Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Research Articles

The Missing Uterus, the Missed Diagnosis, and the Missing Care. Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome in the Lives of Women in Malaysia.

To explore the effect of the diagnosis of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome on affected Malaysian women. Qualitative study with a quantitative component. Pediatric and adolescent gynecology unit at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia. Twelve women with MRKH. Face-to-face interview and short questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to understand participants' experiences. There were 7 themes identified: (1) delayed diagnoses; (2) doctors' roles and attitudes; (3) gender identity; (4) family and society's response; (5) reaction toward infertility; (6) managing sexual intimacy; and (7) coping mechanisms. Several participants consulted their physicians regarding their primary amenorrhea at an opportunistic setting. When they were referred to the gynecologists, they were dismayed at the lack of information given. The term, "MRKH" plays an important role to ease information-seeking. Participants felt that the doctors were insensitive toward them. Mental illness is a significant complication of MRKH. All participants acknowledged that infertility was the hardest part of the condition. The importance of blood lineage affects their outlook on childbearing options. Some were afraid of sexual intimacy and worried that they would not be able to satisfy their partners. Participants gained support and bonded with their counterparts in the MRKH support group. A multidisciplinary approach including medical, psychological, and social support is essential for the management of MRKH. Adequate information and sexual education plays the utmost importance in preventing social-related complications of MRKH.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation among health sciences students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Introduction: Increased demand and low blood supply have been a critical issue in many countries, including Malaysia. This issue occurs due to a lack of awareness towards the importance of blood donation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, which is comprised of 9 programmes: Biomedical Science, Optometry, Nutrition Science, Dietetics, Audiology, Speech Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Environmental Health. The respondents were recruited by a stratified random sampling technique with an informed consent. Questionnaire that consisted of four sections, namely: (A) sociodemographic characteristics, (B) knowledge on blood donation, (C) attitude towards blood donation and (D) practice of blood donation were distributed and a total of 274 responses were obtained for further evaluation. The significance values were set as P < 0.05. Results: Our research findings showed that the majority of students had a good level of knowledge (99.6%) and attitude (95.3%) about blood donation but most of them demonstrated a poor practice (59.1%). As for genders, female students had a better level of knowledge and attitude than males, but male students committed better practice towards blood donation than females. However, there were no significant differences between gender and programme of study as the respondents shared a similar background in health-related courses. Conclusion: A majority of the students had a good level of knowledge and attitude, but they are poor in practice. More campaigns need to be conducted to create awareness on the importance of blood donation.

Hanging: A Ten-Year Retrospective Review of Malaysian Forensic Cases

Introduction: Hanging is one of the most common methods of suicide in Malaysia, and to date, there is a rise in the number of deaths by hanging among adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of hanging in Malaysia from the year 2000 till 2009. Methods: The sample comprised 108 cases received at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, and five parameters, namely, age, sex, racial affiliation, marital status, and medical history were studied. Results: Of the 108 cases, 56% was reported to be Chinese. Suicide by hanging was more predominant in males (81%), and a high number of cases were seen in age groups of 21 to 30, 31 to 40 and 41 to 50 years. Of the cases studied, half of them were married, and previous history of physical and mental illness and alcohol intoxication were reported. Conclusions: In brief, this data would help the higher authorities in detecting the causes of suicide by hanging, as well as detecting the high risk groups with suicidal tendencies. In this way, suicide can be prevented and thus, the rate of suicide by hanging could be reduced in Malaysian.

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Incidence and Risk of Surgical Site Infection

Introduction: This prospective cross sectional study assessed surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) practice, the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and its associated risks in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Methods: Patients for elective colorectal, hepatobiliary, upper gastrointestinal, breast and endocrine surgery, who received SAP were included and followed up until day-30 postoperatively. Types of antibiotic, preoperative–dose timing, intraoperative re-dosing and its duration were recorded. The incidence of SSI was calculated and its associated risks expressed in odds ratio. Results: Out of 166 patients recruited, 121 (72.89%) patients received SAP preoperatively, and 91 (75.21%) of them were prescribed the appropriate antibiotic as per our institutional guideline. Three patients who continued to receive therapeutic antibiotic postoperatively were excluded from statistical analysis. Eleven (9.10%) patients received SAP beyond the preoperative–dose timing of 60 minutes (p=0.001), which was an independent risk factor for SSI (adjusted OR 4.527, 95% CI; 1.058-19.367, p=0.042). The risk of SSI also remained in patients who continued to receive SAP beyond 24 hours (OR 4.667, 95% CI; 1.527-14.259, p=0.007). The overall rate of SSI was 17.18%. Conclusion: We found that the choice of antibiotic prescribed for SAP was in accordance to institutional guideline and the relatively high SSI incidence was similar to a recent local report. Although the number of patients receiving preoperative dose-timing of > 60 minutes was low, it was nonetheless an independent risk factor for SSI. The postoperative continuation of SAP for more than 24 hours showed no benefit in reducing SSI.

