Displaying publications 401 - 420 of 3927 in total

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  1. Mustafa MB, Ainon RN
    J Acoust Soc Am, 2013 Oct;134(4):3057-66.
    PMID: 24116440 DOI: 10.1121/1.4818741
    The ability of speech synthesis system to synthesize emotional speech enhances the user's experience when using this kind of system and its related applications. However, the development of an emotional speech synthesis system is a daunting task in view of the complexity of human emotional speech. The more recent state-of-the-art speech synthesis systems, such as the one based on hidden Markov models, can synthesize emotional speech with acceptable naturalness with the use of a good emotional speech acoustic model. However, building an emotional speech acoustic model requires adequate resources including segment-phonetic labels of emotional speech, which is a problem for many under-resourced languages, including Malay. This research shows how it is possible to build an emotional speech acoustic model for Malay with minimal resources. To achieve this objective, two forms of initialization methods were considered: iterative training using the deterministic annealing expectation maximization algorithm and the isolated unit training. The seed model for the automatic segmentation is a neutral speech acoustic model, which was transformed to target emotion using two transformation techniques: model adaptation and context-dependent boundary refinement. Two forms of evaluation have been performed: an objective evaluation measuring the prosody error and a listening evaluation to measure the naturalness of the synthesized emotional speech.
  2. Nurul Aiezzah Z, Noor E, Hasidah MS
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):624-31.
    PMID: 21399604 MyJurnal
    Malaria, caused by the Plasmodium parasite is still a health problem worldwide due to resistance of the pathogen to current anti-malarials. The search for new anti-malarial agents has become more crucial with the emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. Protein kinases such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), MAPK kinase, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and glycogen synthase kinase- 3(GSK-3) of parasitic protozoa are potential drug targets. GSK-3 is an enzyme that plays a vital role in multiple cellular processes, and has been linked to pathogenesis of several diseases such as type II diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, the antiplasmodial property of LiCl, a known GSK-3 inhibitor, was evaluated in vivo for its antimalarial effect against mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Infected ICR mice were intraperitoneally administered with LiCl for four consecutive days before (prophylactic test) and after (suppressive test) inoculation of P. berghei-parasitised erythrocytes. Results from the suppressive test (post-infection LiCl treatment) showed inhibition of erythrocytic parasitemia development by 62.06%, 85.67% and 85.18% as compared to nontreated controls for the 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg dosages respectively. Both 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg LiCl showed similar significant (P<0.05) suppressive values to that obtained with chloroquine-treated mice (86% suppression). The prophylactic test indicated a significantly (P<0.05) high protective effect on mice pre-treated with LiCl with suppression levels relatively comparable to chloroquine (84.07% and 86.26% suppression for the 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg LiCl dosages respectively versus 92.86% suppression by chloroquine). In both the suppressive and prophylactic tests, LiCl-treated animals survived longer than their non-treated counterparts. Mortality of the non-treated mice was 100% within 6 to 7 days of parasite inoculation whereas mice administered with LiCl survived beyond 9 days. Healthy non-infected mice administered with 600 mg/ kg LiCl for four consecutive days also showed decreased mortality compared to animals receiving lower doses of LiCl; three of the seven mice intraperitoneally injected with the former dose of LiCl did not survive more than 24 h after administration of LiCl whereas animals given the lower LiCl doses survived beyond four days of LiCl administration. To date, no direct evidence of anti-malarial activity in vivo or in vitro has been reported for LiCl. Evidence of anti-plasmodial activity of lithium in a mouse infection model is presented in this study.
  3. Norhayati MN, Nawi ZM
    PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0249660.
    PMID: 33886615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249660
    BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a widely accepted scientific advancement in clinical settings that helps achieve better, safer, and more cost-effective healthcare. However, presently, validated instruments to evaluate healthcare professionals' attitude and practices toward implementing EBM are not widely available. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a newly developed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire on EBM for use among healthcare professionals.

    METHODS: The Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire was tested among physicians in a government hospital between July and August 2018. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability-based Cronbach's alpha statistic were conducted.

    RESULTS: The questionnaire was distributed among 94 physicians, and 90 responded (response rate of 95.7%). The initial number of items in the KAP domains of the Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire were 15, 17, and 13, respectively; however, two items in the practice domain with communalities <0.25 and factor loadings <0.4 were removed. The factor structure accounted for 52.33%, 66.29%, and 55.39% of data variance in the KAP domains, respectively. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.81, 0.81, and 0.84 for KAP domains, respectively, indicating high reliability.

