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- PublicationMotivation Factors And Potential Barriers For Blood Donation During Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic In Kelantan, Malaysia(2023-11)Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had both direct and indirect impacts on blood donation efforts worldwide. The number of blood donors is likely to decline as the number of everyday cases increases. This study aims to determine blood donors' socio demographic characteristics during COVID-19 and their association with motivation factors, and potential barriers to blood donation during the pandemic. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 blood donors in Kelantan using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Logistic regression tests were used to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics of blood donors with motivation factors and potential barriers. Results: Out of 350 participants, 54.9% were males, 46.9% were in 18-25 years old, 82.3% were Malays, 60.6% were single, 72.6% had high education levels, and 45.7% were regular donors. About 97.7% of the respondents donated blood due to altruism motivations while 53.2% of the respondents claimed they did not have enough time as their donation barrier. There was no association between socio-demographic characteristics of blood donors with motivation factors. Male respondents tend to have 1.82 times higher odds of having potential barriers for blood donation compared to female respondents (adjusted OR = 1.82, p = 0.020). Conclusion: Altruism is the main motivation factor for blood donation during COVID 19, while the main barrier for blood donation is lack of time. A well-planned, focused strategy is important in ensuring the efficacy of blood collection during pandemic.
- PublicationEvaluation of immunophenotypic expressions of plasma cells in plasma cell myeloma patients and its association with prognostic factors and clinical stages(2021)Introduction: Neoplastic plasma cell expresses aberrant markers which differ from normal plasma cell was postulated to carry prognostic significance. This study aimed to determine the proportion of immunophenotypic expression of plasma cells in plasma cell myeloma patients at diagnosis and to study the association between these markers with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from June 2016 till June 2019 by collecting the flow cytometry results (CD38/CD138/CD19/CD45/CD56/CD117 and cytoplasmic kappa and light chains expression) from newly diagnosed plasma cell myeloma, PCM cases in both Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital USM. Clinical data and laboratory results retrieved from medical record were analyzed statistically using SPSS26.0. Results: All 78 cases of flow cytometry results in newly diagnosed PCM had more than one aberrant antigen expression with 100% expression rate for both CD38 and CD138 while CD19/CD45/CD56/CD117 in 28.2%, 23.1%, 83.3% and 25.6% respectively. The majority were expressed kappa light chain restriction, 60.3%. A significant association was demonstrated between CD19 markers with serum creatinine (p=0.036). However, there was no significant association between expression of other immunophenotypic markers with its associated factors. Conclusion: Immunophenotyping by multiparametric flow cytometryisausefultoolfordistinguishingneoplasticplasmacellsfromnormalplasma cell where aberrant antigens were present in most of thePCM withaheterogenous immunophenotypic profile of PCM were defined in our population as compared to others. Moreover, there was a significant association demonstrated between CD19 with serum creatinine. However, this result should be confirmed with a bigger sample size.
- PublicationEvaluation of haemoglobin level and platelet count in neonates with and without retinopathy of prematurity(2021)Aim: Haemoglobin and platelet have been postulated to play a role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study aimed to compare weekly mean haemoglobin level and platelet count between ROP and non-ROP infants in the first six weeks of life. Method: Ninety-three premature infants with birth weight less than 1.5 kg and gestational age less than 32 weeks were recruited in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2017 to 2019. Each ROP case was individually matched (1: 2) to two non-ROP cases. Weekly mean haemoglobin level, weekly mean platelet count, and other related risk factors were documented. Result: Thirty-one infants with ROP and 62 infants with non-ROP were recruited. Of those with ROP, 8 had stage 1 ROP, 6 had stage 2 ROP, 16 had stage 3 ROP. The mean birth weight and gestational age of the ROP group was 962.2 g and 27.6 weeks while the non-ROP group was 1056.9 g and 28.5 weeks respectively. We found significant differences in the weekly mean platelet counts between ROP and non-ROP infants from week two to week six of life (p=0.003). A significant difference was also found when comparing weekly mean haemoglobin level at week one of life (p=0.003). However, no significant difference was found in the weekly mean platelet count (p=0.489) and weekly mean haemoglobin level (p=0.292) after adjusting to covariates. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in mean haemoglobin level and platelet count in the first six weeks of life between ROP and non-ROP infants after adjusting to confounding factors like sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and blood transfusion.
