Malaysian Malay Research Articles

Predicting the Impact of PHEX, FGF23 and DMP1 Gene Variants Found in Malaysian Malay Patients with Hypophosphataemic Rickets Through In Silico Analysis of Protein Function and mRNA Secondary Structure

Hypophosphataemic Rickets (HR) is a rare bone disorder characterised by chronic hypophosphataemia caused by defective phosphate reabsorption in the renal tubules. Variants in phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1) genes contribute to X-linked dominant, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of HR, respectively. In this study, four Malaysian patients’ DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing to identify the types and locations of the variants. Then, in silico study was conducted based on the variants found to predict the effects of amino acid substitution on protein functions using SIFT and PolyPhen-2 software and RNAfold was used to construct the mRNA secondary structure. Mutational analyses had revealed two variants in PHEX; c.10G>C (E4Q), c.1970A>G (Y657C), one mutation in FGF23; c.716C>T (T239M) and three variants on DMP1; c.309A>T (S69C), c.1322C>T (S406S), c.1334G>A (E410E). The variants in these Malay patients were previously reported in different ethnic HR patients. Protein prediction programs suggested that the PHEX Y657C and DMP1 S69C variants may affect protein function. All variants were predicted to alter the secondary mRNA structure. These findings suggest that these missense and silent variants may lead to changes in protein function and mRNA secondary structure that are associated with the manifestation of HR phenotype.

No evidence of other‐race effect for Chinese faces in Malaysian non‐Chinese population

SummaryThe other‐race effect (ORE) reflects poor recognition of faces of a different race to one's own. According to the expertise‐individuation hypothesis, this phenomenon is a consequence of limited experience with other‐race faces. Thus, similar experience with own and other‐race faces should abolish the ORE. This study explores the ORE in a multi‐racial country (i.e., Malaysia) by comparing Malaysian observers' face recognition for faces of a predominant racial group in Malaysia (i.e., Chinese) with faces from an uncommon group (i.e., Caucasian). Malaysian Chinese, Malays, and Malaysian Indians completed the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT) and the CFMT‐Chinese. Compared with the normative scores, Malaysian observers showed poor performance in the CFMT‐Caucasian. Interestingly, Malays and Malaysian Indians observers' performance was identical to that of Malaysian Chinese in the CFMT‐Chinese and to the normative scores of the test. These results demonstrate the relevance of experience in shaping the ORE.

Ethnicity at workplace: Value and culture of Malaysian Malay tradition in organization

Ethnicity at workplace: Value and culture of Malaysian Malay tradition in organization

Maternal diet and its association with human milk energy and macronutrient composition among exclusively breastfeeding Malaysian Malay mothers

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the relationship of maternal dietary intake with human milk nutritional composition, among Malay mothers during the postpartum period of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: Human milk samples (20- 30ml) were collected from mothers (n=32) at least once monthly for six months postpartum. Macronutrients and fatty acids contents were determined using proximate analysis and gas chromatography methods, respectively. Maternal dietary intakes were recorded using the multiple-pass diet recall method prior to each milk sampling and were analysed using the Nutritionist ProTM software. Associations between the milk composition and maternal diet were tested using Spearman correlation. Results: The energy content ranged between 49.6-59.2 kcal/100ml, protein 1.3-1.4 g/100ml, carbohydrate 6.5-9.7 g/100ml and total fat 6.5-9.7 g/100ml. The polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids concentrations were 10.5-19.1 %, 40.6-43.5 %, and 38.0-49.7 %, respectively. During confinement (first month postpartum), total energy and total fat content of human milk were the highest whereas total carbohydrate was the lowest, compared to the rest of the exclusive breastfeeding period. In contrast, intakes of total calorie and total fat were the lowest, whereas protein was the highest during this period. However, no associations were detected between human milk nutritional contents and maternal dietary intake. Conclusion: In our study population, the composition of maternal diet and nutritional content of human milk differed between confinement and post-confinement periods. However, the association between maternal diet and human milk composition itself warrants further investigation.

