1.A CHILD WITH EPISTAXIS, REDUCED HEARING AND CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY: A RARE CASE OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA IN A CHILD
S Muhammad Izani ; M Irfan ; Y Suhaimi
Malaysian Family Physician 2011;6(2&3):82-84
Although nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is common in this part of the world, the incidence among children is still very low
worldwide. The diagnosis is sometimes delayed because of the late reporting of the symptom by the patient or parents, or difficulty
in reaching the final diagnosis due to its hidden anatomical location. The challenges include the difficult endoscopy in children,
inability to differentiate an adenoid from the tumour on radiograph and often the inconclusive fine needle aspiration findings. If the
tumour mass at Fossa of Rosenmuller can be clearly appreciated and biopsied with undoubtedly proven histology of NPC, the
diagnosis can be straight forward and treatment can be commenced as early as possible. We report a 10-year-old child presented
with bilateral neck cervical lymphadenopathy and epistaxis with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the neck mass reported
as lymphoma. Further work-up confirmed he was suffering from NPC.
2.Prevalence of scabies and head lice among children in a welfare home in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Muhammad Zayyid, M ; Saidatul Saadah, R ; Adil, A R ; Rohela, M ; Jamaiah, I
Tropical Biomedicine 2010;27(3):442-6
This is a survey of 120 children for scabies and head lice infestations in a welfare home in Pulau Pinang. Children from this welfare home (Rumah Kanak-Kanak Taman Bakti, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang) were randomly selected. Majority of them were Malays (72.5%) and the rest were Indians. The infestation rates were highest in the 10-12 years age group with 46% and 70% for scabies and head lice respectively. Head lice was more commonly seen in girls (65%) than boys (29%). Scabies was more commonly seen in boys (50%) than girls (16%). Overall prevalence rate for scabies was 31% and for head lice infestation was 49%.
3.Lumbar Morphometry: A Study of Lumbar Vertebrae from a Pakistani Population Using Computed Tomography Scans.
Muhammad M ALAM ; Muhammad WAQAS ; Hussain SHALLWANI ; Gohar JAVED
Asian Spine Journal 2014;8(4):421-426
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of lumbar vertebrae of Pakistani patients reporting at a tertiary care hospital and compare with studies from other populations. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Several studies have been conducted to determine morphometry of lumbar vertebrae. Most of the studies involve Caucasian populations, still data on other populations still sparse. This is the first study describing lumbar morphometry of a Pakistani population. METHODS: An observational study was conducted based on a review of thin-cut (3 mm) computed topographic images of lumbar vertebrae. Two-hundred and twenty vertebrae from forty-nine patients were studied, and various dimensions were analyzed. RESULTS: Generally, the size of the vertebrae, vertebral canals and recesses were found to be greater in male patients. The difference was statistically significant for transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the vertebral bodies and sagittal diameter of pedicles on the left side (p<0.05). Comparison of populations revealed statistically significant differences in pedicle dimensions between Pakistani population and others. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides anatomical knowledge of the lumbar region in a sample population of Pakistan. There were significant differences in various dimensions of lumbar vertebrae between female and male patients. This would prove to be critical for performing a safe operation.
Cross-Sectional Studies
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Female
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Humans
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Lumbar Vertebrae*
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Lumbosacral Region
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Male
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Observational Study
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Pakistan
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Spine
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Tertiary Healthcare
4.Gene expression in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome: a systematic review
Muhammad Aliff M ; Muhammad Shazwan S ; Nur Fariha MM ; Hayati AR ; Nur Syahrina AR ; Maizatul Azma M ; Nazefah AH ; Jameela S ; Asral Wirda AA
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2016;38(3):285-294
Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a multisystem disease that may present as venous or
arterial thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies.
Until today, heterogeneity of pathogenic mechanism fits well with various clinical manifestations.
Moreover, previous studies have indicated that genes are differentially expressed between normal
and in the disease state. Hence, this study systematically searched the literature on human gene
expression that was differentially expressed in Obstetric APS. Methodology: Electronic search was
performed until 31st March 2015 through PubMed and Embase databases; where the following
Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms were used and they had been specified as the primary focus
of the articles; gene, antiphospholipid, obstetric, and pregnancy in the title or abstract. From 502
studies retrieved from the search, only original publications that had performed gene expression
analyses of human placental tissue that reported on differentially expressed gene in pregnancies with
Obstetric APS were included. Two reviewers independently scrutinized the titles and the abstracts
before examining the eligibility of studies that met the inclusion criteria. For each study; diagnostic
criteria for APS, method for analysis, and the gene signature were extracted independently by
two reviewers. The genes listed were further analysed with the DAVID and the KEGG pathways.
