1.Reliability and Validity of Malay Language Version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-M) among the Malaysian Cohort Participants
Norsham Shamsuddin ; Poh Bee Koon ; Syed Zulkifli Syed Zakaria ; Mohd Ismail Noor ; Rahman Jamal
International Journal of Public Health Research 2015;5(2):643-653
Validation of instruments is essential when assessing physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to validate a Malay language version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-M) against Actical accelerometer and to determine its reliability and validity. A total of 90 Malay adults aged 35-65 years old participating in The Malaysian Cohort project were recruited for this study. The IPAQ-M is comprised of 12 items, covering vigorous, moderate, walking, sitting and sleeping activities, and was administered on two occasions (Day 1 and Day 9) by interviewing the participants. Participants wore the Actical accelerometer for seven consecutive days between the two interview sessions. Validity tests showed that time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (min wk-1) from IPAQ-M was significantly correlated with MVPA from accelerometer (ρ=0.32, p<0.01). Time spent in vigorous activity (ρ=0.44) and total activity (ρ=0.36) from IPAQ-M were significantly correlated (p<0.01) with that measured by accelerometer, but no correlation was observed for sedentary behaviour. Reliability tests revealed significant correlations between the two interview sessions for all intensities of PA (=ρ0.55 to 0.71, p<0.01). Bland-Altman plots showed that time spent in MVPA for IPAQ-M was significantly different from that measured by accelerometer (mean difference: 98.02 min wk-1; 95% limits of agreement: -785.33 to 1317.83 min wk-1; p<0.01). When classifying people into meeting PA recommendation, the agreement between the two instruments was fair (κ=0.22). The IPAQ-M has acceptable validity for MVPA, vigorous and total physical activity, and was reliable for assessing the physical activity of Malay adults.
2.Impact on parents during hospitalisation for acute diarrhoea in young children.
Way-Seah LEE ; Pei-Fan CHAI ; Zulkifli ISMAIL
Singapore medical journal 2012;53(11):755-759
INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to determine the emotional impact on parents of young children who require hospitalisation for acute diarrhoea (AD), and the disruption of daily activities experienced and costs incurred by them.
METHODSA prospective study was conducted on children below two years of age with AD admitted to two urban hospitals in Malaysia. Parents were interviewed on the emotional impact and disruption of daily activities experienced by them, as well as the extra costs incurred as a result of the hospitalisation of their child.
RESULTSThe parents of 85 children (median age 13 months; boys n = 58, 68%; girls n = 27, 32%) were recruited for the study. The proportions of parents who reported that they were very worried about the symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and fever in their child were 82%, 83% and 78%, respectively. Parents also reported being upset, helpless, mentally and physically exhausted, and having experienced loss of sleep and disruption of daily routine during the hospitalisation of their child (median four days). The median extra cost (including out-of-pocket cost and loss of income) incurred by parents as a result of the hospitalisation was USD 252.86, which constituted 16% of the combined monthly family income.
CONCLUSIONAlthough short, AD-related hospitalisation in young children has considerable emotional impact and creates significant distress, in addition to causing significant financial burden for parents.