Speech by the chairman of the committee

The honorable Rector of Universitas Bung Hatta, Prof. Tafdil Husni and the leadership. Honorable keynote speaker, Prof. M Tominaga from Saga University, Prof. Kamaruzzaman Sopian from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof. Tresna Dermawan from Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Iwan Vanany from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November Surabaya, Prof. Reni Desmiarti from Universitas Bung Hatta.The conference was initiated on 2011 and 2013 by the Faculty of Industrial Technology of Universitas Bung Hatta under the modest name of National Conference of Science and Technology (Resatek). The conference then expands and changes its name into the 3rd Engineering Science and Technology International Conference on 2016 and 2018. The conference adopted the present name and expanded its scope to international. The conference has facilitated the communication between scientists across applied in engineering technology science.The theme of this conference “Applied Technology for Sustainable Development” is consistent with the progressive development of applied engineering technology, which enables us to reveal and comprehend how technology works towards better life of the society around the world. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held online via Video Conference/online on 9 September 2020.List of International Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee are available in this pdf.

MSC virtual e-abstract (OCL-01)


 Stroke rehabilitation in Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II: A cross sectional study.
 Factors affecting arrival time of acute ischaemic stroke patients in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
 Outcomes of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention in patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack.
 Use smartphone application to save life in patients of acute ischemic stroke.
 Frailty and its association with characteristics and outcomes of older persons with acute stroke.
 Factors contributing to mortality and prolonged length of stay among older persons admitted with acute stroke.
 Assessment of effect of age on glasgow coma scale (gcs) and national institutes of health stroke scale (nihss) in stroke patients.

Auditory Performance in Early Implanted Children with Cochleovestibular Malformation and Cochlear Nerve Deficiency.

This study aimed to report the auditory performance in children with cochleovestibular malformation (CVM)/cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) who were implanted early at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, using Categorical Auditory Performance (CAP)-II score and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales, and to compare the outcome of their matched counterparts. A total of 14 children with CVM/CND with unilateral cochlear implant (CI) implanted before the age of 4 years old were matched and compared with 14 children with normal inner ear structures. Their improvement in auditory performance was evaluated twice using CAP-II score and SIR scales at 6-month intervals, with the baseline evaluation done at least 6 months after implantation. The average age of implantation was 31±8 and 33±7 months for the control group and the case (CVM/CND) group, respectively. Overall, there were no significant differences in outcome when comparing the entire cohort of case subjects and their matched control subjects in this study. However, the improvement in CAP-II scores and SIR scales among the case subjects in between the first and second evaluations was statistically significant (p=0.040 and p=0.034, respectively). With longer duration of CI usage, children with CVM/CND showed significant speech perception outcome evident by their SIR scales (p=0.011). Children with radiographically malformed inner ear structures who were implanted before the age of 4 years have comparable performance to their matched counterparts, evident by their similar improvement of CAP-II scores and SIR scales over time. Hence, this group of children benefited from cochlear implantation.

The development of inpatient cost and nursing service weights in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia

