Doxorubicin (DOX) adalah salah satu ubat kemoterapi yang paling berkesan untuk merawat pelbagai neoplasma seperti leukemia, limfoma dan kanser payudara. Walau bagaimanapun, ia sering dikaitkan dengan kardiomiopati. Pada masa ini, tiada rawatan yang sesuai untuk mengurangkan kesan kardiomiopati tanpa kesan sampingan yang ketara. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan-kesan perlindungan potensi ekstrak benih padi (RSE) terhadap kesitotoksikan yang disebabkan oleh DOX menggunakan kajian kultur sel vitro. Keupayaan antioksidan RSE dinilai, dan hasilnya menunjukkan jumlah kandungan fenolik yang lebih rendah (TPC), tetapi jumlah kandungan flavonoid total (TFC) dan kapasiti antioksidan yang setara trolox (TEAC), dibandingkan dengan ekstrak benih wheatgrass. Satu siri eksperimen spektroskopi penyerapan dan pendarfluor menunjukkan bahawa RSE boleh menghalang pembentukan kompleks DOX-DNA pada kepekatan yang diuji. Tambahan pula, daya maju sel kardiomiosit sel, H9c2 (2-1), telah diuji selepas 24, 48 dan 72 jam rawatan DOX terhadap RSE menggunakan ujian proliferasi sel berdasarkan garam tetrazolium (MTS reagent). Hasilnya menunjukkan kesan perlindungan yang signifikan terhadap RSE terhadap kesitotoksikan yang disebabkan oleh DOX. Jalur sel karsinoma nasofarinks, HK1, digunakan sebagai kawalan untuk menentukan sama ada keberkesanan DOX terjejas oleh pentadbiran bersama RSE. Hasilnya tidak menunjukkan kesan negatif terhadap keberkesanan dadah. Pelbagai sifat berfaedah RSE menunjukkan potensi kuatnya untuk membangunkan agen kardioprotektif untuk melengkapi rawatan DOX dalam tetapan klinikal.
MeSH terms: Chromans; Doxorubicin; Flavonoids; Leukemia; DNA Adducts
Acanthaceae merupakan famili tumbuhan berbunga di bawah order Lamiales dan terdiri daripada sekurang-kurangnya 4,000 spesies di kawasan tropika dan juga kawasan subtropika dengan genus Justicia merupakan genus terbesar. Kajian mikromorfologi petal dan sepal telah dijalankan ke atas ke atas enam spesies iaitu Justicia betonica L., J. carnea Lindl., J. comata (L.) Lam., J. gendarussa Burm.f., J. procumbens L. dan J. ptychostoma Nees. Kaedah kajian termasuklah penetapan bunga di dalam larutan penetap, siri dehidrasi, titik pengeringan genting dan cerapan di bawah mikroskop imbasan elektron. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kesemua enam spesies mempunyai variasi dan perbezaan mikromorfologi pada permukaan epidermis petal dan sepal. Kutikel lilin boleh ditemui pada kedua-dua permukaan epidermis petal dan sepal kesemua spesies yang dikaji. Kutikel lilin butir merupakan satu-satunya jenis kutikel lilin yang ditemui pada kesemua permukaan petal dan sepal spesies kajian. Terdapat lapan jenis trikom ditemui pada permukaan epidermis sepal dan juga lapan jenis trikom pada permukaan epidermis petal. Justicia betonica boleh dibezakan secara langsung dengan kehadiran stomata amfidiasitik pada permukaan epidermis petal dan stomata tidak hadir pada permukaan petal spesies yang lain. Kesimpulannya, hasil kajian ini membuktikan ciri mikromorfologi petal dan sepal mempunyai kesignifikan sistematik dan boleh digunakan sebagai data sokongan bagi pembezaan dan pengenalpastian spesies dalam genus Justicia.
