Browse publications by year: 2017

Fulltext Preliminary study: comparison of two different methods in recurve archery

Lau, Jiun Sien, Rosniwati Ghafar, Mohd Asri Ariffin, Mohd Hafezi Mat Zain, Mardhiah Mohamed

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):97-119.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two different archery
methods on their shooting performances. Similarities or differences in each
method were compared in certain steps in the shooting cycle of the
participants, while performances were compared using the score achieved on
a target face. The participants are four male recurve archers from Kelantan
who volunteered to join this study. Pre and post-test scores of the total points
for 36 arrows shot at 10 meters and 30 meters were collected. A 3D motion
analysis (Qualysis AB, Sweden) system was used to record the method of the
archers for stance, posture, and shoulder alignment phase. After a
familiarisation period with the body markers and testing environment, the
participants were asked to shoot 36 arrows with their personal method at a
distance of 10 meters and 30 meters. Then, the participants were taught the
new method known as Biomechanically Efficient Shooting Technique (BEST)
method. One week was given for the participants to practice and familiarize
with the new method. The scores were collected again at 10 meters and 30
meters with the BEST method. The methods of recurve archery were further
broken down to 10 steps for analysis. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to
detect the differences between their own method and the BEST method based
on the 3D motion analysis data. Most of the participants showed significant
changes in the shooting steps, 8 steps out of 10 steps showed significant
differences based on p value. This showed that the BEST method is different
from the participants’ method. The changes used in the method showed the
improvement in the shooting performance. Most of the participants showed
improvement in the score for 10 meters and 30 meters as well as the distance
of the arrow away from the centre based on the p value. Thus, from the result, it can be concluded that the BEST method is able to improve the participants’
performances.
Fulltext Pre-participation evaluation of Malaysian university athletes – the importance of cardiovascular screening

Lim, Zhuang Li, Abdul Halim Mokhtar, Muhammad Rahmani Jaffar

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):83-96.
MyJurnal

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) remains the leading
cause of mortality among athletes. Contemporary standards of identifying
normal physiological cardiac adaptations and remodeling from regular
athletic training based on certain ECG morphology have been clearly
defined by the ‘Seattle Criteria’ in 2012, with an updated ‘International
Consensus’ in 2017. In heterogenous Asia, regional SCA/D preponderance
data is still lacking. This study aims to report on the detection of potentially
dangerous cardiovascular conditions in Malaysian university athletes via
pre-participation evaluation. Methods: All 176 Malaysian athletes
competing in the 18th ASEAN University Games 2016 were requested to
attend a centralised pre-participation evaluation (PPE) prior to the games.
The PPE included history, physical examination and a resting ECG.
Participating sports and the corresponding number of athletes were athletics
(40), basketball (26), football (24), silat (16), rugby (14), badminton (14),
table tennis (12), shooting (12), fencing (10) and petanque (8). Results: A
hundred and thirteen athletes (64.2%) attended and completed the PPE. The
highest percentages of athletes screened were from shooting, fencing and
petanque (100% respectively), whilst the lowest were from the basketball
team (23.1%). Three abnormal ECGs were identified: a multiple premature
ventricular contractions, an atrial tachyarrhythmia and a ventricular preexcitation.
These three athletes were referred for subsequent investigations.
Two of them were allowed to resume play. The latter athlete was diagnosed
with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and was advised against competing
until definitive management was instituted. Conclusion: Only a fair number
of Malaysian university athletes completed the medical screening. This
reflects their unawareness of the importance of PPE. Despite the small
sample size, three cases were singled out requiring further investigation and
interventional studies. No screening program provides absolute protection
against death. Thus, more evidence-based research and constant updates on the best practice guidelines are vital to foster safe sports participation to
ultimately reduce incidence of SCA/D among the athletic population.
Athletes need to be aware and give full cooperation for PPE to ensure early
detection of high-risk cardiovascular conditions especially those related to
sudden death in sports.
Fulltext The effectiveness of tablet-based application as a medium of feedback in performance analysis during a competitive match in elite soccer

Rabiu Muazu Musa, Mohamad Razali Abdullah, Ahmad Bisyri Husin Musawi Maliki, Norlaila Azura Kosni, Siti Musliha Mat-Rashid, Aleesha Adnan, et al.

