An efficient and a green route to synthesize phthalide-fused indoline, 3-[(5-chloro-1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2-ylidene)methyl]
isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (3) has been developed by the coupling reaction of 5-chloro-2-methylene-1,3,3-trimethylindoline,
1 and 2-formylbenzoic acid, 2 under solvent-free domestic microwave irradiation. The compound was produced in 85%
yield. Compound 3 was characterized by analytical and spectral methods and its structure was confirmed by chemical
crystallography. Compound 3 was successfully crystallized in triclinic system with space group Pī. The molecular structure
consists of fused 1 and 2 groups connected by the enamine carbon. Binding study of 3 towards different types of metal
cations was done by colorimetric detection and UV-vis titrations. Compound 3 exhibited good selectivity and sensitivity
for Sn2+ compared to other metal cations tested. The stoichiometric binding ratio of 3 toward Sn2+ is found to be 1:1
and the binding constant (Ka) is 1.07×104 M–1 on the basis of Job’s plot and Benesi-Hildebrand analysis.
Tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) contain bioactive compounds that can help prevent certain diseases. In this study, the
inhibitory effect of polyphenolic components of different types of tea leaves (green, oolong and black) extracted using
different solvents (ethanol, methanol and water) on α-amylase activity of human saliva were investigated in vitro. Total
phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing/antioxidant power and inhibition of free radical
scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl of the extracts were measured. Content of gallic acid, caffeine and
four catechins also were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. The ethanol extracts had the highest
TPC (124.34-231.23 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g sample), followed by the methanol extracts (124.28-209.76 mg
GAE/g sample) and the water extracts (66.89-136.51 mg GAE/g sample). All three solvent extractions of green tea leaves
contained the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, followed by oolong and black tea leaves. Green tea leaves
contained higher amounts of catechins than oolong and black tea leaves. All four catechins were detected in green and
oolong tea leaves but only gallocatechin gallate was found in black tea leaves. Next, the effect of tea leaves extracts on
starch hydrolysis by α-amylase enzyme from human saliva at 37°C was studied. The starches were hydrolyzed with 0.01%
enzyme for 240 min and the extent of hydrolysis was determined based on the dextrose equivalent value. The extent of
starch hydrolysis by the tea leaves was as follows: green tea > oolong tea > black tea. The low degree of hydrolysis for
black tea was due to its strong inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity. Thus, green, oolong and black tea leaves inhibit
activity of α-amylase to different degrees due to their differing compositions and structures of phenolic compounds.
Kajian ini bertujuan menghasilkan hidrogel responsif berasaskan selulosa bakteria yang diperoleh daripada Nata de
Coco (NDC) dan asid akrilik (AA). Tiga jenis sampel telah disediakan berdasarkan nisbah NDC:AA iaitu sampel hidrogel
A [1:1], B [2:1] dan C [3:1]. Pencangkukan AA terhadap molekul NDC menggunakan kaedah pempolimeran radikal
Gamma (GRP) menghasilkan hidrogel NDC-AA (sumber: 60Co). Kaedah yang menggunakan tenaga yang tinggi ini akan
menghasilkan radikal bebas seperti OH•, H•, H2O2 dan H2. Kesemua radikal ini menyerang kumpulan berfungsi yang
terdapat pada NDC dan AA seterusnya menggalakkan proses pencangkukan AA terhadap NDC. Hidrogel B [2:1] dipilih dan
diuji sebagai penjerap metilena biru (MB) dan perubahan keamatannya telah dianalisis menggunakan spektrofotometer
UV-VIS. Keputusan yang diperoleh telah diselaraskan dengan dua model isoterma, Langmuir dan Freundlich. Perbandingan
pemalar bagi kedua-dua model isoterma ini mendapati hidrogel B [2:1] yang dihasilkan telah mematuhi kedua-dua
model isoterma. Keputusan yang diperoleh ini menyokong keupayaan hidrogel B [2:1] untuk digunakan sebagai penjerap
alternatif MB yang paling efisien.
