bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Truncation Effects on Effective Diameter Measurement for Size-specific Dose Estimation in Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Authors: Alhaji Barde Mustapha , Osman Noor Diyana , Mat Razali Mohd Amir Syahmi , Mohd Naharuddin Hafizah , Mohamad Suhaimi Fatanah , Mat Isa Nor Ashidi 
Published: November 2022

The determination of size specific dose estimation (SSDE) has been proposed for accurate CT dose assessment. The SSDE introduction has prompted numerous manufacturers and researchers to develop various methodologies that have progressed from manual to automated methods in SSDE determination. Few studies reported on truncation effects with respect to specific size and SSDE determination and CT manufacturers are yet to incorporate truncation correction in their system [1,2].
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of truncation artifacts on the measurement of effective diameter (Deff) and SSDE in CT imaging. A phantom study was performed using CTDI phantom of different diameters, 22 and 32 cm with Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS+ CT scanner. Phantom images of different truncation percentage (TP) of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were simulated and acquired. The Deff and SSDE were determined based on the displayed CTDIvol, and the AAPM correction factor table was used to calculate the SSDE accurately [3]. The percentage error for each TP in comparison with non-truncated image (TP 0%) was computed.
Results showed the percentage error (PE) for both Deff and SSDE increased as the TP increased. The PE was determined by comparing the Deff and SSDE of each TP with non-truncated (TP 0%) image. Table 1 shows the values of PE of truncated images of different TP (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) for both Deff and SSDE in phantom sizes of 22 and 32 cm. However, it can be observed that PE values for SSDE of 5% and 10% truncation were similar for both phantom sizes. This is because the correction factors for 5% and 10% were similar and had resulted in similar calculated SSDE. The highest recorded PE was observed in 20% truncation that determined the largest difference in Deff and SSDE with non-truncated image.
This study demonstrates that there is a linear relationship between truncation percentage with measured Deff and SSDE computation. It can be concluded that the percentage error in Deff measurement and calculated SSDE will increase as TP increased. Therefore, the effects of truncation artefacts should be carefully considered in SSDE calculation for accurate estimation especially in development of automated calculation.
The Overview of Job Stress and Patient Safety Culture among Nurses in the East Coast Teaching Hospital, Malaysia
Authors: Paneerselvam Aletha , Abdul Samad Nurul Izzah , Hussin Norliza , Hamzah Nurul Ainun 
Published: November 2022

Patient safety is attributed to the responsibility of each component that exists in the healthcare system in an organization. Accidents may happen based on as a result of lack of attention, mistaken perception, or improper cognition or attention such as distraction [1]. Nurses are considered to carry high job stress, and low sleep quality problems due to uneven working shifts compared to other occupations [2]. Nurses are often associated with overwhelming workloads and busy schedules, and this situation could compromise their work performance and patient safety [3].

This study aims to determine the prevalence of job stress and the patient safety culture among the nurses in the East Coast Teaching Hospital, Malaysia. There were 188 nurses who were randomly selected and agreed to participate in this study. The assessment was conducted using validated questionnaires, comprised of Expanded Nursing Stress Scales and Safety Attitude Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson’s correlation test.

The study showed that 61.5% of the respondents suffered mild job stress, while 1.4% experienced severe job stress (Table 1). More than half of the respondents (74.1%) gave negative responses towards patient safety culture at their workplace showing their low awareness on patient safety culture (Table 2). Stress recognition factor (80.4%) was reported as the main factor for the negative response on patient safety culture among respondents. There was a significant inverse linear relationship between job stress and patient safety culture (r=-0.338, p<0.001).
The result revealed that the majority of the nurses enrolled in this study experienced unsatisfactory patient safety culture levels. Most of the respondents expressed appreciation for their job, however, several other domains received less positive responses. The overall patient safety culture can be improved by providing measures to correspond with the stress factors experience by the nurses.
The Determination of Diagnostic Reference Range (DRR) Based on Clinical Indications in Head Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Authors: Hassan Nur Hazalina , Osman Noor Diyana , Mohd Daud Norfataha , Mockter Tasnim 
Published: November 2022