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):71-82.
MyJurnal

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Tablet based application
(TBA) as a medium for feedback in real time at a half-time interval of a
competitive match in improving the performance of soccer players.
StatWatch application was installed on a tablet phone and used as a device
for data collection. Eleven performance analysts were recruited to assist in
the data collection such that each performance analysts covered a particular
player during the game. Players Performances were assessed based on
clearing, crossing, dribbling, heading, pursuing the loose ball, shooting, foul,
and through pass. Data were collected as the game progressed, and
information was transmitted to the controller of the analysis before being
relayed to the chief coach at the half time interval of every match. Matches
of the club for eight weeks were analysed. One-way repeated measure
ANOVA was used to assess the progress of the team in between the first and
second halves of the matches played. The result shows improvement on the
performances of the club at the second halves of the eight matches played (F
(1, 14.10) = 8.94, p < .05). A follow-up test demonstrates a significant
progress on the overall team performance from week1 to week 8, p > 0.001.
TBA appeared to be a useful medium for providing feedback at a first half
interval of a competitive match to improving the performance of soccer
players during the subsequent period.
Fulltext Development of sports nutrition educational tools (NutrisportExTM): a web-application for Malaysian national athletes

Tsin, Chan Yein, Nik Shanita Safii, Abdul Hadi Abd Rahman, Norafifah Ahmad Shabri, Mohd Izham Mohamad, Azimah Ahmad, et al.

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):61-70.
MyJurnal

The use of electronics or technology, to improve the subjects’ knowledge,
attitude, and practice (KAP) in nutrition or their compliance in recording their
diet, for general primary care is not uncommon. However, there are more to
be explored to improve sports nutrition KAP. The objective of this study was
to develop a web app tool for athletes to increases their KAP in sports
nutrition and to test on their acceptance towards the web app tool. This study
was divided into 3 phases. Phase I involves the development of the web app.
In Phase II, a focus group of 20 people was recruited to test the web app tool.
Phase III was to evaluate the effectiveness of the web app in increasing
athletes’ sports nutrition KAP and their acceptance of the web app. 30 athletes
were recruited to use this web app for a week, a PRE- and POST-intervention
KAP questionnaire were given. There was a strong correlation between
athletes’ attitude towards this tool and intention to use in the future (r = 0.675).
The more this web app tool was perceived as useful, the more likely they will
visit the web app (r = 0.589). Although the web app was well-accepted among
the athletes, their KAP score was significantly reduced after the intervention
(p= 0.011). The reduction of scores was due to the lack of consistent usage on the web app. In conclusion, it requires more facilitating support from the
coach, longer training time, reminders, and entertainment features for
consistent usage, to improve the athletes’ KAP in sports nutrition via the web
app.
Fulltext Application of the psychological continuum model to understand customers' involvement and satisfaction in a fitness center

Jacklyn Joseph, Aminuddin Yusof, Soh, Kim Geok

Movement Health & Exercise, 2017;6(2):53-60.
MyJurnal

This research examined how customers’ perceptions of service quality
influence the degree of their involvement and psychological connection to a
sport activity at a fitness center by applying the Psychological Continuum
Model (PCM). Research instruments consisted of the PCM and
SERVQUAL and administered to customers at a fitness centre in Malaysia
(n = 248). In terms of sport involvement, the results showed most subjects
are in the level of attachment. Results showed all dimensions of service
quality have negative mean scores which mean customers are dissatisfied
will all aspects of service quality at the fitness centre. A one-way ANOVA
showed differences in satisfaction with service quality based on the PCM
level of involvement for tangible, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy
dimensions of service quality. Customers at the higher level of involvement
(allegiance) reported less dissatisfaction with the tangible, responsiveness,
empathy, and reliability dimensions of service quality compared with those
at the awareness level.
Fulltext Simplified Thematic Engagement of Professionalism Scale (STEPS): promoting feedback practice in nurturing professionalism

