1.Magnetoencephalography Phantom Comparison and Validation: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Requisite
Hazim Omar ; Alwani Liyana Ahmad ; Noburo Hayashi ; Zamzuri Idris ; Jafri Malin Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2015;22(Special Issue):19-27
Background: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been extensively used to measure small-scale neuronal brain activity. Although it is widely acknowledged as a sensitive tool for deciphering brain activity and source localisation, the accuracy of the MEG system must be critically evaluated. Typically, on-site calibration with the provided phantom (Local phantom) is used. However, this method is still questionable due to the uncertainty that may originate from the phantom itself. Ideally, the validation of MEG data measurements would require cross-site comparability.
Method: A simple method of phantom testing was used twice in addition to a measurement taken with a calibrated reference phantom (RefPhantom) obtained from Elekta Oy of Helsinki, Finland. The comparisons of two main aspects were made in terms of the dipole moment (Qpp) and the difference in the dipole distance from the origin (d) after the tests of statistically equal means and variance were confirmed.
Result: The result of Qpp measurements for the LocalPhantom and RefPhantom were 978 (SD24) nAm and 988 (SD32) nAm, respectively, and were still optimally within the accepted range of 900 to 1100 nAm. Moreover, the shifted d results for the LocalPhantom and RefPhantom were 1.84 mm (SD 0.53) and 2.14 mm (SD 0.78), respectively, and these values were below the maximum acceptance range of within 5.0 mm of the nominal dipole location.
Conclusion: The local phantom seems to outperform the reference phantom as indicated by the small standard error of the former (SE 0.094) compared with the latter (SE 0.138). The result indicated that HUSM MEG system was in excellent working condition in terms of the dipole magnitude and localisation measurements as these values passed the acceptance limits criteria of the phantom test.
2.Assessing Neuroplasticity Using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in Patient with Left-Temporo-Parietal Pilocytic Astrocytomas Treated with Endoscopic Surgery
Hanani Abdul MANAN ; Zamzuri IDRIS ; Mohammed Faruque REZA ; Hazim OMAR ; Jafri Malin ABDULLAH
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2018;16(1):63-67
Neuroplasticity has been subjected to a great deal of research in the last century. Recently, significant emphasis has beenplaced on the global effect of localized plastic changes throughout the central nervous system, and on how these changesintegrate in a pathological context. The present study aimed to demonstrate the functional cortical reorganization beforeand after surgery using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a participant with brain tumor. Results of Visual EvokedMagnetic Field (VEF) based on functional MEG study revealed significantly different of MEG N100 waveforms before andafter surgery. Larger and additional new locations for visual activation areas after the surgery were found suggestingneuroplasticity. The present study highlight a physiological plasticity in a teenage brain and the alterations regardingneural plasticity and network remodeling described in pathological contexts in higher-order visual association areas.
3.Improving Tuberculosis Medication Adherence: The Potential of Integrating Digital Technology and Health Belief Model
Mohd Fazeli SAZALI ; Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul RAHIM ; Ahmad Hazim MOHAMMAD ; Fairrul KADIR ; Alvin Oliver PAYUS ; Richard AVOI ; Mohammad Saffree JEFFREE ; Azizan OMAR ; Mohd Yusof IBRAHIM ; Azman ATIL ; Nooralisa Mohd TUAH ; Rahmat DAPARI ; Meryl Grace LANSING ; Ahmad Asyraf Abdul RAHIM ; Zahir Izuan AZHAR
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2023;86(2):82-93
Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern. Globally, TB is among the top 10 and the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Providing standard anti-TB therapy for at least 6 months is recommended as one of the crucial strategies to control the TB epidemic. However, the long duration of TB treatment raised the issue of non-adherence. Non-adherence to TB therapy could negatively affect clinical and public health outcomes. Thus, directly observed therapy (DOT) has been introduced as a standard strategy to improve anti-TB medication adherence. Nonetheless, the DOT approach has been criticized due to inconvenience, stigma, reduced economic productivity, and reduced quality of life, which ultimately could complicate adherence issues. Apart from that, its effectiveness in improving anti-TB adherence is debatable. Therefore, digital technology could be an essential tool to enhance the implementation of DOT. Incorporating the health belief model (HBM) into digital technology can further increase its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving medication adherence. This article aimed to review the latest evidence regarding TB medication non-adherence, its associated factors, DOT’s efficacy and its alternatives, and the use of digital technology and HBM in improving medication adherence. This paper used the narrative review methodology to analyze related articles to address the study objectives. Conventional DOT has several disadvantages in TB management. Integrating HBM in digital technology development is potentially effective in improving medication adherence. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve medication adherence to overcome various issues related to DOT implementation.