    CONCLUSIONS: This questionnaire can be used to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of healthcare professionals toward EBM. Future testing of this questionnaire among other medical personnel groups will help expand the scope of this tool.

  4. Wan Zuhairah Wan Embong, Rosnah Bahar, Wan Zaidah Abdullah, Marini Ramli, Noor Haslina Mohd Noor, Shafini Mohamed Yusoff
    MyJurnal
    An 11- month-old girl with accidental findings of pale and hepatosplenomegaly. She was the last child of three siblings from a non-consanguineous marriage. The father and the mother were Hb E trait and Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS) trait respectively. Clinically the child was small for age with frontal bossing and hepatosplenomegaly. Sytemic examination was unremarkable. Her full blood picture showed moderate hypochromic microcytic anaemia with marked anisopoikilocytosis (Hb of 7.1g/dl, MCV of 44.6 fl, with MCH of 13.8 pg and RDW-CV of 24.0%). Quantitation of haemoglobin by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and gel electrophoresis report showed that the patient has compound heterozygous E/ß+ thalassaemia with Hb H-CS. She had increased of Hb A2/E (28.9%), and Hb F (11.2%) with presence of pre-run peak and a tiny peak at C window. Gel Electrophoresis by using agarose gel at alkaline pH discovered prominent A2 band and fast band to the left of Hb A band. H inclusions were positive. Further confirmation of diagnosis was done by molecular study. Alpha molecular study using Multiplex GAP PCR showed heterozygous --/SEA deletion (Fig. 1), while beta molecular study using Multiplex Amplification Refractory Mutation Systems (ARMS) revealed Cd 26 (G-A) and CAP +1 (A-C) mutations [Fig. 2]

    Hemoglobin (Hb) E is common in Southeast Asia [1]. HbE disorders may be found heterozygous (AE) which usually asymptomatic, homozygous (EE) and compound heterozygous state with widely variable clinical features, ranging from transfusion dependence to a complete absence of symptoms [2]. Considering her history, clinical findings and investigations, the most likely diagnosis in our case is Compound heterozygous E/ß+ thalassaemia with Hb H-CS. She had moderate hypochromic microcytic anaemia, raised Hb A2/E and Hb F with presence of pre-run peak and a tiny peak at C window support the diagnosis. Unfortunately, we’re unable to confirm the presence of Hb CS in view of no modalities available in our setting. However, with the family history of mother with Hb CS trait, the presence of Hb CS in this patient cannot be denied as a factor contributing to Hb H disease. Previous study reported Hemoglobin Constant Spring is often missed by routine laboratory testing, especially in subjects with co-inheritance of β-thalassaemia or β-variants. Hb CS detection clearly seen in capillary electrophoresis compared to HPLC [3]. As in this case only a very tiny peak of Hb CS noted on the HPLC. The molecular analysis for detection of Hb CS should be performed as for confirmation test. Hb H-CS has a severe phenotype than a deletional Hb H disease [4]. The diagnosis was confirmed by molecular analysis. Hence, genetic testing and family study are of particular importance to establish the exact genetic defect causing the abnormal Hb in this patient.