An annotated news corpus of Malaysian Malay

An annotated news corpus of Malaysian Malay

Influence of dopaminergic system gene polymorphisms on mixed amphetamine-type stimulants and opioid dependence in Malaysian Malays

BackgroundThe dopaminergic pathways have previously been reported to be involved in drug dependence. The candidate gene involved in the dopaminergic function has been associated with substance abuse.ObjectiveThe objective of the study is to investigate the possible association between dopaminergic system gene polymorphisms with mixed amphetamine-type stimulants and opioid dependence in Malaysian Malays. The study has never been done anywhere else, due to its unique population of study subjects.Subjects and methodsIn this study, genetic polymorphisms of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) dopamine transporter (SLC6A3), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH), and norepinephrine transporter (SLC6A2) in Malay males (n = 70) having mixed amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) and opioid dependence were compared with those in control subjects (n = 87). DNA was extracted from leucocytes followed by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) determination using PCR-RFLP. The association of the gene with drug dependency was analyzed using chi-squared tests.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the genotype (χ2 = 10.048, p < 0.01) and allele frequency (χ2 = 14.039, p = 0.000) of the DRD2 rs1800497 gene in the drug dependence group as compared to the control. There was also a significant difference in DβH rs1611115 at the allelic (χ2 = 4.483, p = 0.034) but not at genotypic levels (χ2 = 7.572, p = 0.23) in both control and drug dependence groups. There was an association for SLC6A3 rs27072 with drug dependence at the genotypic level (χ2 = 7.006, p = 0.030) although no significant difference exist at the allelic level (χ2 = 2.091, p = 0.148). No significant difference was observed in SLC6A2 rs3785157 genes polymorphism at both genotype and allelic level in control and drug dependence group respectively (χ2 = 0.94, p = 0.954) (χ2 = 0.29, p = 0.865) indicating that these polymorphisms do not affect drug dependence.ConclusionOur study suggests that DRD2 rs1800497, DβH rs1611115, and SLC6A3 rs27072 but not SLC6A2 rs3785157 are associated with drug-dependent behavior among Malaysian Malays.

Age of acquisition of 299 words in seven languages: American English, Czech, Gaelic, Lebanese Arabic, Malay, Persian and Western Armenian.

We present a new set of subjective Age of Acquisition (AoA) ratings for 299 words (158 nouns, 141 verbs) in seven languages from various language families and cultural settings: American English, Czech, Scottish Gaelic, Lebanese Arabic, Malaysian Malay, Persian, and Western Armenian. The ratings were collected from a total of 173 participants and were highly reliable in each language. We applied the same method of data collection as used in a previous study on 25 languages which allowed us to create a database of fully comparable AoA ratings of 299 words in 32 languages. We found that in the seven languages not included in the previous study, the words are estimated to be acquired at roughly the same age as in the previously reported languages, i.e. mostly between the ages of 1 and 7 years. We also found that the order of word acquisition is moderately to highly correlated across all 32 languages, which extends our previous conclusion that early words are acquired in similar order across a wide range of languages and cultures.

Digital Approach for Lip Prints Analysis in Malaysian Malay Population (Klang Valley): Photograph on Lipstick-Cellophane Tape Technique

Personal identification in forensic investigation is not an easy process. Lip print analysis is one of the techniques that can be used to assist in human identification. This study was conducted to investigate the sex based on lip print pattern among Malaysian Malay population in Klang Valley, using photograph on lipstick-cellophane tape technique and the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. A total of 360 subjects (180 males and 180 females) aged 15 and above were included in this study. The lip print was taken by pressing a cellophane tape to the lipstick applied on lip, pasted it onto a plain A4 paper and then photographed using a smart phone camera (OPPO F1). The images were then analysed using Adobe Photoshop software. A lip print image were divided into six sections: upper left, upper middle, upper right, lower right, lower middle and lower left. The Pearson chi-square test showed that there are significant differences between sexes in each section except for the upper middle section. Type V (irregular pattern) was the dominant pattern for the upper left, upper right, lower right and lower left sections (ranging from 71.1% to 86.7% for males and 80.6% to 83.9% for females) while type IV (reticular pattern) was mostly found in upper middle and lower middle section. Malaysian female displayed type V as the dominant lip print pattern in every section (ranging from 39.4% to 83.9%) except upper middle section and for Malaysian male, type V dominated the lip print pattern in all section (ranging from 71.1% to 86.7%) except for the upper and lower middle section. The result of this study can be applied in assisting the human identification for forensic science investigation.

Religiosity of Malays Living in Malaysian Rural Areas: An Analytical Survey

Religion affects an individual’s perception and the way in which people behave. The Malays in Malaysia observe religious rites and rituals and portray Islamic values in their behavior. Based upon a sample survey, this study examines respondents’ belief in the deity, the frequency and intensity of their involvement in religious rites and rituals, and their devotion to religious ceremonies. It is hypothesized that a person with a higher level of religiosity is more likely to align his/her behavior in compliance with religious belief and practices. This study finds that the Malays are polite in their behavior to their parents, try to help others, refrain from taking interests on loans to friends, and the like. Islam seems to influence all aspects of the behavior of the Malays in Malaysia. Most of them would abide by most of the dictates of their religion in their dealings with others. Religiosity is not significantly related to age, education, gender, and marital status. However, the rural population consistently scores high on all measures of religiosity.