Keradangan hati berkait rapat dengan perubahan dalam ekspresi lipoprotein dan apolipoprotein. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), wakil tunggal jenis kedua IFN, memainkan peranan yang penting dalam memodulasi dan mempergiatkan tindak balas keradangan. Justeru itu, kajian ini direka untuk mengenal pasti kesan IFN-γ terhadap apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I) dan penglibatan nuclear factor–kappa B (NF-κB) dalam laluan isyarat tersebut. Tindak balas rantai polymerase transkripsi berbalik kuantitatif (qRT-PCR) dan analisis blot western telah dilaksanakan untuk menguantifikasi ekspresi APOA-I dalam sel-sel HepG2 selepas dirawat dengan IFN-γ. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa 50 ng/mL IFN-γ merangsangkan ekspresi mRNA dan protein APOA-I. Walau bagaimanapun, pra-rawatan sel dengan inhibitor laluan isyarat NF-κB mengurangkan tahap ekspresi APOA-I. Kajian ini juga mendemonstrasikan penglibatan langsung isyarat NF-κB dalam ekspresi APOA-I akibat rangsangan IFN-γ, di mana IFN-γ meningkatkan tahap fosforilasi NF-κB p65 Ser468 dan Ser536 kepada 2.59-ganda and 1.63-ganda. Namun demikian, pra-rawatan sel dengan perencat laluan isyarat NF-κB melumpuhkan peningkatkan tersebut dan kemudian mengurangkan ekspresi APOA-I dalam sel HepG2. Sebagai rumusan, kajian ini berjaya mengenalpasti peranan isyarat NF-κB dan pengaktifan p65 Ser468 dan Ser536 sebagai pengantara IFN-γ ke atas induksi APOA-I di dalam sel-sel HepG2.
MeSH terms: Interferon-gamma; Protein Binding; RNA, Messenger; Blotting, Western; Polymerase Chain Reaction; NF-kappa B; Apolipoprotein A-I; I-kappa B Proteins
Pencirian enzim ekstraselular protease daripada bakteria Alkalophilic Bacillus lehensis G1 dari Malaysia telah dikaji. Enzim protease yang dirembeskan diuji pada agar susu skim 2%. Keputusan menunjukkan protease ekstraselular mampu mengekalkan aktiviti sehingga suhu 60°C di dalam julat pH yang luas iaitu 3 hingga 11 dengan suhu optimum pada 40°C dan pH optimum pada 7.0. Aktiviti enzim juga diperhatikan akan meningkat dengan penambahan beberapa ion iaitu Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ dan Co2+. Manakala aktiviti protease didapati sedikit direncat dengan kehadiran ion Ca2+, K+ dan Ni2+ dengan baki aktiviti sebanyak 85%, 81% dan 75%. Protease ekstraselular juga didapati serasi dengan beberapa cecair detergen komersial dari Malaysia, yang menunjukkan protease ini boleh dimanfaatkan sebagai pembersih kotoran pada pakaian. Selain itu, potensi kegunaan protease yang dihasilkan oleh B. lehensis G1 ke atas penguraian gelatin dari filem X-ray yang telah digunakan juga telah dilakukan di dalam kajian ini.
Penentuan jantina burung adalah penting untuk tujuan kajian ekologi dan biologi evolusi, serta program pembiakan dan konservasi terutamanya bagi burung yang mempunyai ciri monomorfik. Bagi burung pungguk jelapang Tyto alba, pengesahan jantina adalah penting untuk konservasi serta program pengenalan bagi kawalan tikus perosak. Penentuan jantina secara molekular untuk subspesies Asia Tenggara, Tyto alba javanica, telah dijalankan menggunakan Reaksi Rantai Polimerase (PCR) diikuti 3% gel agaros elektroforesis. Primer P2/P8 and 2550F/2718R untuk amplifikasi gen CHD (Chromo Helicase DNA-binding gene) diuji dan kedua-dua set primer memberi keputusan yang berjaya. Set primer 2550F/2718R memberi hasil yang lebih baik kerana jurang di antara jalur berganda lebih terang. DNA yang diekstrak dari darah, darah yang dicairkan, serta DNA yang diekstrak dari bulu burung digunakan untuk menentukan jantina burung. DNA yang diekstrak dari bulu memberi keputusan yang kurang memuaskan akibat pencemaran serta kuantiti DNA yang rendah. Penentuan jantina menggunakan darah yang dicairkan merupakan kaedah yang menjimatkan kos serta masa. Penjujukan gen CHD dari Tyto alba javanica menunjukkan 98% hingga 99% kesamaan identiti bila dibandingkan gen CHD Tyto alba alba.
Siasatan terhadap taburan dan kelimpahan kumpulan pemakanan
makroinvertebrata akuatik di Sungai Bogak, Kerian dan Serdang di lembangan sungai
Kerian menunjukkan terdapat 120 genera dari 59 keluarga dari 13 order makroinvertebrata.
