1.Physical Activity and Body Composition Among Cancer Patients At Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center
Suhaina Sulaiman ; Mohd Razif Shahril ; Ahmad Zailani Hatta ; Fuad Ismail
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2017;Special Volume(2):82-87
Increasing physical activity level during and after treatment is recommended by the American Cancer Society because of the many benefits namely reducing fatigue and improves psychological distress which leads to an improvement in the quality of life. This study is aimed to compare physical activity level and body composition between oncology patients who are still undergoing treatment and those on medical follow-up. Patients were recruited based on convenience sampling from the Oncology Outpatient Clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC). Anthropometric measurements and body compositions were measured using calibrated tools while physical activity level were assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Medical treatment history was obtained from patients medical records. A total of 53 patients (n=38 were undergoing treatment and n=15 was on follow-up) consisting of Malays (54.7%) and Chinese (45.3%) and with mean age of 55.3 ± 9.3 years. Most patients were previously diagnosed with ovarian cancer (39.6%) and colon cancer (18.9%) patients and they were at cancer stage III (18.8%). Body mass index (BMI) and percent fat mass were significantly different (p<0.05) between patients undergoing treatment (22.8 ± 2.7 kg/m2, 28.7 ± 7.2%) and on follow-up (26.2 ± 5.5 kg/m2, 37.1 ± 11.9%). Majority of the patients undergoing treatment were categorized under low physical activity compared to those on follow-up (p<0.05). Physical activity level measured as METS-minutes/week is also found to be significantly different (p<0.05) between patients on treatment and follow-up. As a conclusion, cancer patients undergoing treatment have low physical activity, with lower BMI and fat mass compared to those on follow-up. This is consistent with their nature of living where during treatment the patients will resting while coping with side effects of treatments.
2.Perineal Myxoid Liposarcomas: A Case Report and Literature Review
Prabhu Ramasamy ; Azmi Md Nor ; Nil Amri M Kamil ; Norra Harun ; Mubarak M Yusof ; Mohd Zailani Md Hassan
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2010;17(4):62-66
Myxoid liposarcoma is the major subtype of liposarcoma and commonly presents in the
extremities, particularly in the thigh. We introduce an unusual case of a myxoid liposarcoma
presenting as a large perineal swelling occupying the para-rectal and para-anal spaces in a 49-yearold
male patient. The diagnosis, management, and prognosis of myxoid liposarcoma are discussed.
A literature review is performed for myxoid liposarcoma.
3.P16INK4a: A Potential Diagnostic Adjunct For Prediction Of Highgrade Cervical Lesions In Liquid-Based Cytology: With HPV Testing And Histological Correlation
Yin Ping Wong ; Sayyidi Hamzi Abdul Raub ; Ahmad Zailani Hatta Mohd Dali ; Fauziah Kassim ; Vicknesh Visvalingam ; Zubaidah Zakaria ; Muhammad Amir Kamaluddin ; Sharifah Noor Akmal
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2016;38(2):93-101
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer and its precursors. Increased
expression of high-risk hrHPV viral oncogenes in abnormal cells might increase the expression of
p16INK4a. We aimed to determine the role of p16INK4a in detecting hrHPV-transformed epithelial
cells in liquid-based cervical cytology, and compared the results with hrHPV DNA testing by realtime
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fifty-seven cytological samples were tested for p16INK4a
immunomarker and hrHPV DNA. Test performance of both tests was determined by comparing
sensitivity, specificity and predictive values using available histological follow-up data as gold
standard. Of 57 samples, 36 (63.2%) showed immunoreactivity for p16INK4a and 43 (75.4%) were
hrHPV-infected. A fairly low concordance rate (k = 0.504) between p16INK4a immunolabelling
and hrHPV DNA status was noted. For prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II and
worse lesions, p16INK4a had a sensitivity and specificity of 93.5% and 60%; whereas hrHPV DNA
testing had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 20%. Dual testing by combining p16INK4a
and hrHPV showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 33.3%. In conclusion, p16INK4a is
useful in predicting severity of the cytological abnormalities. Although p16INK4a is more specific
but less sensitive than hrHPV in detecting high-grade cervical lesions, a combination of both tests
failed to demonstrate significant improvement in diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and predictive
value. Larger-scale prospective studies are required to assess further whether this biomarker should
be routinely used as primary screening tool independently or in combination with hrHPV testing to
improve diagnostic accuracy in cervical cytology.
4.Mildly Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) - a Liver Tumour Hint Not to Be Missed
Hassan Basri Mukhali ; Shaiful Ehsan Shalihin ; Nik Mohd Nurhafizi Nik Anuar MD ; Zailani Mohd ; N. Aiman Anuar
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.1):194-196
Healthcare providers are responsible for performing medical check-ups, analyse and interpret patient's laboratory
results. It is common for an initially asymptomatic patient to receive abnormal results including liver enzymes such as
alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The concern in these patients is the cut-off value for mildly elevated levels that requires
intervention. This paper reports a case of liver malignancy in a 32-year-old man who presented with a mild elevation
of ALP level less than five times the upper limit of normal. The patient had no clinical symptoms. Early ultrasound
liver assessment showed dilated common bile duct, which led to an urgent CT scan of the liver that revealed supportive
features of fibrolamellar carcinoma. The patient was managed successfully with early partial hepatectomy that
has saved him from morbidity and mortality of liver malignancy. Indeed, liver malignancy can be detected early in a
health clinic from a further assessment of trivial elevation of ALP.
5.Food Safety Knowledge, Beliefs and Behaviour among Health Sciences-related Field Undergraduate Students at a Local University (Pengetahuan, Kepercayaan dan Tingkah Laku Keselamatan Makanan dalam Kalangan Pelajar Bidang Berkaitan Sains Kesihatan di Sebuah Universiti Tempatan)
NUR AISYAH ZAILANI ; NURUL SHAFIKAH IDRIS ; AHMAD MUJAHID ZAINAL ; UMI HANIQ MOHAMAD KAMIL ; MOHAMED RAFIQ MOHD RADHUAN ; SYED ALIF IRFAN SYED AHMAD JAAFAR ; MUHAMMAD IKRAM A. WAHAB ; SITI SHAHARA ZULFAKAR
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2022;20(No.1):13-21
Foodborne disease is among the primary illness that causes morbidity and mortality in the world. Several studies show
that most students do not have adequate food safety knowledge to protect themselves against foodborne diseases. This
study aimed to determine the food safety knowledge, behaviour, and beliefs among undergraduate students at a local
university in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involves 121 respondents from three health science-related faculties
at the studied institution. The questionnaire was distributed via an online platform. This study used multiple-choiceformat questions for Food Safety Knowledge and a Likert type scale for Food Safety Behaviour and Belief question
statements. Most of the respondents were female (78%). About 16% of the respondents have experience working /
volunteering in food services, and half of them are involved in food handling during their services. This study recorded
a moderate score in all sections (knowledge, behaviour, beliefs) with a total percentage score of 60.3%, 60.3%, and
66.1%, respectively. A strong but not significant correlation between food safety knowledge and beliefs (r = 0.69 p >
0.05) and between food safety knowledge and behaviour (r = 0.83 p > 0.05) were observed. This study is useful as a
basis to develop a targeted food safety education program among undergraduate students. Students with high knowledge
of food safety will increase food safety beliefs and behaviour, thus preventing them from getting any foodborne illness.