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Fulltext The beck anxiety inventory for Malays (BAI-Malay): a preliminary study on psychometric properties

Firdaus, M., Nor Sheereen, Z.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2011;7(1):75-81.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate exploratory factor analysis of the
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and reports its reliability and validity in Malaysia. Method: One thousand
and ninety participants from four different samples (namely students, general population, medical and
psychiatric patients) completed the Malay version of Beck Anxiety Inventory, as well as additional
questionnaires such as Fear Questionnaire, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Catastrophic Cognition Questionnaire. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three factor solution and accounted for 48.01% of the total variance. The three-factor structure appeared to be; subjective anxiety, autonomic, and neurophysiology. The Cronbach alpha coefficients (α) ranged from 0.66 to 0.89 with satisfactory overall alpha value (.91). Evidence was also found acceptable concurrent validity of the BAI-Malay (range between r=.22 to r=.67). Conclusion: This study shows that the BAIMalay is a reliable and valid instrument to measure symptoms of anxiety in the Malay population
and can be used in research and clinical service in Malaysia. However, replication of study by using
confirmatory factor analysis and application of the instrument among anxiety patients worth of further
investigation.
Fulltext Planting Jatropha curcas on constrained land: emission and effects from land use change

Firdaus MS, Husni MH

ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:405084.
PMID: 22545018 DOI: 10.1100/2012/405084

A study was carried out to assess carbon emission and carbon loss caused from land use change (LUC) of converting a wasteland into a Jatropha curcas plantation. The study was conducted for 12 months at a newly established Jatropha curcas plantation in Port Dickson, Malaysia. Assessments of soil carbon dioxide (CO(2)) flux, changes of soil total carbon and plant biomass loss and growth were made on the wasteland and on the established plantation to determine the effects of land preparation (i.e., tilling) and removal of the wasteland's native vegetation. Overall soil CO(2) flux showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two plots while no significant changes (P < 0.05) on soil total carbon at both plots were detected. It took 1.5 years for the growth of Jatropha curcas to recover the biomass carbon stock lost during land conversion. As far as the present study is concerned, converting wasteland to Jatropha curcas showed no adverse effects on the loss of carbon from soil and biomass and did not exacerbate soil respiration.
Fulltext Prevalence of psychological stress among undergraduate students attending a health programme in a Malaysian university

Phang, C.K., Sherina, M.S., Zubaidah, J.O., Noor Jan, K.O.N., Firdaus, M., Siti Irma, F. I., et al.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2015;23(1):29-35.
MyJurnal

Psychological stress among undergraduate students is associated with poor academic results, physical ill-health and psychiatric disorders. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of psychological stress and its associated factors among undergraduate students attending a health programme in a local university. This is a cross-sectional study among undergraduate students attending a health programme in a local university. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to determine the presence of psychological stress at a cut-off point of 4 and above. Analysis was conducted to determine any association between gender, ethnicity, year of study in the university, recent health-seeking contact with a doctor, and psychological stress among the participants. The prevalence of psychological stress among undergraduate students attending a health program in a Malaysian University was 49.3%. There was no significant association with any of the socio-demographic factors studied (p>0.05). The prevalence of psychological stress in this study was significantly high, and irrespective of gender, ethnicity, year of study in the university, and recent health-seeking contact with a doctor. Hence, the findings of this study show that it may be a useful strategy to integrate such health programs regularly in activities of colleges and universities, with the aim of promoting mental health and wellness among the students.
Haemorrhagic transformation: A serious complication of massive ischemic stroke

Mohd Said MR, Mohd Firdaus MAB

Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):258-260.
PMID: 33742641

Acute ischaemic stroke is a debilitating disease and may lead to haemorrhagic transformation associated with few factors such as high National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), low Modified Rankin Score (MRS), cardio-embolic clot and others.1 We report herein a 61 years old man whom presented with left sided weakness and diagnosed with acute right middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Thrombolytic therapy was not offered due to low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT (ASPECT) score and hence managed conservatively. However, within 24 hours, his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) reduced by 4 points and urgent Computed Tomography (CT) brain confirmed haemorrhagic transformation with midline shift. He underwent emergency surgical decompression and subsequently had prolonged hospital stay complicated by ventilated acquired pneumonia. He recovered after a course of antibiotic and discharged to a nursing home with MRS of 5.
Fulltext A Case of Traumatic Distal End Radius Fracture With a Hemorrhagic Volar Wrist Ganglion Cyst