Pemangsa terutamanya Odonata, Hemiptera dan Coleoptera adalah kumpulan yang paling
biasa dan didapati dalam kepadatan tinggi di Sungai Bogak (sungai yang diubah suai)
dan Sungai Kerian (sungai utama). Kumpulan dominan kedua di kedua-dua sungai itu
adalah pemungut-kumpul (Diptera dan Ephemeroptera) diikuti oleh pengikis (moluska).
Pola kumpulan pemakanan yang berlainan diperhatikan di Sungai Serdang (anak Sungai
Kerian). Kumpulan yang paling banyak adalah pemungut-kumpul, diikuti oleh pemangsa
dan pengikis. Secara umum, kelimpahan pemangsa menunjukkan korelasi positif dengan
kelimpahan mangsa mereka (kumpulan pemakanan lain). Kelimpahan pemangsa terutama
di Sungai Bogak dan Kerian, sangat dipengaruhi oleh parameter seperti PO43-, NO3-N
dan Zn. Kelimpahan pemungut-kumpul di sungai Serdang pula dipengaruhi oleh suhu
dan halaju air, TSS, kekeruhan serta kandungan Mn dan Cu di dalam sedimen. Walau
bagaimanapun, semua parameter air mempengaruhi secara lemah kelimpahan kumpulan
pemakanan di semua lokasi. Banyak pemungut-kumpul di Sungai Serdang dikaitkan dengan
air yang diperkaya oleh sisa antropogenik dari kawasan kediaman sekitar. Pada umumnya,
kumpulan pemakanan yang dominan di setiap sungai mencerminkan pengaruh keadaan
persekitaran yang berbeza dan ketersediaan sumber makanan di kawasan tersebut
Psoriasis imposes a great economic burden as a result of higher expenditures for different interventions, diagnostic procedures, pharmaceuticals and loss of productivity. Less is known about the economic impact of psoriasis treatment in Asean region. The aim of this research was to calculate the costs associated with four psoriasis treatment modalities. A prospective cohort study was conducted in five hospitals involving 91 moderate to severe psoriasis patients. Costs were calculated from the societal perspective using the principle of Step Down and Activity Based Costing (ABC) within a six (6) months follow-up duration. The components of the costs borne by the provider were inpatient cost, cost of medication, laboratory investigation and radiology. Patient’s cost included out of pocket expenses, travelling cost and loss of productivity. Cost per patient per day was RM1,105.24 (inpatient) (US$315.94) and RM298.02 (outpatient) (US$85.19). Medication accounted for almost 90% (RM457,014.00) (US$130 638.45) of the total provider cost. Meanwhile, loss of productivity represented 84% (RM167,439.00) (US$47,862.80) of the total patient’s cost. Biologic treatment exhibited the highest cost which was RM342,377.00 (US$97,869.21), followed by systemic treatment (RM105,607.00) (US$30,187.99), topical treatment (RM38,280.00) (US$10,942.42) and topical phototherapy treatment (RM21,824.00) (US$6,238.44). Understanding the relationship between direct and indirect costs from both perspectives is important to accurately identify and evaluate effective treatment for psoriasis.
Transgender adalah satu keadaan biopsikososial yang kompleks dan merupakan sebahagian daripada dimensi seksualiti manusia. Ia merangkumi komponen kognitif-emosi dan tingkah-laku yang membuatkan seseorang insan itu unik di dalam ekspresi seksualitinya. Kaum transgender cenderung untuk menggunakan hormon-silang-seks untuk mengubah keadaan dirinya menyerupai gender bertentangan yang diingini dengan cara menutupi ciri sekunder seksnya. Seks hormon yang biasa digunakan ialah: ““Female to Male Treatment Options (FMTO)” iaitu testosterone and hormon wanita pada “Male to Female Treatment Options (MFTO)”, di mana kombinasi estrogen dan anti-androgen digunakan. Hormonsilang-seks iaitu FMTO, atau MFTO mempengaruhi sifat biologi dan psikologi individu transgender. Namun begitu, hormon-silang-seks mempunyai profil kesan sampingan tertentu yang juga memberi impak biologi dan psikologi. Impak psikologi menjurus kepada masalah kesihatan mental dan bunuh-diri. Pelbagai tahap pengaruh biopsikososial kesan hormon-silang-seks diterangkan dan ulasan ini memberi ruang membincangkan kepelbagaian pilihan rawatan. Di dalam psikiatri, perubahan biologi memberi pengaruh yang besar ke atas individu transgender, terutamnaya dari aspek psikososial dan budaya.