- PublicationOutcome Following First Radioiodine Therapy For Remnant Ablation Of Low-risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer At Institut Kanser Negara (Ikn)(2023-11)Purpose: The role of remnant radioiodine ablation (RRA) in post-total thyroidectomy low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been a debatable issue among experts over the decades. Giving that the risk of disease-specific death is less than 1% as well as only 2% - 3% risk of persistent or recurrent disease in low-risk DTC, the role of giving radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) remains in the grey area. This study is to evaluate the outcome of RRA in low-risk DTC and to identify the possible affecting factors that may result in unsuccessful RRA in low-risk DTC. Methodology: A retrospective study of 212 patients with low-risk DTC treated with radioiodine-131 (I-131) with activities of 100 mCi and below from January 2017 to December 2020 at Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Kanser Negara (IKN) with varying factors were identified to determine outcome following RRA in our centre. The outcome of a successful RRA was determined by negative diagnostic radioiodine-131 whole body scan (I-131 WBS) and endogenous thyrotrophin-stimulated serum thyroglobulin of (sTg) 1.0 ng/mL at two consecutive follow-up 6 to 12 months after RRA. sTg cut-off value was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The association of risk factors that may affect the successful RRA in low-risk DTC were determined using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.
- PublicationUltrasound assessment of diaphragm as a predictor tool of successful extubation in mechanically ventilated patients(2021)Background Weaning failure is defined as failure to pass a spontaneous breathing trial or the need for re-intubation within 48 hours following extubation. An estimated 20% of all mechanically ventilated patients will encounter a failed extubation scenario. The pathophysiology of weaning failure is multifactorial but a recent factor of interest described in current literature is that of diaphragm dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of ultrasound assessment of diaphragm as a predictor tool of successful extubation in mechanically ventilated patients Methods This study was carried out in Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Sabah and Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. Seventy-five mechanically ventilated patients who were planned for extubation and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled into the study. Written consent was obtained from the next of kin. Bedside diaphragmatic ultrasound was carried out prior to extubation to assess diaphragm excursion and diaphragm thickness fraction. The diaphragm ultrasound was performed by the clinician who had no role in the management of the patients. Extubation was based on intensivist’s or anaesthetist’s decision who were blinded of the ultrasound results. The patients were followed up for 48 hours post extubation. Results There was a statistically significant difference in both the mean diaphragm excursion and the mean diaphragm thickness fraction between the successful extubation group and the failed extubation group. When the diaphragm thickness fraction increased by 1 %, the chance of successful extubation increased by 1.29 times. Conclusion Ultrasound assessment of diaphragm thickening fraction can be used as a predictor tool of successful extubation in mechanically ventilated patients.
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- ItemPengetahuan Dan Tingkah Laku Pengguna Dadah Secara Suntikan (IDU) Yang Mengikut Program Pertukaran Jarum Dan Alat Suntikan (NSEP) Di Pulau Pinang(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017-07)Kajian kualitatif ini dijalankan bagi meningkatkan tahap kualiti dan keberkesanan penyampaian perkhidmatan dalam Program Pertukaran Jarum dan Alat Suntikan (NSEP) kepada pengguna dadah secara suntikan (IDU). Objektif kajian ini meliputi: (1) mengenal pasti ciri-ciri sosiodemografi IDU yang terlibat dalam NSEP; (2) meneroka pengetahuan IDU yang terlibat dalam NSEP berkaitan HIV/AIDS, HCV, VCT dan NSEP; (3) meneroka bentuk tingkah laku IDU yang terlibat dalam NSEP berkaitan dengan tingkah laku suntikan dan tingkah laku hubungan seks; (4) menganalisis halangan dan cabaran IDU dalam mengamalkan tingkah laku pengurangan risiko; dan (5) mencadangkan strategi atau peranan yang boleh dipraktikkan oleh pekerja sosial dalam meningkatkan lagi keberkesanan NSEP ke arah pembentukan tingkah laku pengurangan risiko dalam kalangan IDU. Kajian ini telah dijalankankan di Pulau Pinang dengan melibatkan seramai 20 orang responden. Kaedah temu bual mendalam berlandaskan panduan temu bual separa berstruktur telah digunakan dalam proses pengumpulan data. Penemuan kajian mendapati dalam konteks pengetahuan bahawa: (1) IDU mempunyai pengetahuan mengenai HIV/AIDS yang baik; (2) IDU tidak mempunyai pengetahuan mengenai HCV yang baik; (3) IDU mempunyai pengetahuan mengenai VCT yang baik; dan (4) IDU mempunyai pengetahuan yang baik mengenai NSEP. Dalam konteks tingkah laku menyuntik dadah dan hubungan seks pula, didapati bahawa: (1) tingkah laku penggunaan jarum dan picagari adalah secara amalan pengurangan risiko; (2) tingkah laku menggunakan pad alkohol adalah secara amalan pengurangan risiko; (3) penggunaan kapas adalah secara amalan pengurangan risiko; (4) tidak menggunakan tourniquet secara amalan pengurangan risiko; (5) mengamalkan pemilihan urat berbanding arteri; (6) mengamalkan penukaran kawasan anggota badan bagi tujuan menyuntik dadah; (7) tidak mengamalkan penyimpanan jarum dan alat suntikan yang telah digunakan di tempat yang selamat; dan (8) IDU tidak aktif dalam tingkah laku hubungan seks.
