• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.2029-2032
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• 2013

Background: The geriatric population in Malaysia is predicted to increase from 4% of the total population in 1998 to 9.8% by 2020, in parallel with developments in the socioeconomy. Cancer is expected to be a major medical issue among this population. However, the decision for treatment in Malaysia is always decided by the caregivers instead of the elderly patients themselves. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the willingness to accept chemotherapy among elderly Malaysians. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients aged 60 and above from various clinics/wards were recruited. Those giving consent were interviewed using a questionnaire. Results: A total of 75 patients were recruited, 35 patients (47%) with a history of cancer. The median age was 73 years old. There were 29 Chinese (38.7%), 22 Indian (29.3%), 20 Malay (26.7%) and four other ethnicity patients. Some 83% and 73% of patients willing to accept strong and mild chemotherapy, respectively. Patients with cancer were more willing to accept strong and mild chemotherapy compared to the non-cancer group (88.6% vs 62.5%, P=0.005, 94% vs 80%, P=0.068). On sub-analysis, 71.4% and 42.9% of Chinese patients without a history of cancer were not willing to receive strong and mild chemotherapy, respectively. Conclusions: The majority of elderly patients in UMMC were willing to receive chemotherapy if they had cancer. Experience with previous treatment had positive influence on the willingness to undergo chemotherapy.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.903-921
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• 2024

Industry 5.0 puts forward higher requirements for smart cities, including low-carbon, sustainable, and people-oriented, which pose challenges to the design of smart cities. In response to the above challenges, this study introduces the cyber-physical-social system (CPSS) and parallel system theory into the design of smart cities, and constructs a smart city framework based on parallel system theory. On this basis, in order to enhance the security of smart cities, a sustainable patrol subsystem for smart cities has been established. The intelligent patrol system uses a drone platform, and the trajectory planning of the drone is a key problem that needs to be solved. Therefore, a mathematical model was established that considers various objectives, including minimizing carbon emissions, minimizing noise impact, and maximizing coverage area, while also taking into account the flight performance constraints of drones. In addition, an improved metaheuristic algorithm based on ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm was designed for trajectory planning of patrol drones. Finally, a digital environmental map was established based on real urban scenes and simulation experiments were conducted. The results show that compared with the other three metaheuristic algorithms, the algorithm designed in this study has the best performance.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2016

This paper describes a study on the effects of $Mg_2Si_{(p)}$ addition on the microstructure, porosity, and mechanical properties namely hardness and tensile properties of AA332 composite. Each composite respectively contains 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% reinforcement particles developed by a stir-casting. The molten composite was stirred at 600 rpm and melted at $900^{\circ}C{\pm}5^{\circ}C$. The $Mg_2Si$ particles were wrapped in an aluminum foil to keep them from burning when melting. The findings revealed that the microstructure of $Mg_2Si_{(p)}/AA332$ consists of ${\alpha}$-Al, binary eutectic ($Al+Mg_2Si$), $Mg_2Si$ particles, and intermetallic compound. The intermetallic compound was identified as Fe-rich and Cu-rich, formed as polygonal or blocky, Chinese script, needle-like, and polyhendrons or "skeleton like". The porosity of $Mg_2Si_{(p)}/AA332$ composite increased from 8-10% and the density decreased from 9-12% from as-cast. Mechanical properties such as hardness increased for over 42% from as-cast and the highest UTS, elongation, and maximum Q.I were achieved in the sample of 10% $Mg_2Si$. The study concludes that combined with AA332, the amount of 10 wt% of$Mg_2Si$ is a suitable reinforcement quantity with the combination ofAA332.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4591-4594
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• 2013

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women. Other than hospital-based results, there are no documented population-based survival rates of Malaysian women for breast cancers. This populationbased retrospective cohort study was therefore conducted. Data were obtained from Health Informatics Centre, Ministry of Health Malaysia, National Cancer Registry and National Registration Department for the period from $1^{st}$ January 2000 to $31^{st}$ December 2005. Cases were captured by ICD-10 and linked to death certificates to identify the status. Only complete data were analysed. Survival time was calculated from the estimated date of diagnosis to the date of death or date of loss to follow-up. Observed survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method using SPSS Statistical Software version 17. A total of 10,230 complete data sets were analysed. The mean age at diagnosis was 50.6 years old. The overall 5-year survival rate was 49% with median survival time of 68.1 months. Indian women had a higher survival rate of 54% compared to Chinese women (49%) and Malays (45%). The overall 5-year survival rate of breast cancer patient among Malaysian women was still low for the cohort of 2000 to 2005 as compared to survival rates in developed nations. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the strategies for early detection and intervention.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.458-465
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• 2012