    In view of thalassaemia is common in our region, it is important to identify complete genotyping to provide proper management, make clinical predictions and improve genetic counseling.
  5. Haque N, Abu Kasim NH
    Adv Exp Med Biol, 2017 7 22;1083:29-44.
    PMID: 28730381 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2017_74
    In regenerative therapy, in vitro expansion of stem cells is critical to obtain a significantly higher number of cells for successful engraftment after transplantation. However, stem cells lose its regenerative potential and enter senescence during in vitro expansion. In this study, the influence of foetal bovine serum (FBS) and pooled human serum (pHS) on the proliferation, morphology and migration of stem cells from human extracted deciduous teeth (SHED) was compared. SHED (n = 3) was expanded in KnockOut DMEM supplemented with either pHS (pHS-SM) or FBS (FBS-SM). pHS was prepared using peripheral blood serum of six healthy male adults, aged between 21 and 35 years old. The number of live SHED was significantly higher, from passage 5 to 7, when cultured in pHS-SM compared to those cultured in FBS-SM (p 
  6. Hafidzi Mohd Noor, Hasber Salim, Dzolkhifli Omar, Noor Hisham Hamid, Cik Mohd Rizuan Z. Abidin, Azhar Kasim
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:559-564.
    The deposition of anticoagulant residues in the eggs of barn owls, Tyto alba by assessing eggshell thickness were
    investigated in oil palm plantations. Three study plots were set aside; one plot each baited with chlorophacinone and
    bromadiolone, respectively and the third was left unbaited. Four baiting campaigns were conducted on the rodenticide
    designated plots, coinciding with the breeding seasons of T. alba. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
    showed that 29.73% (n=37) and 5.35% (n=56) of addled eggs collected from rodenticide treated plots contained
    bromadiolone and chlorophacinone, respectively, with mean concentration of residues from 0.009 to 0.031 µg/g wet
    weight. None of the addled eggs (n=28) collected from the unbaited plot contained bromadiolone or chlorophacinone
    residues. The detection of rodenticide residues in both albumen and yolk indicated high risk of secondary poisoning to
    both compounds. However, low levels of residues detected have no effects on shape of egg, eggshell mass or thickness.
  7. Atikah C, Nihayah M, Omar B, Leonard J, Noor Ibrahim M, Zurkarnain M, et al.
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:1461-1466.
    Fire fighting is one of the most strenuous activities in the hazardous fire service industry. Firefighters have to be physically fit in order to provide an effective and safe fire prevention to the afflicted community and as well as to themselves. The aimed of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the physical fitness among Malaysian firefighters. The hand grip test to evaluate hand and muscular strength was measured using hand dynamometer and one-minute sit ups and one-minute push ups were conducted to measure abdominal muscle endurance. The sit and reach test was carried out to measure lower back and hamstring flexibility. VO2 max was assessed by a 20 meter shuttle run test to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. A total of 385 subjects were participated and the results showed that 77.1% (n=297) and 84.8% (n=325) of them had very poor scores for hand grip strength and VO2 max, respectively. For one-minute sit ups, 40.8% (n=157) of subjects scored excellent. Meanwhile, 32.7% (n=126) subjects scored average for one-minute push ups. For flexibility test, 53.2% (n=205) subjects had poor flexibilty. The results showed there were significantly difference between one-minute sit ups (p<0.001), one-minute push ups (p<0.05), flexibility (p<0.05) and VO2 max (p<0.001) according to age. As a conclusion, this study provides representative data on physical fitness among Malaysian firefighters. These findings suggested the needs to explore the issues behind low physical fitness among Malaysian firefighters and to find ways to improve them.
  8. Noor Kamalia Abd Hamed, Noor Sakinah Khalid, Fatin Izyani Mohd Fazli, Muhammad Luqman Mohd Napi, Nafarizal Nayan, Mohd Khairul Ahmad
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1669-1673.
    Titanium dioxide (TiO2
    ) with various morphologies has been successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method
    at 150o
    C for 10 h using titanium butoxide (TBOT) as a precursor, deionized (DI) water and hydrochloric acid (HCl) on
    a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. The influences of HCl volume on structural and morphological properties
    of TiO2
    have been studied using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM),
    respectively. The result showed that several morphologies such as microsphere, microrods, nanorods and nanoflowers
    were obtained by varying the volume of hydrochloric acid. The crystallinity of titanium dioxide enhanced with the
    increasing of hydrochloric acid volume.
  9. Siti Noor Syuhada Muhammad Amin, Noor Suryani Mohd Ashari, Wan Zuraida Wan Abd. Hamid, Azriani Ab Rahman, Azman Azid
    Interleukin 31 (IL-31)is one of the cytokines which appears to be an important regulator of Th2 responses. Previous study has been done to determine IL-31 serums levels in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the serum levels of IL-31 in allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic asthma (AA) is not many reported and still unclear. The objective of this cross sectional study is to determine an association between IL-31 and other predisposing factors with allergic diseases in HRPZ II (Hospital Raja PerempuanZainab II) and HUSM (Hospital UniversitiSains), Kelantan, Malaysia. This study involved 70 patients of AD, 70 patients of AR, 70 patients of AA and 70 healthy controls from staffs and people in HUSM.Five milliliters of blood were withdrawn and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2000 rpm to obtain the serum and analyzed for IL-31 levels by using enzymelinked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits (Human IL 31 Duoset, R&D System). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between IL-31 levels and predisposing factors among allergic diseases. The levels of IL-31 and other predisposing factors showed significant associations in smoking status, occupational exposure and area of living for AD and AR, however in AA, the significant association only found in smoking status and occupational exposure. In conclusion, we found that there were associations between IL-31 serum levels and other predisposing factors with AD, AR and AA. The findings can be the pilot study to determine IL-31 levels in allergic diseases in Malaysia.
  10. Rahman MM, Ali NA
    J Community Psychol, 2021 03;49(2):361-374.
    PMID: 33131092 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22464
    Extreme workloads and strict work schedules make an individual cut their time and energy from their family domain, which may create a conflict, and this situation is called Work-Family Conflict (W-FC). Besides this, Work Family Balance (WFB) and Job Satisfaction (JS) issues are significant for academics because they have to play two roles (Job and Family) at the same time. This paper's fundamental objective was to investigate the indirect effect (mediation) of WFB through both forms of W-FC and JS. Following the convenience sampling technique, 250 married academicians from different private universities were considered for the sample size. Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to complete the data analyses. The outcomes of this study showed that out of the two forms, only W to F has significant adverse effects on JS. Also, it was found that to some extent, WFB showed a partial mediating effect only between W to FC and JS, whereas there was no mediating effect through F to WC and JS. These findings will help both academicians and higher authorities of private universities in Bangladesh. The higher authorities and decision-makers of the private universities in Bangladesh can identify the sources of W-FCs and take the necessary steps to mitigate the level of W-FCs.
  11. Murdayanti Y, Khan MNAA
    Heliyon, 2021 Dec;7(12):e08551.
    PMID: 34934847 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08551
    This paper identifies the main areas and the development of the field of internet financial reporting publications and to suggest future research directions. Internet use for corporate financial reporting represents a voluntary approach to consolidate printed sustainability reports which have increasingly been published by large companies in recent years. Using a bibliometric analysis, this paper examined a sample of 246 studies from Web of Science, Scopus, Emerald, Springer, Proquest, Ebsco, and Science Direct databases and only accepted articles and review paper were published in open access to identify research activity on internet financial reporting between 1998 until 2020. This review provides the most influential articles and authors based on their citations and publications as well as their importance within the network through network visualization, overlay visualization, and density visualization. The co-authorship analysis shows 208 authors who have connected each other, the co-organization analysis resulted 76 organizations which write article about internet financial reporting and co-occurrence analysis of keywords, the results found that 669 keywords divided into 11 clusters. The analysis which uses bibliometric analysis develops the status of internet financial reporting, this is a research field in a precise way through the visualization of emerging trend and currently focused on topics. The results of analysis also have recommended some variables which can be used in further research, and it is very helpful to find knowledge basis and detect the future research directions in this area.
  12. Mustapha SNH, Wan JS
    Food Chem, 2022 Mar 30;373(Pt B):131440.
    PMID: 34731804 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131440
    The objective of this work was to develop a plastic film from food sources with excellent thermal, mechanical, and degradability performance. Corn starch (CS)/nata de coco (NDC) were hybridized with addition of glycerin as plasticizer at different weight ratio and weight percent, respectively. Sample analysis found that the hybridization of CS with NDC improved the film forming properties, mechanical and thermal, degradation properties, as well as hydrophobicity and solubility of the film up to 0.5:0.5 wt hybrid ratio. The properties of the films were highly affected by the homogeneity of the sample during hybridization, with high NDC amount (0.3:0.7 wt CS:NDC) showing poor hydrophobicity, and mechanical and thermal properties. The glycerin content, however, did not significantly affect the hydrophobicity, water solubility, and degradability properties of CS/NDC film. Hybridization of 0.5:0.5 wt CS/NDC with 2 phr glycerin provided the optimum Young's modulus (15.67 MPa) and tensile strength (1.67 MPa) properties.
  13. Muhammad Faiz Mohd Ishak, Safirah Jaan Jaafar, Noor Hazmi Noor Hassim, Azmawati Mohammed Nawi, Rohaizat Mohd Hassan, Norfazilah Ahmad
    MyJurnal
    ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS
    New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
    Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
    Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019