An optical fiber chemical sensor for the determination of free glutamate in food samples was fabricated based on the
immobilization of 0.1 M copper(II) nitrate trihydrate onto sol-gel glass powder which was then mixed with methyl cellulose
to form a pellet. A distinctive colour change from light blue to dark blue was observed in the presence of glutamate in
less than 1 min. The colour change was measured by reflectance spectrophotometer at 691 nm. A linear relationship
between the reflectance intensity and glutamate concentration was observed in the range of 12.5 to 500 mM with a limit
of detection of 10.6 mM. This method is also reproducible with a relative standard deviation of less than 5%, no effect on
pH of the glutamate solution and a good recovery of above 80%. The sensor was used for the determination of glutamate
in common food items such as soups and flavor enhancers. The results obtained from the fabricated sensor were found
to be comparable with HPLC method.
Mathematically, the human alimentary tract organs were simplified in the model structure as separate compartments with
pathways of transfer that are kinetically homogenous and equally distributed. The development of gastro-compartment
model follows the first order kinetics of differential equations to describe cadmium absorption, distribution and elimination
in the human digestive system. With the aid of in vitro DIN assay, an artificial gastric and gastrointestinal fluid were
prepared using water leach purification (WLP) residue as a sample that contained toxic metals cadmium. The Simulation,
Analysis and Modelling II (SAAM II) V2.1 software is employed to design models easily, simulate experiments quickly and
analyze data accurately. Based on the experimental inputs and fractional transfer rates parameter incorporated to the
gastro-compartment model, the concentration of cadmium against time profile curves were plotted as the model output.
The curve presented concentration of cadmium in both gastric and gastrointestinal fluid where initially absorption phase
(first hour) occurred followed by the distribution phase (second to third hours) and elimination process (third to fifth
hours). The concentration of cadmium obtained from the simulated model structures was in good agreement with the
fitted model predicted measurements as statistical t-test conducted showed the values were not significantly different.
Therefore, modeling approach with SAAM II software gave realistic and better estimation of cadmium dissolution into
the human gastrointestinal tract.
Suar suria merujuk kepada aktiviti matahari yang ditafsirkan sebagai cahaya terang yang meletus secara tiba-tiba
dari permukaan matahari. Ia mampu menjejaskan sistem ionosfera bumi justeru mengganggu mana-mana arus yang
mengalir di lapisan tersebut. Kejadian ini dapat diperhatikan melalui pemerhatian data magnetometer yang dicerap
di bumi. Kesan umum suar suria adalah peningkatan kekonduksian ionosfera seterusnya meningkatkan keamatan arus
namun didapati terdapat beberapa suar suria mampu memberikan kesan sebaliknya. Terdapat kajian yang melaporkan
bahawa satu suar suria mampu meningkatkan keamatan arus di sesetengah kawasan dan pengurangan keamatan
pada kawasan yang lain. Kajian lepas pula lebih tertumpu kepada kesan suar suria pada kawasan sektor tertentu atau
setempat. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian ini mengambil pendekatan untuk menganalisis sifat suar suria dan kesannya
menggunakan taburan data yang lebih meluas iaitu melibatkan stesen magnetometer yang dipasang di lima sektor. Data
yang digunakan adalah daripada jaringan Magnetic Data Acquisition System/Circum Pan Magnetometer Network Pacific
(MAGDAS/CPMN) dan suar suria dikenal pasti melalui data fluks sinar-X yang dicerap daripada satelit Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite 15 (GOES 15). Keputusan kajian menunjukkan kesan suar suria yang tidak pernah
ditemui sebelum ini iaitu pengurangan keamatan arus pada semua data cerapan di khatulistiwa magnetik dan punca
yang dicadangkan adalah kewujudan arus elektrojet berlawanan. Selain itu, keputusan kajian turut mendapati bahawa
suar suria tersebut berlaku pada fasa pemulihan ribut geomagnet semasa soltis Jun dalam fasa suria menaik.
