1.Patched-1 and Smoothened, a Hedgehog Receptor and Signal Transducer are Highly Expressed in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Siti Nur Lina Azman ; Huzlinda Hussin ; Maizaton Atmadini Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2017;13(2):1-6
Introduction: The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is a developmental signalling pathway involved in normal
mammalian developmental and homeostasis of adult renewable tissues. In most adult tissues, this pathway remains
silent and previous studies have shown that constitutive activation of Hedgehog signalling pathway leads to various
types of malignancies including medulloblastomas, basal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal, breast and prostate cancer.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of Hedgehog pathway proteins
in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and determine their association with overall survival (OS). Methods: Positive
control using normal tonsils were included in each batch of immunohistochemical staining procedure. Results:
PTCH1 proteins were highly expressed in DLBCL and showed strong staining intensity in 107 (100%) cases and
SMO proteins were expressed in 105 (98.1%) cases. PTCH1 proteins were localised in the nucleus of tumour cells,
whereas SMO proteins were mainly localised in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. Positive expression of PTCH1 and
SMO proteins and overall survival of DLBCL patients were correlated with age, gender, race and tumour location.
There was no significant correlation between the expression of these two proteins with any of the parameters.
PTCH1 expression showed significant association with SMO expression (P=0.03). Conclusions: Our findings suggest
that high expression of both PTCH1 and SMO may be important in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. However, additional
mechanisms that may contribute to the activation of HH signalling in DLBCL needs to be further explored.
2.Validation Of The Malay Version Of The Posttraumatic Growth Inventoryshort Form (Ptgi-Sf) Among Malaysian Cancer Patients
Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Abdullah ; Rohayu Hami ; Gokula Kumar Appalanaido ; Nizuwan Azman ; Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff ; Siti Shahanis Md Sharif
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(2):1-9
Introduction: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change in
life that occurs as a result of struggle with highly challenging life crises. There is
a growing need to explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in cancer patients, as
higher PTG may enhance well-being of patients. Objectives: The aim of this
study was to translate the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGISF)
into the Malay language and evaluate its psychometric properties for
assessing Malaysian cancer patients in future studies. Methods: Two parallels
forward and backward translations of the PTGI-SF into the Malay language
were conducted. The test was administered to 195 cancer patients. Reliability
was evaluated by testing internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and calculating the
test-retest intra-class correlation coefficient, and validity was examined by
determining face, convergent, and discriminant validities and using
confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF
and its five domains demonstrated good internal consistencies and acceptable
test-retest reliability. All 10 items of this version were highly correlated with
their own domains and thus exhibited convergent validity. Discriminant validity
was achieved, as all domains of the Malay PTGI-SF was not highly correlated
with the domains of the Source of Social Support Scale. CFA resulted in a bestfitting
5-factor model. Conclusion: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF is a
suitable tool for measuring PTG in Malaysian cancer patients.
3.Validation Of The Malay Version Of The Sources Of Social Support Scale Among Malaysian Cancer Patients
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2017;18(2):20-27
Objective: It is important to investigate the association between spousal support
and psychology of cancer patients, thus a validated instrument to measure the
degree of perceived spousal support is required. We translated and evaluated the
psychometric properties of the Sources of Social Support Scale-Malay version
(SSSS-Malay) among Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: In this study, the
SSSS-Malay and Hope Scale-Malay [used to compare with the SSSS-Malay to
assess discriminant validity] were administered to 195 Malaysian cancer patients
during baseline assessment. The SSSS-Malay was re-administered 2 months
after the baseline assessment during follow-up. Results: The SSSS-Malay total
score (Cronbach’s α = 0.70, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.72) and
its domains (Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.70 to 0.83, intraclass correlation
coefficient ranging from 0.6 to 0.76) exhibited good internal consistencies and
good test-retest reliability. The SSSS-Malay also demonstrated good convergent
and discriminant validities. However, confirmatory factor analysis of the SSSSMalay
showed that it was best fit into a 3-factor model instead of the 4-factor
model of the original English version. Conclusion: The SSSS-Malay
demonstrated good psychometric properties for use in Malaysian cancer
patients.
