1.Genotoxicity assessment of locally produced dental nanocomposite using Comet assay
Siti Robayah Mohd Zakri ; Thirumulu Ponnuraj Kannan * ; Nora Aziz ; Siti Fadilah Abdullah ; Dasmawati Mohamad ; Ismail Ab Rahman ; Abdul Rashid Ismail
Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2011;6(1):15-20
The aim of this study was to determine the
genotoxicity of a locally produced nanocomposite by Universiti
Sains Malaysia, Malaysia using Comet assay. Stem cells from
human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were treated with
the nanocomposite at five different concentrations (0.006,
0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/ml) along with concurrent
negative (medium alone) and positive control (zinc sulfate
heptahydrate) and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in an
incubator at 5% CO2. The tail moment was used to assess the
extent of DNA damage. The tail moment for the group of SHED
treated with nanocomposite (for all the five different
concentrations) was not statistically significant as compared to
the negative control, suggesting that the locally produced
dental nanocomposite did not induce any DNA damage.
Hence, it can be concluded that the locally produced
nanocomposite is non-genotoxic on stem cells from human
exfoliated deciduous teeth.
2.Morphological and molecular characterization of fungus isolated from tropical bed bugs in Northern Peninsular Malaysia, Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera:Cimicidae)
Zahran Zulaikha ; Ismail Azliza Nor ; Rahman Abdul Wardah ; Dieng Hamady ; Satho Tomomitsu
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2015;(9):684-690
To investigate some morphological and molecular characteristics of fungal parasites isolated from wild tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus. Methods: A series of culture methods were used to obtain fungal isolates from field-collected bed bugs. Characteristics of the isolates such as colony appearance, mycelial texture and pigmentation were studied to explore their morphology. Isolates were also subjected to a PCR-based genotyping test. Results: There were noticeable differences in morphological characteristics among the four isolates. Conidial areas of one isolate were dark green, whereas those of the remaining colonies were olive-green, black or dark brown. Conidia of the dark green isolate were globose, while those of olive-green, black and dark brown isolates were globose to subglobose, globose to spherical and globose to subglobose/finely roughened, respectively. These morphological specificities and the molecular analyses showed that the fungal internal transcribed spacer ribosomal region and β-tubulin gene sequences of the isolates shared clade with Trichoderma and Aspergillus sequences. Conclusions: Overall, the new discovery of common pathogens in agricultural field developed in live bed bugs storage tank may initiate the use of biological agents in later years.
3.Short Review Of Fourteen Years Maternal Mortality In Achieving Mdg5 In UKMMC
Rahana Abd Rahman ; NorAzlin Mohd Ismail ; Muhammad Abdul Jamil Yassin ; Aqmar Suraya Sulaiman
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2013;13(1):59-63
Worldwide maternal mortality rate had reduced tremendously including Malaysia. At the 2000 Millenium Summit, eight Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) were established with target for the year 2015. Three years remained until the dateline to achieve MDG5, which comprised of two targets and one being reducing the maternal mortality ratio by 75%. This review compared the trend of maternal mortality and its causes in our centre to the national data. The national data had shown a reduction from 44 to 27.6 in 100 000 live births in1991 and 2008 respectively. The subsequent rate had stabilized for the past seven years. In contrast the UKM Medical Centre (UKMMC) data in the past 15 years had not been stable. The target of MDG5 seemed to be achievable by our country but may require longer time as we have yet to find ways to overcome medical care inadequacy in remote areas.
4.Polypharmacy in a nine year old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tourette Syndrome: what worsened the ties?