BackgroundThe current healthcare sector consists of diverse services to accommodate the high demands and expectations of the users. Nursing plays a major role in catering to these demands and expectations, but nursing costs and service weights are underestimated. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the nursing costs and service weights as well as identify the factors that influence these costs.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) using 85,042 hospital discharges from 2009 to 2012. A casemix costing method using the step-down approach was used to derive the nursing costs and service weights. The cost analysis was performed using the hospital data obtained from five departments of the UKMMC: Finance, Human Resource, Nursing Management, Maintenance and Medical Information. The costing data were trimmed using a low trim point and high trim point (L3H3) method.ResultsThe highest nursing cost and service weights for medical cases were from F-4-13-II (bipolar disorders including mania - moderate, RM6,129; 4.9871). The highest nursing cost and service weights for surgical cases were from G-1-11-III (ventricular shunt - major, RM9,694; 7.8880). In obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), the highest nursing cost and service weights were from O-6-10-III (caesarean section - major, RM2,515; 2.0467). Finally, the highest nursing cost and service weights for paediatric were from P-8-08-II (neonate birthweight > 2499 g with respiratory distress syndrome congenital pneumonia - moderate, RM1,300; 1.0582). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nursing hours were significantly related to the following factors: length of stay (β = 7.6, p < 0.05), adult (β = − 6.0, p < 0.05), severity level I (β = − 3.2, p < 0.05), severity level III (β = 7.3, p < 0.05), male gender (β = − 4.2, p < 0.05), and the elderly (β = − 0.5, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results showed that nursing cost and service weights were higher in surgical cases compared to other disciplines such as medical, O&G and paediatric. This is possible as there are significant differences in the nursing activities and work processes between wards and specialities.

PREVALENCE, ASSOCIATED FACTORS, AND HELP SEEKING BEHAVIOR RELATED TO PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA

Depression, anxiety, and stress are associated with decreased role functioning, productivity, and quality of life. International students are more prone to psychological distress as they face many stressors while studying abroad. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among international students, their help-seeking behavior and their awareness of the available on-campus mental support services. A cross-sectional study with a purposive sampling method was performed on 280 international students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) between the age of 18 and 35 years. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was used anonymously to assess the mental health of students. Soci-demographic, help-seeking behavior, and awareness data were obtained. Independent sample t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test, and Multiple Linear Regression were used to explore associated factors. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among international students was 58.9%, 71.8%, and 53.9% respectively. Age was significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Ethnicity showed a significant association with depression and stress. No other factors were found to be significantly associated with psychological distress. Only 9.6% of the international students had sought help from on-campus mental support services. Students who were aware of the presence of such services were only 21.4% of the participants. In conclusion, the recent study showed a high prevalence of psychological distress and low help-seeking behavior among international students in Malaysia. This provided data that could be used in intervention programs to improve the mental health of the increasing number of international students in Malaysia.

Examining Relationship Between Political Agenda on Social media and Political Support Among University Students

Social media have become the most readily available and important communication tools in the globalised world of today. As key sources of information, social media are responsible for delivering information and political news to the public making an impact on political support in Malaysia. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of social media in opening up space for political agenda and support among university students. A quantitative research approach using survey was used for data collection. A Questionnaire was used as an instrument to obtain data on the role of social media in political support among 200 respondents who were students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Klang Valley, Malaysia’s business hub. Using the Agenda Setting Theory, this study attempts to measure the relationship between political agenda on social media and political support. The findings show that political agenda on social media has a significant relationship with political support. Moreover, political agenda on social media plays a major role in political support. The results further show that social media provides information for understanding political issues in the country and at the same time empowers the people to share information about politics. This implies that social media provide a space for students to engage in political discussion leading to political support. Keywords : Political agenda, political support, social media, university students, youth.

Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Risk of Eating Disorders and Body Mass Index Among Students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Relationship Between Internet Addiction, Risk of Eating Disorders and Body Mass Index Among Students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

