting of ADRs is not important and 87.5% (range: 69.3-100%) stated that they never reported ADR previously during their practice. The most frequently highlighted barriers to PV were lack of time, uncertainty and did not know where to report.

    CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed a major KAP gap in Turkey towards PV activities. Low ADR reporting practice of HCPs was a major identified issue. The creation of a mandatory unified PV education intervention for future HCPs to rationally report ADR of drugs are crucial for a better healthcare system.

  3. Ojonuba HS, Abdul Rahman H, Zaremohzzabieh Z, Mohd Zulkefli NA
    PMID: 36834427 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043731
    (1) Background: Substance use among inner-city adolescents is at an alarming rate in Nigeria. Despite their high exposure to this risk, limited experimental tests have been conducted on prevention programs. (2) Methods: This study investigates the effectiveness of an empowerment education intervention in reducing the risk of substance use in Abuja's inner-city adolescents. Random selection placed adolescents into intervention and control conditions, and assessment was conducted at baseline, post-test, and 3-months follow-up intervention. After pre-test, the intervention group engaged in an empowerment education intervention of 11 sessions. (3) Results: In a post-test of three months, results show significant and positive changes among adolescents in substance use, including a notable reduction in positive attitudes toward drugs. In other words, the results showed adolescents reported less depression and substance use as well as higher peer support, parental support, social competence, and self-esteem at post-test and 3-month follow-ups as compared to the pre-intervention period. In addition, at both post-test and the 3-month follow-up, the intervention group performed better than the control group on peer support, parental support, social competence, and self-esteem. (4) Conclusions: This study presents a new indication that the empowerment education intervention effectively reduces substance use among Nigeria's inner-city adolescents.
  4. Wang C, Tang Y, Mo Y, Huang MM, Abdul-Rahman H
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13386.
    PMID: 36755599 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13386
    The significance of innovation management in triggering and sustaining increase in corporations of distinct size, age or enterprise type, is receiving growing attention, yet scant empirical research have been carried out in project-oriented service firms, in particular small-scaled enterprises. This study aims to identify how innovation management in small construction firms could enable them to pursue innovation and achieve greater business performance. Data collection comprises 157 empirical surveys leading to a conceptual framework modelled using the structural equation modelling approach. The findings show that entrepreneurship and networking have a direct and considerable influence on both technological and non-technological innovation, which consequently improves firm performance.
  5. Tan BL, Norhaizan ME, Liew WP, Sulaiman Rahman H
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:1162.
    PMID: 30405405 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01162
    Aging is the progressive loss of organ and tissue function over time. Growing older is positively linked to cognitive and biological degeneration such as physical frailty, psychological impairment, and cognitive decline. Oxidative stress is considered as an imbalance between pro- and antioxidant species, which results in molecular and cellular damage. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of age-related diseases. Emerging research evidence has suggested that antioxidant can control the autoxidation by interrupting the propagation of free radicals or by inhibiting the formation of free radicals and subsequently reduce oxidative stress, improve immune function, and increase healthy longevity. Indeed, oxidation damage is highly dependent on the inherited or acquired defects in enzymes involved in the redox-mediated signaling pathways. Therefore, the role of molecules with antioxidant activity that promote healthy aging and counteract oxidative stress is worth to discuss further. Of particular interest in this article, we highlighted the molecular mechanisms of antioxidants involved in the prevention of age-related diseases. Taken together, a better understanding of the role of antioxidants involved in redox modulation of inflammation would provide a useful approach for potential interventions, and subsequently promoting healthy longevity.
  6. Najafi F, Abdul Rahman H, Hanafiah M, Momtaz YA, Ahmad Z
    PMID: 23413716
    There is a high rate of unintended pregnancies in Malaysia due to low contraceptive use. Only 30% of married women use modern contraceptive methods. Emergency contraception (EC) is used within a few days of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding EC pill use among Malay women. A cross sectional study was conducted among married female staff using stratified random sampling from 15 faculties in the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Data about sociodemographic factors, reproductive health, knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding EC use were gathered using validated self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 87%. Half the 294 subjects who participated had a low knowledge, 33.0% a moderate knowledge and 17.0% a good knowledge about the EC pill. Eighty-eight percent of respondents had a positive attitude and 12.0% a negative attitude toward EC. Eleven percent of respondents had previously used EC. Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies were reported by 35.0% and 14.0% of respondents, respectively. Most respondents lacked knowledge about the indications for using EC, its mechanism of action, when it can be used and its side effects. Our findings show a need to educate women about EC.