This study aims to determine the association between obesity-related behaviors (dietary practices, physical activity and body image) and body weight status among adolescents. A total of 382 adolescents (187 males and 195 females) aged 13 to 15 years in Kajang, Selangor participated in this study. Majority of the respondents were Malays (56.0%), followed by Chinese (30.1%) and Indians (13.9%). Dietary practices, physical activity and body image of the adolescents were assessed through the eating behaviors questionnaire, two-day dietary record, two-day physical activity record and multi-dimensional body image scale (MBIS), respectively. Body weight and height were measured by trained researchers. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (19.5%) was about twice the prevalence of underweight (10.5%). About two-thirds of the respondents (72.3%) skipped at least one meal and half of them (56.2%) snacked between meals with a mean energy intake of $1,641{\pm}452$ kcal/day. More than half of the respondents (56.8%) were practicing sedentary lifestyle with a mean energy expenditure of $1,631{\pm}573$ kcal per day. Energy intake (r = 0.153, P < 0.05), physical activity (r = 0.463, P < 0.01) and body image (r = 0.424, P < 0.01) were correlated with BMI. However, meal skipping, snacking and energy expenditure per kg body weight were not associated with body weight status. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that body image, physical activity and energy intake contributed significantly in explaining body weight status of the adolescents. In short, overweight and obesity were likely to be associated not only with energy intake and physical activity, but also body image. Hence, promoting healthy eating, active lifestyle and positive body image should be incorporated in future obesity prevention programmes in adolescents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7863-7867
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• 2014

Background: Retinoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that usually develops in early childhood. If left untreated it can cause blindness and even death. The aim of this study is to determine sociodemographic and clinical features of retinoblastoma patients and also to determine the treatment pattern and outcome in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Data for this study were retrieved from the Retinoblastoma Registry of the National Eye Database (NED) in Malaysia. Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Umum Kuching, Sarawak and Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu were the major source data providers for this study. Data collected in the registry cover demography, clinical presentation, modes of treatment, outcomes and complications. Results: The study group consisted of 119 patients (162 eyes) diagnosed with retinoblastoma between 2004 and 2012. There were 68 male (57.1%) and 51 (42.9%) female. The median age at presentation was 22 months. A majority of patients were Malays (54.6%), followed by Chinese (18, 5%), Indians (8.4%), and indigenous races (15.9%). Seventy six (63.8%) patients had unilateral involvement whereas 43 patients had bilateral disease (36.1%). It was found that most children presented with leukocoria (110 patients), followed by strabismus (19), and protopsis (12). Among the 76 with unilateral involvement (76 eyes), enucleation was performed for a majority (79%). More than half of these patients had extraocular extension. Of the 40 who received chemotherapy, 95% were given drugs systemically. Furthermore, in 43 patients with bilateral involvement (86 eyes), 35 (41%) eyes were enucleated and 17 (49%) showed extraocular extension. Seventy-two percent of these patients received systemic chemotherapy. The patients were followed up 1 year after diagnosis, whereby 66 were found to be alive and 4 dead. Sixteen patients defaulted treatment and were lost to follow-up, whereas follow-up data were not available in 33 patients. Conclusions: Patients with retinoblastoma in this middle-income Asian setting are presenting at late stages. As a result, a high proportion of patients warrant aggressive management such as enucleation. We also showed that a high number of patients default follow-up. Therefore, reduction in refusal or delay to initial treatment, and follow-up should be emphasized in order to improve the survival rates of retinoblastoma in this part of the world.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.565-570
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• 2013