Wan Salwina Wan Ismail ; Aili Hanim Hashim ; Manveen Kaur ; Shell Pin Choo ; Fairuz Nazri Abdul Rahman
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2014;10(2):79-81
Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and Tourrete Syndrome(TS) commonly
co-occur, imposing a special challenge in the management. Case report: This is a case of a nine year old
boy with ADHD and TS, who had been on methylphenidate, risperidone, fluvoxamine and atomoxetine,
alone and in combination. Tics worsened with methylphenidate but improved after its withdrawal, and
the addition of risperidone and fluvoxamine. Later, atomoxetine was added which worsened the tics,
even when it was removed. Significant improvement in the tics were only obvious when fluvoxamine
was taken off. Discussion: The possible roles of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission, and
metabolism of cytochrome P450 D26 in the pathophysiology were discussed. Conclusion: The use of
multiple medications need cautious consideration and monitoring in a child patient to avoid unwanted
complications and risks.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
5.Mycotic bronchial artery aneurysmal rupture in the early stage of lung abscess: A case report
Mohd Alkaf Ab Latip ; Syed Rasul Syed Hamid ; Abdul Rahman Ismail
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(2):96-97
Symptomatic bronchial artery aneurysm warrants urgent
intervention. It has a known association with pulmonary
infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus. We hereby
report an elderly lady with a ruptured left superior bronchial
artery mycotic aneurysm. She was in the early stages of
treatment for a left lung abscess. She had multiple episodes
of haemoptysis following which she underwent a left lower
lobectomy. Presentation of lung abscess with a concurrent
ruptured mycotic aneurysm warrants early surgical
intervention and can be curative as seen in this case.
Staphylococcus aureus
6.Bilateral microtia, canal atresia and aplasia of cochleovestibular nerve
Asma binti Abdullah ; Roslenda Abdul Rahman ; Fadzilah Ismail ; Mazita Ami ; Marina Mat Baki ; Aini Ab Aziz
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(2):135-137
A six-month-old baby with congenital patent ductus
arteriosus (PDA), bilateral microtia and canal atresia was
referred for hearing assessment. The audiology assessment
revealed bilateral profound hearing loss, which is atypical
for a case of pure canal atresia. Imaging was performed
much earlier than usual and, as suspected, the patient also
had bilateral severe inner ear anomaly. It is extremely rare
for a person to have both external and inner ear anomaly
because of the different embryological origin. The only
suitable hearing rehabilitation option for this kind of patients
is brainstem implant. However, the parents had opted for
sign language as a form of communication.
KEY WORDS:
Microtia; canal atresia; cochleovestibular nerve aplasia; inner ear anomaly
Congenital Microtia
7.Risk Factors Associated with Contact Lens Related Microbial Keratitis
Lili Asma Ismail ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Hejar Abdul Rahman ; Nazri Omar ; Habshah Midi ; Azrin Esmady Ariffin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2016;12(1):1-8
Introduction: Microbial keratitis is one of the most challenging complications of contact lens (CL)
wear. Proper CL practice plays an important role to reduce the risk for contact lens related microbial
keratitis (CLRMK). Methods: This multi-centre case-control study was conducted from January 2008
until June 2009 to determine the risk factors associated with CLRMK. Cases were defined as respondents
who were treated for CLRMK, whilst controls were respondents who were contact lens wearers without
microbial keratitis. Ninety four cases were compared to 94 controls to determine the risk factors for
CLRMK. Results: The predictors for CLRMK were: Not washing hands with soap before handling CL
(aOR 2.979, CI 1.020, 8.701 p=0.046), not performing rubbing technique whilst cleaning the CL (aOR
3.006, CI 1.198, 7.538 p=0.019) and, not cleaning the lens case with multipurpose solution daily (aOR
3.242 CI 1.463, 7.186 p=0.004). Sleeping overnight with the CL in the eye (aOR 2.864, CI 0.978, 8.386
p=0.049) and overall non-compliance with lens care procedures (aOR 2.590, CI 1.003, 6.689 p=0.049)
contributed significantly to CLRMK. Conclusion: Health education and promotion in contact lens care
are important and should be conducted by eye care practitioners to reduce the occurrence of CLRMK.