    Study site: 15 faculties in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang. Selangor, Malaysia
  7. Najafi-Sharjabad F, Zainiyah Syed Yahya S, Abdul Rahman H, Hanafiah Juni M, Abdul Manaf R
    Glob J Health Sci, 2013 Sep;5(5):181-92.
    PMID: 23985120 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v5n5p181
    Family planning has been cited as essential to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Family planning has a direct impact on women's health and consequence of each pregnancy. The use of modern contraception among Asian women is less than global average. In Asia a majority of unintended pregnancies are due to using traditional contraceptive or no methods which lead to induced unsafe abortion. Cultural attitudes, lack of knowledge of methods and reproduction, socio demographic factors, and health service barriers are the main obstacles to modern contraceptive practice among Asian women. Culturally sensitive family planning program, reforming health system, and reproductive health education through mass media to create awareness of the benefits of planned parenthood are effective strategies to improve modern contraceptive practice among Asian women.
  8. Fatimah SS, Chua K, Tan GC, Azmi TI, Tan AE, Abdul Rahman H
    Cytotherapy, 2013 Aug;15(8):1030-41.
    PMID: 23830235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.05.003
    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of air-liquid interface on the differentiation potential of human amnion epithelial cells (HAECs) to skin-like substitute in organotypic culture.
  9. Manzor NF, Chua KH, Tan GC, Tan AE, Abdul Rahman H
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:11-2.
    PMID: 19024960
    The objective of this study was to investigate the angiogenic potential of human chorion-derived stem cells (CDSC) cultured in medium containing bFGF and VEGF (EDM50). Total RNA was extracted from cells cultured in FD+10% FBS and EDM50. Quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to score the differential mRNA expression of genes involve in angiogenesis and endothelial differentiation. Our finding demonstrated that all angiogenic and endothelial associated genes were expressed higher in EDM50. Expression level of ANG-1, eNOS and VEGFR2 were significantly higher in EDM50 compared to FD+10% FBS. Our results suggested that human CDSC cultured in EDM50 can be used for angiogenesis purpose in regenerative medicine.
  10. Simat SF, Chua KH, Abdul Rahman H, Tan AE, Tan GC
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:53-4.
    PMID: 19024980
    The aim of the study is to evaluate the stemness gene expression of cultured human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) in serial passages. HAECs obtained from human term placentae were cultured in F12:DMEM(1:1) + 10% FBS +10ng/ml EGF in serial passages (P0, P1, P2 and P4). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the gene expression analysis. The results showed that cultured HAECs expressed and downregulated the stemness genes expression for Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog3, FGF4, Rex-1, FZD-9, BST-1 ABCG2. However, vimentin and nestin gene expression were upregulated. The results suggested that cultured HAECs may have pluripotent and multipotent properties.
  11. Tan GC, Simat SF, Abdul Rahman H, Tan AE, Chua KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:51-2.
    PMID: 19024979
    The aim of the study is to determine the neuronal and glial gene expression of cultured human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) in serial passages. HAECs obtained from human term placentae were cultured in F12:DMEM (1:1) + 10% FBS +10ng/ml EGF in serial passages. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the gene expression analysis. The results showed that the cultured HAECs expressed the neural stem cell genes (Nestin, NSE and Vimentin), mature neuronal genes (TH, MAP-2, beta-III-tubulin and NFM) and glial genes (CNPase, MBP and Olig). These neural stem cell genes increased with serial passages while the genes expression for mature neuronal and glial cells were downregulated. These results suggested that HAECs may promote or involve in neurogenesis and gliagenesis.
  12. Abdul Rahman H, Manzor NF, Tan GC, Tan AE, Chua KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:57-8.
    PMID: 19024982
    Angiogenic induction was made to promote angiogenesis by differentiating stem cells towards endothelial cells. However, the stemness property of induced cells has not been revealed yet. Hence, we aim to evaluate the differential mRNA expression of stemness genes in human chorion-derived stem cells (CDSC) after being cultured in EDM50 comprised bFGF and VEGF. Results indicated that CDSC cultured in EMD50 expressed significantly higher mRNA level of Sox-2, FZD9, BST-1 and Nestin. In addition Oct-4, FGF-4 and ABCG-2 were also upregulated. Our finding suggested that CDSC after angiogenic induction enhanced its stem cell properties. This could be contributed for the mechanism of stem cell therapy in ischemic problem.
  13. Soleymani S, Abdul Rahman H, Lekhraj R, Mohd Zulkefli NA, Matinnia N
    Reprod Health, 2015;12:77.
    PMID: 26318873 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-015-0070-3
    BACKGROUND:
    The main sexual and reproductive health issues among young people are premarital sexual intercourse, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted diseases including Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge related to sexual and reproductive health among Malaysian postgraduate students in a public university in Malaysia.