Firdaus M, Aslam F, Muhammad Nawawi RF

Cureus, 2024 Jun;16(6):e61923.
PMID: 38978947 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61923

Wrist ganglion cysts are the most common benign soft tissue swelling in the hand and wrist. They may arise from flexor and extensor tendon sheaths, interphalangeal joints, wrist joints, and even the neural tissues around the hand and wrist. Some volar wrist ganglion cysts arise from the radiocarpal joint and scaphotrapezial joint. It is uncommonly encountered as an incidental finding during the fixation of a distal radius fracture. In our case, a volar wrist hemorrhagic ganglion cyst was incidentally found during the fixation of the fracture. Prior to the injury, the patient had no complaints of swelling over her right wrist. The cyst was removed using microscopic magnification.
Bovine pericardium for dural graft: clinical results in 22 patients

Baharuddin A, Go BT, Firdaus MN, Abdullah J

Clin Neurol Neurosurg, 2002 Sep;104(4):342-4.
PMID: 12140102

Bovine pericardium has widely been used for grafts in cardiac surgery and seems to have suitable properties for use as a dural graft. We report our experience of using locally processed bovine pericardium for dural grafts in 22 patients undergoing cranial operations.
Aggressive diuretic therapy for a large solitary lung lesion

Mohd Firdaus MAB, Zulkafli H, Said MR, Hadi MF, Sukhari S, Arjan Singh RS

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):750-751.
PMID: 33219192

Pseudotumour of the lung is a rare chest x-ray finding among patients who present with fluid overload. It is caused by loculated pleural effusion in the lung fissures. Unfortunately, the occurrence of pseudotumour can be misleading and sometimes can lead to unnecessary investigation and emotional stress to the patient. We present here a case of a 61-year-old gentleman with a known history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia who presented at University Malaya Medical Centre with symptoms of fluid overload and a right middle lobe mass on chest x-ray. The right middle lobe mass disappeared entirely after being treated with aggressive diuretic therapy. A diagnosis of pseudotumour was made and described in this case report.
Fulltext Morphological descriptions of second and third instar larvae of Hypopygiopsis violacea Macquart (Diptera:Calliphoridae), a forensically important fly in Malaysia

Ahmad Firdaus MS, Marwi MA, Syamsa RA, Zuha RM, Ikhwan Z, Omar B

Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):134-7.
PMID: 20562824

Hypopygiopsis violacea, a species of fly of forensic importance, was recovered from a corpse and described for the first time. The morphological structures of the second and third instar larvae of four specimens were examined using light microscope. Observations were focused on three main morphological characters: cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior and posterior spiracles. Cephalopharyngeal skeleton of second instar larva is darkly pigmented and without accessory sclerite below the mouth hook. The anterior spiracles of second and third instar larvae have 8-9 papillae each, arranged in a single row. The posterior spiracle of second instar larva has two spiracular slits with no thickening of peritreme. This differentiates it from the third instar, whereby the latter has three slits for each posterior spiracle. Cephalopharyngeal skeleton of third instar larva is heavily pigmented. An accessory sclerite is found below the hook part of third instar larva but is absent in second instar. Peritreme of the posterior spiracle of third instar larva is thick almost complete encircling a button. The intersegmental spines of the cuticular surface are dome-shaped and unicuspid. Third instar larva of this species is large with size approximately 15 mm long. These findings provide important identification features of immature stages of Hy. violacea which could be useful in forensic entomology.
Fulltext A preliminary study of insect succession on a pig carcass in a palm oil plantation in Malaysia

