Dengue and dengue-like illness surveillance in Johor, Malaysia
Dengue fever affects 50-100 million people annually, resulting in around 200,000 deaths.
Nearly 75% of the world’s population exposed to dengue lives in the Asia-Pacific region. This
surveillance study aims to recruit 400 adult patients presenting with dengue and dengue-like
illnesses at the Mahmoodiah Clinic, Johor Bahru. The study will contribute to a greater
understanding of dengue-like illnesses in light of different strains of dengue virus serotypes in
Southeast Asia. It will provide health authorities with guidance on the rates of other common
infections such as influenza, and of emerging infections like zika and chikungunya.
Researcher Funding Agency
Associate Professor Nor'azim Mohd Yunos United States Naval Medical Research Center –
Asia (Singapore)
Collaborator
Ministry of Health Malaysia
The Clinical Effects of Tocotrienols: A systematic review
Tocotrienols have gained global attention, owing to their distinctive pharmacological properties
compared to tocopherol. However, it has been challenging for global health authorities to
recognise tocotrienols as part of the functional vitamin E family, as mixed results were obtained
from clinical studies. In order to address issues raised by health authorities, this systematic
review aims to summarise the clinical effects of tocotrienols. Results from the study will assist
in tocotrienol product development in terms of appropriate dosages and formulations, and
serve as a reference point to recommend future research directions.
Researchers
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Professor Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk
Dr Chuah Lay Hong
Dr Tahir Mehmood Khan
Co-researchers from Malaysia Palm Oil Board
and Mahasarakham University
Funding Agency
Malaysia Palm Oil Board
Research into current trends in low-cost automation technologies in
the global textile industry
Neighbouring countries with cheaper labour costs are providing stiff competition to Malaysia’s
textile and apparel manufacturing industry. A solution to remain competitive is to move towards
automation, which increases productivity while reducing dependency on manual labour. A
team of academics and students from the Mechatronics Engineering discipline investigated
trends and automation solutions that are available to the textile/apparel industry worldwide.
Based on this analysis, the team provided recommendations on low-cost automation for the
local industry. The findings contributed a chapter on Low-Cost Automation in the Labour
Saving Devices handbook.
Researcher Funding Agency
Associate Professor Tan Chee Pin Malaysian Textile and Apparel Centre
Development and calibration of a budget impact model for Aloxi in
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can cause considerable distress and discomfort to patients undergoing
chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Several classes of drugs have been used to combat
these side effects and evidence suggests that the 5HT3 receptor antagonist is effective. This
study aims to review existing evidences on the effectiveness of palonosetron. Results will be
used to inform decision-making within the publicly funded health and social care system in
Malaysia, ensuring that resources are used in the most benefic ial manner in order to improve
public health and welfare.
Researcher Funding Agency
Dr Shaun Lee Wen Huey Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd
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