The development of natural fiber polymer composites is increasing worldwide and in some applications, these composites
are used at outdoor rendering them exposed to ultra-violet (UV) radiation. The paper investigates the degradation behavior
of linear low density polyethylene/poly (vinyl alcohol)/kenaf (LLDPE/PVOH/KNF) composites after exposure to different
natural weathering durations. The composites with KNF loadings of 10, 20 and 40 parts per hundred resin (phr) were
exposed to natural weathering for 3 months and 6 months, respectively. The weathered composites were characterized by
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, universal testing machine, field emission scanning electron microscopy
(FESEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The FTIR analysis showed an obvious carbonyl peak in composites
after weathering as an evidence of oxidation. The weight loss percentage of composites increased with respect to exposure
duration due to higher absorption of UV irradiation. The tensile properties of weathered composites were lower than
that of control composites and these properties also decreased with increasing exposure duration. FESEM micrographs
illustrated that composites with longer exposure duration suffered more surface damaged. The crystallinity percentage
was found to increase with increasing exposure duration.
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of adding 1 vol% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into
woven kenaf/epoxy laminated composites on their flexural properties and to compare between two techniques used to
incorporate MWCNT into the composite which are spraying and solution techniques. Furthermore, the effect of MWCNT
addition in woven glass/woven kenaf/epoxy hybrid composites at the same filler concentration on the flexural properties
were also investigated. All the laminated composites with and without MWCNT were fabricated using vacuum bagging
method. The flexural properties of the composite samples with and without MWCNT were evaluated by applying threepoint
bending test. The results were supported by morphological observation. It was found that the addition of MWCNT
using both spraying and solution techniques reduced the flexural strength and flexural modulus of MWCNT/woven kenaf/
epoxy composites, with obvious reduction trend was shown by former technique. The morphological observation of the
composites fracture surface showed that delamination failure occurred in MWCNT/woven kenaf/epoxy laminated composite
prepared by spraying technique. Further investigation on hybrid composites showed that MWCNT/woven glass/woven
kenaf/epoxy laminated hybrid composites exhibited significant improvement in the flexural properties.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in many developing countries including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the number of death due to tuberculosis has decreased, but there is rising concern on the increase of drug resistance (multi drug resistance tuberculosis) cases. In this study, patients’ demographic data were analyzed and the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against anti-tuberculosis agents (isoniazid, streptomycin, rifampicin and ethambutol) was determined using susceptibility MYCOTB plates. A total of 40 clinical M. tuberculosis isolates, isolated from patients in PPUKM were randomly selected. Among these, 62.5% were male (mean age: 36.9±17.9 years) and 37.5% were female (mean age: 42.6±16.6 years). Malay patients accounted for the highest percentage of TB cases which was 60%, followed by Indians 15%, 5% Chinese and 20% other ethnics. The isolation of M. tuberculosis from clinical samples were 60%, 17.5%, 7.5%, 7.5%, 5% and 2.5% from sputum, tracheal aspirate, pus, blood, BAL and tissue, respectively. This is correlated with the majority of the patients (67.5%) infected with M. tuberculosis having persistent cough symptoms. The results from MYCOTB and BACTEC MGIT 960 susceptibility testing were compared. The average time taken to do the anti-TB susceptibility test by using MYCOTB plate and BACTEC MGIT 960 was 2 and 40.5 min, respectively. Cost per sample for MYCOTB and BACTEC MGIT 960 was RM16.65 and RM42.80, respectively. To conclude, based on our demographic data, TB infection was the highest amongst male Malay patients and the main specimens that been received was sputum sample. MYCOTB plate was more preferable than BACTEC MGIT 960 for the susceptibility testing and all clinical samples were 100% susceptible to all tested anti-TB agents. Data gathered from this study can be used as guideline for the management of TB diagnosis and treatment in the future.
Keywords: BACTEC MGIT 960; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; MYCOTB plate; tuberculosis
Forecasting a multiple seasonal data is differ from a usual seasonal data since it contains more than one cycle in a
data. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models have been used widely in load forecasting because of its usefulness in the
forecast a linear relationship with other factors but MLR has a disadvantage of having difficulties in modelling a nonlinear
relationship between the variables and influencing factors. Neural network (NN) model, on the other hand, is a good
model for modelling a nonlinear data. Therefore, in this study, a combination of MLR and NN models has proposed this
combination to overcome the problem. This hybrid model is then compared with MLR and NN models to see the performance
of the hybrid model. RMSE is used as a performance indicator and a proposed graphical error plot is introduce to see the
error graphically. From the result obtained this model gives a better forecast compare to the other two models.