Diagnostic reference range (DRR) were introduced to help manage image quality as well as patient dose by providing minimum estimated dose that covers 25–75% range of dose distribution. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (2017) recommended 75th percentile as upper boundary and 25th percentile as lower boundary of DRR [1]. Dose below the lower range should compromised accurate interpretation of the image and dose above the upper range may be in excess and need to be reviewed. Meanwhile, Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) also recommended by ICRP as a guidance to identify any uncommon high dose delivered by computed tomography (CT) scanner. DRLs are established at 75th percentile of dose distribution and should be implemented at international, regional, or local level for dose management.

This study aims to establish a local DRR based on five most common clinical indications for adult head CT scanning at Department of Radiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan. This study involved a retrospective survey on adult patient data undergone head CT scan with two CT scanners, Toshiba CT scanner at Trauma Department and Siemens CT scanner at Radiology Department, HUSM. The related data regarding the scanning protocols and dose descriptor (dose length product, DLP) were recorded for the most common clinical indication in head CT scans.

Results showed the five most common clinical indication related to head CT scans were abscess, bleeding, stroke, trauma, and tumour. The DLP values were varied based on their clinical indications and CT scanner types. Figure 1 shows boxplots representing the DRRs of dose length product (DLP) based on the five most common clinical indications in head CT scans for Toshiba and Siemens CT scanners. From the figure, the DLP ranges for Toshiba CT scanner were slightly higher than Siemens CT scanners. The lowest DLP value was observed for tumour indication and the highest DLP was bleeding and trauma indications. Clinical indication that requires higher image resolution and details and longer scan length, recorded higher DLP distribution.
This study demonstrates that the dose descriptor values, CTDIvol and DLP were varied for similar anatomical region based on different image quality requirement for each clinical indication. Therefore, DRR and DRL should be established based on specific clinical indication and routine dose audit is essential to ensure patients safety.
Minocycline reduced Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation rat model
Authors: Abdo Qaid Entesar Yaseen , Abdullah Zuraidah , Zakaria Rahimah , Long Idris 
Published: November 2022

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce neuroinflammation in rats and the expression of brain cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the marker for the neuroinflammation process [1]. The effect of minocycline on neuroinflammation-induced LPS is not clearly elucidated.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of minocycline (MIN) on LPS-induced COX-2 expression and compared it with a clinically approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease named memantine. A total of fifty male Sprague Dawly rats were divided into five groups (n=10): (i) control, (ii) LPS, (iii) LPS-treated with minocycline 25 mg/kg, (iv) LPS-treated with minocycline 50 mg/kg, and (v) LPS-treated with memantine 10 mg/kg. Minocycline and memantine treatments were administered intraperitoneally once daily for 2 weeks and LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected once on day 5. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot for COX-2 protein were performed to measure its expression and level in the hippocampus and cortex.
Results showed LPS significantly increased COX-2 expression and its level in the hippocampus and cortex compared to other groups (p<0.05). Minocycline treatment, dependent on dose, reduced COX-2 expression and its level (p<0.05) comparable to the memantine effect (Figure 1).
Genome based classification of Streptomyces sp. SUK 48 from fruit of Brasilia sp.
Authors: Sulaimi Muhammad Izzat Haiqal , Ahmad Siti Junaidah , Mohamad Zin Noraziah , Kusuma Ali Budhi 
Published: November 2022