L-Band Amplitude Scintillations During Solar Maximum at a Low Latitude Station

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of the most important and useful technologies developed for information and communication technology. Propagated wireless signals along the GPS link are affected by the ionospheric irregularities, therefore the GPS signals may experience ionospheric scintillation. In this study, GPS L-band amplitude scintillations observed at a low latitude station. Data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Ionospheric Scintillation and Total Electron Content (TEC) monitor (GISTM) receiver installed at the Space Science Centre (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, UKM (2.92°N, 101.78°E) were used for this study. Of the 460 scintillation (by neglecting S4<0.15) events recorded during February 2014, 55% were weak (0.15≤S4<0.25), 32% were moderate (0.25≤S4 <0.35) and 13% were strong (S4 ≥0.35). For February 2014, the amplitude scintillations were most pronounced in the post-sunset time to pre-midnight time. Finally, these analysed data are used to study the variability of scintillation with solar activities.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 8, Number 3Ai-Ping Wu, Hunan Agricultural University, ChinaAlessandra M. Lima Naoe, Federal University of Tocantins, BrazilAnca-Luiza Stanila, Agrochemistry and Environment-ICPA, RomaniaAngel Ramon Sanchez Delgado, Universidade federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAriel Reinaldo Soto Caro, Universidad de Concepción, ChileArnaud Z. Dragicevic, IRSTEA, FranceBabak Mohammadi, University of Tehran, IranBenard Kiplangat Rop, University of Nairobi, KenyaBoumahdi Merad Zoubeida, University Blida, AlgeriaCamilla H. M. Camargos, University of Campinas, BrazilChenlin Hu, The Ohio State University, USACleber Duarte, University of Guararapes , BrazilEben von Well, Agricultural Research Council, South AfricaEliana Mariela Werbin, National University of Cordoba, ArgentinianElizabeth Amélia Alves Duarte, College Maria Milza-FAMAM, BrazilEmmanuel E. Omeje, University of Nigeria, NigeriaEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAErnest Baafi, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaEwa Moliszewska, Opole University, PolandFábio Cassola, UNICAMP, BrazilFernando Coelho Eugenio, Federal University of Santa Maria, BrazilGeorgiana G. Codina, Stefan cel Mare University, RomaniaGuitong Li, China Agricultural University, ChinaHéctor S. Tavárez Vargas, Universidad de Puerto Rico, BrazilHedayatollah K. Soureshjani, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IranJacquelin Teresa Camperos Reyes, São Paulo State University (UNESP), BrazilJanerson Jose Coelho, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, BrazilJeferson Coutinho, Federal Institute of Science, BrazilJiban Shrestha, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, NepalJoão Manoel da Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilJuliana Nneka Ikpe, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, NigeriaMohammed El Basuini, Kagoshima University, JapanOlga Mykhailenko, National University of Pharmacy, UkraineOscar Mitsuo Yamashita, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, BrazilRadu Liviu Sumalan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary, RomaniaRafael Cardoso Rial, Federal Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul, BrazilSabatino Cuomo, University of Salerno, ItalySaiful Irwan Zubairi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), MalaysiaServet Aras, Bozok University, TurkeyShakirudeen Abimbola Lawal, University of Cape Town, South AfricaShubha Kumari, ICAR-RCER, IndiaSina Nabaei, Azad University, IranSomaia Alkhair, Alzaeim Alazhari University, SudanSybelle Mesquita Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilThiago A. S. Oliveira, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), BrazilToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, BulgariaTugay Ayasan, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, TurkeyUtkarsh R. Moon, Mahatma Gandhi College of Science, IndiaWossenie Shibabaw Mebratie, Bahir Dar University, EthiopiaZakaria Fouad Abdallah, National Research Centre, EgyptZeinab Mohammadi Shad, Iowa State University, USAZhao Chen, Clemson University, USA Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Fax: 1-702-420-2900Email 1: jas@macrothink.orgEmail 2: jas@macrothink.comURL: http://jas.macrothink.org

Geospatial Information System Based on Indoor Plan UKM (FKAB)

In recent years, the academic field has seen tremendous leaps in mapping and navigation technology. Features such as accuracy, functionality, time efficiency and ease of access in mobile mapping applications have poured into the market, which has led to the near extinction of conventional paper maps. Big players such as Google Maps, MapBox, Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap and many others are enabling Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) to be accessed with ease. However, the problem arises as GIS is more tailored towards outdoor mapping and navigation information through the implementation and utilization of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. The main objective of this study was to enable GIS incooperated together with georeferenced image containing global positioning coordinates (GPS) making it feasible and compatible for the purpose of positioning and navigation focusing in an indoor environment. In this research, we present a method for utilising GIS for indoor localisation focusing on using Quantum GIS (QGIS) as the open source Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL), and the rendering of raster maps by locating ground control points (GCP). As a case study, the method was implemented on the 2nd Floor, East Wing of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), as the indoor space of interest. The significant findings of this paper contribute to the possibility of using GPS coordinates in an indoor environment for accurate positioning. Consequently, the proposed method has the potential to perform as an easily implementable localisation technique in Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) applications for mobile robots.