Heo CC, Mohamad AM, Ahmad Firdaus MS, Jeffery J, Baharudin O

Trop Biomed, 2007 Dec;24(2):23-7.
PMID: 18209704 MyJurnal

This preliminary study was carried out in a palm oil plantation in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor in 17 May 2007 by using pig (Sus scrofa) as a carcass model in forensic entomological research. A 3 month old pig (8.5 kg) that died of pneumonio was placed in the field to observe the decomposition stages and the fauna succession of forensically important flies. Observation was made for two weeks; two visits per day and all climatological data were recorded. The first visitor to the pig carcass was a muscid fly, seen within a minute, and followed by ants and spiders. Within half an hour, calliphorid flies came over. On the second day (fresh), few calliphorid and sarcophagid flies were found on the carcass. Two different species of moths were trapped in the hanging net. The first larva mass occurred on the third day (bloated) around the mouthpart, with some L1 and L2 found in the eyes. Reduvid bugs and Staphylinidae beetles were recovered on the fourth day (active decay), and new maggot masses occurred in the eyes and anus. L3 larvae could be found beneath the pig carcass on the fourth day. On the fifth day (active decay), new maggot masses were found on neck, thorax, and hind legs. Advance decay occurred on the sixth day with abundant maggots covering all over the body. The main adult fly population was Chrysomya megacephala (day 2 to day 6), but the larvae population was mainly those of Chrysomya rufifacies (day 4 to day 14). The dry stage began on the eighth day. Hermetia illucens adult was caught on day-13, and a larvae mass of Chrysomya rufifacies was seen burrowing under the soil. This forensic entomological research using pig carcass model was the first record in this country.
An exposed Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) complicated with infection: A case report of unconventional experience with 'Sealed CIED'

Mohd Said MR, Gian Singh SS, Chea CY, Mohd Firdaus MAB, Narasamuloo KR, Krishinan S

Med J Malaysia, 2022 Jan;77(1):119-120.
PMID: 35087011

The rate of infected Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device is alarming and causes substantial socio-economic burden. A common approach involves immediate extraction of the infected device. Here, we report an unorthodox approach to this problem by 'sealing' the generator inside a sterile container as a temporary permanent pacemaker while waiting for implantation of another device. We report a 66 years old emaciated lady with underlying Sick Sinus Syndrome, who had an implanted single chamber pacemaker and presented with partial protrusion of her device. She underwent sub-pectoral implantation of the new device but subsequently re-presented with pocket site infection after a month. A decision was made to extract the infected generator from the sub-pectoral pocket and it was sealed inside a sterile container as 'bridging therapy' while awaiting arrival of a leadless pacemaker for implantation together with total extraction of the old infected device. Our clinical vignette demonstrated the difficulties we encountered and influenced on our decision for this unconventional approach despite limited supporting evidence.
Venous thromboembolism and pregnancy: A review of the literature

Abdelhafez MM, Ahmed KA, Daud MN, Eldiasty AM, Amri MF, Jeffree MS, et al.

Afr J Reprod Health, 2023 May;27(5):81-94.
PMID: 37584933 DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i5.8

This review aims to provide the mother carers with the most recent evidence-based guidelines in the context of managing of pregnancy-associated VTE, where an extensive search through the medical journals addressing the topic including the medical database such as Pubmed, Medline, Sience direct,Embase and others using the title and key-words in order to gather the most concerned as well as the up-to-date publications concerned with the problem under research, the search resulted in recognising pregnancy as a significant risk factor for the development of VTE, both during the prenatal and postnatal periods, with an estimated increased likelihood risk of five and sixty times, respectively and concluded that venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality hence, all pregnant women should be assessed for the risk of developing the condition as early as possible (when scheduling a booking antenatal appointment) or even in the pre-pregnancy clinic.
Risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans and attempts in Malaysia--results of an epidemiological survey

Maniam T, Marhani M, Firdaus M, Kadir AB, Mazni MJ, Azizul A, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S121-5.
PMID: 24156873 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.08.004

This is an epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of suicidal behavior and its association with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a nationally representative sample.
Intestinal microsporidial infections among Orang Asli (aborigine) children from Malaysia

Norhayati M, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Azlin M, Nor Aini U, Shaik A, Sa'iah A, et al.

Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 2007 Sep;101(6):547-50.
PMID: 17716439
Giardiasis as a predictor of childhood malnutrition in Orang Asli children in Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi MS, Azlin M, Nor Aini U, Shaik A, Sa'iah A, Fatmah MS, et al.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2005 Sep;99(9):686-91.
PMID: 15992838

A cross-sectional study to examine the association of giardiasis with protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia was conducted among Orang Asli children in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 281 children aged 2-15 years were studied. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and faecal samples. The results showed that 24.9% of the children were infected with Giardia duodenalis, while 56.5, 61.3 and 15.1% had significant underweight, stunting and wasting, respectively. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of significant wasting in this study population.
Fulltext Physical and functional properties of fish gelatin-based film incorporated with mangrove extracts

Nurdiani R, Ma'rifah RDA, Busyro IK, Jaziri AA, Prihanto AA, Firdaus M, et al.

PeerJ, 2022;10:e13062.
PMID: 35411257 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13062

BACKGROUND: The fishery processing industry produces a remarkable number of by-products daily. Fish skin accounts for one of the significant wastes produced. Fish skin, however, can be subjected to extraction to yield gelatine and used as the primary raw material for edible film production. To increase the functionality of edible films, bioactive compounds can be incorporated into packaging. Mangroves produce potential bioactive compounds that are suitable as additional agents for active packaging. This study aimed to create a fish gelatine-based edible film enriched with mangrove extracts and to observe its mechanical and biological properties.
METHODS: Two mangrove species (Bruguiera gymnorhiza and Sonneratia alba) with four extract concentrations (control, 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, and 0.35%) were used to enrich edible films. The elongation, water vapour transmission, thickness, tensile strength, moisture content, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the resulting packaging were analysed.
RESULTS: The results showed that the mangrove species and extract concentration significantly affected (p
Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminthiases among Orang Asli children living in peripheral Selangor, Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi MS, Azlin M, Nor Aini U, Shaikh A, Sa'iah A, Fatmah MS, et al.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2006 Jan;37(1):40-7.
PMID: 16771211

Soil-transmitted helminthiases are a public health problem in rural communities. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and distribution of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm was conducted in 281 Orang Asli children (aborigines) aged between 2 and 15 years, from 8 Orang Asli villages in Selangor, Malaysia. All the children were infected with soil-transmitted helminthes, with 26.3% of the children infected either with A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura or hookworm and 72.6% having mixed infection. The overall prevalences of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm were 61.9, 98.2 and 37.0%, respectively. Approximately 19.0, 26.0 and 3.0% of the children had severe infection of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection, respectively. The prevalences and mean egg per gram (epg) counts for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were not significantly dependent on age, therefore age-dependent convexity was not seen in this study. However, the results of this study reveal an age-dependent prevalence and mean epg count in children with hookworm infection. We conclude that ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection are still prevalent and therefore a public health concern in Orang Asli communities. Severe ascariasis and trichuriasis may lead to other health and medical problems.
Serum iron status in Orang Asli children living in endemic areas of soil-transmitted helminths

Aini UN, Al-Mekhlafi MS, Azlin M, Shaik A, Sa'iah A, Fatmah MS, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2007;16(4):724-30.
PMID: 18042535