A simple method of growing carbon nanostructures (CNS), a mixture of carbon nanotube (CNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF),
directly on a nickel catalyst layer electroplated on the copper substrate at low reaction temperature and atmospheric
pressure via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was investigated in this study. The nickel catalyst was prepared using
electroplating methods and the current density was varied to give the nickel catalyst layer with different thicknesses
and grain sizes prior to the growth of CNS which was carried out at 600°C and under a mixture of 25 sccm: 100 sccm of
acetylene to nitrogen for 40 min. A nickel catalyst layer electroplated at 1 mA/cm2, which possess a smaller grain size and
thinner layer of nickel catalyst, enables the synthesis of high quality and dense CNS as well as high ratio of CNT over CNF.
Nanocrystalline aluminosilicate F-type zeolite (K-F, EDI-type structure) was synthesized in an organic template-free system
using rice husk ash (RHA) silica source and microwave energy. The morphology, crystallite size, chemical composition,
crystallographic and basicity properties of the nanocrystals were studied by using various characterization techniques.
The results showed that fully crystalline K-F zeolite (Si/Al ratio = 1.26) with flattened cuboid-like shaped could be
obtained within 2 min of crystallization which was considerably very fast. In addition, K-F zeolite nanocrystals was also
tested as a solid base catalyst in the microwave-enhanced Aldol condensation reaction of heptanal with benzaldehyde
and the six catalytic parameters were studied and optimized. The nanosized K-F zeolite crystals showed good catalytic
performance in the studied reaction with 77.1% heptanal conversion and 69.5% jasminaldehyde selectivity under optimum
reaction condition. The nanocatalyst was reusable and no significant loss in its catalytic reactivity was observed even
after five consecutive reaction cycles.
Propolis is a resinous material collected by honey bees from various plant sources. The chemical constituents differ depending on the source of vegetation area. To date, no study of the chemical constituents of Apis mellifera propolis from Malaysia has been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the chemical constituents of Malaysian Apis mellifera propolis. Raw propolis samples were collected from Acacia mangium apiary from northern and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia and were extracted using 70% ethanol. Then, the ethanolic extracts were evaporated and were lyophilized to dryness. The silylated compounds were identified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). The compounds were characterised by comparison with NIST02 and Wiley275 libraries. Twenty-six individual compounds were identified and β-panasinsene was identified for the first time in propolis. The main compounds identified from both southern and northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia were terpenoids. Terpenoids belong to an important class in the propolis compounds due to its valuable biological properties. The amount of terpenoids ranged from 7.19 to 11.46% indicating that although the main plant source for both regions was Acacia mangium, other shrubs and fruit orchards surrounding the two apiaries may differ which may contribute to the variations.
The Green Zone of Emergency Department Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (EDHUSM) which provides treatment for
non-critical cases contributes partly to the hustle and bustle in the emergency department. The imbalance of doctors
and nurses with the patient ratio which forms the resources’ bottleneck further results to the long patients’ waiting time
especially after the office hours and during weekends and public holidays. Collectively, this disproportion and bottlenecks
roots up the current problem faced by Green Zone EDHUSM which constantly fails to achieve the KPIs set by the hospital.
Henceforth, this study focuses on the best resource allocation of doctors and nurses for shifts during the weekdays and
for shifts during weekends and public holidays. The hybrid method of Discrete Event Simulation, and Data Envelopment
Analysis models such as BCC-input oriented and Super-Efficiency, were deployed to obtain the best resource allocation
for the two groups of shift. The method produced a series of resources allocation alternatives for doctors and nurses
with a total of 64 alternatives for weekdays and 729 alternatives for weekends and public holidays. The results show that
the best allocation for doctors and nurses during weekdays are three doctors and three nurses serving for every shift,
while during weekends and public holidays, a combination of four doctors and four nurses for every shift are the best.