Contact Lenses
8.Visual Status following Contact Lens Related Microbial Keratitis
Lili Asma Ismail ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Nazri Omar ; Hejar Abdul Rahman ; Habshah Midi ; Azrin Esmady Ariffin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2016;12(2):24-29
Introduction: A hospital based case control study was
conducted in government hospitals on contact lens patients
diagnosed with microbial keratitis. Methods: The objective of
this study is to determine the visual outcomes of contact lens
related microbial keratitis. The visual outcomes which
comprised of visual acuity, keratometry readings, corneal
topography findings and contrast sensitivity examinations was
determined after three months from the first presentation at the
hospitals. Results: The mean LogMAR visual acuity during
presentation was 0.96 ± 0.73 or a Snellen equivalent 6/60 (n=76)
and mean LogMAR visual acuity after three months was 0.10 ±
0.48 or a Snellen equivalent 6/7.5 (n=76) with a significant
difference (t=11.22, df=78, p=0.001). Best fit curve for the cases
had a regression coefficient, r=0.350 ± 0.063 (95% CI = 0.224,
0.447, df=78, p=0.001. The visual acuity in cases and controls
was 0.10 ± 0.48 and -0.10 ± 0.14 respectively (t= -3.61, df=154
p=0.001) after three months which showed improvement. There
was a reduction in the corneal uniformity index and corneal
asphericity in the cases. The Corneal Uniformity Index (CU
index) in cases was 63.03 ± 26.38 (n=76) and in controls, 80.13
± 11.30 (n=77), (t= -5.22, df=151, p=0.001). There was also a
reduction in the contrast sensitivity function at all spatial
frequencies in the cases which was significantly different.
Conclusion: Microbial keratitis reduced the vision, corneal
uniformity index, asphericity and contrast sensitivity after three
months in eyes of patients diagnosed with the condition.
Keratitis
;
Eye
9.A Study of Psychological Distress in Two Cohorts of First-Year Medical Students that Underwent Different Admission Selection Processes
Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff ; Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim ; Abdul Aziz Baba ; Shaiful Bahari Ismail ; Ab Rahman Esa
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(3):29-35
Background: Medical training is often regarded as a stressful period. Studies have previously found that 21.6%–50% of medical students experience significant psychological distress. The present study compared the prevalence and levels of psychological distress between 2 cohorts of first-year medical students that underwent different admission selection processes.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted by comparing 2 cohorts of first-year medical students; 1 group (cohort 1) was selected based purely on academic merit (2008/2009 cohort) and the other group (cohort 2) was selected based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance (2009/2010 cohort). Their distress levels were measured by the General Health Questionnaire, and scores higher than 3 were considered indicative of significant psychological distress.
Results: The prevalence (P = 0.003) and levels (P = 0.001) of psychological distress were significantly different between the 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 had 1.2–3.3 times higher risk of developing psychological distress compared to cohort 2 (P = 0.007).
Conclusion: Cohort 2 had better psychological health than cohort 1 and was less likely to develop psychological distress. This study provided evidence of a potential benefit of multimodal student selection based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance. This selection process might identify medical students who will maintain better psychological health.
10.Prospective surveillance of nosocomial device-associated bacteremia in three adult intensive units in Malaysia.
Gopal Katherason, S ; Naing, L ; Jaalam, K ; Kamarul Iman Musa, K ; Nik Abdullah, N M ; Aiyar, S ; Bhojwani, K ; Harussani, N ; Abdul Rahman, A ; Ismail, A
Tropical Biomedicine 2010;27(2):308-16
Nosocomial blood stream infection (or nosocomial bacteremia) is a common problem in hospitals worldwide, including Malaysia. A three-year prospective cohort study (October 2003-March 2007) of the incidences, risk factors, and patterns of the microorganisms causing bacteremia was conducted using a validated surveillance form in three intensive care units (ICUs) in Malaysia. Center for Disease Control criteria were used to diagnose bacteremia. Patients were monitored from admission until the end point of study, which was the first detection of bacteremia in the blood in each patient. The frequency of occurrence of bacteremia with clinical symptoms was 10.7% (n = 23). Bacteremia was observed to occur within a mean length of stay of 10 days in ICU. The rate of device-related infection was 10.4% per device utilization days with a device utilization rate of 95.9%/1000 patient days. The total number of patient days was 2309 and the period of device utilization was 2211 days. The common bacteria detected were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 6); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 6); Acinetobacter species (n = 5); Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)(n = 3); and (non- ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2). Multivariable analysis using Cox Proportional Hazard Model showed that the predictors for developing bacteremia were cancer, MRSA carriage, duration of central venous catheter (CVC) infusion, frequency change of CVC, and the administration of hydrocortisone drugs. These results indicate that a combination of nursing and medical interventions as well as patients' severity of illness could lead to bacteremia in ICU. Strategic implementation of quality assurance measures in ICUs could help to control this problem.