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- PublicationAssociation between risk of malnutrition, albumin level and quality of life (QOL) among hemodialysis patients in Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM)(2025-07)Patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment were susceptible to have poor QOL because the treatment is consuming a lot of time and increase risk of morbidity. Lower albumin level which can be due to manlnutrition status may indicate a lower health-related quality of life (QOL) and higher hospitalization rates and greater risk of fatality. The objective for this study is to determine the association between risk of malnutrition, albumin level, and QOL among hemodialysis patients in Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM). This cross-sectional study involving 81 participants was obtained through purposive sampling and utilized the questionnaires of Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS) to identify risk of malnutrition, Kidney Disease and Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) to determine the quality of life, and albumin level were also obtained from the medical folder. Majority of the participants were Malay (92.6%), mean age of 56.3 ± 12.4 years old, most of them were working (90.1%) and married (74.1%). The result shown majority of the participants were in the category of moderate risk of malnutrition (87.7%), the albumin level was 40.0 (IQR 9.0) g/L and the highest score of KDQOL was in domain of social interaction with mean of 85.76 ± 17.66. Based on the Spearmen correlations test, it has been found that there was a strong negative correlation between risk of malnutrition and albumin level (r = -0.534, p <0.001). In addition, there no significant correlation between albumin level and Quality of life (QOL) among hemodialysis patients. However, there was no significant correlation between risk of malnutrition with KDQOL. QOL among hemodialysis could not be determined by using albumin level alone since suggesting that QOL is influenced by multiple factors beyond nutritional status alone. Future studies should incorporate additional variables such as inflammation markers, comorbidities, hemoglobin levels, and dialysis adequacy to better understand the multifactorial influences on QOL in hemodialysis patients
- PublicationAssociation between added sugar intake and body mass index (BMI) with sleep quality among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia Kampus Kesihatan, Kelantan(2025-06)This study explores the association between added sugar intake, body mass index (BMI), and sleep quality among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kampus Kesihatan, Kelantan. This research aims to assess the dietary habits, specifically in cariogenic food and beverages, the influence of BMI, and the sleep quality, due to the concern of high sugar consumption over health implications that are rising nowadays. The study is crucial as it addresses gaps in the literature regarding the combined impact of added sugar, BMI, and sleep quality in Malaysian undergraduates which is a group that may be particularly vulnerable to unhealthy eating and sleep habits due to academic pressures and irregular lifestyles. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from students (n=140) through a Cariogenic Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and anthropometric measurements. The results revealed that most participants had moderate levels of added sugar intake, with a significant proportion experiencing poor sleep quality. BMI classifications indicated that majority of students in USMMK had a normal weight, while a smaller group was either overweight or obese. The study found no significant statistical associations between added sugar intake and sleep quality (χ²(2) = 2, p = 0.073). There are also no significant statistical associations between Body Mass Index (BMI) and sleep quality (χ²(2) = 3, p = 0.438). Also, similar results obtained where no significant association between added sugar intake and BMI (χ²(2) =, p = 0.073). Thus, this suggest that the relationship between these variables is complex and influenced by multiple factors. Additionally, the findings in this study mention the importance for targeted health interventions in university settings to improve dietary choices and quality of sleep among students. This research gives foundational insights that could guide future health promotion programs aiming to improve the well-being of students in universities and reduce the risk of longterm health which associated with issues of poor dietary and sleep patterns
- PublicationThe association between dietary fibre intake, body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle patterns with constipation among undergraduate students in the School Of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan(2025-06)Constipation is a common bowel issue with increasing prevalence in Malaysia and can affect individuals of all age groups, including university students. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary fibre intake, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle patterns with constipation among undergraduate students in the School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan. This cross–sectional study included 163 undergraduate students from the School of Health Sciences, recruited through a convenience sampling method. Data collection took place from April 2025 to May 2025. Data were collected via an online self-administered questionnaire that encompassed demographic characteristics, assessment of dietary fibre intake using the Semi-Quantitative Dietary Fibre Food Frequency Questionnaire, lifestyle patterns, and evaluation of constipation using the Wexner Constipation Scoring System. Anthropometric measurements were conducted to determine Body Mass Index (BMI). The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 29.0. A significant association was identified between dietary fibre intake and constipation (p=0.002). No significant association was found between BMI and constipation (p=0.697). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between lifestyle patterns and constipation (p = 0.805). The notable association identified between dietary fibre consumption and constipation underscores the importance of ingesting sufficient dietary fibre, particularly among university students, who are observed to consume less than the recommended intake of ≥25 g/day. Therefore, it is recommended that future research be conducted to enhance comprehension of the factors contributing to constipation and to address deficiencies in dietary fibre intake among university students
