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Fulltext Retrofitting and purposed-built buildings: indoor air quality and sick building syndrome among private higher learning institution students in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

Nor Faeiza, M., Juliana, J., Chua, P.H.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(20):106-112.
MyJurnal

This study was done to determine the relationship between indoor air quality and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among students in Retrofitting Building (Building A) located in Kuala Lumpur and Purposed-built Building (Building B) located in Selangor. A cross sectional study was conducted among student from selected buildings with the total number of 130 respondents. Modified questionnaire based on Indoor Air Quality and Work Symptoms Survey, NIOSH, Indoor Environmental Quality Survey, 1991 was used to record the number of students experienced SBS. Measurement of indoor air quality was performed using instruments recommended by the IAQ Code of Practice, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia. There was a significantly higher number of occupants experienced SBS in Building A (60 of 65 respondents) compared to Building B (50 of 65 respondents) (Χ2= 4.127, p = 0.042). It was also found that there is a significant difference between the numbers of respondents having SBS between Building A and Building B (p < 0.045). Building A had higher CO2, bacteria, fungi, and UFP significantly as compared to Building B. However, only CO was significantly higher in Building B compared to Building A. It is suggested thatregular maintenance of both buildings is compulsory as ventilation played an important role in maintaining good indoor air quality in a building.
Fulltext Partikel ternafas (PM10) dan hubungannya dengan sistem respiratori di kalangan kanak-kanak sekolah, di Sungai Siput Utara, Perak

Abdul Mujid, A., Zailina, H., Juliana, J., Sharnsul Bahri, M.T.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2003;3(2):23-32.
MyJurnal

Satu kajian keratan rentas telah daalanlcan ke atas kanak-lcanak yang tinggal 0.5 km dari sebuah lcuari di Sungai Siput Utara. Objelctif kajian ini ialah untulc mengkaji hubungan PM10 dengan fungsi paru-paru kanak-kanak tersebut. Seramai 51 orang kanak-/canak yang ringgal berhampiran kuari dan terdedah dengan debu kaur tehih dipilih, manakala 37 orang kanak-kanak yang tinggal berjauhan tetapi di daerah yang sama telah dipilih sebagai perbandingan untuk lag ian ini. Borang soalselidik telah digunakan untuk mendapatlcan maklumat latarbelakang dan sejarah respiratori dari ibu bapa kanalc-kanak terlibat. Fungsi paru-paru kanak-kanak pula diukur dengan menggunakan Pony Graphic S pirometer. Min kepekatan PM1 0 selama 24 jam di dalam rumah kediaman di kawasan terdedah ialah 76.66 (g/m3 dan di kawasan perbandingan 41 .55 (g/m3. Perbezaan kepekatan PM10 di antara kedua kawasan ini adalah signifikan (p=0.01). Hasil ujian fungsi paru-paru menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan di antara fungsi paru-paru kanalc-kanalc terdedah dengan kanak-kanak perbandingan dari segi FVC % jangkaan (t = -8.227, p = 0.01) dan FEV1 % jangkaan (t = -8.729, p = 0.01). Min fungsi paru-paru kanak-kanak lelaki di kawasan terdedah, (FVC % jangkaan = 68.05, FEV1 % jangkaan = 73.71) adalah lebih rendah daripada kawasan perbandingan (FVC % jangkaan= 89.78, FEV1 %~ jangkaan = 86.97). Min fungsi paru-paru kanak-kanak perempuan di kawasan terdedah (FVC % jangkaan= 69.64, FEV1 % jangkaan =74.90) juga adalah lebih rendah daripada hawasan perbandingan ( F VC % jangkaan = 90.99, FEV1 % jangkaan : 87 .7 9). Prevalens kejejasan parurparu FVC % jangkaan l
Fulltext Association between occupational stress and respiratory symptoms among lecturers in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Nur Aqilah MY, Juliana J

Glob J Health Sci, 2012 Nov;4(6):160-9.
PMID: 23121752 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v4n6p160

There was considerable evidence that a subject's psychological status may influence respiratory sensations and that some subjects may experience respiratory symptoms regardless of the presence of a respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to determine the association between occupational stress and respiratory symptoms among lecturers. This cross sectional study was conducted in Universiti Putra Malaysia, involved 61 lecturers from various faculties. Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and questionnaires based on American Thoracic Society were used to collect the data on socio-demography, stress level and respiratory symptoms. High level of occupational stress (high strain) was determined among 16 of the respondents (26.2%). Breathlessness was the common symptom experienced by the respondents. Female lecturers were significantly experienced high stress level compared to male (p=0.035). They were also significantly having more breathlessness symptom compared to male lecturer (p=0.011). Study highlighted in study population, gender plays a significant role that influenced level of occupational stress and also gender has role in resulting occupational stress level and respiratory symptoms. There was no significant association between occupational stress and respiratory symptoms. It can be concluded that this group of lecturers of Universiti Putra Malaysia did not experienced high occupational stress level. Occupational stress level was not statistically significantly associated with all respiratory symptoms being studied.
Fulltext Patient-related barriers to cancer pain management – a prospective cross sectional study in a tertiary hospital

Choy, Y.C., Wan Nuruddin Shah, W.J., Wong, Y.M., Boey, C.Y., Noor Zuhaily, M.N., Kumutha, T., et al.