Nurhanis Syazni Roslan, Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusof

Education in Medicine Journal, 2017;9(1):87-97.
MyJurnal

Assessment of medical professionalism is often challenged by the subjectivity of its construct and
lack of feedback practice to nurture professional growth. However transmitting professionalism alone
has not been shown to improve professional behaviour therefore professionalism need to be assessed
if it is viewed as relevant. The authors provided description and guidelines on the use of Simplified
Thematic Engagement of Professionalism Scale (STEPS) as summative and formative assessment
tool for assessing professionalism attributes. STEPS was developed based on the Professionalism
Mini-Evaluation Exercise (P-MEX) format that utilise multiple short encounter assessment and
incorporated professionalism values from a local study. The formative component has 15 attributes
that were categorised into personal, profession, patient and public. This is assessed using seven scale
rubric that promotes feedback practice using feed up, feed back and feed forward concept. The
summative component utilises global rating that will be collated longitudinally to form a more robust
evaluation of student professionalism. Current investigations are ongoing especially to ascertain the
usability and validity of STEPS as peer assessment and self-assessment tool.
Fulltext Validation of Malay version of incontinence praying ability among childbearing women who attended Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Dariah Mohd Yusof, Yee, Cheng Kueh, Hanis Ismail, Nyi Nyi Naing

Education in Medicine Journal, 2017;9(1):69-79.
MyJurnal

Objective: To determine the validity and reliability of Incontinence Praying Ability (I-PA) among
Muslim childbearing-aged women. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among Muslim
women under childbearing age attended clinics in a university teaching hospital. Two measures were
used in the present study and there were I-PA and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QoL). I-PA was
developed in Malay language and its construct validity had not been explored. The questionnaires
were handed to the Muslim women during their visit to the clinics in Hospital Universiti Sains
Malaysia. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to determine the construct validity
and the Cronbach’s alpha was used to examine the internal consistency reliability of I-PA. Pearson
correlation was used to examine the correlation between I-PA and the subscales of I-QoL. Validity was
further supported if both scales were significantly correlated. Results: A total of 162 Muslim women
completed and returned the questionnaires to the researchers. The mean age of participants was 32.4
(SD = 5.87). Based on EFA result, all the 10 items of I-PA were remained in the model under one
factor and no item deletion was required. The factor loadings were ranged from 0.70 to 0.91. The
internal consistency of I-PA was satisfactory with Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.94. There were significant
correlations between I-PA and I-QoL’s subscales, ranged from 0.64 to 0.71. Conclusion: I-PA was
considered a valid and reliable questionnaire measuring incontinence quality of life in the aspect of
praying ability or spirituality among Muslim childbearing-aged women.
Fulltext The use of neuro-linguistic programming as an educational-therapeutic programme: two case studies