Diarrhea ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Malaysia ; Male ; Parents ; psychology ; Prospective Studies ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population
4.Ultrasonographic Findings in Eyes with Retinopathy of Prematurity in Malaysia
Lee Kok Foo ; Abdul Rahim Adlina ; Raja Azmi Mohd Noor ; Wan Hazabbah Wan Hitam ; Embong Zunaina ; Abdullah Sarimah ; Noramazlan Ramli ; Zulkifli Abdul Ghani ; Josept Vijaya Alagaratnam ; Jamalia Rahmat ; Sunder Ramasamy ; Ismail Shatriah
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2013;68(1):39-43
RetCam is an excellent screening tool for the detection of
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, affordability is a barrier when adopting the use of RetCam in developing
countries. We aimed to describe different stages of ROP
using ultrasonographic B-scan and to evaluate the
association between funduscopic examinations and
ultrasonographic B-scan findings in premature neonates
with ROP in Malaysia. A descriptive cross sectional study
was conducted in 90 eyes of 47 premature neonates with
different stages of ROP in three tertiary hospitals in
Malaysia. Experienced ophthalmologists performed detailed
funduscopic examinations using binocular indirect
ophthalmoscopy (BIO). A masked examiner performed a 10
MHz ultrasonographic B-scan evaluation with 12 meridian
position images within 48 hours of clinical diagnosis. Data
from the clinical examination and ultrasonographic findings
were collected and analysed. We recruited 37 eyes (41.1%)
with stage 1 ROP, 29 eyes (32.3%) with stage 2, 18 eyes
(20.0%) with stage 3, and 3 eyes (3.3%) with stages 4 and 5
based on the clinical assessment. Ultrasonography
correctly identified 3 (8.1%) stage 1 eyes, 17 (58.6%) stage 2 eyes, 13 (72.2%) stage 3 eyes, and 3 each (100%) of the stage 4 and 5 eyes. There was a significant association between the funduscopic signs and the ultrasound findings for stage
2 ROP and above (Fisher’s exact test, p <0.001). In
conclusion, all stages of ROP were detected and described
with a 10 MHz ultrasonic B-scan system. A significant
association was observed between funduscopic signs and
ultrasonographic findings in premature Malaysian neonates
with stage 2 ROP and above.
5.Incorporation of Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from HumanAdipose Stem Cells on Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Scaffoldfor the Reconstruction of Subtotally Resected Urinary Bladderin Athymic Rats
Salah Abood SALEM ; Zahra RASHIDBENAM ; Mohd Hafidzul JASMAN ; Christopher Chee Kong HO ; Ismail SAGAP ; Rajesh SINGH ; Mohd Reusmaazran YUSOF ; Zulkifli Md. ZAINUDDIN ; Ruszymah Bt Haji IDRUS ; Min Hwei NG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2020;17(4):553-563
BACKGROUND:
The urinary tract can be affected by both congenital abnormalities as well as acquired disorders, such ascancer, trauma, infection, inflammation, and iatrogenic injuries, all of which may lead to organ damage requiring eventualreconstruction. As a gold standard, gastrointestinal segment is used for urinary bladder reconstruction. However, one majorproblem is that while bladder tissue prevents reabsorption of specific solutes, gastrointestinal tissue actually absorbs them.Therefore, tissue engineering approach had been attempted to provide an alternative tissue graft for urinary bladderreconstruction.
METHODS:
Human adipose-derived stem cells isolated from fat tissues were differentiated into smooth muscle cells andthen seeded onto a triple-layered PLGA sheet to form a bladder construct. Adult athymic rats underwent subtotal urinarybladder resection and were divided into three treatment groups (n = 3): Group 1 (‘‘sham’’) underwent anastomosis of theremaining basal region, Group 2 underwent reconstruction with the cell-free scaffold, and Group 3 underwent reconstructionwith the tissue-engineered bladder construct. Animals were monitored on a daily basis and euthanisation wasperformed whenever a decline in animal health was detected.
RESULTS:
All animals in Groups 1, 2 and 3 survived for at least 7 days and were followed up to a maximum of 12 weekspost-operation. It was found that by Day 14, substantial ingrowth of smooth muscle and urothelial cells had occurred inGroup 2 and 3. In the long-term follow up of group 3 (tissue-engineered bladder construct group), it was found that theurinary bladder wall was completely regenerated and bladder function was fully restored. Urodynamic and radiologicalevaluations of the reconstructed bladder showed a return to normal bladder volume and function.Histological analysisrevealed the presence of three muscular layers and a urothelium similar to that of a normal bladder. Immunohistochemicalstaining using human-specific myocyte markers (myosin heavy chain and smoothelin) confirmed the incorporation of theseeded cells in the newly regenerated muscular layers.
CONCLUSION
Implantation of PLGA construct seeded with smooth muscle cells derived from human adipose stemcells can lead to regeneration of the muscular layers and urothelial ingrowth, leading to formation of a completelyfunctional urinary bladder.