Journal of Surgical Academia, 2013;3(1):7-12.
MyJurnal

Effective management of cancer pain is often hampered by patients’ lack of knowledge regarding cancer pain management and other barriers related to ethnicity and religious beliefs. This cross sectional study was performed to determine the patient-related barriers to effective cancer pain management. One hundred patients receiving cancer pain management were studied. Inclusion criteria were: patients over the age of 18 years, able to communicate, with known diagnosis of cancer, experiencing persistent pain for the past two weeks. A modified version of the Barriers Questionnaire II (BQ-II) was used and a modified Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess the pain profile. Barriers such as, patient’s attitude and beliefs, communication skills and fear of side effects of pain medication were determined, given a score and the summation was recorded as the total patient related barriers score. Overall, 85% of respondents achieved more than 40% pain relief and the 72 of 100 patients reported low patient related barrier scores of 6 or less. Nevertheless, the main patient related barriers were: fear of tolerance to opioids (51%), ethnicity (p=0.003) and religious beliefs (p=0.002) which constituted the major components of the patient-related barriers score. Ethnicity and religious beliefs had significant influence on patient-related barriers score suggesting the need of further investigation into this area. In order to achieve a comprehensive view, other barriers to effective cancer pain management such as those related to the health systems and healthcare providers need to be assessed together.
Fulltext Assessing biomarkers on exposure, effects and susceptibility for environmental and occupational exposure of various range of benzene

Noor Fatihah MF, Suhaili A, Juliana J

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17 Special(1):7-18.

Background: Benzene is primarily routed by inhalation which highly sensitive to blood parameters as bone marrow is their target organ. The ability of benzene even in low exposure levels may induce human bone marrow suppression resulting in blood diseases such as leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, and pancytopenia. In the occupational setting, the most common benzene-exposed workers are from the petrochemical industries and petrol distribution such as gasoline pumps. Benzene also generated primarily by mobile exhaust and some from various of anthropogenic sources at environmental atmosphere and occupationally exposed in the policemen traffic, taxi and bus drivers, and street vendors in long-length time with low concentration exposure. Methodology: This paper reviewed published articles on biomarkers exposure, effects and susceptibility as the useful tools for benzene exposure assessment in the occupational and environmental setting. Data from previous epidemiological studies relevant to benzene exposure in various occupational and environmental setting is also summarized. Results: Based on these analyses, the findings agreed that these biomarkers are could suggest in linking the benzene exposure with possible adverse health effects. The biological monitoring used in epidemiological studies is useful in providing an understanding of activation and detoxification of benzene in both the occupational and general population as they are exposed to wide range of benzene concentration. Conclusion. The biomarkers of exposure, effects, and susceptibility utilized for benzene exposure assessment are valid tools in determining the greatest potential risk as well as an early biological effect which then caused a related specific disease.
Fulltext Interleukin-6 via sputum induction as biomarker of inflammation for indoor particulate matter among primary school children in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Nazariah SS, Juliana J, Abdah MA

Glob J Health Sci, 2013 Jul;5(4):93-105.
PMID: 23777726 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v5n4p93

In the last few years, air within homes have been indicates by various and emerging body as more serious polluted than those outdoor. Prevalence of respiratory inflammation among school children aged 8 and 10 years old attending national primary schools in urban and rural area were conducted in Klang Valley. Two population studies drawn from the questionnaires were used to investigate the association between indoor particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) in a home environment and respiratory implication through the understanding of biological responses. Approximately 430 healthy school children of Standard 2 and Standard 5 were selected. Indication of respiratory symptoms using adaptation questionnaire from American Thoracic Society (1978). Sputum sample collection taken for biological analysis. IL-6 then was analyse by using ELISA techniques. Indoor PM2.5 and PM10 were measured using Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor. The mean concentration of PM2.5 (45.38 µg/m3) and PM10 (80.07 µg/m3) in urban home environment is significantly higher compared to those in rural residential area (p=0.001). Similar trend also shows by the prevalence of respiratory symptom. Association were found with PM2.5 and PM10 with the level of IL-6 among school children. A greater exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 are associated with higher expression of IL-6 level suggesting that the concentration of indoor particulate in urban density area significantly influence the health of children.
Fulltext Prevalence of Penicillium specific Ig E level and allergy symptoms among office workers in a selected company in Bangi, Malaysia

Goh JC, Juliana J, Malina O, Ngah ZU, Norhafizalena O

Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):37-46.
PMID: 17568376 MyJurnal