Meisam Savardelavar, Garry Kuan

Education in Medicine Journal, 2017;9(1):49-58.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is continuously used as one of the
psychological intervention in medicine, sport, and education settings. NLP through employing its
techniques and language patterns could make certain changes in connections between neurological
processes and therefore, restructure individuals’ cognition and reform their behaviours. This
contributes to certain advantages in educational-therapeutic sessions concerning helping athletes with
emotional hardship, resulting from physical injuries. Objective: To examine a tailored intervention
of the NLP model adapted for educational-therapeutic purposes to reduce competitive state anxiety
of two elite basketball players after their rehabilitation programme from physical injuries. Method:
This study used a case study approach, and employed the NLP model’s collapsing anchoring,
perceptual positions, and meta-model language patterns, to help both athletes to restructure their
dysfunctional thoughts and memories. The athletes experienced anxiety related negative thoughts and
felt emotionally difficult to perform in training and competition. Results: The intervention showed
promising strategies in helping the athletes to reduce their competitive state anxiety. Also, the results
obtained from the interview sessions, and the quantitative analysis showed that the NLP intervention
had successfully helped the athletes to cope with dysfunctional thoughts and emotionally related
anxiety. Conclusions: The NLP-based intervention, to some degree, helped the athletes to deal with
dysfunctional thoughts of their past injury experiences, reducing their competitive state anxiety to
compete again in the upcoming competition.
Fulltext Assessment of first-year students' metacognitive ability in Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA): toward curriculum development

Uday Younis Hussein Abdullah, Haitham Muhammed Jassim, Nor Iza Abdul Rahman, Tg Fatimah Murniwati Tengku Muda, Nordin Simbak, Shahid Hassan

Education in Medicine Journal, 2017;9(1):17-28.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Metacognition is the awareness of knowledge how one learns in addition to what
one learns and to understand how a task will be performed. Metacognitive skill as self-assessment
is recognised as an important contributor to the development of critical capacity, reflective attitude
and autonomous life-long learning. Accurate, self-assessment of knowledge and skills is essential for
students to maintain and improve through self-directed learning. Objective: The objective of this
study was to explore, how well students’ evaluate their own level of understanding for lectures to
reflect their metacognitive skill that can be used in educational strategy to promote students’ personal
and professional growth. Methods: To assess the metacognition of the students, a questionnaire based
on three items was designed. All 60 (17 male and 43 female) preclinical, first-year medical students
were included in this study. The metacognition as planning, monitoring and evaluating the lecture was
judged through students’ response on 33 lectures in terms of understanding of knowledge, clearing
of misconceptions and presenting of a well prepared material respectively in the field of haematology
and parasitology. Metacognition as reflected in the lecture understanding level (LUL) score, lectures
preparation level (LPL) score and students question level (SQL) score was estimated for its correlation
with student’ achievement score in pre-clinical phase of MBBS program. Results: The data was
analysed for correlation between metacognition and overall students’ achievement scores and a
statistically significant correlation between LUL and multiple true false (MTF) of 268 (p = .039),
LPL and MTF of .282 (p = .029) as well as between SQL and MTF of .360 (p = .005) was compared
to poor correlation between LUL, LPL and SQL and the other three assessment tools (short essay
questions [SEQ], problem-based questions [PBQ] and objectively structured practical examination
[OSPE]) was found. Conclusion: The significant correlation of students’ metacognition and their
achievement score in classroom setting with MTF and poor correlation with SEQ, PBQ and OSPE is
attributed to multiple factors discussed in this study, imperative to students’ personal and professional
growth.
Fulltext A systematic review on validity evidence of Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire

Yusoff MSB

Education in Medicine Journal, 2017;9(1):1-16.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Detecting sources of stress of medical students is important for planning wellness
program to improve their psychological wellbeing. One of instruments to detect the sources of stress
is the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ). A systematic review was performed to find
out evidence to support its validity in term of content, response process, internal structure, relation
to other variables, and consequences. Method: The author planned, conducted and reported this
study according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses)
standard of quality for reporting meta-analyses. Systematic search was performed on EBSCOhost,
Scopus, Proquest, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Result: The author
yielded 613 relevant articles based on search terms, 44 articles had used MSSQ, and after critical
appraisal, only 18 articles provided evidence to support validity MSSQ and thus were included in
the systematic review. Conclusion: This systematic review supports the validity of MSSQ in relation
to content, response process, internal structure, relations to other variables, and consequences of
its scores. MSSQ is a valid tool to detect sources of stress in medical students and its results can be
utilised as a guide to plan wellness program or intervention to improve medical students’ wellbeing.