- PublicationFabrication and characterization of electrospinning biodegradable fabric layer for face mask application(2022-08-19)The increased use of 3-ply facemasks has raised concerns about the pollution they cause to the environment. The non-biodegradability of current 3-ply facemasks is highlighted because it is difficult to manage the waste and much more pollution is created when facemasks are discarded. Several studies have been conducted in order to improve the filtration layer on a consistent basis by using biodegradable polymers as an alternative. The present study aimed to fabricate polylactic acid (PLA), poly (butylene adipate-co terephthalate) (PBAT) and PLA/PBAT fibre mat layers. The effect of different needle sizes on the properties and morphology of PLA and PBAT fibre mats was identified by using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) tabletop, ImageJ and Universal Tensile Machine (UTS). In addition, the effect of single and binary solvents was investigated to produce PLA/PBAT fibre mat layer. Results showed that small size needles produced small-diameter fibres. The best needles to use for the fabrication of the PLA and PBAT fibre mats are 25G and 23G, respectively based on the fibre diameter and tensile properties. A 25G needle produced the smallest diameter and compact fibre mat. However, a 21G needle produced a PLA fibre mat with the highest tensile strength and Young’s modulus. On the other hand, a 25G needle is the best needle size to produce a PBAT fibre mat with good tensile properties. Binary solvents using DCM and DMF produced continuous and thinner fibres and showed higher tensile properties compared to the single solvent system.
- ItemCrash recovery support for variable strength t-way test generation strategy(2016-06-01)Often, the biggest challenge in software testing relates to the fact that it is not feasible to test for all the input parameters exhaustively owing to constraints in costs, resources and time. Considering these factors, software testers must appropriately sample the test cases in order to best utilize the resources at hand. Within the context of Combinatorial Testing, testers often resort to t-way test generation strategy (where t indicates the strength of interaction). Empirical evidence in the literature indicated that t-way test generation strategy has managed to minimize the test cases significantly whilst maintaining the fault detection capability of the testing process. Much useful progress has been achieved as far as the development of t-way test generation strategy is concerned. Nevertheless, some issues remain especially in the context of addressing ever increasing complexity and size of software (i.e. lines of code) resulting into high number of interaction among input parameters. Firstly, the test generation can be painstakingly long, interruption is expensive as the whole generation process needs to be restarted from scratch. Time and efforts will also be wasted. Secondly, existing strategies commit too early on selection of the best value of input parameters when sampling of the test cases. For this reason, these strategies were less sufficient in terms of generating optimal test suite size. Here, to enhance the t-way testing capability, there is also a need to consider variable-strength strategy. This approach is often favored because of the compromise in terms of test suite size as the strategy focuses testing where it has the most potential value which usually is associated with a risk analysis and priority. In order to address these issues, this research develops a variable-strength (VS) interaction t-way test generation strategy, called Test Suite Generator with Crash Recovery support (TSGCR). Unlike existing strategies, TSGCR adopts Multilevel Greedy algorithm, which delays choosing the best value until it satisfies certain rules. To provide a reliable operation, TSGCR also permits crash recovery support integrated as part of the strategy itself. As the test generation can potentially be long lasting processes (i.e. due to large selection of input parameters and values), TSGCR tolerates involuntary transaction failures (e.g. such as power failure or system errors) or voluntary execution suspension (e.g. to give ways for other computations) enabling restoration of state and data to the last consistent state. To evaluate the competitiveness of TSGCR, the test generator is tested with uniform and mixed input parameters and the performance (in terms of the generated test suite size) is compared with existing variable strength t-way test generation strategies using well-known standard benchmark configurations (based on six sets of experiments). Benchmarking results showed that for VS interaction configurations for uniform input parameters, TSGCR is able to get seven Δ with 0 value, i.e. similar value to the best solution obtained by other strategies, seven Δ with +ve values, i.e. able to get the best solution; from fourteen out of forty four experimental results. While for VS interaction configurations for mixed input parameters, TSGCR is able to get twenty seven Δ with 0 value, eight Δ with +ve values; from thirty five out of forty one experimental results. Hence, the results demonstrated that TSGCR produces competitive results as far as the size of the test suite is concerned against most existing strategies.