    METHODS:
    A cross-sectional study was carried out among postgraduate students by systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested self administered questionnaire was used to collect the data.

    RESULTS:
    Out of 434 respondents, the majority of students were female (78.6 %) and single (78.3 %). The overall mean age of respondents was 27.0 ranging from 20 to 46 years of age. The main sources of information for sexual and reproductive health awareness were the internet (78.6 %) and newspaper (61.8 %). The majority (97.9 %) of the students knew that AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease. Most of them believed that the spread of sexually transmitted diseases was through shaking hands (92.1 %). Use of condoms was perceived to be the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (88.4 %). Sexual and reproductive health knowledge was significantly associated with the students' age, marital status and faculty. The socio-demographic factors and current educational status accounted for a significant 9 % of the variability in sexual and reproductive health knowledge, f (7, 426) = 11, p <0.001.

    CONCLUSIONS:
    The postgraduate students' level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health was not satisfactory. Sexual and reproductive health knowledge was associated with the students' marital status and faculty. Intervention programs related to sexual and reproductive health are recommended.
  14. Pollack RJ, Kiszewski A, Armstrong P, Hahn C, Wolfe N, Rahman HA, et al.
    Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 1999 Sep;153(9):969-73.
    PMID: 10482215 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.153.9.969
    BACKGROUND: Pediculiasis is treated aggressively in the United States, mainly with permethrin- and pyrethrin-containing pediculicides. Increasingly frequent anecdotal reports of treatment failure suggest the emergence of insecticidal resistance by these lice.

    OBJECTIVE: To confirm or refute the susceptibility of head lice sampled in the United States to permethrin.

    DESIGN: Survey. Head lice were removed from children residing where pediculicides are readily available and where such products are essentially unknown. Their survival was compared following exposure to residues of graded doses of permethrin in an in vitro bioassay.

    SETTING: School children from Massachusetts, Idaho, and Sabah (Malaysian Borneo).

    SUBJECTS: In the United States, 75 children aged 5 to 8 years. In Sabah, 59 boys aged 6 to 13 years. Virtually all sampled US children had previously been treated with pediculicides containing pyrethrins or permethrin; none of the Sabahan children were so exposed.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival of head lice exposed to permethrin.

    RESULTS: Permethrin did not affect head lice sampled from chronically infested US children who had previously been treated for pediculiasis. The slope of the dose-response regression line for these lice did not differ significantly from zero (P = .66). This pediculicide immobilized lice sampled in Sabah. Mortality correlated closely with permethrin concentration (P = .008).