Maximum Phonation Time Normative Values Among Malaysians and Its Relation to Body Mass Index

Maximum phonation time (MPT) is a test to measure glottic efficiency for laryngeal pathology screening and treatment monitoring. The normative value of MPT for South East Asia population has yet to be reported. It is postulated that MPT may be affected by body mass index (BMI) despite the paucity of evidence. Therefore, this study was designed to establish the normative value of MPT for a South East Asia population and investigate its relation to BMI. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center between May and September 2017. Three hundred males and females with mean age of 30.23 (±11.04) years were recruited in equal number for each gender (n=150) and divided into 3 groups of 50 according to their BMI (n=50). The three groups are non-obese (BMI≤22.9kg/m2); obese (BMI between 23 and 34.9 kg/m2); and morbidly obese (BMI >35kg/m2). BMI and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) were obtained. The average of three readings of MPT was measured using a stopwatch while the participants phonate /a/, /i/ and /u/. Unpaired t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means between and across groups. Spearman correlation assessed the correlation between MPT and BMI. The normative values of MPT of both genders and correlation with BMI were analyzed. The MPT normative values for males and females in the non-obese group were of 21.41 (±6.85) seconds and 18.05 (±5.06)seconds respectively for /a/. The MPT for all vowels were significantly higher in males across the BMI groups (P ≤ 0.05). There was low negative correlation between MPT and BMI in both genders. This pioneering study documented the normative values of MPT among Malaysians showed that males had longer MPT than females across the BMI groups. Obesity affects the MPT in that as BMI increases, the MPT decreases.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Medical Students: An Early Observation Analysis

Studying a medical degree can create a stressful environment for students who are in the pre-clinical or clinical phase of their course. This study aims to determine both the effect of a medical programme on levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) medical students before and during the course. A study was conducted with 133 first-year medical students enrolled in the 2018/2019 academic session in UKM. Levels of depression, anxiety and stress were measured using a validated questionnaire—the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)—at two different time intervals: during orientation week (time 0) and early in the second semester (time 1). The collected data undergo statistical assessment with Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal-Wallis H Test using SPSS v25.0. The medical students comprised 25.6% (n = 34) males and 74.4% (n = 99) females. More than half were Malay (60.9%, n = 81), followed by Indian (18%, n = 24), Chinese (12%, n = 16) and other races (9%, n = 12). There was a significant increase in depression (Z = -4.263, p < 0.001), anxiety (Z = -2.235, p = 0.025) and stress (Z = -4.783, p < 0.001) symptoms among UKM medical students after starting the medical programme. Unhealthy level of anxiety was found to be highly prevalent compared with depression and stress, at both time intervals. The association between anxiety and race during the medical programme appeared to be significant (Z = 11.694, p = 0.009). The medical students experienced higher depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms as early as 6 months during the medical programme. Preventive measures should be taken at an early stage to maintain medical students’ good psychological health.

A single tertiary centre outlook on the short-term outcome of bariatric surgery in improving pulmonary parameters and sleep apnoea

Background: Obesity is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Weight loss is an effective treatment. Bariatric surgery for obese, symptomatic OSA patients results in weight loss and improvement in lung function and sleep apnoea. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in improving the respiratory mechanics and sleep apnoea using a lung function test and sleep study. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre involving adults undergoing bariatric work-up, attending respiratory clinic or admitted for bariatric work-up. We included subjects with a body mass index (BMI) &gt;35 kg/m2 and Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index (AHI) of &gt;5 events/hour. Subjects were assessed at baseline and at 12±2 weeks post bariatric surgery using the following methods: a partial sleep study, lung function test, six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. Results: Twelve subjects were analysed. Their mean age was 36±5.7 years, and eight (67%) were female. The baseline mean AHI was 24.75±9.51 events/hour, the nadir mean oxygen saturation during sleep (SpO2) was 83.6±3.8%, the mean ESS score was 16±4, the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 2.66±0.35 L, the mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.23±0.45 L, the mean total lung capacity (TLC) was 4.97±1.19 L, the mean expiratory reserve volume (ERV) was 0.5±0.46 L, the mean residual volume (RV) was 1.46±0.91 L, the mean adjusted diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO Adj) was 22.71±5.22 mL/mmHg/min, the mean adjusted diffusing lung capacity corrected for alveolar volume (DLVA Adj) was 5.61±0.90 mL/mmHg/min and the mean 6MWT was 293±49 m. Post surgery (12±2 weeks), the mean BMI decreased from 45.5 kg/m2 to 39.7 kg/m2, with a clinically significant improvement in AHI, ESS score, nadir SpO2, FEV1, FVC, TLC, ERV, RV, DLCO Adj, DLVA Adj and 6MWT ( p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Bariatric surgery improves sleep apnoea and lung function and reduces daytime somnolence.