The proposed combinations have reduced the average waiting time, optimized the utilization of doctors and nurses, and
managed to increase the number of patients served during weekdays, weekends and public holidays.
Penentuan 232Th, 238U dan 40K dalam 10 spesies ikan yang ditangkap dari 3 lokasi di kawasan pesisiran pantai Terengganu,
Malaysia menggunakan teknik ICP-MS. Tahap kepekatan aktiviti (Bq kg-1 berat kering) didapati berbeza daripada 2.72
× 10-4 ± 1.96 × 10-4 hingga 50.66 × 10-4 ± 34.57 × 10-4 bagi 232Th, 0.96 × 10-3 ± 0.37 × 10-3 hingga 10.04 × 10-3 ± 5.09
× 10-3 bagi 238U dan 36.70 ± 17.53 hingga 82.38 ± 27.65 bagi 40K. Berdasarkan kepekatan aktiviti radionuklid, dos
berkesan tahunan dan risiko kanser telah dianggarkan. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan bahawa dos berkesan kolektif
(mSv tahun-1) dianggarkan 2.47 × 10-5 bagi 232Th, 6.52 × 10-6 bagi 238U dan 1.9 × 10-2 bagi 40K adalah jauh lebih rendah
daripada saranan UNSCEAR. Risiko kanser bagi orang dewasa yang dianggarkan daripada dos berkesan tahunan adalah
66.9 × 10-6. Nilai ini adalah jauh lebih rendah daripada faktor risiko kanser UNSCEAR iaitu 8.4 × 10-3 dan faktor risiko
kanser ICRP sebanyak 3.5 × 10-3. Kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa dos yang diterima oleh penduduk setempat hasil
daripada pengambilan ikan agak rendah dan tidak membahayakan kesihatan manusia dan selamat untuk dimakan.
Gen Proteolisis 6 (PRT6) merupakan gen yang memainkan peranan penting dalam tapak jalan N-end rule dan berfungsi
sebagai enzim E3 ligase. PRT6 berperanan dalam pengenalan protein sasaran bagi proses degradasi. Objektif utama kajian
ini adalah untuk mentransformasi konstruk RNAi PRT6 ke dalam tomato berperantarakan Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Ini bertujuan untuk memahami peranan tapak jalan N-end rule semasa proses pemasakan buah. Beberapa faktor yang
memberi kesan kepada transformasi seperti masa ko-penanaman dan juga kepekatan antibiotik yang digunakan telah
dioptimumkan. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan pengeraman kotiledon selama 48 jam pada medium ko-penanaman dapat
meningkatkan penghasilan kalus sebanyak 61% manakala penggunaan 500 mg/L antibiotik karbenisilin dalam medium
regenerasi pucuk dapat mengurangkan kontaminasi A. tumefaciens sehingga 5.2%. Selain itu, strain A. tumefaciens
C58 merupakan strain A. tumefaciens yang paling sesuai digunakan sebagai perantara dalam kajian ini. Tindak balas
berantai polimerase (PCR) telah dijalankan pada pucuk yang terhasil untuk mengesahkan integrasi fragmen PRT6 ke dalam
genom tomato. Berdasarkan analisis PCR, kesemua tujuh pucuk putatif transgenik adalah merupakan transforman positif.
Maximum k-Satisfiability (MAX-kSAT) consists of the most consistent interpretation that generate the maximum number
of satisfied clauses. MAX-kSAT is an important logic representation in logic programming since not all combinatorial
problem is satisfiable in nature. This paper presents Hopfield Neural Network based on MAX-kSAT logical rule. Learning
of Hopfield Neural Network will be integrated with Wan Abdullah method and Sathasivam relaxation method to obtain
the correct final state of the neurons. The computer simulation shows that MAX-kSAT can be embedded optimally in
Hopfield Neural Network.