6.Incorporation of Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from HumanAdipose Stem Cells on Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Scaffoldfor the Reconstruction of Subtotally Resected Urinary Bladderin Athymic Rats
Salah Abood SALEM ; Zahra RASHIDBENAM ; Mohd Hafidzul JASMAN ; Christopher Chee Kong HO ; Ismail SAGAP ; Rajesh SINGH ; Mohd Reusmaazran YUSOF ; Zulkifli Md. ZAINUDDIN ; Ruszymah Bt Haji IDRUS ; Min Hwei NG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2020;17(4):553-563
BACKGROUND:
The urinary tract can be affected by both congenital abnormalities as well as acquired disorders, such ascancer, trauma, infection, inflammation, and iatrogenic injuries, all of which may lead to organ damage requiring eventualreconstruction. As a gold standard, gastrointestinal segment is used for urinary bladder reconstruction. However, one majorproblem is that while bladder tissue prevents reabsorption of specific solutes, gastrointestinal tissue actually absorbs them.Therefore, tissue engineering approach had been attempted to provide an alternative tissue graft for urinary bladderreconstruction.
METHODS:
Human adipose-derived stem cells isolated from fat tissues were differentiated into smooth muscle cells andthen seeded onto a triple-layered PLGA sheet to form a bladder construct. Adult athymic rats underwent subtotal urinarybladder resection and were divided into three treatment groups (n = 3): Group 1 (‘‘sham’’) underwent anastomosis of theremaining basal region, Group 2 underwent reconstruction with the cell-free scaffold, and Group 3 underwent reconstructionwith the tissue-engineered bladder construct. Animals were monitored on a daily basis and euthanisation wasperformed whenever a decline in animal health was detected.
RESULTS:
All animals in Groups 1, 2 and 3 survived for at least 7 days and were followed up to a maximum of 12 weekspost-operation. It was found that by Day 14, substantial ingrowth of smooth muscle and urothelial cells had occurred inGroup 2 and 3. In the long-term follow up of group 3 (tissue-engineered bladder construct group), it was found that theurinary bladder wall was completely regenerated and bladder function was fully restored. Urodynamic and radiologicalevaluations of the reconstructed bladder showed a return to normal bladder volume and function.Histological analysisrevealed the presence of three muscular layers and a urothelium similar to that of a normal bladder. Immunohistochemicalstaining using human-specific myocyte markers (myosin heavy chain and smoothelin) confirmed the incorporation of theseeded cells in the newly regenerated muscular layers.
CONCLUSION
Implantation of PLGA construct seeded with smooth muscle cells derived from human adipose stemcells can lead to regeneration of the muscular layers and urothelial ingrowth, leading to formation of a completelyfunctional urinary bladder.
7.Blood Glucose Response to Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training Among Trained Women (Respon Glukosa Darah ke atas Latihan Bebanan Satu Anggota Badan dengan Dua Anggota Badan dalam Kalangan Wanita Terlatih)
NUR KHAIRUNISA ABU TALIP ; ZULKIFLI ABDUL KADIR ; ZULKIFLI ISMAIL ; SHAHREN AHMAD ZAIDI ADRUCE ; DAYANG SITI AISAH BINTI ABANG SUHAILI
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2021;19(No.1):89-95
Exercise selection is one of crucial factors in designing a comprehensive training programme. The exposure of different
exercise selection may stimulate the specific adaptation imposed demand. In the construction of any resistance training
(RT) programme, it is important to choose whether to apply bilateral (BI) or unilateral (UNI) exercise. The present
study aimed to look into the physiological responses of blood glucose (BG) between UNI and BI RT. Quantitative
research method was used, RT (UNI versus BI training) as the independent variables whereas BG set as the dependent
variable. In order to measure training effects following a single bout of different training intervention (UNI versus BI),
a crossover experimental pre and post test design was implemented. A total of sixteen (n = 16) trained women with mean
age of 23 (SD = 1.35) years old went through a single bout of RT involved a total body exercise using major muscles
group with 80% of 1RM for each protocols (UNI and BI) for 10 repetitions to maximal effort (for 3 sets). Crossover
design would be more accurate in exposing different training protocol to a similar characteristic of individuals as
compared using different individuals. The results revealed that blood glucose (BG) were statistically changed (p < .001)
across times (between PRE to IP, between PRE and 15P as well as between PRE and 30P), and finding shows there is
no difference between training protocols (p = .39). Thus, similar responses of UNI and BI RT on BG concentration
provides wide selection of exercise method to practitioners specifically to trained women. Future research on UNI
versus BI RT could venture onto other types of hormones analysis including insulin, growth hormone and cortisol can
be included. Besides, future research should consider a long run study that involve chronic adaptation of RT on human
body in order to prevent and alleviate disease.