Objectives: To describe the development and validation of a cancer awareness questionnaire (CAQ) based on a literature review of previous studies, focusing on cancer awareness and prevention. Materials and Methods: A total of 388 Chinese undergraduate students in a private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were recruited to evaluate the developed self-administered questionnaire. The CAQ consisted of four sections: awareness of cancer warning signs and screening tests; knowledge of cancer risk factors; barriers in seeking medical advice; and attitudes towards cancer and cancer prevention. The questionnaire was evaluated for construct validity using principal component analysis and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha (${\alpha}$) coefficient. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a 10-14 days interval and measured using Pearson product-moment correlation. Results: The initial 77-item CAQ was reduced to 63 items, with satisfactory construct validity, and a high total internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=0.77). A total of 143 students completed the questionnaire for the test-retest reliability obtaining a correlation of 0.72 (p<0.001) overall. Conclusions: The CAQ could provide a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess cancer awareness among local Chinese undergraduate students. However, further studies among students from different backgrounds (e.g. ethnicity) are required in order to facilitate the use of the cancer awareness questionnaire among all university students.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1633-1637
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• 2014

Background: Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm of lymphoid tissue classified into Hodgkin's and non- Hodgkin's types. It mostly affects lymph nodes although a considerable proportion of Non-Hodgkin's cases occur in extranodal sites. Materials and Methods: Selected cases diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) during the period of 1980 to 2012 were retrieved from the archives of the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. The sections from the formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks were stained with H&E as well as with LCA, CD20, and CD3. Results: The mean age was 41.6 years with a male: female ratio of 1.3:1. Out of the forty two cases, nineteen were Malays, eighteen were Chinese, followed by Indians (3) and Indonesians (2). The most common site of involvement was the mandible (22.2%), followed by the maxilla and palate (19.4% each). Most of the lesions presented as a painless progressive swelling. Only thirty six cases were further subdivided into B or T cell types. The majority were B-cell type (26 cases), of these 6 cases were Burkitt's lymphomas. Only ten cases were T-cell lymphoma, with three cases of NK/T-cell lymphoma. Conclusions: In this series of 42 patients diagnosed as extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the lesions appeared as painless swellings, mostly in men with the mandible as the most frequent site of involvement. Majority were B-cell lymphomas with Malays and Chinese being equally affected whereas lymphomas were rare in the Indian ethnicity. T-cell lymphomas were found to be common in the Chinese ethnic group.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is correct the scientific name of Aquilariae Lignum in Korean Herbal Pharmacoepia. Methods : The production areas of Aquilariae Lignum and its trading status with China in Chinese history, Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, Naming year and the discovered district in main Aquilaria spp., Several nation's Pharmacoepia, The Plant List(TPL), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora(CITES) and The International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) were cross-checked. Results : The records in the Jiaozhouyiwuzhi written in the early 2nd century said that Aquilariae Lignum was produced in Vietnam. NanfangCaomuZhuang written in 304 said that Agarwood in Vietnam had white flowers. Vietnam had led production and trading of Aquilariae Lignum until Qing Dynasty. Aquilariae Lignum from Malaysia and Indonesia was not traded with China. In Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, India Aquilariae Lignum was translated as Vietnam Aquilariae Lignum. Aquilaria malaccensis was discovered from Malay-Peninsular in 1783, and has green or dirty yellow flowers. A. agallocha from North-Eastern India in 1814, white flowers. A. crasssna from Vietnam in 1914, white flowers. A. crassna is different from A. malaccensis in several ways, such as flower, fruit, seed and disribution. In several Nation's Pharmacoepia, A. crassna was a synonym of A. agallocha. But in TPL, CITES and IUCN, A. malaccensis was an accepted name, and A. agallocha was a synonym of A. malaccensis. Conclusions : These results show that the original species of Aquilariae Lignum in Korea Herbal Pharmacoepia should be reversed from A. agallocha to A. crassna Pierre ex Lacomte.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.84-88
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• 2016

Objectives : To assess and compare the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment of depression in epilepsy children and adolescent's parents. Methods : 20 cases of depression in epilepsy children and adolescent's parents were investigated in Southern TCM Centre, Southern University College, Malaysia. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups; Acupuncture treatment group and Herbal medication treatment group. Family relationships questionnaires and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used before, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks treatments in order to investigate the effectiveness of treatment. Results : After 4 weeks Acupuncture treatment group showed significant reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. On the other hand, after 8 weeks both groups showed significant reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Conclusions : The result suggests that the effectiveness of Acupuncture treatment is comparable with treat of Herbal medication treatment to reduce parent's Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.