    Introduction: Obesity is a global epidemic with major healthcare implications and costs. The availability of Smart-phone app as a new technological innovation developed is increasing rapidly. This new technological innovation can have a huge potential for interventions to help weight loss and combat obesity. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the effectiveness of Smartphone apps compared with other methods to promote weight loss and obesity. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies identified by a search of independently screened studies for inclusion criteria and extracted data. We included arti-cles that assessed any (Smartphone/Mobile phone app intervention with anthropometric measurement like weight/BMI, waist circumference), adult or children population then exclude articles in which the primary outcome is not weight/BMI/Waist circumference, non-original articles (Reviews, Editorials, Non-research letters), case reports or case series, non RCT study design, participant with co-morbidities or condition like pregnancy and Intervention using SMS or any text messaging. Results: We included 7 articles in this systematic review and meta-analysis. This me-ta-analysis shows that smartphone app interventions compared with conventional or other interventions is non-sig-nificant decreases in body weight, with the pooled estimates of the net change in body weight being -1.62 kg (95% CI –3.61 to 0.36; I2 = 93%). Pooled results indicated a non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD 0.26 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.83 to 1.34; I2 = 68%). For waist circumference, there is non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD -5.2 cm 95% CI --0.15 to 4.60; I2 = 93%). Conclusion: Smartphone apps intervention alone is not producing substantial evidence of weight loss despite there might be effective for certain groups. However, there are still explorable pros-pect on the use of smartphone app in combination of other approach to assist and promote weight loss as the use of smartphone are proven to influence health related behavioural modification.
  14. Ismail NA, Pettitt AN
    Stat Med, 2004 Apr 30;23(8):1247-58.
    PMID: 15083481
    A new method for estimating the time to colonization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) patients is developed in this paper. The time to colonization of MRSA is modelled using a Bayesian smoothing approach for the hazard function. There are two prior models discussed in this paper: the first difference prior and the second difference prior. The second difference prior model gives smoother estimates of the hazard functions and, when applied to data from an intensive care unit (ICU), clearly shows increasing hazard up to day 13, then a decreasing hazard. The results clearly demonstrate that the hazard is not constant and provide a useful quantification of the effect of length of stay on the risk of MRSA colonization which provides useful insight.
  15. Zakaria N, Mat Akhir NS
    J Relig Health, 2019 Jun;58(3):926-936.
    PMID: 29110206 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0516-8
    This article is a concept paper that reviewed the main principles of Islamic creed (aqīdah) related to counselling. Islamic creed has been regarded as the root of Islam; thus, it should be the fundamental composition of Islamic counselling. The objectives of this review are to demonstrate the relationship between counselling and Islamic creed and to establish a guideline for the practitioners of Islamic counselling when consulting with their clients in matters related to creed. The review was conducted by suggesting methods to incorporate Islamic creed into three stages of counselling process. The major references for this review were the verses in the Qurān, the Prophet Tradition (hadith) and literatures on Islamic counselling. This review revealed that there is a strong relationship between counselling and Islamic creed and there are six aspects of Islamic creed associated to counselling that should be observed by the Islamic counselling practitioners.
  16. Aizuddin AN, Aljunid SM
    Ann Glob Health, 2017 11 21;83(3-4):654-660.
    PMID: 29221542 DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2017.10.002
    BACKGROUND: Malaysia is no exception to the challenging health care financing phenomenon of globalization.

    OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to assess the ability to pay among Malaysian households as preparation for a future national health financing scheme.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving representative samples of 774 households in Peninsular Malaysia.

    FINDINGS: A majority of households were found to have the ability to pay for their health care. Household expenditure on health care per month was between MYR1 and MYR2000 with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 73.54 (142.66), or in a percentage of per-month income between 0.05% and 50% with mean (SD) 2.74 (5.20). The final analysis indicated that ability to pay was significantly higher among younger and higher-income households.

    CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic and socioeconomic statuses are important eligibility factors to be considered in planning the proposed national health care financing scheme to shield the needed group from catastrophic health expenditures.

  17. Norhayati MN, Azman Yacob M
    Int J Psychiatry Med, 2017 11 08;52(4-6):328-344.
    PMID: 29117756 DOI: 10.1177/0091217417738933
    There was limited knowledge on the sexual function in women who have survived severe obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to compare the level of sexual functioning among women with and without severe morbidity at six months postpartum and to identify the factors associated with sexual function scores of women. A prospective double-cohort study design was applied at two tertiary hospitals over a six-month period. Postpartum women with and without severe maternal morbidity were selected as the exposed and the non-exposed group, respectively. The study included 145 exposed and 187 non-exposed women. Those with severe maternal morbidity were significantly ( P 
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