Formulation of a Novel Classification Indices for Classification of Human Hearing Abilities According to Cortical Auditory Event Potential signals

The classification of brain response signals as per human hearing ability is a complex undertaking. This study presents a novel formulated index for accurately predicting and classifying human hearing abilities based on the auditory brain responses. Moreover, we presented five classification algorithms to classify hearing abilities [normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)] based on different auditory stimuli. The brain response signals used were the electroencephalography (EEG) evoked by two auditory stimuli (tones and consonant vowels stimulus). The study was carried out on Malaysian (Malay) citizens with and without normal hearing abilities. A new ranking process for the subjects’ EEG data and as well as ranking the nonlinear features will be used to obtain the maximum classification accuracy. The study formulated classification indices (CVHI, PTHIH these classification indices classify human hearing abilities based on the brain auditory responses using features in its numerical values. The K-nearest neighbor and support vector machine classifiers were quite accurate in classifying auditory brain responses for brain hearing abilities. The proposed indices are valuable tools for classifying brain responses, especially in the context of human hearing abilities.

Factors Affecting Willingness To Accept Foreign Halal Foods By Urban Malaysian Malays

The significant shifts in urbanites’ lifestyles have been the catalyst behind the increased in the consumption of foreign foods and beverages in Malaysia; particularly those made in western nations. Notably, Malaysia’s total import for food had risen significantly from RM26.7 billion in 2009 to RM42.6 billion and RM 45.4 billion, in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These days, urban Malaysian Malays are being inundated with various foreign Halal food products in local markets however, these can also leave them in a rather risky circumstance as the likelihood that some of these foreign food products are not suitable (i.e. Haram) for their consumptions, is relatively high. Halal food issues (namely those foods originated from non-Muslim countries) have created lots of anxieties within the Malaysian Malays’ society. Hence, this study aims to examine factors affecting willingness to accept foreign Halal foods by urban Malaysian Malays. Convenience sampling technique was used to obtain responses from 450 urban Malaysian Malays in designated areas within the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley region. The results demonstrated urban Malaysian Malays willingness to accept foreign Halal foods were significantly affected by trust but displayed no relationships with subjective knowledge and attitude. Also, the insignificant attitude- willingness relationship signified the presence of the attitude-behavior gap. The study’s outcomes may perhaps offer new understandings on urban Malaysian Malay markets particularly for global brand owners and marketers.

Determining of JK*A and JK*B Allele Frequency Distribution among Muslim Blood Donors from Southern Thailand

BackgroundThe Kidd (JK) blood group system is of clinical importance in transfusion medicine. JK*A and JK*B allele detections are useful in genetic anthropological studies. This study aimed to determine the frequencies of JK*A and JK*B alleles among Muslim blood donors from Southern Thailand and to compare how they differ from those of other populations that have been recently studied.MethodsA cross-sectional study was used. Totally, 427 samples of dissimilar Thai-Muslim healthy blood donors living in three southern border provinces were selected via simple random sampling (aged 17–65 years old) and donors found to be positive for infectious markers were excluded. All samples were analysed for JK*A and JK*B alleles using PCR-SSP. The Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the JK frequencies among southern Thai-Muslim with those among other populations previously reported.ResultsA total of 427 donors—315 males and 112 females, with a median age of 29 years (interquartile range: 18 years)—were analysed. A JK*A/JK*B genotype was the most common, and the JK*A and JK*B allele frequencies among the southern Thai-Muslims were 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Their frequencies significantly differed from those of the central Thai, Korean, Japanese, Brazilian–Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Africans and American Natives populations (P < 0.05). Predicted JK phenotypes were compared with different groups of Malaysians. The Jk(a+b+) phenotype frequency among southern Thai-Muslims was significantly higher than that of Malaysian Malays and Indians (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe JK*A and JK*B allele frequencies in a southern Thai-Muslim population were determined, which can be applied not only to solve problems in transfusion medicine but also to provide tools for genetic anthropology and population studies.