Streptomyces is a filamentous bacteria genus belonging to the Streptomycetaceae family and there are a lot of different species Streptomyces of that have been discovered. Streptomyces sp. SUK 48 is an endophytic bacteria which found in a fruit of Brasilia sp. that located at UKM reserved forest known as Bangi Reserved Forest [1]. This study was conducted to determine the classification of Streptomyces sp. SUK 48 isolated from fruit of Brasilia sp. tree, in genome perspectives [2]. In specific, the objectives of this study were to construct phylogenetic tree for Streptomyces SUK 48, compare genome Streptomyces SUK 48 with other related Streptomyces species genome using bioinformatic tools that can do phylogenomic research and determine Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) score of Streptomyces sp. SUK 48 as compared to others Streptomyces spp. Based on phylogenetic analysis, Streptomyces SUK 48 have high similarities with Streptomyces malaysiense MUSC 136 with 99.65% pairwise similarity which obtained from BLASTN analysis. While, phylogenomic analysis showed Streptomyces SUK 48 has high similarity with Streptomyces murinus that observed in phylogenomic tree GToTree (Figure 1). Based on the ANI score, it shows that Streptomyces SUK 48 have similarities of 94.14% with Streptomyces murinus from the phylogenomics analysis (Table 1).
In conclusion, Streptomyces SUK 48 is a potential novel isolated species.
Assessment on Vitamin D Dietary Intake, Knowledge, and Practice among Pregnant Mothers in Malaysia
Authors: Kamarudin Aisyah Munirah , Che Taha Che Suhaili 
Published: November 2022

Despite the year-round availability of plenty of sunlight, vitamin D insufficiency (VDD) was common in Malaysia, especially among pregnant mothers. In addition to the scarcity of food sources of vitamin D and high levels of sun avoidance habits especially among women, this might hinder vitamin D synthesis in the body [1]. Pregnancy complications such maternal osteomalacia, gestational hyperglycemia, and preeclampsia have all been strongly linked to VDD in pregnant women [2]. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate vitamin D consumption, knowledge (K) and practise (P) among Malaysian pregnant mothers.

A total of 200 participants (median age: 29.5 + 8.8 years old), consisting of pregnant mothers in between 12 to 40 weeks of gestational ages were recruited within this study. Information on socio-demographic was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Vitamin D intakes were estimated using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) [3], while knowledge and practice questionnaires were measured using adapted validated questionnaires [2,4].

Out of the 200 pregnant mothers consented to participate in this study, 128 specified they were in their second trimester and the remaining 72 were in their third trimester. Majority of participants were Malay (93%) followed by Chinese (4%), Indian (2%) and others (1%) and most of them obtained university/college education (80.5%) with moderate monthly income (RM 4,851 - RM 10,970) participated in this study.
The mean dietary intake of vitamin D among pregnant mothers was 10.41 + 4.52 µg/day. The reported major highest food group contributing to the daily mean intake of vitamin D among respondents were fish and fish products with a mean + SD of 3.61 + 5.09, followed by milk and milk products (3.32 + 4.56), eggs (1.33 + 0.80), others (0.98 + 1.64), beverages (0.51 + 0.91), cereal and cereal products (0.37 + 0.89), and meat and meat products (0.28 + 0.52).

Nearly half of the participants (56%) had good knowledge regarding vitamin D, hence coming to terms with the fact that pregnant mothers generally had a good knowledge level towards vitamin D with the average knowledge score of 75.2%. Despite having a good knowledge, this study found only 3.5% of the participants exhibited good practice towards vitamin D. It is noted that pregnant mothers generally had a moderate practice level towards vitamin D with the average score of 56.4%.

This present study found that majority of Malaysian pregnant women has not achieved their vitamin D requirement during pregnancy, precisely, 161 out of 200 representing 80.5% respondents did not fulfil the RNI 2017 recommendation. Although with good level of knowledge, Malaysian pregnant mothers exhibited a moderate practice level. Considering the importance of vitamin D function during pregnancy, details investigation on vitamin D level among pregnant women should be investigated to raise the awareness of the importance of vitamin D, especially to the pregnant mothers.
Association Of Lifestyle Habits and Visceral Fat Accumulation Among UniSZA Staff
Authors: Ab Hadi Nor Hannah Aqila , Harith Sakinah 
Published: November 2022