Background Since cataract is the leading cause of blindness and no study has been done on the surgical incidence trends, we conducted this research in Melaka. Objective To describe incidences of cataract surgery according to basic demographic variables and types of surgery performed. Method Using the National Eye Database (NED), we performed descriptive statistics calculating incidence rates per 1,000 population by demographic features and types of cataract operations to look at the trends of surgeries in the population. Statistics for population were obtained from the department of statistics. Result From 2007-2010, 6270 patients mostly 60-69 years underwent cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification (78.2%) was the commonest surgery performed. The annual incidence rate of cataract surgery reduced from 2.05 per 1000 population in 2007 to 2.02 per 1000 population in 2010 (p<0.05). Incidence rates for those aged 60 and above rose while for those aged below nine years it declined. Indians had the highest incidence rates followed by Chinese and Malays per 1000 population. Females had a higher incidence rate although there was a declining trend over the years. Conclusion Cataract surgery rates showed a decline. Public health education and awareness on detection and operating upon cataracts should be increased and especially targeted towards vulnerable groups such as women, individuals of Indian ethnicity and those aged 50 years and above.
Introduction: Mental problems have become increasingly important public health issue globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A total of 447 medical students were sampled by stratified proportion- ate to size sampling according to year of study. Validated self-administered questionnaire was used consisted of 5 sections namely, socio-demographic factors, social support received from family members and friends, presence of co-morbidity, previous history of resolved mental problem and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS- 21. Data was analysed by using the statistical computer software ‘Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)’ version 22 involving three levels of analysis (descriptive, chi square and multiple logistic regression). Results: Only 31.1% of the respon- dents were found to be depressed with mainly within the moderately depressed category, 53.9% had anxiety and 26% were having stress. Perceived social support received from family members was a significant predicting factor for depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusion: High proportion of depression, anxiety and level of stress among medical students were found. The stressful medical program is putting medical students at risk of mental problems. Parents and family members should be encouraged to be more involved in any related programs to promote better mental health and well-being of medical students.
Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the factors and predictors of good glycaemic control among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in two rural government health clinics in Kuala Selangor. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 200 patients selected through systematic random sampling from a list of T2DM patients in two government health clinics in Kuala Selangor. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire while glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) results were obtained from the patients’ blood results re- cord at the clinic. HbA1c of 6.5 % and below was categorized as good glycaemic control. The factors studied were socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, occupation and household income), T2DM medical history (T2DM duration and type of treatment), diabetes knowledge, health literacy, adherence to treatment, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity. Pearson’s chi square test was used to test for associations and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the predictors. Results: The response rate was 86.9%. The pro- portion of good glycaemic control was 34.0%. Level of glycaemic control was significantly associated with duration of being diagnosed with T2DM (p=0.006) and type of treatment (p=0.009). The probability of having good glycaemic control was 2.5 times more likely among respondents diagnosed with T2DM for less than 10 years (AOR=2.458, 95% of CI=1.504-14.282, p=0.037). Conclusion: Shorter duration of being diagnosed with T2DM has been found to be a predictor of good glycaemic control in this study population, thus warranting stricter monitoring among patients who have been diagnosed for a longer period.
Introduction: Many studies have investigated the knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among fathers and mothers, however studies looking at working adults’ knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding is limited. Work- ing adults with good knowledge and favourable attitude toward the practice of breastfeeding may increase the breast- feeding initiative among working mothers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding among staff from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of a public univer- sity and its associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among faculty staff members. The respondents were selected by simple random sampling and a self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate the knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding among them. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with knowledge and attitude respectively. Results: A total of 117 respondents were recruited to take part in this study. Of these, 83(70.9%) had good knowledge while 61(52.6%) respondents had favourable attitude toward breastfeeding. There was significant positive fair correlation between knowledge and attitude score (r=0.396,p
Introduction: Malaysia is known for its shy and prudent community that indirectly causing the stigma and taboos related to later life sexuality. This study aimed to explore the sexual desire and satisfaction in later life among the Malay ethnic elderly in Malaysia who were living in the urban area, where discussions about sexual issues are per- ceived less sensitive and stigmatized. Methods: A total of 234 eligible elderly were approached but only 160 older people completed the questionnaire, sampled using multistage cluster sampling method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using questionnaires consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, cognitive function, perceived health status, presence of chronic illnesses, smoking history, disability, perceived sexual problems, sexual desire and satisfaction. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine the associated factors for sexual desire and satisfaction, respectively. All tests significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Majority of the respondents were having sexual desire (53.8%) and not satisfied with their sexual life (51.3%), with elderly women (55.7%) experienced more sexual problems compared to men. The results showed male, being married, good perceived health and absence of arthritis were the significant contributing factors of better sexual desire. Having good health perception, being mar- ried and absence of sexual problems were significantly predicting better sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: The study emphasized the multifactorial aspects contributed towards the sexual dissatisfaction among the respondents despite having desire for sexual activity. Focus should be given to elderly women who tend to have multiple chronic diseases and more likely a widow due to their longer life expectancy.