- PublicationEvaluation of haemoglobin level and platelet count in neonates with and without retinopathy of prematurity(2021)Aim: Haemoglobin and platelet have been postulated to play a role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study aimed to compare weekly mean haemoglobin level and platelet count between ROP and non-ROP infants in the first six weeks of life. Method: Ninety-three premature infants with birth weight less than 1.5 kg and gestational age less than 32 weeks were recruited in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2017 to 2019. Each ROP case was individually matched (1: 2) to two non-ROP cases. Weekly mean haemoglobin level, weekly mean platelet count, and other related risk factors were documented. Result: Thirty-one infants with ROP and 62 infants with non-ROP were recruited. Of those with ROP, 8 had stage 1 ROP, 6 had stage 2 ROP, 16 had stage 3 ROP. The mean birth weight and gestational age of the ROP group was 962.2 g and 27.6 weeks while the non-ROP group was 1056.9 g and 28.5 weeks respectively. We found significant differences in the weekly mean platelet counts between ROP and non-ROP infants from week two to week six of life (p=0.003). A significant difference was also found when comparing weekly mean haemoglobin level at week one of life (p=0.003). However, no significant difference was found in the weekly mean platelet count (p=0.489) and weekly mean haemoglobin level (p=0.292) after adjusting to covariates. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in mean haemoglobin level and platelet count in the first six weeks of life between ROP and non-ROP infants after adjusting to confounding factors like sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and blood transfusion.
- ItemKaedah Kepimpinan Dan Perancangan Strategik Dalam Pengurusan Kualiti Di Institusi Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam Brunei Darussalam(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017-03)Tesis ini bertujuan mengkaji kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik dalam pengurusan kualiti di institusi pembangunan berteraskan Islam (IPBI). Sekalipun pengurusan kualiti lazim dilihat lebih dominan pada masa kini, namun terdapat pengkaji sudah mula menilai pengurusan kualiti dari perspektif Islam. Ini merupakan satu perkembangan yang baik bertujuan membina pengurusan kualiti yang berteraskan Islam sepenuhnya. Penelitian terhadapnya memerlukan evolusi secara perlahan-lahan. Oleh sebab itu, kajian ini hanya melihat sebahagian aspek utama dalam pengurusan kualiti iaitu kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik sahaja. Memandangkan IPBI di Malaysia secara dominannya masih terikat dengan konsep pengurusan kualiti lazim, maka ada keperluan untuk mengkaji negara lain yang cuba melaksanakan pengurusan secara Islam. Negara tersebut ialah Negara Brunei Darussalam (NBD). NBD telah memperkenalkan konsep dan falsafah yang Islamik untuk negaranya seperti Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) dan Negara Zikir. Konsep dan falsafah ini memperlihatkan bahawa NBD berusaha membangunkan aspek politik, ekonomi dan sosial menggunakan pendekatan Islam. Pembangunan NBD juga mengambil berat tentang aspek pengurusan kualiti. Maka timbul persoalan, apakah kaedah pengurusan kualiti yang dijalankan oleh IPBI di NBD ini? Bagaimanakah kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik yang dilaksanakan oleh IPBI di NBD? Untuk tujuan kajian ini, terdapat tiga objektif. Pertama, mengenal pasti kaedah pengurusan kualiti khususnya kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik yang dilaksanakan di IPBI terpilih NBD; kedua, menganalisis kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik dalam pengurusan kualiti di IPBI terpilih NBD; dan ketiga, merumuskan kaedah kepimpinan dan perancangan strategik di IPBI terpilih NBD.