An increase in visceral fat, knows as fat that surrounds the abdominal organs deep within the body causes obesity, particularly abdominal obesity [1]. National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 has reported 1 in 2 adults in Malaysia had abdominal obesity [2]. The increased incidence of abdominal obesity raises the risk of cardiovascular disease [2]. Visceral fat accumulation has been linked to unhealthy lifestyle and is frequently accompanied with metabolic imbalance and fluid retention because on insulin resistance, which can lead to metabolic syndrome [4]. Visceral fat accumulation is influenced by socio-demographic factors and lifestyle habits. However, only a few studies have looked at the relationship between lifestyle choices and visceral fat accumulation.
This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between lifestyle habits and accumulation of visceral fat among staff in Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. A total of 107 staff who work at department or faculty in UniSZA aged 18 to 59 years old were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Information on socio- demographic, anthropometric, mealtime pattern, physical activity, sedentary behavior and working hour were obtained. NHMS 2014 questionnaires was used to measure lifestyle habits of the participants.
The respondents (mean age: 37.7 ± 8.1 years) were predominantly male (50.5%), Malay (100%), married (77.6%), highest education in bachelor’s degree (35.5%), and a monthly salary of RM 1000 and above. The study revealed half (54.2%) of the respondent from the overweight and obese category of BMI. The percentage of overweight is
36.4 while obese is 20.6. However, half of them had a normal visceral fat range, 54.2%. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio at risk is highest among female (62.3%) and male (55.6%), respectively.
The study shows high prevalence of overweight/ obese and abdominal obesity indicate the respondent has high risk of chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Thus, it is suggested that future intervention programs should focus on preventing overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity to prevent from problems related to chronic diseases.
Wound Healing in Rats Intraperitoneally Treated with Sea Cucumber Stichopus vastus (Glycosaminoglycans)
Authors: Nur-Farihin Mohamad Helmi , Mat Zin Anani Aila , Abdul  Aziz Ahmad Aizat , Md hashim Mohd Nizam , Che Ghazali Farid , Mohamad Ikhwan Sani 
Published: November 2022

Marine creature such as sea cucumbers are rich in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). It is famous and has long been utilised as traditional remedies and commonly used in wound healing therapy. This study is designed to explore the effect of GAGs in sea cucumber especially GAGs from integument wall of Stichopus vastus for wound healing study by intra-peritoneally injected to rats daily.

Complete randomised design was used in this study where a total of twenty male Sprague-dawley rats were divided to 4 groups; 3 treatment groups of GAGs (2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg) and one control group of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) with sample size of n=6 rats per group. Rats weight from 250 to 400 grams were treated with GAGs daily for 12 days. An excisional wound was created using biopsy punch with diameter of 6 mm. Treatment with GAGs of S. vastus by intra-peritoneally injected daily and the excisional part was left opened without topically applied with antiseptic to prevent bias for 12th days’ period of wound evaluation.

Result of this study was obtained by measuring the wound diameter (mm) using ruler or measuring caliper (Figure 1) and recorded on day 1, day 6 and day 12 followed by calculation of wound contraction percentage. The wound contraction percentage evaluation from this study found out that GAGs compound from S. vastus shows no significant difference between all treatment groups and control groups for day 1, day 6 and day 12. However, on day 6 of treatment, 2 mg/kg treatment group shows higher wound contraction percentage compared to other groups. The study found that 2 mg/kg of GAGs extraction can speed up the wound contraction in which can enhance and promote wound closure.
The wound contraction is one of the reliable parameters and commonly used to evaluate wound healing process in which the contraction of wound later leads to wound closure; healed [1]. Wound contraction can be defined as a process of shrinkage of open wound in which normal skin moves centrally to the wound site and at the end give small scar [2]. From previous study, the GAGs from fish showed an accelerating wound healing as the GAGs had been discovered to have good potential in antimicrobial activity. The abilities to fight against microbial mainly S. aureaus extend the anti-inflammatory phase in an instance speed up the wound contraction in early wound healing process [3]. Besides, Pereira et al. (2019) [4] found that, Calendula officinalis (marigold); containing anti-inflammatory effect [5], was topical applied on rats’ skin enhancing wound healing in acute wound as it increased the speed of epithelialisation, wound contraction, collagen formation and new vessel formation. Thus, it can be hypothesised that GAGs from S. vastus extract give strong anti-inflammatory effect on wound healing and has potential in enhancing wound healing by speeding up wound healing.
Development of Myocardial Infarction in Rat Model of Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Ali Shafreena Shaukat , Mohd Asri Nur Ain , Noordin Liza , Murtey Mogana Das , Noor Azmi Norfarizan  Hanoon , Omar Maizatul Hasyima , Wan Ahmad Wan Amir Nizam 
Published: November 2022

The evidence of hypercholesterolaemia (HC) being a significant contributor to the progression of ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), particularly myocardial infarction (MI) is steadily increasing globally [1]. However, data on the establishment of MI-associated diet-induced HC rat model are lacking.