Results: Three eligible gene expression studies involving obstetric APS, comprising the datasets
on gene expression, were identified. All three studies showed a reduction in transcript expression
on PRL, STAT5, TF, DAF, ABCA1, and HBEGF in Obstetric APS. The high enrichment score for
functionality in DAVID had been positive regulation of cell proliferation. Meanwhile, pertaining
to the KEGG pathway, two pathways were associated with some of the listed genes, which were
ErBb signalling pathway and JAK-STAT signalling pathway. Conclusion: Ultimately, studies on a
genetic level have the potential to provide new insights into the regulation and to widen the basis
for identification of changes in the mechanism of Obstetric APS.
5.Medical Students’ Perceptions on the Adequacy and Effectiveness of Pharmacology Teaching during Preclinical Years
NORAZLINA M ; SITI MARIAM B ; MOHAMAD-SHARIF MA ; NORAIN MM ; MUHAMMAD-ADAM AC ; HAZLINDA M ; DARISHINI G
Medicine and Health 2019;14(2):109-120
Pharmacology teaching during preclinical years is important for medical students
to make rational choices in choosing suitable treatment for patients in future.
Therefore, the present study determined the adequacy and effectiveness of
pharmacology teaching in the undergraduate medical program at the Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC). Suggestions for improvement of
the curriculum were also identified. An online questionnaire on the perceptions
of pharmacology teaching methodology was distributed to a total of 459 medical
students in 4th and 5th year at UKMMC. The questionnaire covered demographics,
perceptions about pharmacology teaching, the ideal teaching learning
methodology for learning pharmacology, pharmacology topics which are useful
for future clinical practice, the pharmacology topic which was most interesting and
recommendations for improvement. The response rate was 46.4% and majority of
the participants were females (65.7%). Most of the students agreed that interactive
learning was more helpful than didactic lectures (88.0%). Seventy percent of the
students reported that pharmacology lectures in the preclinical years were helpful
during the clinical years. Percentage of students who agreed that pharmacology
teaching in their preclinical was adequate for their clinical practice was 47.0%.
There was no association between demographic variables (gender, race, year of
study and medical family background) and interest in pharmacology (p>0.05). In
conclusion, the pharmacology teaching during preclinical years was perceived
to be effective and useful for students’ clinical practice. More pharmacology
teaching sessions in clinical years was suggested which may improve adequacy of
pharmacology teaching.
6.Sedation with Dexmedetomidine versus Propofol during Regional Anaesthesia: Comparing Haemodynamic Parameters, Respiratory Rates and Offset Times
Nadia MN ; Samsul Johari MA ; Muhammad M ; Raha AR ; Nurlia Y
Journal of Surgical Academia 2012;2(2):15-20
This study aimed to compare dexmedetomidine and propofol, in terms of haemodynamic parameters, respiratory rates and offset times, when used for sedation in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic and surgical procedures under regional anaesthesia. This was a prospective, randomised, single-blind study where 88 patients were recruited. Patients were randomised into two groups to receive either dexmedetomidine or propofol infusion. Central neuraxial blockade (spinal, epidural or combined spinal epidural) was performed. After ensuring an adequate block and stable haemodynamic parameters, dexmedetomidine was infused 15 minutes later at 0.4 μg/kg/hr, and propofol, at a target concentration of 2.5 μg/ml. Both drugs were titrated to achieve a bispectral index score of 70 before surgery commenced. Sedation level was monitored using the bispectral index score and assessed by the Observer Assessment of Alertness Scale score. Drug infusion was adjusted to maintain bispectral index scores ranging between 70-80 during surgery. Both groups showed reductions in mean arterial pressure and heart rate from baseline readings throughout the infusion time. However there was no significant reduction in the first 15 minutes from baseline (p > 0.05). Haemodynamic parameters and respiratory rate between both groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05). No patient demonstrated significant respiratory depression or SpO2 ≤ 95%. Offset times were also not significantly different between both groups (p = 0.594). There were no significant differences in haemodynamic parameters, respiratory rates and offset times between dexmedetomidine and propofol used for sedation in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic and surgical procedures under regional anaesthesia.
7.Retinal Redetachment After Pneumatic Retinopexy – The Importance of Case Selection
Muhammad Najmi K ; Aida Zairani MZ ; Mushawiahti M ; Bastion MLC ; Amin A
Journal of Surgical Academia 2017;7(2):18-20
Pneumatic retinopexy is known as one of the treatment options for a specific type of retinal detachment. It is done in
an office setting and may be the most cost-effective means of retinal reattachment surgery. Location and size of the
retinal break remain as the major criteria for a successful outcome. We describe a case that fulfilled all except one
major criteria for pneumatic retinopexy and underwent multiple procedures but failed. Fluctuation in the resolution
of the retinal detachment such as in this particular case suggested possibility of early treatment failure.