Indoor fungal reservoirs, particularly airborne Penicillium species, were identified throughout the ventilation system of the building and dissemination of fungi from those reservoirs was found to be occurring all the time. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between air concentration of indoor mould (Penicillium) and allergy symptoms among office workers. The study design used in this research was a cross-sectional study. Risk factors were identified through the questionnaire survey. Office workers were selected based on the proximity of their workstations to the microbiological air sampler used for the mould sampling. Results from the current study suggests that individual susceptibility of exposed subjects might be influenced by several factors associated with mould exposure; for example, inhaled mycotoxins or volatile organic compounds, which may, in some complex way, affect the immune response. This study provides the much needed preliminary baseline data for developing guidelines with validated findings that will be of use for policy decisions in Malaysia regarding indoor air quality. Results from this study are recommended for use in planning and implementing control measures in order to reduce the exposure to indoor mould and promote healthy working environment among the workers.
Fulltext Herpes zoster keratouveitis with hypopyon and hyphema

Katherine SBH, Ngim YS, Juliana J, Ramli N

Taiwan J Ophthalmol, 2020 03 04;10(1):54-57.
PMID: 32309125 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_20_18

This study aims to report two cases with an uncommon, early manifestation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus which is keratouveitis. The first patient is a 61-year-old female who had presented with painful facial skin eruption and right eye redness without impairment of vision. She was treated initially as herpes zoster blepharoconjunctivitis; however, the disease had progressed to neurotrophic keratitis with severe anterior chamber reaction manifested by a mixture of hypopyon and hyphema. The second patient is a 74-year-old female who had presented after 2 weeks of facial skin eruption with blurring of vision and similar keratouveitic manifestations. Both patients had poor visual outcome due to severe ocular inflammation.
Evaluation of visual outcomes after toric intraocular lens implantation

Ng HR, Goh CH, Ngim YS, Juliana J

Med J Malaysia, 2017 12;72(6):356-359.
PMID: 29308773 MyJurnal

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative visual acuity, refractive status and rotational stability of toric intraocular lens (IOL) in correcting pre-existing corneal astigmatism.
METHODS: A total of 69 patients with topographic corneal astigmatism of 1.0 Diopter (D) and above who underwent cataract surgery between June 2015 and December 2016 were included in this retrospective observational study. All preoperative toric IOL calculations were performed using immersion biometry. Appropriate formula to calculate toric IOL power was applied (SRK/T, Holladay 1 or Hoffer Q formula). All patients undergone similar uncomplicated phacoemulsification with implantation of AcrySoft IQ SN6AT toric IOL of different powers. Visual outcome, refractive status and axis of lens were evaluated at six weeks postoperatively. Ethical approval from the Ministry of Health Medical Research Ethics Committee was obtained prior to commencement of study.
RESULTS: The mean refractive astigmatism decreased from 1.69 D ±1.10 (SD) to 0.81 D ± 0.40 (SD) at six weeks postoperatively. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was at -0.37 D ±0.64 (SD). Mean LogMAR for uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity in six weeks postoperative patients was at 0.29 ±0.16 (SD) and 0.12 ±0.12 (SD) respectively. Intraoperative to 6 weeks of postoperative comparison of IOL axis alignment showed low levels of rotation (mean 3.21 ±2.52 degrees).
CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery with implantation of toric IOL was stable and effective in improving pre-existing regular corneal astigmatism.
Fulltext Germline breast cancer susceptibility genes, tumor characteristics, and survival

Ho PJ, Khng AJ, Loh HW, Ho WK, Yip CH, Mohd-Taib NA, et al.

Genome Med, 2021 Dec 02;13(1):185.
PMID: 34857041 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00978-9

BACKGROUND: Mutations in certain genes are known to increase breast cancer risk. We study the relevance of rare protein-truncating variants (PTVs) that may result in loss-of-function in breast cancer susceptibility genes on tumor characteristics and survival in 8852 breast cancer patients of Asian descent.
METHODS: Gene panel sequencing was performed for 34 known or suspected breast cancer predisposition genes, of which nine genes (ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, BARD1, RAD51C, RAD51D, and TP53) were associated with breast cancer risk. Associations between PTV carriership in one or more genes and tumor characteristics were examined using multinomial logistic regression. Ten-year overall survival was estimated using Cox regression models in 6477 breast cancer patients after excluding older patients (≥75years) and stage 0 and IV disease.
RESULTS: PTV9genes carriership (n = 690) was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with more aggressive tumor characteristics including high grade (poorly vs well-differentiated, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 3.48 [2.35-5.17], moderately vs well-differentiated 2.33 [1.56-3.49]), as well as luminal B [HER-] and triple-negative subtypes (vs luminal A 2.15 [1.58-2.92] and 2.85 [2.17-3.73], respectively), adjusted for age at diagnosis, study, and ethnicity. Associations with grade and luminal B [HER2-] subtype remained significant after excluding BRCA1/2 carriers. PTV25genes carriership (n = 289, excluding carriers of the nine genes associated with breast cancer) was not associated with tumor characteristics. However, PTV25genes carriership, but not PTV9genes carriership, was suggested to be associated with worse 10-year overall survival (hazard ratio [CI] 1.63 [1.16-2.28]).
CONCLUSIONS: PTV9genes carriership is associated with more aggressive tumors. Variants in other genes might be associated with the survival of breast cancer patients. The finding that PTV carriership is not just associated with higher breast cancer risk, but also more severe and fatal forms of the disease, suggests that genetic testing has the potential to provide additional health information and help healthy individuals make screening decisions.

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