Hence, this study aimed to establish an MI-associated diet-induced HC rat model, allowing a better understanding of the pathological changes of this rat model. A total of 6 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200-250 were randomly allotted into 2 groups; Control and HC-MI. Control rats were fed with standard pellet, while HC rats were fed with a self-made high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 10 weeks. The recipe for the HCD was adopted from a previous study [2] with slight modification. At the end of 10th week, MI was induced with the administration of isoprenaline (85 mg/kg, s.c) for 2 consecutive days [3].

In this study, 10 weeks of HCD significantly increased body mass index (BMI), triglyceride, and total cholesterol but not fasting blood glucose level in the HC group compared to the control group, suggestive of obese and HC state (Figure 1). MI was also evident by prominent observation of myocardial necrosis accompanied by infiltration of inflammatory cells in cardiac histology, although cardiac troponin T was not significantly elevated (Figure 2). Although liver function test showed significant elevation of AST but not ALT, but liver histological observation showed the presence of mixed steatosis and ballooning degeneration, suggestive of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development (Figure 3). Nonetheless, kidney function test revealed a significant creatinine elevation but not urea level (Figure 4).

Collectively, these findings suggest that supplementation of HCD for 10 weeks together with administration of isoprenaline successfully developed a rat model of HC with MI as shown across elevated systemic cholesterol level, BMI, and myocardial necrosis. This study provides useful data on the establishment of the model which could be used in the future.
Knowledge and Practice Regarding Contact Lens Wear and Care Among Undergraduate Students in Universiti Sains Malaysia
Authors: Asnil Khairi Nurul Akmal , Mohd Zain Norhasmah 
Published: November 2022

Contact lenses are thin optical correction lenses worn on the eye and rest on the cornea’s surface. The number of individuals who wear contact lenses is growing every day, but many people are unaware of the benefits and drawbacks of wearing them. Contact lens wear and care that is not adhered to can lead to severe ocular complications and permanent vision loss [1]. Overall rates of non-compliance with good contact lens wear have been cited in the literature as ranging from 40-91% in the past [2]. Knowledge and practice regarding contact lens wear and care is very important to control its progression and its complication effectively.

The objective of this cross-sectional study is to determine the knowledge and practice regarding contact lens wear and care and factor associated with the practice among undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia who have experienced wear contact lens. The questionnaire adopted from Abd Aziz et al [3] was distributed using the online method of Google form between January to May 2022. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the knowledge and practice. General linear regression modelling was used to analyze factors associated with practice.

A total of 170 undergraduate students from various faculties on 3 campuses of USM aged 20-27 years old were involved in this study. Regularity of contact lens use showed most respondents used contact lens as occasionally (38.8%) and for 4-6 days per weeks (25.3%). Half of respondent mentioned their purpose of contact lens use as a refractive error (51.2%) and there is similar percentage in term of duration of contact lens use for less than 1 year and 5 years (30% and 30.6% respectively). Mean score of knowledge was 21.71 ± 2.46 with 51.8% of the respondents in this study have poor knowledge of contact lens wear and care. Mean score of practice was 22.49 ± 2.76 with majority of the respondent (74.1%) have poor practice regarding contact lens wear and care. In the final model of general linear regression, factors associated with the practice of contact lens wear and care were gender, course of study, purpose of using contact lens, duration of contact lens use and knowledge of contact lens wear and care (p < 0.05).This study indicate there is a need for health education and awareness program to contact lens wearers especially among young people regarding contact lens usage, care, and its related complications