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- PublicationThe effects of evening primrose oil on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(2021)Introduction : Evening primrose oil has been a treatment option for reducing menopausal symptoms but evidence for its use is inadequate. Objective : To determine the effectiveness of evening primrose oil in treating menopausal symptoms among peri and postmenopausal women. Methodology : The study design is a systematic review with meta-analyses of randomized controlled clinical trials. We searched CENTRAL, Medline, Embase and trial registries for relevant randomized clinical trials. The methodology and reporting were carried out grounded on references from the Cochrane collaboration and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. Review manager version 5.3.5 was used to perform all the statistical analyses. Results : Five randomized clinical trials, recruiting a total of 402 peri and postmenopausal women were identified. There was no difference between evening primrose oil and control for the frequency of daily vasomotor symptoms (MD 0.01 episodes; 95% CI -0.54 to 0.57; P=0.960; two trials; I2 = 38%), frequency of daytime hot flash episodes (MD -0.51 episodes; 95% CI -2.05 to 1.03; P=0.510; two trials, I2 = 87%), frequency of night sweat episodes per day (MD 0.33 episodes; 95% CI -0.48 to 1.13; P=0.430; two trials, I2=74%) and severity of vasomotor symptoms (SMD -0.45; 95% CI -1.56 to 0.66; P=0.420, four trials; I2 = 95%). EPO may reduce the severity of overall menopausal symptoms (SMD -1.18; 95% CI-2.18 to -0.18, P=0.02, two trials, I2 = 91%). There was no significant difference for the occurrence of nausea (RR 5.94; 95% CI 0.74 to 48.00; P=0.090; I2 = 0%). There were insufficient data to pool results for musculoskeletal symptoms, mood, sexuality, sleeping disorders and quality of life. Conclusion : Evening primrose oil may reduce the severity of overall menopausal symptoms but is not effective to reduce the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms. The evidence quality ranged from very low to moderate. Further research is needed to enhance related evidence.
- PublicationComparison of the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulphate added ropivacaine 0.375% solution and ropivacaine 0.375% alone for pectoralis and serratus anterior nerve block in unilateral breast surgery(2021)Title: Comparison of the efficacy and safety of ropivacaine 0.375% with magnesium sulphate added and ropivacaine 0.375% alone in pectoralis and serratus anterior (PEC II) nerve block in unilateral breast surgery: A randomised controlled trial Introduction: PECS II nerve block is a multimodal analgesia approach for opioid sparing analgesia. Previous study had shown that addition of magnesium sulphate improved analgesic effect, reduced in opiod consumption with minimal side effect. This is the first study to evaluate its efficacy and safety of magnesium sulphate added into ropivacaine 0.375% as an adjuvant in PEC II block. Objective: To assess the efficacy analgesia and safety of magnesium sulphate added into ropivacaine 0.375% in PEC II nerve block in unilateral breast surgery. Methods: This was a double blinded randomised controlled trial. A total of 50 ASA class 1 and 2 patients who underwent a unilateral breast surgery with or without axillary clearance were randomised into 2 groups, intervention (M) group (n=25) who received ropivacaine 0.375% added with magnesium sulphate (5mmol) and control (R) group (n=25) who received ropivacaine 0.375% alone for PEC II nerve block. PEC II nerve block was performed under ultrasound guidance in sterile technique. Post-operative VAS pain score at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours were assessed. Intra and post-operative opioid rescue requirement usage were evaluated and documented. Post-operative side effect of magnesium sulphate such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, cardiac arrhytmias and muscle weakness were assessed. Results: There was no statistical significants in demographic profile between groups. There was statistical significance difference in post-operative VAS mean pain score at rest from time 8hours and movement from time 4hours onwards (0.20 and 0.68, P-value of < 0.01). There was a significant difference in frequency of intra-operative opioid rescue requirement. (68% versus 7%, P-value < 0.05). There was no significant side effects or complications from the used of magnesium sulphate in this study. Conclusion: Pectoralis and serratus anterior (PEC II) nerve block with ropivacaine 0.375% and magnesium sulphate significantly reduced post-operative pain score and intra-operative opioid consumption without any significant side effects.