We conducted a cross sectional study to examine the association of intestinal parasitic infections and protein energy malnutrition (PEM) with iron-status indicators and anaemia among Orang Asli children in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 281 children aged 2 - 15 years were studied. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis for blood and faecal samples. All children were infected either by A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura or hookworm and almost 19%, 26% and 3% of the children had severe infection of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection respectively. The prevalence of giardiasis among them was 24.9%. Overall, 41.5% of the children were anaemic (haemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL). Of these 61.0% of the children had iron deficiency and 36.5% had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), which accounted for 88.0% of anaemia in this population. Severe trichuriasis had the most significant correlation with anaemia and iron deficiency in this population. It contributed to low concentrations of haemoglobin, serum iron and serum ferritin and high total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Significant underweight and stunting were associated with low concentrations of haemoglobin and serum iron while significant wasting was significantly associated with low concentration of serum ferritin. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that severe trichuriasis was a strong predictor of IDA. It also confirmed that children who were significantly underweight and whose mother was working were independent predictors of IDA in this population.
Cytotoxic evaluation of biomechanically improved crosslinked ovine collagen on human dermal fibroblasts

Awang MA, Firdaus MA, Busra MB, Chowdhury SR, Fadilah NR, Wan Hamirul WK, et al.

Biomed Mater Eng, 2014;24(4):1715-24.
PMID: 24948455 DOI: 10.3233/BME-140983

Earlier studies in our laboratory demonstrated that collagen extracted from ovine tendon is biocompatible towards human dermal fibroblast. To be able to use this collagen as a scaffold in skin tissue engineering, a mechanically stronger scaffold is required that can withstand manipulation before transplantation. This study was conducted to improve the mechanical strength of this collagen sponge using chemical crosslinkers, and evaluate their effect on physical, chemical and biocompatible properties. Collagen sponge was crosslinked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and glutaraldehyde (GA). Tensile test, FTIR study and mercury porosimetry were used to evaluate mechanical properties, chemical property and porosity, respectively. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of crosslinked collagen sponge on human dermal fibroblasts. The FTIR study confirmed the successful crosslinking of collagen sponge. Crosslinking with EDC and GA significantly increased the mechanical strength of collagen sponge, with GA being more superior. Crosslinking of collagen sponge significantly reduced the porosity and the effect was predominant in GA-crosslinked collagen sponge. The GA-crosslinked collagen showed significantly lower, 60% cell viability towards human dermal fibroblasts compared to that of EDC-crosslinked collagen, 80% and non-crosslinked collagen, 100%. Although the mechanical strength was better when using GA but the more toxic effect on dermal fibroblast makes EDC a more suitable crosslinker for future skin tissue engineering.
Clinical Outcomes and Practicality of Transferring Patients Immediately to Originating Hospitals After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-A Retrospective Study

Kamaraj S, Firdaus ML, Norfarahdina R, Muizz AMA, Ranga ARA, Henry TD, et al.

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 2024 Nov 15.
PMID: 39548661 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.31290

BACKGROUND: Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) is the preferred treatment for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients in both PCI centers and those transferred from non-PCI centers, provided it can be performed in a timely manner. The challenges in transferring patients from non-PCI centers include not only potential delays beyond 120 min but also the risk of overwhelming the resources at the PPCI hospital. We report a novel strategy implemented within the Serdang STEMI Network involving immediate transfer of patients back to the originating hospitals within 2 h post procedure.
AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and practicality of immediately transferring stable STEMI patients back to their originating hospitals within 2 h postprimary PCI, within the Serdang STEMI Network. Specifically, it seeks to assess the in-hospital mortality rate and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) among these patients to determine the safety and feasibility of this novel early transfer strategy.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study involved 1374 STEMI patients participating in the Serdang STEMI network from May 2015 to December 2022, including 570 patients admitted directly to Hospital Sultan Idris Shah, Serdang (HSIS) and 804 transferred from non-PCI centers.
RESULTS: Of the 804 transferred patients, 415 (52%) were transferred back to referring hospitals within 2 h of PPCI. These patients met specific criteria including hemodynamic stability, absence of procedural complications, and fit for transfer at the discretion of the attending cardiologist. The primary outcomes measured were in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates, as well as major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization. In the early return group, there was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality. No patient required repeat revascularization or readmission within 30 days.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that carefully selected patients can be safely returned to their originating hospitals very early following successful PPCI. These findings have important implications for large regional STEMI networks worldwide, particularly in areas where PPCI centers may have limited resources to handle high STEMI volumes.

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