Dimensional structure, psychometric properties, and sex invariance of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales (MBSRQ–AS) in Malaysian Malay adults

The 34-item Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales (MBSRQ–AS) is a widely-used measure of multidimensional body image. Here, we examined the psychometric properties of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the MBSRQ–AS. A sample of 629 Malaysian Malays (women n = 315) completed the MBSRQ–AS, as well as measures of body appreciation, psychological well-being, perceptions of appearance ideals, and internalisation of appearance ideals. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the MBSRQ–AS items reduced to four dimensions, although one factor had less-than-adequate internal consistency. Omitting this factor resulted in a 23-item 3-factor solution, which we tested for fit using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) alongside the parent 5-factor model. CFA indicated that both models had good fit on some indices, but less-than-ideal fit on other indices, with the 3-factor model showing comparatively better fit. Multi-group CFA indicated that it was not possible to achieve scalar invariance across sex, but internal consistency coefficients were adequate. Evidence of construct validity, as assessed through correlations between MBSRQ–AS scores and additional measures, was mixed. We discuss reasons that complicate interpretation of the dimensionality of MBSRQ–AS scores in this and previous studies, and call for further research on this issue.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2)

The 10-item Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely-used measure of a facet of positive body image. Here, we examined the psychometric properties of a Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) translation of the BAS-2 in a community sample of Malaysian Malay and Chinese adults (N = 781). Participants completed the Malay BAS-2 alongside demographic items and measures of subjective happiness, life satisfaction, actual-ideal weight discrepancy (women only), drive for muscularity (men only), and internalisation of appearance ideals. Exploratory factor analyses with a Malay subsample indicated that BAS-2 scores reduced to a single dimension with all 10 items in women and men, although the factor structure was similar but not identical across sex. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the one-dimensional factor structure had adequate fit following modifications. BAS-2 scores were partially scalar invariant across sex (with no significant sex differences) and ethnicity (Malay participants had significantly higher body appreciation than Chinese participants), as well as had adequate internal consistency. Evidence of construct and incremental validity was also provided through associations with additional measures and the prediction of subjective happiness over-and-above other variables, respectively. The availability of the Malay BAS-2 should help advance research on the body appreciation construct in Malay-speaking populations.

Constituting (fe)male in Malay television

ABSTRACTThis article examines the articulations of Malaysian Malay female identities as performed on Senario, Malaysia’s longest produced sitcom. My close textual reading centres on the episode ‘Dalam Hati Ada Taman’ (In the heart is a garden) to identify three dimensions of female and gender constructions in Malay television; alternative constructions to traditional Malay female identities, negative portrayals of these non-traditional Malay females, and the incompatibility of non-Malay influences to traditional Malay female roles. The discussion demonstrates that all three function to reaffirm the resilience and rigidity of socially conceptualised notions of each mode of gender that are underpinned by more traditional understandings which are largely patriarchal. More broadly, the analysis foregrounds the slippage between dominant Malay social realities and screen media as well as the linkages between communal understandings of gender modes, and popularly interpreted notions of ‘tradition’ and/or ‘culture’. By identifying the televisual performances of female identities in ‘Dalam Hati Ada Taman’, it is hoped that this paper is a meaningful step towards addressing the present lacuna of critical scholarship on Malay television gender and female representations.

Ethnic boundaries and everyday understanding: The case of Malay and Chinese parental choice of National and National Type School in Peninsular Malaysia

Since the pre-independence era, the Malaysian schooling system has remained ethnicized by two cultural boundaries: language and religion. To explain this situation, this article focuses on how these ethnic boundaries work within Malay and Chinese parents’ decisions for National and National Type of Schools, respectively. Thirty Malaysian Malays and 25 Chinese students born between the 1970s and the 1990s were interviewed in this research. The data showed that the majority of them had been enrolled in a primary and secondary school which could be associated with their ethnic identity. Analysis of the findings also suggested that despite the importance of future career planning, regionality and family socioeconomic background in the choice of schooling, it was the language and religious factors which had determined their parents’ final decision. It also suggested that a schooling pattern based on the factors of language and religion has been sustainably maintained for three decades. The parental decision was not a simple action as it is also related to the ‘everyday’ understanding of what kind of school is appropriate to a particular ethnic group. The results of this study offer a theoretical explanation of ethnicity in everyday life from the constructivist perspective. This study also highlights how ethnic boundaries are the end-product of a social process rather than a taken-for-granted, natural and primordial fact of life ascribed through birth. Keywords : boundaries, cultural boundaries, ethnicity, primary school, schooling decision, secondary school

Manga influences and local narratives: ambiguous identification in comics production

This paper examines the production of cultural commodities created in the era of transnationalisation. It focuses on discussing the aspects of manga (Japanese comics) influences and local narratives that are reflected in comics production based on empirical data generated from a qualitative study. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten Malaysian Malay artists, who were fans of Japanese popular culture, regarding their comics production and latest works. Through thematic analysis of the transcribed data, comics production was found to be a challenging endeavour in the presence of nations, locals, and ‘others’. There was discrepancy in the constructing of meaning represented in drawings and stories. Such meaning-making processes in the artists' comics production apparently involve the identification of the self and ‘others’. Furthermore, their negotiation with the view of ‘others’ contributes to unbinding their fixed sense of nationality in their products. This study implies that local production of cultural commodities such as comics could serve as a platform for analysis in order to expand and deepen insights into the root causes of contesting identification occurring among people who are assumed to be in the same cultural frame.