    CONCLUSIONS: Head lice in the United States are less susceptible to permethrin than are those in Sabah. The pyrethroid susceptibility of the general population of head lice in the United States, however, remains poorly defined. Accordingly, these relatively safe over-the-counter preparations may remain the pediculicides of choice for newly recognized louse infestations.
  15. Singh B, Cox-Singh J, Miller AO, Abdullah MS, Snounou G, Rahman HA
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1996 9 1;90(5):519-21.
    PMID: 8944260
    A modified nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae was combined with a simple blood collection and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction method and evaluated in Malaysia. Finger-prick blood samples from 46 hospital patients and 120 individuals living in malaria endemic areas were spotted on filter papers and dried. The simple Chelex method was used to prepare DNA templates for the nested PCR assay. Higher malaria prevalence rates for both clinical (78.2%) and field samples (30.8%) were obtained with the nested PCR method than by microscopy (76.1% and 27.5%, respectively). Nested PCR was more sensitive than microscopy in detecting mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax infections, detected 5 more malaria samples than microscopy on the first round of microscopical examination, and detected malaria in 3 microscopically negative samples. Nested PCR failed to detect parasite DNA in 2 microscopically positive samples, an overall sensitivity of 97.4% compared to microscopy. The nested PCR method, when coupled with simple dried blood spot sampling, is a useful tool for collecting accurate malaria epidemiological data, particularly in remote regions of the world.
  16. Cox-Singh J, Pomrehn AS, Wolfe ND, Rahman HA, Lu HY, Singh B
    Int J Parasitol, 2000 Oct;30(11):1177-9.
    PMID: 11027784
    The blood filtration method was used as the gold standard to determine the detection level of simple blood-spot sampling and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Brugia malayi. Of 100 samples, 48 were filtration-positive. Of these, 26 had microfilaria counts that were low enough (<1-29 microfilariae/ml) to accurately assess the limit of detection by nested-PCR. Nested-PCR consistently detected B. malayi DNA in samples with > or = 10 microfilariae/ml. Post-filtration, microfilaria-depleted, blood-spots from microfilaria-positive samples were screened by nested-PCR and B. malayi specific 'free' DNA was detected in 51.7% of these samples. There was no evidence for 'free' DNA in microfilaria-negative individuals from this endemic community.
  17. Cox-Singh J, Pomrehn AS, Rahman HA, Zakaria R, Miller AO, Singh B
    Int J Parasitol, 1999 May;29(5):717-21.
    PMID: 10404266
    In the absence of a suitable Brugia malayi antigen detection assay, PCR remains one of the more sensitive alternatives to Giemsa-stained thick blood films for B. malayi detection. The need for refrigerated storage and transportation of blood has limited the use of PCR for large-scale epidemiology studies in remote endemic areas. Here we report simple finger-prick blood-spot collection, a one-tube DNA template extraction method and the development of a B. malayi-specific nested PCR assay. The assay was tested on 145 field samples and was positive for all 30 microscopy-positive samples and for an additional 13 samples which were microscopy-negative.
  18. Noman S, Shahar HK, Abdul Rahman H, Ismail S, Abdulwahid Al-Jaberi M, Azzani M
    PMID: 33396424 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010263
    There have been various systematic reviews on the significance of educational interventions as necessary components to encourage breast cancer screening (BCS) and reduce the burden of breast cancer (BC). However, only a few studies have attempted to examine these educational interventions comprehensively. This review paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of various educational interventions in improving BCS uptake, knowledge, and beliefs among women in different parts of the world. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search on four electronic databases, specifically PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, was performed in May 2019. A total of 22 interventional studies were reviewed. Theory- and language-based multiple intervention strategies, which were mainly performed in community and healthcare settings, were the commonly shared characteristics of the educational interventions. Most of these studies on the effectiveness of interventions showed favorable outcomes in terms of the BCS uptake, knowledge, and beliefs among women. Educational interventions potentially increase BCS among women. The interpretation of the reported findings should be treated with caution due to the heterogeneity of the studies in terms of the characteristics of the participants, research designs, intervention strategies, and outcome measures.
  19. Sreedharan Nair R, Rahman H, Kong MX, Tan XY, Chen KY, Shanmugham S
    Turk J Pharm Sci, 2021 06 18;18(3):352-359.
    PMID: 34157826 DOI: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2020.88725
    Objectives: N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) is a broad-spectrum insect repellent that can easily permeate through the skin and can cause undesirable effects, especially in children and pregnant women. The objective of this research was to formulate and evaluate DEET-encapsulated microparticles containing a hydrogel designed to reduce skin permeation and prolong drug release.

    Materials and Methods: The formulation design was based on the independent formulation variables of the concentration of chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate using a simple factorial design experiment. DEET-loaded microparticles were developed and incorporated into a hydrogel. The size of the microparticles was analyzed using the Zetasizer Nano® particle size analyzer, and the surface morphology, using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Drug release from the microparticles was determined by the dialysis bag method. A rheological evaluation of the formulated gel was performed using a Thermo Haake Rheometer. The in vitro permeation of the formulation was performed using a synthetic Strat-M® membrane.

    Results: The size of the microparticles ranged from 0.45 to 8.3 μm, and the encapsulation efficiencies were >50% for all the formulations. The drug-release curves showed no initial burst release from the microparticle formulation. Instead, a slow and controlled drug release was observed over 24 hours that followed Higuchi kinetics. The cumulative amount of DEET permeated (over 24 h) from the DEET solution (control), and the formulation was 211.6±19.5 μg/cm2 and 4.07±0.08 μg/cm2, respectively.

    Conclusion: A significantly low DEET permeation from the microparticle formulations indicated minimal absorption of the drug into the body and thus, reduced systemic toxicity. Thixotropic evaluation of the hydrogel formulation demonstrated a hysteresis loop that fitted closely to the Herschel-Bulkley rheological model, ensuring an effortless application and prolonged retention on the skin. Hence, it can be concluded that the developed formulation is an effective delivery approach for controlled insect repellent activity with reduced skin absorption.

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