MeSH terms: Humans; Stress, Psychological*; Students, Medical; Validation Studies as Topic
Correlation of Serum Estradiol and Duration of Anastrazole Therapy with Treatment Related Adverse Effects Among Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Abubakar MB, Gan SH

Niger J Physiol Sci, 2017 Dec 30;32(2):219-225.
PMID: 29485645

Although anastrozole (Anas) plays a key role in the management of endocrine sensitive post-menopausal (PM) breast cancer (BC), there is much variability in its efficacy and tolerability. Anas-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (MS) and other adverse reactions, such as hot flashes (HF) and vaginal dryness/dyspareunia (VDD), are common and can affect the quality of life of BC patients, even sometimes leading to treatment withdrawal. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and demographic factors associated with these adverse events. This is a cross-sectional study in estrogen receptor (ER) positive PM women (n = 92) with stages I to III BC receiving Anas. Multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the factors associated with Anas-induced adverse effects such as MS, HF and VDD. A serum estradiol concentration was undetectable (< 36.7 pmol/L) in 68.1% of patients but was detectable within a normal range (>36.7-88.1 pmol/L) in the other 31.9% of patients, and this group was found to have a lower odds of having at least one adverse effect (AE) compared to those with undetectable levels [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.64, p = 0.013]. Women with grades II and III tumors and a family history of BC had a higher odds of AE (grade II: AOR 12.22, CI 1.48 to 100.80, p = 0.020; grade III: AOR 12.95, CI 1.25 to 134.33, p = 0.032) and VDD (AOR 5.99, CI 1.30 to 27.52, p = 0.021), respectively. Patients who received Anas treatment for more than one year had a higher odds of VDD (one to three years: AOR 34.57, CI 3.86, 309.50, p = 0.002; more than 3 years: AOR 27.90, CI 2.21 to 351.84, p = 0.010). Advanced age also lowered the odds of HF (AOR 0.90, CI 0.83 to 1.00, p = 0.049). In conclusion, patients' hormonal environments and durations of Anas treatment may play a role in developing Anas-induced adverse effects.

MeSH terms: Aged; Breast Neoplasms/blood*; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Estradiol/blood*; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nitriles/adverse effects*; Nitriles/pharmacology; Quality of Life; Triazoles/adverse effects*; Triazoles/pharmacology; Postmenopause; Hot Flashes/etiology
Fulltext Flexural properties of random and unidirectional arenga pinnata fibre reinforced epoxy composite

Muhamad Faris Syafiq Khalid, Aidah Jumahat, Zuraidah Salleh, Mohammad Jawaid

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):93-102.
MyJurnal

This paper investigates the flexural properties of Arenga Pinnata fibre reinforced epoxy composite
(APREC) in relation to its fibre arrangement. The composites were produced using Arenga Pinnata fibre
as the reinforcement material and epoxy resin as the matrix. In this work, two types of Arenga Pinnata
fibre arrangement were under-studied, randomly distributed and unidirectional distributed (UD). Samples
were prepared at 10vol%, 15vol%, 20vol%, and 25vol% of fibres reinforcement to matrix ratio for both
types. Three-point bending configuration flexural tests were performed for both randomly distributed
APREC and UD APREC at 10vol%, 15vol%, 20vol%, and 25vol% respectively. Results indicated that
UD APREC have better flexure modulus and flexure strength for all the fibre loading percentages (vol%)
as compared against the randomly distributed APREC. The 25vol% UD APREC showed the highest
modulus (3.783 GPa) with an increment of 31.0% as compared against the pure epoxy (2.888 GPa).
It was also observed that there was no significant increment on flexure strength for both random and
unidirectional APREC as compared to pure epoxy (61.125 MPa), but the flexure strength value decreased
for randomly distributed fibre orientation for all fibre volume percentages (vol%)
Fulltext A study on the formation of PVA/Kenaf nanofibres via electrospinning