- PublicationAssociation between snacking patterns, vending machine uses and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus(2025-07)University students' eating habits, particularly their snacking habits, have been a significant issue as a factor of their health. This study aimed to assess the association between snacking patterns, vending machine use and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus. A cross-sectional design was employed using an online self-administered questionnaire completed by 236 students. Sociodemographic information, eating frequency and timing, food kinds, vending machine usage, and self-reported height and weight were all gathered through the questionnaire. Snacking was reported by 56.8% of the 236 participants (n = 134), usually once or twice a week and 50% of the respondents (n = 118) indicated that 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. was the most preferred time to snack. The results showed that non-users (n = 144, 61%) of vending machines outnumbered users (n = 92, 39%). Most of the participants in this study were categorised in the normal BMI (n = 128, 54.2%). To investigate correlations between variables, statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-square tests. A significant association was found between vending machine usage and snacking patterns (x2 = 2, p < 0.05), particularly with the frequency and timing of consumption of energy-dense snacks and beverages such as chips, sweets, instant noodles, iced tea, flavoured milk and more. Stress, hunger, convenience, and the appealing flavour of snacks were the primary factors influencing students' snacking pattern. Passive activities like watching television or using smartphones were most frequently linked to increase unhealthy consumption of snacks. However, no significant association was observed between snacking patterns and BMI (x2 = 6, p = 0.166), (x2 = 9, p = 0.437) or vending machine use and BMI (x2 = 3, p = 0.378). These findings suggested that while vending machines may influence students’ snacking behaviours, they are not a direct predictor of BMI. This study also looked at the main characteristics that affected participants' purchases from vending machines, such as accessibility, hunger, and the desire to snack between mealtimes. The study highlighted the need for targeted strategies to improve the nutritional quality of vending machine offerings in university settings. A noteworthy 41.4% of participants reported occasionally being aware of the nutritional value of snacks. Future research should include larger and more diverse populations and explore longitudinal changes in snacking behaviour
- PublicationHealth-related quality of life and its association among medical officers in Selangor(2025-06)Introduction: Health is a fundamental human right and a vital resource for societal productivity and well-being. For health professionals, particularly medical officers (MOs), maintaining optimal physical, mental, and social well-being is crucial, as it affects both their quality of life (QoL) and the quality of patient care. Despite their essential role, MOs are increasingly affected by occupational stressors, including extended working hours, administrative burdens, job insecurity, and system inefficiencies, which negatively impact their QoL. Objectives: This study aims to assess the QoL of medical officers in Selangor and examine the underlying factors influencing their well-being. The findings are expected to contribute to policy recommendations that enhance work-life balance, reduce psychological distress, and improve healthcare delivery. Methods and Results: 165 MOs were selected through simple random sampling from hospitals and health clinics. Data were collected using an online questionnaire with sociodemographic information and the WHOQOL-BREF to measure QoL. The analysis involved descriptive statistics and linear regression. The mean score for the psychological health domain was 55.45, lower than the general population norm, indicating considerable psychological challenges among MOs. Multiple linear regression analysis identified two significant factors associated with better psychological health: normal body mass index (BMI) and permanent employment status. MOs with a normal BMI scored 3.61 points higher in psychological well-being than those who were overweight (p = 0.030). Additionally, MOs in permanent positions had psychological scores 9.55 points higher than those employed on a contract basis (p = 0.003). These results suggest that physical health and employment stability are important determinants of psychological well-being among MOs. Conclusion: The results highlight the impact of lifestyle and job security on mental health. Holistic interventions addressing work conditions and personal health are essential to improve the quality of life and performance of MOs.
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- PublicationLocalization of the primary gustatory cortex within insular lobe using structural white matter connectivity evidence as determined by diffusion tensor imaging(2022-12)The primary taste cortex localisation has been inconsistent in previous research. The current study aims to divide the insular lobe into subdivisions to determine investigate their individual structural connectivity to taste processing areas of the brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging data from thirteen healthy female participants were obtained from a databse built in 2013. All participants had normal taste perception as determined by the modified Monell-Jefferson Taste & Smell Questionnaire. Probabilistic tractography using FMRIB Software Library (FSL) was performed to determine the relative connection probability of eleven divisions of insula lobes to target brain areas shown to be associated with taste processing, namely amygdala, frontal operculum and ventral striatum. RESULTS: The inferior part of the middle lobe and the inferio-posterior part of the anterior lobe of the insula had the highest connection probability to the areas of taste processing targeted in this research. The posterior lobe of the insula had the least connection probability to all targets as shown in previous research, while the frontal operculum had widespread connection to all lobes of the insula. The results of this research are with the statistical value of p<0.05. CONCLUSION: The inferior aspect of the middle lobe and the inferio-posterior part of the anterior lobe of the insula had the highest probabilistic connection to the areas of taste processing making it highly probable to be the site for primary taste cortex.