Diversity of Ferns and Lycophytes of Pergau Dam, Kelantan and its Vicinity

Ferns and lycophytes were opportunistically collected along the major trail at Gunung Basor Forest Reserve near Pergau Dam, Kelantan. Samples were curated, identified and deposited at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Herbarium (UKMB). From the sampling area, a total of 94 taxa of ferns and lycophytes in 55 genera and 29 families were identified. This figure represents 8.07% of the total 1165 taxa of ferns and lycophytes in Malaysia and 14.52% of 647 taxa recorded in Semenanjung Malaysia. Polypodiaceae is the largest family recorded with 11 species in eight genera. The second largest family is Aspleniaceae with 10 species in a single genus. This is followed by the family Grammitidaceae with eight species in six genera. The most widely recorded species is from the genus Asplenium. The smallest families with one species each are Blechnaceae, Cyatheaceae, Gleichiniaceae, Marattiaceae, Matoniaceae, Oleandraceae, Ophioglossaceae, Psilotaceae, Pteridaceae and Sinopteridaceae. From the 94 taxa reported, terrestrial species are the most dominant with ca. 53 species covering 56.0% and followed by epiphytic species (33%) and litophyte species (10.6%).

Mosses of Lowland Forest in Vicinity of Pergau Dam, Jeli, Kelantan

Mosses of lowland forest between 350 to 640 m above sea level around the Pergau Dam within Gunung Basor Forest Reserve were opportunistically collected, curated and identified. The collection has been carried out along the existing forest trails and all of them were deposited to Herbarium of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKMB). A total of 66 species, four subspecies and 12 varieties in 46 genera and 25 families have been recorded. They represent 27.4% of the 299 taxa, 43.8% of 105 genera and 67.6% of 37 families of mosses recorded in Kelantan, also cover 14.6% of 562 taxa, 28.9% of 159 genera and 53.2% of 47 families of mosses reported in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 15 taxa are new additions for Kelantan viz. Chaetomitrium leptopoma (Schwägr.) Bosch & Sande Lac., Ectropothecium falcifolium (Dixon) N. Nishim., Fissidens geminiflorus Dozy & Molk. var. geminiflorus, Floribundaria walkeri (Renauld & Cardot) Broth., Garovaglia angustifolia Mitt. var. bogorensis (M. Fleisch.) During, Groutiella tomentosa (Hornsch.) Wijk & Margad., Macromitrium angustifolium Dozy & Molk., Mitthyridium fasciculatum (Hook. & Grev.) H. Rob. subsp. obtusifolium (Lindb.) M. Menzel, Neckeropsis gracilenta (Bosch & Sande Lac.) M. Fleisch., Philonotis bartramioides (Griff.) Griffin & W.R. Buck, P. mollis (Dozy & Molk.) Mitt., P. roylei (Hook. f.) Mitt., Racopilum cuspidigerum (Schwägr.) Åongström, Syrrhopodon albo-vaginatus Schwägr. and Trematodon longicollis Michx. Meanwhile, Sematophyllum subhumile (Müll. Hal.) M. Fleisch. is a new record for Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the findings, the most speciose family documented is Calymperaceae with 12 species, while the largest genus is Fissidens (five species). The majority of the mosses are found as corticolous which grow on the tree trunks.

Development of GIS Database for Infrastructure Management: Power Distribution Network System

Infrastructure management is an integral part of management in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). One of the important infrastructures is the power distribution network system. Integration of Geographical Information System (GIS) in the power distribution system provides an upgrade in method to collect, store, and handle the data more professionally. Web-GIS application platform allows online data sharing for authorizing the users to get access to spatial and non-spatial data of the power system. Interactive online mapping provides three important modules that are viewing the module, statistical module and query module. These three proposed module is to help the user become more understanding of the related data. This paper describes how the process starting from data collection until the production of Web-GIS for online data sharing in the electrical distribution network system in UKM. The proposed online application integrates all the spatial data with complete power distribution information. This Geospatial system is able to enhance the management quality for a better sustainable campus.