Nor Dalila Nor Affandi, Mohd Rozi Ahmad, Sabiha Hanim Saleh, Muhammad Fairuz Remeli, Nur Hayati Humairah Nur Ikhwan Teo, Nurul Farihin Amran

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):85-92.
MyJurnal

This paper reports a study of the formation of cellulose nanofibres from kenaf waste using chemical
extraction method. The extracted holocellulose was then prepared for acid hydrolysis to form the
cellulose. Before mixing it with polyvinyl chloride (PVA) solution and extruded using electrospinning
under different parameters to produce PVA/kenaf nanofibres. Results showed that the morphological
structures of PVA/kenaf nanofibres varied at different voltages. An increase in voltage from 10 kV to 20
kV produced more beads along the fibre length. In addition, the applied voltages were found to affect the
resultant fibre diameter of the PVA/kenaf nanofibres. The results also showed that the electrospinning
parameters affect the shapes of the PVA/kenaf nanofibre membranes. Based on the experimental works,
the optimal applied voltage was found to be at 15 kV, where the resultant fibre diameter and membrane
coverage area were approximately 43.9 ± 3.1 nm and 214.2 ± 15.8 cm2
, respectively.
Fulltext Modified spent tea leaves as bioadsorbent for methyl orange dye removal

Lim, Ying Pei, Amira Nadzirah Suhaidi, Siti Marziya Zulkifli, Syamil Hidayat Hassim, Devagi, Kanakaraju, Lim, Ying Chin

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):73-84.
MyJurnal

In this work, the removal of Methyl Orange (MO) from aqueous solution was studied using a new nonconventional
and eco-friendly adsorbent, spent tea leaves (STL). Untreated and acid treated STL were
used as bio-adsorbent for removal of MO using batch method. Effects of different STL dosages (1 – 4
g), pH solutions (2–11) and initial dye concentrations (10 – 60 mg/L) were investigated. Adsorption
experiments conducted using acid treated STL resulted in higher MO removal efficiency ranging from
79 to 92% for 1-4 g of adsorbent dosage compared to the untreated ones which resulted in only 18 to
56% of removal for the similar amount of dosage. In addition, acidic condition favours the MO removal
as compared to alkaline medium. Experimental data were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich
models of adsorption and it was found that adsorption isotherm was best described by Freundlich model
and pseudo-first order equation with high correlation coefficient. Results revealed that acid treated STL,
being a waste, has the greater potential to be used as adsorbent for MO removal from aqueous solution.
Fulltext Optimising processing conditions of PLA nanocomposites using response surface methodology

Margaret Jollands, Norazura Ibrahim, Rajarathinam, Parthasarathy

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):63-72.
MyJurnal

Numerous studies of polylactide nanocomposites have been conducted. However, the role and importance
of processing conditions is the subject of very few papers. In this work, polylactide and a constant
amount (2 %w/w) of organoclay Cloisite® 30B via melt intercalation technique were produced. It is
generally believed that maximum benefits are achieved when organoclay is well dispersed in PLA
matrix. It might be anticipated that melt processing conditions would have an important influence on
the nanocomposites formed. Experimental design was carried out based on Box-Behnken methods, a
response surface methodology (RSM) well suited to the goal of process optimisation. Three levels of
processing temperature, rotor speed and mixing time were chosen in this study. The response was Young’s
modulus. The interaction effects with the most influence on the Young’s modulus of these PLA/organoclay
nanocomposites are temperature and speed. The maximum Young’s modulus was predicted to be 1211
MPa at a temperature, speed, and time of 175°C, 100 rpm, and 7 min, respectively. Understanding the
influence of processing conditions on the mechanical properties is needed for improving nanocomposites
properties. Mathematical model and optimisations plot were used to illustrate the relationship between
the parameters and mechanical properties considered. Results of the data analysis using Minitab software
are presented.
Fulltext Microbial fuel cell’s performance of original and deoxygenated palm oil mill effluent in 3 different stages of fermentation process