- PublicationComparison of oxidative stress biomarkers level in tears and serum of patients with alzheimer’s disease(2021)Introduction: Oxidative stress plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: Our objective is to compare glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in tears and serum between AD and controls. This study also aims to identify the correlation between GPx, SOD and MDA in tears and serum among AD patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2017 to December 2019 involving Alzheimer patients who attended psychiatric clinic and controls attended ophthalmology clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). Tears samples were collected using Schirmer paper while blood samples were collected using plain tube bottle. Laboratory analysis was performed using commercially available oxidative stress markers kits. Statistically analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 26). Results: A total of 50 patients (25 Alzheimer’s disease and 25 controls) were recruited. Mean superoxide dismutase (p=0.008) and glutathione peroxidase (p=0.003) in tears were significantly lower in Alzheimer patients compared to controls with a mean difference of 0.02 (95% confident interval 0.01,0.03) and 437.02 (95% confident interval 171.22,702.83) respectively while mean superoxide dismutase in serum was significantly higher (p=0.045) in Alzheimer patients with mean difference of -0.01(95%confident interval -0.03,-0.00)] as compared to control, after adjusted for age, smoking and medical problems. There was a very weak correlation in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde between serum and tears in Alzheimer patients. Conclusion: This study showed significantly low superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in tears while high superoxide dismutase activity in serum among Alzheimer patients as compared to controls.
- PublicationResidual hippocampal and parahippocampal volume post anterior temporal lobectomy and seizure control in temporal lobe epilepsy(2021)Background: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common cause of epilepsy. Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the primary cause of TLE and the most frequent histopathological diagnosis encountered during epilepsy surgery in adults, accounting for approximately 45 percent of all surgical cases. To date, there is no data in Malaysia comparing postoperative volumetric MRI findings with seizure control. Hospital Sungai Buloh is one of the facilities that performs epilepsy surgery in Malaysia, making it an ideal site for data collection. Objective: This study aims to determine whether more extensive surgery on the hippocampus correlates with better epilepsy control. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the electronic medical record system at Hospital Sungai Buloh, known as the "Electronic Healthcare Information System" (eHIS). Data were obtained from patients diagnosed with "mesial temporal sclerosis" (MTS) who underwent an "anterior temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy" (ATL+AH) between 2014 and 2020. Patients classified as Engel Class I were categorized as having "good control," while those in Engel Classes II–IV were categorized as having "poor control." MRI images were imported into the ITK-SNAP software to perform volumetric calculations. These findings were then compared against the patients' seizure control outcomes. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 40 patients were included in this study. Among them, 72.5% of the cohort achieved freedom from epilepsy. A smaller hippocampal volume was associated with better seizure control (176.9 mm³ versus 364.8 mm³, p = 0.014). All seven patients with an epilepsy duration of less than 12 years achieved good post-surgical control (Engel Class I), though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.159). No correlations were found regarding gender, laterality, age at onset, age at surgery, EEG findings, or the presence of risk factors in relation to epilepsy control. Conclusion: There is statistical evidence that the extent of resection—or the volume of residual tissue—is associated with post-surgical epilepsy control. Therefore, the surgical removal of a sufficient portion of the hippocampus is the most significant predictor of seizure control. Nevertheless, further studies are required to evaluate long-term outcomes.
- PublicationDevelopment Of Procurement For Malaysian Housing Projects Using Industrialised Building Systems(2018-12)The increasing demands for housing had led the government to enforce IBS, which should transform into better quality, economical and faster to construct. However, these were hard to achieve due to barriers such as supply chain, shortages skill labours, logistic constraint and high investment. Previous researches covered these issues but lacking on procurement aspect. Many agreed current procurements not suitable for IBS housing, thus caused design errors, disruption on components fabrication, less coordination, installation defects and disputes on payment, warranty and liability. To discover more, this research focused on procurement in IBS housing projects with the objectives to determine the procurement challenges and suggest their solutions; to investigate the stakeholders’ perceptions towards producing better procurement; and to propose new procurement that effective for IBS housing.
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- ItemSynthesis Of Zinc Selenide Coated By Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles Via Modified Polyol Method(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2011-07)Zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanoparticles and zinc selenide@zinc sulphide (ZnSe@ZnS) core-shell structure were prepared using a surfactant-assisted process. ZnSe nanoparticles were prepared using zinc chloride and selenium powder as the precursor sources. The obtained ZnSe nanoparticles were then coated with ZnS to form the ZnSe@ZnS core-shell structure. Various parameters namely processing time, processing temperature, precursor ratio, concentration of surfactant, molecular weight of surfactant, and type of surfactant have been studied in order to produce finer particle with narrow particle size distribution of the ZnSe and ZnSe@ZnS coreshell nanoparticles. The optimum condition for the synthesis of ZnSe nanoparticles was 195°C for 2 minutes with the Zn to Se ions ratio of 1:1. Furthermore, 0.02g of 10,000 Mw polyethylene glycol (PEG) was found to be the most effective surfactant to form the nanoparticles with the mean diameter of 2.96 nm and particle size distribution within 1.5 – 4.5 nm. TEM and SEM analysis confirmed that the synthesized ZnSe and ZnSe@ZnS core-shell nanoparticles had a small particle size and a quasi-spherical shape with mild agglomeration. The success for the formation of ZnSe and ZnSe@ZnS core-shell nanoparticles was further confirmed by XRD, EDX, and ESI testing. PL and UV-Vis analysis recorded emission and absorption wavelength at 402 nm and 464 nm respectively. The successful of ZnS coating on ZnSe cores were confirmed by the drastic enhancement of PL intensity and red shift of ZnSe@ZnS absorption peak from UV-Vis testing.