The development and application of organic based drug carrier in drug delivery system (DDSs) with greater efficacy and
fewer side effects remains a significant challenge in modern scientific and medical research. The aim of current study
was to evaluate the ability of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as drug delivery carrier to encapsulate Curcumin (CUR), a promising
chemotherapeutic that exhibits low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability forming inclusion complex by kneading
method to enhance its delivery to cancer cells. Different methods and analysis such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)
spectrometer, 1
H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1
H NMR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were employed to approve the successful formation of the inclusion complex
where the aromatic ring of CUR has been encapsulated by the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD. UV absorption indicated that
β-CD complex with CUR with an apparent formation constant of 1.09 × 10-8mol-1dm-3. Based on the data obtained by
methylthiazole tetrazolium (MTT), β-CD showed that not only did it enhanced Curcumin delivery, but it also improved
and promoted the anti-proliferative effect of CUR during the complexation rather than CUR alone on the MCF-7 human
breast cancer cells at 24 h incubation period with IC50 lower than that of Curcumin alone. The toxicities of the β-CD-CUR
towards MCF-7 cells were also compared to the free tamoxifen, Curcumin and β-CD. This study provides a preliminary
toxicity evaluation based on β-CD-CUR inclusion complex as potential delivery system towards the selected cancer cells.
Islam merupakan satu agama yang menitikberatkan kesihatan manusia termasuklah sistem pencernaan manusia. Najis
(tinja) manusia yang dibincangkan dalam kajian ini merupakan hasil buangan manusia yang menjadi salah satu kaedah
untuk melihat sudut kesihatan manusia. Objektif penyelidikan ini ialah untuk mengkaji fizikokimia dan ciri-ciri najis
serta kegunaannya daripada perspektif sains dan sudut pandangan Islam terutamanya mengenai diet yang diamalkan
oleh Rasulullah SAW. Kajian ini dijalankan dengan menggunakan ulasan literatur secara deskriptif. Kajian mendapati
bahawa sistem pencernaan merupakan satu sistem yang rumit. Tinja terdiri daripada 75% air dan 25% bahan pepejal
serta ciri-ciri tinja seperti bentuk, warna dan bau memberi kesan kepada kesihatan manusia. Daripada sudut Islam
warna, bau dan rasa tinja merupakan perkara asas yang dititikberatkan semasa proses pembersihan najis terutamanya
bagi memulakan sesuatu ibadah. Selain itu, diet, senaman, umur dan jantina merupakan faktor-faktor yang membezakan
jenis tinja bagi setiap individu. Malah, kajian ini juga merungkai beberapa alternatif yang kini diguna pakai bagi
mengurus najis-najis manusia dalam menjamin kesihatan dan pemeliharaan alam sekitar. Kajian ini kemudiannya
mengupas diet makanan-makanan sunnah yang terdapat di dalam Al-Quran dan hadis yang terbukti kaya dengan serat
dan sihat untuk manusia terutamanya bagi sistem pencernaan manusia. Oleh itu, najis (tinja) manusia daripada sudut
sains mampu menggambarkan kesihatan seseorang dan amalan diet makanan-makanan sunnah sangat baik dalam
memelihara sistem pencernaan manusia.
Studies evaluating the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV), a gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness
and established markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with other established vascular markers or inflammation
among young adult is still scarce. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the
association between PWV with other vascular markers or inflammation. Relevant articles from Ovid Medline, Science
Direct and Scopus databases were explored between 2009 and March 2018. Original articles published in English
measuring any correlation between carotid-femoral PWV (PWVcf) with either augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima
media thickness (CIMT) or C-reactive protein (CRP) on young adult with age range between 18 and 45 years old were
included. The literature search identified 21 potential articles to be reviewed, which meet all the inclusion criteria.
Four articles investigated the correlation between PWVcf with CRP, however only two studies gave significant but weak
correlations. As for CIMT, a single relevant article was found and the correlation was not significant. In conclusion, lack
of association between PWV and other vascular markers and inflammation may suggest that these vascular markers have
their own property in assessing vascular status. Thus, these markers should be measured independently for comprehensive
assessment of future CVD risk.