2.MicroRNA expression in antiphospholipid syndrome: a systematic review and microRNA target genes analysis
Suhiman Muhammad Shazwan ; Mohamad Muhammad Aliff ; Ahmad Asnawi Asral Wirda ; Abdul Rahman Hayati ; Masri Maizatul Azma ; Abdul Rahim Nur Syahrina ; Abdul Hamid Nazefah ; Sathar Jameela ; Mohd Manzor Nur Fariha
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2016;38(3):273-283
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are autoantibodies that attack phospholipid through anti-beta
2-glycoprotein 1. The actions of aPL are associated with events leading to thrombosis and morbidity
in pregnancy. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is diagnosed when a patient is persistently positive
for aPL and also has recognised clinical manifestations such as recurrent pregnancy losses, arterial
or venous thrombosis and in a catastrophic case, can result in death. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis
of APS is still not well established. Recently, microRNA expressed in many types of diseased
tissues were claimed to be involved in the pathological progression of diseases and has become a
useful biomarker to indicate diseases, including APS. Objective: This systematic review aims to
search for research papers that are focussing on microRNA expression profiles in APS. Method:
Three search engines (Ebcohost, ProQuest and Ovid) were used to identify papers related to
expression of specific microRNA in antiphospholipid syndrome. Results and Discussion: A total of
357 papers were found and screened, out of which only one study fulfilled the requirement. In this
particular study blood samples from APS patients were tested. The microRNAs found to be related
to APS were miR-19b and miR-20a. No data was found on specific microRNA being expressed in
obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome. Analysis on the microRNA target genes revealed that most
genes targeted by miR-19b and miR-20a involve in TGF-Beta Signalling and VEGF, hypoxia and
angiogenesis pathways. Conclusion: In view of the limited data on the expressions of microRNA
in APS we recommend further research into this field. Characterization of microRNA profile in
blood as well as in placenta tissue of patients with APS could be useful in identifying microRNAs
involved in obstetric APS.
4.Mountaineering And Altitude Sickness: A Study of AMS Prevalence among Climbers of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
Muhamad Aliff Abdullah ; Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob ; Mohd Hafizal Ismail ; Shamsulariffin Samsudin ; Noor Hamzani Farizan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.1):10-16
Introduction: Adventure tourism has become one of Malaysia’s most attractive tourism demands, and mountain
climbing is rapidly becoming a popular recreational sport. Exploring mountain adventures offers a dynamic experience, preserving this fascinating activity, yet the climbers are exposed to the risk of altitude sickness, such as Acute
Mountain Sickness (AMS). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of AMS and investigate the effects of high-altitude sickness on the climber profile associated with climbing at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia. Methods:. The Lake
Louise acute mountain sickness LLS score questionnaire collected 95 climber’s data at four different altitudes. SPO2
and Pulse rate was (PR) measured using a finger pulse oximeter. In a cohort study, AMS was measured on day one at
1866m (1st station), 3622m (2nd station), and day two at 3810m (3rd station), and 4095m (4th station). Results: At
the altitude of 1866 (Timpohon Gate), the prevalence of AMS was 0%, 30% at 3622m (Laban Rata), 34.7% at 3810m
(Sayat-Sayat), and 37.9% at 4095m (Low’s Peak). The overall prevalence of AMS was 37.9% and the majority of
AMS cases were moderate in severity and the LLS score is significant with Pulse Rate and peripheral capillary oxygen
saturation (SPO2). Conclusion: Concisely, this finding has triggered a need for consideration from multi agencies
to enhance mountaineering guidance, especially for beginners or inexperienced hikers, for a suitable package for
climbing attempts to reduce the incidence of AMS among Mount Kinabalu climbers.
5.Detection of Neuroendocrine Tumour of Sphenoid Sinus on the Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET/CT: A Rare Entity
Syed Ejaz Shamim ; Khairul Aliff Khairuman ; Muhammad Adib Abdul Onny ; Suryati Mohd Yusoff ; Fathinul Fikri Ahmad Saad
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.3):192-194
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a category of neoplasm that is characterised by its phenotypic and heterogeneity. The occurrence of this type of neoplasm in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is extremely rare accounting for
only 0.2-0.8% of all cancers. NET tends to expresses somatostatin receptors (SSTR) and owning to this unique characteristic, molecular imaging has been able to detect these tumours using radiolabelled somatostatin analogue agent.
Gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTATATE PET/CT is an example of SSTR imaging and has been shown to be of importance
in the assessment and staging of NET. We present a case of a rare sphenoid sinus NET in a 45-year-old gentleman
whom initially presented with persistent left eye pain which led to visual loss. We described the utilization of Ga-68
DOTATATE PET/CT in the diagnosis and staging of this patient which in turn dictated treatment approach.
6.Medical Students’ Perception of Anatomy Education Environment in Universiti Putra Malaysia
Siti Aisyah Mohd Jalani ; Muhammad Aliff Aiman Rushlan ; Shyeanne Gunn Shian Yen ; Siti Nurma Hanim Hadie ; Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat ; Razif Abas
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):37-43
Introduction: Measuring students’ perception of anatomy education environment provides important information
for quality assurance and improvement in anatomy education. This study evaluated medical students’ perception
of anatomy education environment in Universiti Putra Malaysia by using a validated tool, the Anatomy Education
Environment Measurement Inventory (AEEMI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia between August and September 2020. Stratified random
sampling was used to ensure balance sampling of two sociodemographic parameters: gender and study phase. The
AEEMI was distributed online to 384 consenting students who rate their perceptions on the six factors of AEEMI:
anatomy teachers and instructor, importance of anatomy knowledge, intrinsic interest in learning anatomy, anatomy
learning resources, students’ effort to learn anatomy and quality of histology learning facilities, using a five-point
Likert scale. The average score of each factor was calculated and compared between male and female respondents,
and between preclinical and clinical ones, using SPSS version 25. Results: All factors was rated to be positive with
scores > 4.00, except for histology practical facilities that was perceived as an area for improvement (score 3 – 4.99).
There was no significant difference of the scores between male and female respondents, and between preclinical
and clinical ones. The scores were found to be consistent across gender and study phase. Conclusion: Anatomy education
environment in UPM are positive and caters for the differences in gender and study phase. Nevertheless, the
histology practical facilities may require further attention for improvement.