- ItemImej insan dalam novel-novel Ahmad Lutfi(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1981)Kesusasteraan jenis novel telah bermula sejak pertengahan tahun 1920an, yang memperlihatkan tahap-tahap perubahan imej insan. Sesungguhnya terdapat empat zaman yang memperlihatkan perubahan ini. Zaman sebelum Abdullah Munshi, Zaman Abdullah Munshi, Zaman Sebelum Perang dan Zaman Selepas Perang Dunia ke Dua hingga kini.Hikayat Faridah Hanum merupakan novel Melayu pertama.lanya ditulis oleh Syed Sheikh Al- Hadi dalam tahun 1926.Karya tersebut diakui sebaga i novel Melayu pertama kerana didalamnya mengandungi kisah kehidupan insan yang terpijak di alam nyata. Fakta ini sangat bersesuaian dengan pendapat lan Watt : Realisma adalah ciri yang paling nyata bagi membezakan proses cerita moden yang di golongkan sebagai novel dengan cerita - cerita tradisional sebelumnya.
- PublicationEvaluating Delinquent Juveniles’ Rehabilitation Programs In The Juvenile Welfare Department In Abu Dhabi(2025-05)This research focused on this important point, aiming to evaluate the juvenile rehabilitation programs in the juvenile welfare department in abu dhabi, united arab emirates. These programs include psychological evaluation and care, social engagement and community-building activities, spiritual guidance and religious education, discipline training and cultural heritage education. The primary objectives include examining the effectiveness of juvenile rehabilitation programs on the behaviour of juvenile delinquents in abu dhabi's juvenile welfare department, assessing the impact of staff competence (service quality) on their behavior, investigating the relationship between the environmental setting of rehabilitation facilities and their behaviour, and exploring the moderating effect of program benefits on the relationship between rehabilitation programs and juvenile delinquents' behaviour in abu dhabi's juvenile welfare department. The research used a quantitative design with surveys to collect data from juveniles in rehabilitation programs at the abu dhabi juvenile welfare department
- ItemStrategi Peperangan Masyarakat Melayu Tradisional Sebelum Abad Ke – 19(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1989)Seringkali media massa sekarang ini membicarakan tentang peperangan yang berlaku khususnya negeri-negeri luar seperti Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Palestin, Vietnam dan lain-lain lagi. Atas dasar peperangan yang berlaku sekarang ini, saya terfikir bahawa sebelum kini khususnya masyarakat dahulu juga mengalami peperangan.
- ItemThe relationship between market orientation and export performance(2007)Manufacturing sector plays a major role in Indonesia’s exports and contributes significantly to its gross domestic product (GDP). Indonesian exporters in the manufacturing sectors are encouraged by Indonesian government to upgrade their implementation of marketing management competency in order to export more. The study investigates the mediation impact of export marketing management competency on the relationship between market orientation and export performance in Indonesian manufacturing firms. Moderating effect of competitive intensity, market turbulence, and technological turbulence on the relationship between export marketing management competency and export performance are also investigated. The study also considers the influence of the control variables (firm size, export experience, export mode, and industrial type) on export performance. Data are collected through mail survey and a total of 109 usable responses, representing 12.43 per cent of the total sample, are analyzed. The results of the study indicate that the constructs of market orientation (customer orientation, competitor orientation, and inter-functional coordination) and export marketing management competency (export product management competency, export pricing management competency, export promotion management competency, and export distribution management competency) are statistically significant predictors of export performance, whereas market orientation is a determinant of export marketing management competency. The results support the mediation effect of export product management competency and export pricing management competency on the relationship between market orientation and export performance. This study does not find any evidence to support the moderating effect of competitive intensity, market turbulence and technological turbulence on the relationship between export marketing management competency and export performance. In addition, the findings revealed that none of the control variables significantly influence export performance.