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- PublicationMass hysteria among secondary school students in Kelantan: A phenomenological approach(2021)Despite rising incidences of hysteria especially among school students in Malaysia this phenomenon still puzzled and bring challenges to many parties. Due to scarcity of information and limited research in this occurrence this study will shed some light in exploring and interpreting this phenomenon and cultural factors that conceptualizes the hysteria expressions that are distinctive in our study setting. Qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach with face to face interviews were conducted among 20 Malay adolescence using the semi-structured in-depth interview guide. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. The mean age of participants were 14.3 years and all of them are Malay Muslim. 50% of participants were either youngest or eldest siblings and majority of the participants came from low socioeconomic household. The experience and interpretation of hysteria emerged as ‘Culture Stereotyping’, ‘Idiom of Distress’ and ‘Social Reinforcement Factors’. As the hysteria phenomenon is an intermeshed of deep-rooted cultural influence with the mental health issues, the management would need cultural competence and sensitivity apart from further psychological and emotional evaluation by the health professional
- PublicationClinical profiles and outcomes of renal scarring in children underwent dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan in a tertiary Hospital(2021)Title Clinical Profiles and Outcomes of Renal scarring in Children Underwent Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) Renal scan in a Tertiary Hospital. Background: DMSA renal scan is universally applied to detect renal scarring. It is a known cause for hypertension and proteinuria and may progressed into chronic kidney disease (CKD). We reviewed the proportion of renal scarring and looking at their risk factors and its outcomes in all children that were referred for DMSA renal scan at tertiary centre hospital. Methodology: All records of children less than 18 years old that were referred for DMSA renal scan over ten years period were reviewed. Among children whose renal cortical defects were confirmed by DMSA scan, data of their risk factors and its outcome were collected manually. Results: Out of 92 children referred for DMSA renal scan, forty-eight of them were shown to have renal scarring of which more than 50% of them had underlying vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). More than half had recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) of non-Escherichia coli organisms. The most common complication was CKD, of which majority were stage 3 with median duration of one year after detection of renal scarring. Six children (12.5%) developed hypertension with median age of 10.5 years and median duration of one year after diagnosis of renal scarring was demonstrated. Conclusion: DMSA renal scan is recommended to be performed in children with VUR to detect scarring as its long term complications such as hypertension and CKD have been demonstrated to occur as early as one year after diagnosis. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying problem is crucial
- PublicationA study on fusarium isolation, its molecular identification, clinical manifestations and risk factors(2020)Fusarium species are ubiquitous in soil and plant debris. Fusarium species are well recognized as plant pathogens and have emerged as human pathogens affecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts since recent years. Conventional methods of Fusarium identification are inadequate as it only identifies Fusarium to genus level. Molecular methods by nucleotide sequences are more accurate and consistent for species identification. We reviewed 87 medical records of patients for whom fungal culture was performed on various clinical specimens in Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Terengganu and Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan from 2017 until 2019. Out of 87 cases, 43 cases were positive for Fusarium and 44 cases were non-Fusarium cases. We identified the proportion of Fusarium based on species, clinical manifestation, and risk factors from clinical isolates. Twenty four available clinical isolates were specifically identified by sequencing the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1) gene. Our results showed that keratitis (n=17, 39.5%) and onychomycosis (n=16, 37.2%) were the most common type of fusariosis, followed by fungaemia (n=7, 16.3%). Forearm skin infection, fungal pneumonia, and fungal maxillary sinusitis were presented in one case each. Based on TEF-1 sequencing, 22 of 24 isolates belong to Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), n=22; which comprised Fusarium solani (n=10), Fusarium proliferatum (n=7), and Fusarium keratoplasticum (n=5). Another two were Fusarium pseudocircinatum (n=1) which belongs to Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), and Fusarium oxysporum (n=1) which is a member in Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC). Fusarium infection was more common in males (n=29, 67.4%), and the mean age was 51 years old. Important risk factors for Fusarium infection, including diabetes mellitus, malignancies, neutropenia, eyes trauma, and embedded foreign body, were analysed but none were statistically significant