Khairul Baqir Alkhair Khairul Amin, Oskar Hasdinor Hassan, Sharifah Aminah Syed Mohamed, Yap Kian, Chung Andrew, Zulkifli Ab. Rahma, Hazlini Mohmad Ameran, et al.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):53-62.
MyJurnal

io-electricity generation by Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) has gained considerable attention due to
its integration with wastewater treatment such as Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). Investigation
into pH effect and determination of optimal pH value ranges growth for acidogenic, acetogenic
and methanogenic by natural mixed culture
electroactive bacteria (exoelectrogens) growth
in original non-Deoxygenated Mixed POME
(nDMP) and Deoxygenated Mixed POME (DMP)
in MFC was carried out. Current generation,
power generation and maximum power were
also monitored. Experimental results show that
exoelectrogens in nDMP with pH 6.8 yielded the
highest current generation of 61.51 mAm-2 and
maximum power of 17.63 mWm-2. Overall, nDMP
substrates with 3 pH ranges (5.5, 6.8 and 8.0)
showed equal potential to generate power that is
higher than DMP substrates. Comparison carried
out for inter DMP substrates demonstrated that
DMP with pH 6.8 and DMP with pH 8.0 showed equal potential to generate power, but not for DMP with pH 5.5. Subsequently, nDMP with pH 6.8 and
nDMP with pH 8.0 showed equal potential for higher maximum power compared to nDMP with pH
5.5 and DMP substrates. This finding indicates that mixed microbial communities in DMP substrate
are dominant with obligate anaerobic exoelectrogens bacteria which have less capability to generate
electricity compared to nDMP substrate that was dominated by the aerotolerant and/or facultative
anaerobic exoelectrogens bacteria.
Place of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in East Asian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Insights into the management of Asian phenotype

Lim LL, Tan AT, Moses K, Rajadhyaksha V, Chan SP

J Diabetes Complications, 2017 Feb;31(2):494-503.
PMID: 27866701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2016.10.008

The burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in East Asia is alarming. Rapid modernization and urbanization have led to major lifestyle changes and a tremendous increase in the prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. The development of T2DM at a younger age, with lower body mass index, higher visceral adiposity, and more significant pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction compared to Caucasians are factors responsible for the increased prevalence of T2DM in East Asians. Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapaglifozin, empagliflozin, etc.) reduce renal glucose reabsorption, leading to favorable effects on glycemic, blood pressure, and weight control. The insulin-independent mechanism enables their use as monotherapy or combination therapy with insulin and other oral antidiabetic agents. The role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of T2DM among East Asians is an interesting area of research, given that East Asians have been proven to be uniquely different from Caucasians. This review provides comprehensive coverage of the available literature not only on the efficacy and safety, but also on the recent cardiovascular and renal outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitors, focusing among East Asians.

MeSH terms: Canagliflozin/adverse effects; Canagliflozin/therapeutic use; Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects; Benzhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism; Glucosides/adverse effects; Glucosides/therapeutic use; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin Resistance/ethnology; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Evidence-Based Medicine*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Diabetes Complications/ethnology; Diabetes Complications/prevention & control*; Membrane Transport Modulators/adverse effects; Membrane Transport Modulators/therapeutic use*; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2/metabolism
Decellularized Matrix Derived from Neural Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Enhances the Neurogenic Potential of Dental Follicle Stem Cells

Heng BC, Gong T, Wang S, Lim LW, Wu W, Zhang C

J Endod, 2017 Mar;43(3):409-416.
PMID: 28231979 DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2016.10.033