Introduction: Sustained optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is required for long-term suppression of vi- ral replication. However, adherence level in Jos, Nigeria has been reported to be below optimal adherence, thus this study investigates the predictors of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients there. Methods: A validated and pretested questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional study to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, duration of being on ART, alcohol consumption, presence of symptoms, drug type and disclosure status from 224 randomly selected adult HIV patients. Chi-square and binary logistics re- gression were used for data analysis. Level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Only 14.3% of the respondents had optimal adherence. Adherence to ART is significantly associated with gender (p = 0.043), duration of ART use (p = 0.041), alcohol (p = 0.029), drug type (p = 0.001), and disclosure status (p = 0.004). Binary logistics regression reveals that females are 2.4 times more likely to have optimal adherence than males, patients on ART for over 10 years are 2.5 times more likely to have optimal adherence than those less than 10 years, and patients with disclosed HIV status are 3.3 times more likely to have optimal adherence than those who had not. Conclusion: Generally, the patients had suboptimal adherence. Being female, having longer duration on ART and disclosure status are predictors for optimal adherence. Intervention with emphasis on males and new patients on ART is recommended to educate on optimal adherence and motivate patients to disclose their status.
Introduction: Family planning allows couples to have their desired number of children and optimum birth spacing. While the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) in Malaysia was reported as 52.2% in 2014, little is known regard- ing the practice of family planning among marginalised groups such as the Orang Asli women. This study aims to determine family planning practice among married Orang Asli women in Sepang district and its associated factors. Methods: A cross sectional study using a pretested questionnaire was conducted in five Orang Asli settlements in Sepang using cluster sampling. Chi-square test and simple logistic regression were used in bivariate analysis, where- as binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of family planning practice. Results: 212 (58.4%) participants were current users of family planning, with 68.3% of the users reported using oral contraceptive pills. In the logistic regression models, family planning practice was significantly more common among women who had children (AOR= 43.659, 95% CI: 5.788, 329.323), being housewives (AOR=1.973, 95% CI: 1.205, 3.230) and had higher attitude score (AOR=1.113, 95% CI: 1.006, 1.232). Conclusion: The CPR of current study was about the same as the national CPR in 2014. The predictors of family planning practice among Orang Asli women were having chil- dren, being a housewife and having a better attitude towards family planning. Future intervention to increase the CPR should focus on improving women’s attitude regarding family planning.
Introduction: The increasing prevalence of depression has been a major public health concern. Being a marginalized population put the inmates at risk of depression. The main objective of this study was to identify the determinants of depression among the inmates according to the biopsychosocial model. Methods: A cross sectional study involv- ing 460 male inmates was conducted at a medium security prison in Seremban. Only Malaysian adult prisoners who have been convicted and had spent a minimum of three months in the prison were eligible for the study. They were selected using the probability proportional to size using stratified random sampling. Data was collected using validated and pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interviews, with depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22 with a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed prevalence of depression were 40.70% (95% CI: 36.21-45.19) with its development being predicted by presence of communicable disease (AOR=2.145, 95% CI: 1.123-4.095), history of childhood abuse (AOR=1.762, 95% CI: 1.045-2.972), sentences of more than 5 years (AOR=3.801, 95% CI: 1.529-9.450), being non-Muslims (AOR=2.261, 95% CI: 1.461-3.497) and perceived stress (AOR=4.007, 95% CI= 2.610-6.151). Conclusions: This study revealed an alarmingly high preva- lence of depression among the male inmates, with stress being the strongest risk factor. Reintegration of the prisoners into the community should be considered as part of the rehabilitation program to ensure continuation of psychiatric care and reduce relapsing.