‘Stranger in the Dark’: A Comparative Analysis of the Reporting of Rape Cases Against Minors in Malay and English Newspapers in Brunei and Malaysia

Journalists of Malay and English newspapers from Brunei and Malaysia are found to adopt different stances in terms of their inclusion of detail and their level of involvement or detachment in crime and accident reports. This study combines an analysis of online news reports of rape cases with interview data from journalists and editors of Malay and English newspapers in Brunei and Malaysia. Our original hypothesis is that Malay news reports would demonstrate a more restrained approach to crime and accident news compared to English news stories. Four parallel pairs of rape stories from four newspapers were analysed using Fairclough’s (1995) framework and van Leeuwen’s (2008) representation of social actors and social action approach. Critical case purposive sampling method was used to collect the news stories. The findings reveal clear differences in how rape cases are reported by the Malay newspapers vis-a-vis their English counterparts, with reports in the Malaysian Malay paper, for example, being longer and containing more details of the crimes while the opposite is found in the Bruneian Malay paper. Our findings suggest that differences in the reporting of rape cases are not just due to linguistic differences but are culturally, ideologically and politically situated.

The effect of weight loss intervention programme on health-related quality of life among low income overweight and obese housewives in the MyBFF@home study

BackgroundObesity is an emerging global public health concern as it is related to chronic diseases and its impact to health related quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of weight reduction on health related quality of life (HRQOL) among obese and overweight housewives.MethodsData on 123 obese and overweight housewives in the intervention group from the MyBFF@home study were utilised. A validated Malaysian Malay version of Obesity Weight Loss Quality of Life (OWLQOL) questionnaire was administered at baseline and 6 months after intervention. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, paired t-test and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS Version 22.ResultsMean body mass index (BMI) was 31.5 kg/m2 (SD:4.13), with 51 participants classified as overweight (41.5%) while 72 were obese (58.5%). About 72% of the housewives experienced weight reduction (62% reduced weight less than 5% and 11% reduced weight more than 5% of their baseline weight). There was a significant improvement in HRQOL with a pre-intervention total mean score of 59.82 (SD: 26.60) and post-intervention of 66.13 (SD: 22.82), p-value < 0.001. By domain, the highest post intervention mean score was self-image 71.46 (SD: 22.85), followed by social stigma 68.77 (SD: 28.70), physical 61.83 (SD: 24.25) and trying to lose weight 61.24 (SD: 27.32). There was no significant association between weight reduction and HRQOL improvement.ConclusionWeight loss intervention programme utilizing behavioural modification has led to a significant improvement in HRQOL among overweight and obese housewives.

Anthropometric and Anthroposcopic Analysis of Periorbital Features in Malaysian Population: An Inter-racial Study.

In oculoplastic operations, knowledge of the dimensions of periorbital features based on age, gender, and race is essential for achieving better aesthetic result. This article seeks to determine the racial and gender differences of periorbital features among Malaysian Malay (MM), Malaysian Indian (MI), and Malaysian Chinese (MI) subjects. Evaluation of periorbital features was done on photographs of 200 MM, 200 MI, and 200 MC subjects, aged 18 to 26 years. The measured values were evaluated by an independent t-test. A significant difference was found between MM and MI in all measurements except interbrow distance in males, eyebrow thickness in females, and apex to lateral limbus distance in both sexes. Between MI and MC the difference was insignificant for interbrow distance in male groups, apex to lateral limbus distance in females, and palpebral fissure inclination and eyebrow apex angle in both sexes. Between MM and MC, significant differences were found for eyebrow thickness and medial canthus tilt in female group. Male groups showed significant difference for apex to lateral limbus and lateral canthus distance and eyebrow apex angle. Eyebrow height, palpebral fissure width, and intercanthal distance were significantly different in both sexes. Sexual dimorphism was found for all measurements in MI, but MM and MC showed insignificant difference for eyebrow apex angle. Four types of epicanthus were observed in MM and MC and three types in MI. Eyebrow apex between lateral limbus and lateral canthus was the most common position in all racial groups. Significant racial and gender differences exist for certain periorbital measurements. The knowledge of these differences is expected to influence the surgical outcome.