4.Association Between IL-31 Serum Levels And Other Predisposing Factors With Allergic Diseases In HRPZ II and HUSM, Kelantan, Malaysia
Siti Noor Syuhada Muhammad Amin ; Noor Suryani Mohd Ashari ; Wan Zuraida Wan Abd. Hamid ; Azriani Ab Rahman ; Azman Azid
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2017;Special Volume(2):66-73
Interleukin 31 (IL-31)is one of the cytokines which appears to be an important regulator of Th2 responses. Previous study has been done to determine IL-31 serums levels in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the serum levels of IL-31 in allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic asthma (AA) is not many reported and still unclear. The objective of this cross sectional study is to determine an association between IL-31 and other predisposing factors with allergic diseases in HRPZ II (Hospital Raja PerempuanZainab II) and HUSM (Hospital UniversitiSains), Kelantan, Malaysia. This study involved 70 patients of AD, 70 patients of AR, 70 patients of AA and 70 healthy controls from staffs and people in HUSM.Five milliliters of blood were withdrawn and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2000 rpm to obtain the serum and analyzed for IL-31 levels by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits (Human IL 31 Duoset, R&D System). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between IL-31 levels and predisposing factors among allergic diseases. The levels of IL-31 and other predisposing factors showed significant associations in smoking status, occupational exposure and area of living for AD and AR, however in AA, the significant association only found in smoking status and occupational exposure. In conclusion, we found that there were associations between IL-31 serum levels and other predisposing factors with AD, AR and AA. The findings can be the pilot study to determine IL-31 levels in allergic diseases in Malaysia.
5.Association Between Il-31 Serum Levels And Other Predisposing Factors With Allergic Diseases In Hrpz Ii And Husm, Kelantan, Malaysia
Siti Noor Syuhada Muhammad Amin ; Noor SuryaniMohd Ashari ; Wan Zuraida Wan Abd. Hamid ; AzrianiAb Rahman ; Azman Azid
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2017;2017(Special Volume (2)):66-73
Interleukin 31 (IL-31)is one of the cytokines which appears to be an important regulator of Th2 responses. Previous study has been done to determine IL-31 serums levels in atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the serum levels of IL-31 in allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic asthma (AA) is not many reported and still unclear. The objective of this cross sectional study is to determine an association between IL-31 and other predisposing factors with allergic diseases in HRPZ II (Hospital Raja PerempuanZainab II) and HUSM (Hospital UniversitiSains), Kelantan, Malaysia. This study involved 70 patients of AD, 70 patients of AR, 70 patients of AA and 70 healthy controls from staffs and people in HUSM.Five milliliters of blood were withdrawn and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2000 rpm to obtain the serum and analyzed for IL-31 levels by using enzymelinked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits (Human IL 31 Duoset, R&D System). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between IL-31 levels and predisposing factors among allergic diseases. The levels of IL-31 and other predisposing factors showed significant associations in smoking status, occupational exposure and area of living for AD and AR, however in AA, the significant association only found in smoking status and occupational exposure. In conclusion, we found that there were associations between IL-31 serum levels and other predisposing factors with AD, AR and AA. The findings can be the pilot study to determine IL-31 levels in allergic diseases in Malaysia.
IL-31
;
serum levels
;
predisposing factors
;
allergic diseases
;
Kelantan
6.Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis Secondary to Tuberculosis with Superimposed Bacterial Infection: A case report
Siti Sanaa binti Wan Azman ; Masni binti Mohamad
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2021;36(2):209-212
Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare and potentially fatal condition. We present a case of an 18-year-old Malay female who presented with one-week history of painful right sided neck swelling, fever and odynophagia. Neck CT confirms ruptured multiloculated abscess with posterosuperior extension into prevertebral space. Pus and tissue cultured Streptococcus anginosus and Eikenella corrodens with positive TB PCR. She responded well to ampicillin/sulbactam and anti-tuberculosis treatment with no evidence of residual collection from ultrasound.
Thyroiditis, Suppurative
7.Early outcomes of cleft and palatal width following anterior palate repair (vomerine flap) in infants with wide cleft lip and palate
Arman Zaharil MAT SAAD ; Koh Siang CHAI ; Wan Azman WAN SULAIMAN ; Siti Fatimah Noor MAT JOHAR ; Ahmad Sukari HALIM
Archives of Plastic Surgery 2019;46(6):518-524
BACKGROUND:
Anterior palatal repair performed during cleft lip repair using a vomerine flap may assist in recruiting additional soft tissue for subsequent completion of palatoplasty, especially in patients with a wide cleft. We present our early results in the hope of triggering a re-evaluation of this technique regarding its advantages for maxillary growth through further studies of patients with a wide cleft.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis of patients with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate was performed, including cleft and palatal measurements taken during initial surgery (lip repair together with anterior palate repair) and upon completion of palatoplasty.