Vitrectomy
8.The in vivo rodent micronucleus assay of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) extract.
Shahrim Zaizuhana ; M B Puteri J Noor ; Yahya Noral'ashikin ; Hussin Muhammad ; A B Rohana ; I Zakiah
Tropical biomedicine 2006;23(2):214-9
Kacip Fatimah also known as Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), is a traditional herbal medicine with a long history in the Malay community. It has been used by many generations of Malay women to induce and facilitate childbirth as well as a post-partum medicine. We tested the genotoxic potential of Kacip Fatimah in bone marrow cells obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats using micronuclei formation as the toxicological endpoints. Five groups of five male rats each were administered orally for two consecutive days with doses of 100, 700 and 2000 mg/kg body weight of Kacip Fatimah extract dissolved in distilled water. Micronucleus preparation was obtained from bone marrow cells of the animals following standard protocols. No statistically significant increase in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was observed at any dose level and sacrifice/harvest time point (24, 48 and 72h). However, a significant decrease in polychromatic erythrocytes/normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE:NCE) ratio was observed from the highest dose level (2000 mg/kg of body weight) at 48h harvest time point. In this study, we investigated the effect of Kacip Fatimah on mammalian bone marrow cells using micronuclei formation to assess the genotoxicity of the herb.
Micronuclei
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Erythrocytes
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Bone Marrow
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in vivo
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assay
9.Current status of parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community in Peninsular Malaysia
Ahmad, A.F. ; Ngui, R. ; Muhammad Aidil ; R., Lim, Y.A.L. ; Rohela, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2014;31(4):836-843
Limited data is available on the prevalence of parasitic infections among the
island communities in Malaysia with most studies performed between 1960s-1980s. This
study was conducted to determine the current prevalence status of parasitic infections
among communities living in Pangkor Island Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 131 stool and 298
serum samples were collected and subjected to microscopic examination for intestinal protozoa
and helminths and detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using commercial ELISA kits
respectively. In addition, thin and thick peripheral blood films were microscopically screened
for the presence of Plasmodium spp. and microfilariae respectively. The overall prevalence
of intestinal parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community was 9.9% (13/131) with T.
trichiura (5.3%) being the most common intestinal parasite detected. Toxoplasmosis was
reported in almost 60% of the community with the seroprevalence being significantly high
among females (64.7%) compared to males (52.8%) (p=0.038). None of those examined samples
were infected with intestinal sarcocystosis, malaria and filariasis. This study revealed that
the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community has been
greatly reduced compared to that reported 35 years ago. Massive improvements in the
socioeconomic status, personal hygiene, water facilities and sanitation may have contributed
to the low prevalence of parasitic infections in this community. Nevertheless, further studies
still need to be performed to determine the possible risk factors for the high prevalence of
toxoplasmosis in this community.
10.Prevalence Of Cognitive Impairment Among The Members Of The National Council Of Senior Citizens’ Malaysia In Day Care Centres Within The Klang Valley
Sharifah Zainiyah SY, Gunasegaran M, Muhammad Hanif MZ, Nuramalina N, Seow HC, Bharathi V
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2011;11(2):43-48
Cognitive Impairment is common in late life and may be due to the normal process of ageing, or associated with physical or mental disorder which contributes to a decrease in quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, increased disability and increased healthcare cost. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly members in NACSCOM in Day Care Centres within the Klang Valley and its associated socio-demographic factors such as age, gender and educational level. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 members of NACSCOM in Day Care Centres of Damansara,Subang Jaya and Setapak using assisted questionnaires as the research tool. The questionnaire comprising of a total of 10 questions based on Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaires (ECAQ), consisted of three parts, memory, orientation and recall. One correctly answered question earned the respondent one mark. The total score for ECAQ is 10 where respondents with scores of 5 and below were identified as having cognitive impairment. Data collected was analyzed using Chi-square test (SPSS version 18). The prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly members of NACSCOM in Day Care Centres within the Klang Valley was 4.0%. This study also showed that there was no statistically significant association between cognitive impairment and sociodemographic factors such as age, gender and education. Prevalence of cognitive impairment among the members of NACSCOM in Day Care Centres within the Klang Valley was found to be low. This could be attributed to the fact that members actively participated in activities organized by NACSCOM. The study also did not find any statistically significant association between cognitive impairment and age, gender and education.