- PublicationDevelopment and effectiveness of mydrcare4u online HIV health education module in increasing HIV knowledge, reducing HIV stigma and increasing accessibility to healthcare services for transgender(2022-05)Background: Transgender populations hugely affected by HIV infection due to unsafe sexual behaviour. The contrary of gender value to socio-cultural expectation among transgender in Malay-Muslim community strongly hindrances to access the facility-based healthcare services. Lacking of supportive environment on conventional HIV health education significantly reduce their motivation to actively involved in current engagement strategy. This complex health disparities lead to inadequate level of HIV knowledge which was the uttermost important element in decreasing risk of the infection. Acknowledging these issues, a structured online HIV health education module named MyDrCare4u has been developed by integrating the advancement of digital communication with the theory-based health education which tailored with the cultural needs of transgender. Objective: The current study was aimed to develop MyDrCare4u Online HIV health education and to evaluate the effectiveness of this module on level of HIV knowledge, level of HIV stigma and accessibility to healthcare services for transgender. Methodology: This study comprised of two phases which are development of HIV health education module in Phase I and quasi-experimental study in Phase II. The newly developed MyDrCare4u online HIV health education module was based on enriched consensus of relevant stakeholders systematically from Health Belief Model (HBM) theory by using modified delphie technique. This module has been delivered to intervention group in Kelantan while control group in Pahang received HIV health education at healthcare facility. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variances (RM ANOVA), Chi-Square test, Independent T-test and Fisher's exact test were applied. Result: In Phase I, the content validation, face validation and usability assessment of newly developed module was rated excellent and verified by specific raters on each stage. In Phase II, there was an overall statistically significant difference in mean HIV knowledge scores between intervention and control group, regardless of time [F(1,58) =5.98, p<0.001; effect size (ηp2) =0.093]. There was an overall statistically significant difference in mean HIV stigma scores between intervention and control group, regardless of time [F(1,58) =10.97, p=0.002; effect size (ηp2) =0.159].The intervention group had statistically significant increment of mean HIV knowledge score from baseline to one-month and three-months follow up [Huynh-Feldt:F(1.7,49.8) =38.86, p<0.001; effect size (η2) =0.573]. There was a statistically significant reduction of mean HIV stigma score from baseline to one-month and three-months follow up in intervention group [F(0.96; df = 2; p=0.619)]. There was a statistically significant increment of proportion of HIV screening test in intervention group from baseline to three-months follow up (p<0.001). Conclusion: The newly developed online HIV health education module effectively increase HIV knowledge, reduce HIV stigma and increase proportion of HIV screening among transgender population. Our findings shed light for future implementation of this module through collaborative efforts of relevant stakeholders towards ending AIDS in Malaysia by 2030
- PublicationA comparative study on perceived accident risk among the cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers in the mixed traffic.(2022-08-10)In Malaysia, motorcycles are a common mode of transportation, while cycling has recently had a resurgence in popularity, primarily as a form of recreation and sport. Road accidents happen often in Malaysia and are getting worse every year. This study investigates risk perceptions among cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers in order to develop and implement mitigation strategies to improve road safety for cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers in mixed traffic in Malaysia, with the aim of reducing the accident rate. The focus of this study was on working drivers and motorcyclists as well as recreational cyclists in Penang. Through a questionnaire, demographic data and self reported risk perception were collected. Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) was utilized to perform the statistical analysis. This research evaluated the significant difference in risk perception between cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers. Although there is a significant difference in the socio demographic, experience, and characteristics of travel for drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists, only 3 variables out of 16 self-reported perceived risks are significant differences, which are: the respondents have no problem adapting their driving, riding, or cycling to road surface conditions; the respondents can be lost in their thoughts when driving, riding, or cycling; and the presence of someone with the respondents in the car or on the motorcycle or behind them distracts them and deteriorates their driving, riding, or cycling. There is only 1 variable out of 3 self-reported perceived risks towards other road users that has a significant difference, which is among the drivers and the cyclists that they will reduce their speed when they see motorcycles on the road.