INTRODUCTION: Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) possess neurogenic potential because they originate from the embryonic neural crest. This study investigated whether neural differentiation of DFSCs can be enhanced by culture on decellularized matrix substrata (NSC-DECM) derived from neurogenesis of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
METHODS: The hESCs were differentiated into neural stem cells (NSCs), and NSC-DECM was extracted from confluent monolayers of NSCs through treatment with deionized water. DFSCs seeded on NSC-DECM, Geltrex, and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) were subjected to neural induction during a period of 21 days. Expression of early/intermediate (Musashi1, PAX6, NSE, and βIII-tubulin) and mature/late (NGN2, NeuN, NFM, and MASH1) neural markers by DFSCs was analyzed at the 7-, 14-, and 21-day time points with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunocytochemistry for detection of βIII-tubulin, PAX6, and NGN2 expression by DFSCs on day 7 of neural induction was also carried out.
RESULTS: Quantitative RT-PCR showed that expression of PAX6, Musashi1, βIII-tubulin, NSE, NGN2, and NFM by DFSCs was enhanced on NSC-DECM versus either the Geltrex or TCPS groups. Immunocytochemistry showed that DFSCs in the NSC-DECM group displayed more intense staining for βIII-tubulin, PAX6, and NGN2 expression, together with more neurite outgrowths and elongated morphology, as compared with either Geltrex or TCPS.
CONCLUSIONS: DECM derived from neurogenesis of hESCs can enhance the neurogenic potential of DFSCs.

MeSH terms: Cell Differentiation*; Cells, Cultured; Dental Sac/cytology*; Extracellular Matrix; Humans; Neural Crest/cytology; Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology*; Tissue Scaffolds; Neurogenesis/physiology*; Neural Stem Cells/physiology*; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Investigation of factors affecting the injury severity of single-vehicle rollover crashes: A random-effects generalized ordered probit model

Anarkooli AJ, Hosseinpour M, Kardar A

Accid Anal Prev, 2017 Sep;106:399-410.
PMID: 28728062 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.07.008

Rollover crashes are responsible for a notable number of serious injuries and fatalities; hence, they are of great concern to transportation officials and safety researchers. However, only few published studies have analyzed the factors associated with severity outcomes of rollover crashes. This research has two objectives. The first objective is to investigate the effects of various factors, of which some have been rarely reported in the existing studies, on the injury severities of single-vehicle (SV) rollover crashes based on six-year crash data collected on the Malaysian federal roads. A random-effects generalized ordered probit (REGOP) model is employed in this study to analyze injury severity patterns caused by rollover crashes. The second objective is to examine the performance of the proposed approach, REGOP, for modeling rollover injury severity outcomes. To this end, a mixed logit (MXL) model is also fitted in this study because of its popularity in injury severity modeling. Regarding the effects of the explanatory variables on the injury severity of rollover crashes, the results reveal that factors including dark without supplemental lighting, rainy weather condition, light truck vehicles (e.g., sport utility vehicles, vans), heavy vehicles (e.g., bus, truck), improper overtaking, vehicle age, traffic volume and composition, number of travel lanes, speed limit, undulating terrain, presence of central median, and unsafe roadside conditions are positively associated with more severe SV rollover crashes. On the other hand, unpaved shoulder width, area type, driver occupation, and number of access points are found as the significant variables decreasing the probability of being killed or severely injured (i.e., KSI) in rollover crashes. Land use and side friction are significant and positively associated only with slight injury category. These findings provide valuable insights into the causes and factors affecting the injury severity patterns of rollover crashes, and thus can help develop effective countermeasures to reduce the severity of rollover crashes. The model comparison results show that the REGOP model is found to outperform the MXL model in terms of goodness-of-fit measures, and also is significantly superior to other extensions of ordered probit models, including generalized ordered probit and random-effects ordered probit (REOP) models. As a result, this research introduces REGOP as a promising tool for future research focusing on crash injury severity.

MeSH terms: Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Risk Factors; Weather; Injury Severity Score*; Logistic Models; Motor Vehicles/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext Beach, dogs and itchy foot

Hon KL, Leong KF, Leung AKC

Paediatr Child Health, 2017 Sep;22(6):328-329.
PMID: 29479246 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxx090

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