8.Parental Knowledge on Nephrotic Syndrome and Disease Relapse in children
Shiau Chuen Diong ; Syed Zulkifli Syed Zakaria ; Rahmah Rasat ; Wan Jazilah Wan Ismail
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(4):288-295
Introduction: Parental knowledge on nephrotic syndrome
and disease relapse is important for early recognition and
treatment of relapse to prevent the complications. Parental
knowledge on nephrotic syndrome was reported to be
inadequate from published studies. To date, there is no
study on parental knowledge on childhood nephrotic
syndrome in Malaysia. This study is thus aimed at to
determine the level of knowledge on NS and disease relapse
among parents of children with nephrotic syndrome and
determine factors that influence knowledge on nephrotic
syndrome and disease relapse. Study Design and
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in
Paediatric Nephrology Clinic, Hospital Selayang from
November 2016 to November 2017. Seventy-eight parents
were recruited based on universal sampling. Selfadministered questionnaire in Bahasa Malaysia and English
was designed through focus group discussion with five
subject matter experts and validated through content
validity. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0.
Results: Majority of parents or guardians (91%) were able to
answer more than 50% of the questions correctly. Of these,
56% were able to answer more than 75% of the questions
correctly. A 'cut-off' of 75% was defined as good knowledge.
Parents of children with frequent relapses had higher
parental knowledge and this was statistically significant
(p=0.025).
Conclusion: Parental knowledge on nephrotic syndrome
and disease relapse was still inadequate as only 56%
parents had good knowledge. The main areas of deficit in
parental knowledge were related to medications, infections,
home urine dipstick monitoring, and recognition of warning
signs during relapse.
9.Psychological Distress and Its Association with Functional Disability Index Among Acne Patients Attending Dermatology Clinics in the Kuantan Tertiary Hospitals
Suhaiza Samsudin ; Zuliyasmin Zulkifli ; Noor Artika Hassan ; Rasimah Ismail ; Rajalingam Ramalingam
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2024;20(No.1):126-133
Introduction: Acne is the most common skin disease among adolescents and has significant psychological distress.
Our objective is to assess acne severity, functional disability, and its psychological distress among acne patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to May 2022 among 163 acne patients attending Dermatology Clinics in the district of Kuantan, Pahang. The severity of acne was graded using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS). The functional disability index was measured using a Cardiff Acne Disability
Index (CADI), while Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaires were used as a screening tool to
detect the psychological distress of acne. Data were analysed using a Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and multiple
logistic regression. Results: The mean age was 23 years, 60.1% were female, 94.5% were Malay, and 68.1% were
unemployed. The severity of acne was more prominent in the mild (30.7%) and moderate (28.2%) categories. A total
of 20.2%, 11.7%, and 4.9% of the respondents had anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, respectively. Regarding the respondents’ functional disability, 40.5% had mild impairment, 38.0% had moderate impairment, and 13.5%
had severe impairment. Acne severity was found to be significantly associated with the functional disability index
(P<0.05). The functional disability index was also found to be significantly associated with depression (p=0.019) and
anxiety symptoms (p=0.042). Conclusion: Clinical management of acne patients should include not only pharmacological treatment but also consideration of the disease’s functional disability status and psychological distress.