- ItemMembangun satu model 'TAMAN BOTANIK 'SainS' yang mensinergikan unsur Sains dan sastera (puisi).(2014)Taman Botani merupakan satu taman yang mempamerkan pelbagai sepsis tumbuhan. Di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) telah dibangunkan satu taman botanic yang keci! yang dikenali sebagai USM eco-hub yang menjadi satu aspek penting daripada konsep 'Universiti di dalam Taman' yang dibangunkan oleh USM dalam tahun 2001-2002 di mana wujudnya jalinan di antara peranan university sebagai satu intitusi pengajian tinggi dan alam sebagai sebahagian daripada Jatar ekoJogikal global.
- ItemWater Washing Pretreatment On Empty Fruit Bunches Of Oil Palm Waste(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2011-10)The water washing pretreatment on empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm waste has been investigated in this study, with the objective of removing some ash from the EFB to improve the quality of biomass. This study also investigated the effectiveness of water washing to remove ash by changing the appropriate parameters of the water washing pretreatment such as residence time, amount of water, type of water and use of soaking and stirring. Tap water and distilled water were solely used throughout the work. The original ash content for the unwashed EFB is 5.19 mf wt%. From this study, the average ash content of the washed EFB by soaking the feedstock of size 1-3 cm in 3 l of tap water for 5 min residence time at ambient temperature is found to be 2.95 mf wt%. It is found that the ash content less than about 3 mf wt% was successfully achieved. It also showed that tap water is as effective as distilled water in reducing ash in EFB. The electrical conductivity in waste liquor by soaking the feedstock for 5 min at ambient temperature in 3 l of tap water was 991 μS/cm and it was increased with the prolonged soaking time. The electrical conductivity in waste liquor was found to increase due to the diffusion of mineral and inorganic materials from biomass.
- ItemKEJIRANAN YANG SESUAI DIDIAMI: PERSEPSIPENDUDUK TERHADAP PERSEKITARAN YANG SESUAI DIDIAMI(2007-04)Research regarding the satisfaction of the residents towards the neighbourhood is not longer something new in Malaysia. Like foreign countries, quality of the neigbourhood environment is very much paid attention to. Thus, the neighbourhood quality also plays an important role as an indicator to measure the quality of life (kualiti hidup). The satisfaction level towards the neighbourhood gives an impact on the satisfaction for quality of life. In the foreign countries, "Liveable Neighbourhood", a neighbourhood which is suitable to stay in, is a policy or trend which intends to improve the neighbourhoods environment. Safety, accessibility and friendly to those who walk are the concept which they integrate in their neighbourhood. The aim for the "Liveable Neighbourhood" is to solve the problem which can cause the environment to be unsustainable. For instant, overly dependent to the private transportation, interaction among the people has been decreasing and extreme usage of the natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas. The residents' perception is important as it is a demand for their neighbourhood so that it could improve their quality of life. From this research, even every individual has their unique characteristic in judging their environment, however, the criteria in choosing a suitable neighbourhood is based on the accessibility. It is related to the condition of the traffic in Pulau Pinang which is congestion occasional especially in the trade centre as well as the working area. Due to this reason, it is not surprise that accessibility is the main criteria for resident in choosing the liveable neighbourhood.
- ItemRekabentuk Sistem Konkrit Prestasi Tinggi Terhadap Ciri-Ciri Ketahanan(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2006-06)Penggunaan konkrit berprestasi tinggi (KPT) semakin meluas di dalam industri pembinaan di Malaysia mahupun di seluruh dunia. Aplikasinya meliputi pembinaan bangunan tinggi, jambatan, empangan dan lebuh raya-lebuh raya pada kadar kekuatan dari 55 N/mm2 sehingga melebihi 124 N/mm2 . Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk merekabentuk KPT dan mengkaji prestasi bahan-bahan tambah bagi mengenal pasti kelebihan dan kekurangan setiap satunya terhadap prestasi dan ciri-ciri ketahanan. Beberapa sir! ujian dijafankan terhadap sifat kejuruteraan, kebolehke~aan, ketumpatan, halaju denyut ultrasonik, kekuatan mampat, kekuatan lentur, ujian kadar resapan, dan ujian ketelapan oksigen. Hasif daripada keputusan ujian makmat yang telah dijatankan menunjukkan bahawa bahan tambah super pempalstik (SP}, silika fume (SF) dan pemecut (ACC} memberikan kesan terhadap pencapaian kekuatan awal konkrit dan mengekalkannya hingga ke suatu jangka masa yang panjang. Manakala bahan isian polimer iaitu lateks stirena butadiena (SBR) dan cecair polimer resin epoksi (ER) boleh mempertingkat kekuatan lentur dan mempunyai ciri-ciri yang baik terhadap kadar resapan air dan ketelapan udara (oksigen).