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- ItemMR volumetric study of cerebellum related to age ang sex(Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2015)Introduction: The advancement of MRI techniques has open up many neuroanatomical studies of normal brain growth and atrophy. Numerous neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, which can cause changes in cerebellum volumes have been identified particularly epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s dementia, depression and autism among others. Investigations of aging effects on the cerebellum are important, not only to understand normal aging process, but also for comparative study of the pathophysiology of degenerative brain disorders. Sex differences in gross cerebellar neuroanatomy have been observed in several studies. Currently there is no normative data of MR cerebellum volumetry available for Malaysian population. Objectives: The general objective for this study is to determine the age and sex difference of the volume of cerebellum in healthy volunteers. Methods and materials: This was a cross sectional study involving 164 subjects who underwent MRI. The age of the subjects ranged from 7 to 77 years old. MRI was performed using Signa Horison LX 1.0 Tesla scanner by General Electric. MRI images were obtained in T1 sagittal sections with 5milimeter thickness with 2-millimeter gap. Cerebellum volumes were measured using manually traced slice volumetry method. The mean (SD) of total cerebellum volume was calculated and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Anatomical boundaries for cerebellum volumetry done with manual tracing. Normalization of cerebellum volume with intracranial volume was done by using co-variance methods introduced by Jack et al. (1989). Manual tracing using alternate slice method was utilized in obtaining intracranial volume as described by Eritaia et al. (2000). Image display and manual tracing of the cerebellum and intracranial areas were performed using Osirix software ver.3.7.1 (Pixmeo Sarl). Data was compiled and analyzed using PASW Statistic ver.18 (SPSS Inc.). Results: The overall mean normalized cerebellar volume is 181.1 ± 24.8 cm3. When analyzed separately among gender, normalized cerebellar volume was significantly higher in male (p value= 0.035; 95% +- CI). There is a statistically significant negative correlation between age and total cerebellum volume (r is - 0.492). Cerebellar volume becomes smaller at older age with moderate to good correlation. Conclusion: The study provided a reference data of cerebellar volumes in original and normalized formats for normal Kelantan population for a valuable reference in many physiological and pathological conditions for local population. The mean normalized cerebellar volume was statistically significant in genders with larger volumes in male subjects. They also had larger intracranial volumes than female. There is significant relationship between normalized cerebellum volume with age.
- PublicationDesign, Development And The Effects Of Emotionally Sound Web-Based Instruction On Performance, Satisfaction, Engagement And Retention(2018-11)This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of the emotionally sound web-based instruction on performance, satisfaction, engagement and retention in learning English grammar among students with different levels of emotional intelligence. The sample consisted of 183 Form Two students from a secondary school in the Northern region of the Peninsular Malaysia. The data were collected with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - Short Form (TEIQue-SF), End-User Computing Satisfaction (EUSC), Post-Test 1, Retention Questionnaire (Post-Test 2) and E-Learning Engagement Instrument (ELEI). The research design for this study is Quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design.
- PublicationComparison of the three forensic DNA Sampling and extraction techniques on various mock crime scene samples for reliable and rapid DNA analysis.(2022-09)The capability to generate reliable DNA profiles rapidly via short tandem repeat (STR) analysis to identify the suspect could greatly assist in crime investigations. This study evaluated the performance of a compilation of sample collection and extraction techniques consisting of the Maxwell RSC 48 FSC DNA IQ Casework Kit, Casework Direct System, and the COPAN MicroFLOQ® Direct Swab. A total of 48 reactions consisting of 16 mock casework samples for each technique ranging from bloodstain, saliva stained and touch DNA samples that were commonly encountered in crime scene were used in this study. The samples extracted using the Maxwell RSC 48 FSC DNA IQ Casework Kit were quantified using the NanoDrop™ 2000 Spectrophotometer. Subsequently, the collected samples for the three techniques were amplified using the GlobalFiler™ Express PCR Amplification Kit. The amplified products were then loaded for capillary electrophoresis via the ABI 3500xL Genetic Analyzer before analyzed using the GeneMapper ID-X v1.4 software. Results demonstrated that the three techniques generated relatively high percentage of autosomal STR allele call in total (100%, 100% and 96% respectively). Particularly, the COPAN MicroFLOQ™ with 96% was possible to analyze wide range of DNA samples where seven out of 16 samples were typed successfully. Meanwhile, the same number of sample types (n=6) with 100% autosomal STR allele call percentage and full consistent profiles were generated via the extraction using the two extraction kits. Notably, the average peak height across the samples using the former extraction kit was the highest which attributed to the automated extraction and purification employed that corresponded to the high DNA concentration yielded. This were followed by Casework Direct System and COPAN MicroFLOQ . In terms of turnaround time and cost associated, the MicroFLOQ® Direct Swab outperformed the other two techniques followed by the Casework Direct System extraction which took one hour for complete extraction. Meanwhile, the Maxwell FSC DNA IQ Casework Kit which took a longer time and higher cost for the entire extraction (1 hour 30 minutes and average RM 76.15 per reaction respectively). Not to mention, the use of the kit coupled with the automated Maxwell RSC 48 instrument ( RM 450, 000 per instrument) were on the more expensive end as compared to the other two techniques. Overall, the three different techniques had their respective merits and pitfalls but the COPAN MicroFLOQ® Direct Swab had an edge over the other two methods in terms of time, cost-effectiveness and ease to use. It also offered numerous advantages due to its direct PCR amplification properties, relatively high detection ability and quality DNA profiles produced. This resulted in the COPAN MicroFLOQ® Direct Swab capable to generate DNA profiles reliably in a short time thus potentially become a novel preferable collection technique employed by law enforcement officers.
- PublicationFem analysis of solar water heater(2002-03-01)The direct use of solar energy has never before been accepted on a worldwide basis. The costs of constructing devices or systems to use the sun’s energy have always been greater than the costs of using the alternate energy sources available. In the immediate future, however, the price of energy will rise even more rapidly than in the recent past. Alternate sources of energy are dwindling, and their costs are increasing at rates of 10% or more every year. We must explore putting the sun’s energy to practical use in supplying a percentage of our ever-increasing energy needs. The “first” most appropriate large-scale application of solar energy use concerns the heating of water for domestic use. The sun is everyone’s life. Without its energy, the past, present, and the future of human beings would not be. The sun has provided us with stored chemical energy in the form of fossil fuels which is now rapidly being depleted, and this depletion is thus responsible for escalated social and economics costs. To curtail these adversities, the direct application of the sun’s radiant energy to alternative conversion processes such as photovoltaic, photochemical, thermionic, thermoelectric, and heat must be continuously developed and utilized. An economic “first” application for existing solar energy alternatives involves using solar collectors to convert the sun’s radiant energy into heat energy for domestic water heating.
- ItemSynthesis Of Ethyl Oleate Catalyzed By Immobilized Lipase Process Optimization(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2022-06-01)Esterification synthesis by chemical synthesis, using strong acid as the catalyst causes drawbacks to the environment, formation of undesirable side products and the presence of high acidic conditions. Hence, esterification using lipase as biocatalysts is considered a promising alternative to produce ester through enzymatic esterification, because this method is more eco-friendly, as it proceeds at mild reaction conditions, thus reducing energy consumption and adverse environmental effects. In this study, ethyl oleate, a commercially valuable oleate ester, was synthesised by direct esterification reaction catalysed by immobilized lipase from Candida rugosa in batch system using n-hexane as organic solvent. The free C. rugosa lipase was successfully immobilised on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes support. The influence of optimizing parameters including reaction time, enzyme loading, temperature, acid:ethanol molar ratio were studied using one-factor-at-a time (OFAT) method. Optimal conversion yield for ethyl oleate of 87% was obtained at 40 minutes incubation time with 30 U/ml of enzyme loading at 40℃ with a substrate molar ratio of 1:3 (oleic acid to ethanol). The comparison between bisubstrate kinetic models of enzyme catalysed esterification by correlating experimental findings from reported research study was also investigated using non-linear regression analysis. A model of Ping Pong Bi Bi with inhibition by both substrates was found to exhibit the best fit with the experimental value of where the model parameters were obtained as Vmax=11.93 mmol mg−1min−1 , Km,A=3.02×10−3 mmol L−1,Km,B=3.04×10−3 mmol L−1,Ki,A=6.94mmol L−1, Ki,B=1.14mmol L−1 which shows good agreement to the reported findings.