Introduction: Even though exclusive breastfeeding prevalence has increased from 19.3% in 2006 to 47.1% in 2016, this practice was slightly higher in urban areas (48.3%) compared to rural area (45.1%) in Malaysia. National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia III has set an indicator to achieve at least 70% exclusive breastfeeding by 2025. Therefore this study is to identify predictors that influenced exclusive breastfeeding practice in rural areas. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in six rural health clinics in Hulu Langat District, Selangor among moth- ers with youngest child aged 6-48 months old. Respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. Validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic factors, maternal factors, external factors and child’s factors. Mother’s height and weight was measured and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors for ex- clusive breastfeeding practice. Results: Response rate was 96% with a total of 311 mothers participated in this study. More than half of the mothers exclusively breastfed (52.4%). The predictors for exclusive breastfeeding were Malay ethnicity (AOR=3.951, 95% CI: 1.374-11.358), having tertiary education (AOR=2.401, 95% CI: 1.100-5.241) and positive attitude toward breastfeeding (AOR=7.755, 95% CI: 1.382-43.502). Conclusion: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was higher in this study than the national level. Programme planners should pay special attention to Chinese and Indian ethnicities, mothers with lower level of education and negative attitude in order to improve breastfeeding practice among rural mothers.
MeSH terms: Animals; Body Weight; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Infant; Malaysia; Mothers; Moths; Nutritional Status; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Health; Rural Population; Body Mass Index; Prevalence; Logistic Models; Mating Factor
Introduction: About 18% of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel are diagnosed with either hypertension, diabetes or coronary artery disease, while another 8% are obese. The rising prevalence necessitates intervention.
Methods: This is a single blinded randomized controlled trial among overweight and obese MAF personnel attending medical checkup in MAF hospital in Kuala Lumpur. An intervention module was developed to increase their physical activity level. Short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity in metabolic equivalent of task score (METs score), while blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood lipid profile and fasting blood sugar measurements were also obtained. These parameters were measured at baseline and again at 6 months. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) statistical test were applied to evaluate the effect of the intervention.
Results: Response rate was 100%. Most of participants were aged above 40 years, male, from Malay ethnic group, completed secondary education and had monthly income above RM 4000. Most of the respondents were obese and had moderate level of physical activity at baseline. All variables compared between groups at baseline showed no significant difference. At six months, after controlling for covariates, the significant difference was only in METs score. The odds of having high METs score in the intervention group after receiving intervention was nearly 3 times higher than those in the control group, after adjusting for interaction between time and group as well as other covari- ates (AOR = 2.908, 95% CI 1.323 – 6.391, P=0.008).
Conclusion: Intervention was effective in increasing physical activity among overweight and obese military personnel.
Study site: Malaysian Armed Forces Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Hospitals, Military; Humans; Malaysia; Obesity; Exercise*; Body Mass Index; Overweight
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Community Medicine Posting to instilling and culti- vating teamwork, leadership and professionalism among the medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, professionalism, teamwork and lead- ership sections was distributed to the year four medical students before and after the Community Medicine Posting. The posting lasted for 6 weeks and served as an intervention for the purpose of this study. Results: A total of 107 of medical students were involved with mean age of 22.64 ± 0.63 years old. The mean score for professionalism and leadership were significantly (p
d-Lactic acid production is gaining increasing attention due to the thermostable properties of its polymer, poly-d-lactic acid . In this study, Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens, was evaluated for its ability to produce d-lactic acid using Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS) hydrolysate as the substrate. DDGS was first subjected to alkaline pretreatment with sodium hydroxide to remove the hemicellulose component and the generated carbohydrate-rich solids were then subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase mixture Accellerase® 1500. When comparing separate hydrolysis and fermentation and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of L. coryniformis on DDGS hydrolysate, the latter method demonstrated higher d-lactic acid production (27.9 g/L, 99.9% optical purity of d-lactic acid), with a higher glucose to d-lactic acid conversion yield (84.5%) compared to the former one (24.1 g/L, 99.9% optical purity of d-lactic acid). In addition, the effect of increasing the DDGS concentration in the fermentation system was investigated via a fed-batch SSF approach, where it was shown that the d-lactic acid production increased to 38.1 g/L and the conversion yield decreased to 70%. In conclusion, the SSF approach proved to be an efficient strategy for the production of d-lactic acid from DDGS as it reduced the overall processing time and yielded high d-lactic acid concentrations.