RESULTS:
In total, 14 patients were included in this study, of whom nine (63.3%) had unilateral cleft lip and palate and five (37.5%) had bilateral cleft. All patients had a wide cleft palate. Lip and anterior palate repair was done at a median age of 3 months, while completion of palatoplasty was done at a median age of 10.5 months. Measurements taken upon completion of palatoplasty showed significant cleft width reduction in the mid-palate and intertubercle regions; however, the palatal arch distances at nearby landmarks showed non-significant marginal changes.
CONCLUSIONS
Anterior palate repair using a vomerine flap significantly reduced the remaining cleft width, while the palatal width remained. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of this technique in wide cleft patients in terms of facial growth.
8.Validation of the Malay Version of the Snyder Hope Scale Among Malaysian Cancer Patients
Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Abdullah ; Rohayu HAMI ; Gokula Kumar APPALANAID ; Nizuwan AZMAN ; Noorsuzana Mohd SHARIFF ; Siti Shahanis Md Sharif
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2018;16(1):95-102
Hope leads to lower depression and anxiety and is associated with improved quality of life of cancer patients. In thisstudy, Hope Scale (HS) was translated into Malay, and the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the HopeScale were investigated among Malaysian cancer patients. Concurrent translation and back translation of the originalEnglish version of the Hope Scale were performed, and the Malay version was administered to 195 cancer patientswith different cancer diagnoses at baseline assessment and 2 months later at follow-up. The Hope Scale (Malay) totalscore (Cronbach’s α = 0.72; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.67) and its domains (Cronbach’s α [pathway] =0.7; Cronbach’s α [agency] = 0.7; ICC[Pathway] = 0.64; ICC[Agency] = 0.70) demonstrated acceptable internal consistencies andtest-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were also achieved by the Hope Scale (Malay). The HopeScale (Malay) demonstrated construct validity, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the items in the HopeScale (Malay) best fit into two domains, which was true for the original English version. The Hope Scale (Malay) hadacceptable psychometric properties and thus is suitable for assessing hope in Malaysian cancer patients.
9.Lower eyelid fornix deepening: A new indication for the facial artery myomucosal flap
Arman Zaharil Mat SAAD ; Nur Raihana NORDIN ; Wan Azman Wan SULAIMAN ; Nafij JAMAYET ; Siti Fatimah Noor Mat JOHAR ; Adil HUSSEIN
Archives of Plastic Surgery 2021;48(1):80-83
Eye socket contracture is a well-known late complication of enucleation surgery, and the additional insult of radiotherapy at an early age causes even further fibrosis and scarring of the socket. Management of the contracted socket is challenging, and several methods have been proposed. We report a case of eye socket contracture after enucleation and radiotherapy in which multiple reconstructive procedures failed. The recurrent contracture caused difficulty in housing and retaining the eye prosthesis. We reconstructed the lower eyelid with a facial artery myomucosal flap and nasolabial flap, and the upper eyelid with a Fricke flap following reconstruction of the orbital rims (supraorbital and infraorbital rims with a calvarial bone graft, and further augmentation of the infraorbital rim with a rib bone graft). Cosmesis post-reconstruction was acceptable and the prosthesis was retained very well.
10.Safety Culture in Handling Radioactive Materials for Radiation Practitioners: A Review
Nor Farah Amirah Nor Azman ; Siti Amira Othman ; Nurul Fathihah Abu Bakar ; Nurin Saqinah Jasrin
International Journal of Public Health Research 2021;11(2):1379-1406
Safety culture refers to how safety is addressed and communicated in the workplace. It
encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values of all employees in an organization
about safety. A good safety culture can be promoted by management through a commitment to
safety, realistic practices for handling hazards, continuous organizational learning and concern
for hazards shared across the workforce. The objective of this paper is to reviews the safety
culture in handling radioactive sources. The radioactive substances used should comply with the
following characteristics where radiotoxicity must be as low as possible, short-living isotopes
are preferred to long-living ones and the amounts used must be kept to a minimum. Therefore,
the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle was applied that based on the
minimization of radiation doses and limiting the release of radioactive materials into the
environment by employing all reasonable methods. Besides that, the ALARA principle is an
integral part of all activities that involve the use of radiation or radioactive materials and can
help prevent unnecessary exposure as well as overexposure. The three major ALARA principles
to assist with maintaining doses are time, distance and shielding. It takes a whole team effort to
successfully implement the ALARA in safety culture while doing routine elements of working
in handling radioactive materials.