In Oriental Medicine, the examination of tongue body contributes to rich information in diagnosing some diseases. The practitioners use tongue body colour and other relevant features to predict the patient’s conditions and disease-oriented state. To reduce the ambiguity and other limitation caused by environment, an automatic tongue acquisition system has been introduced recently to assist the medical practitioner in daily clinical practices. However, most of these acquisition systems are not equipped with the intelligent decision support system to diagnose certain diseases using informative tongue bio-markers. In this paper, automatic tongue diagnosis prototype on Raspberry-pi is proposed to reduce human labour and to promote portability. To integrate with Internet of Things (IOT) technology, tongue image processing analysis including segmentation and colour classification techniques using k-means and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is executed on Raspberry-Pi that is equipped with High Definition (HD) camera via MATLAB Coder platform. This high definition camera will capture the real time image of a patient’s tongue to be segmented and analysed further. It is expected to provide health information that can be used as a pre-diagnosis system based on Oriental Medicine perspectives.
This paper represents an effective method to enhance colour correction for tongue diagnosis. Colour Correction means exactly that, correcting the colour in image in the post production process. If the task of correcting an image is not in the workflow, it may be missing out on how great the image could look. It is one of the tasks of being a director of photography to get the best image to the colourist that can be. Understanding the camera’s limitation and using that knowledge on set is the first step in getting images that are much easier to correct later in the production workflow. Cameras record three colour responses of Red, Green and Blue (RGB) that are device dependent. In this work, preliminary research on tongue colour correction using polynomial regression algorithm has been implemented on Munsell colour checker for future tongue colour correction and diagnosis. The attained RGB colour space from Munsell Checker image converted to Lab colour space which is device independent colour space based on human visual system that is perceptually uniform. Then, several degrees of polynomial regression method are employed to provide comparative analysis on colour reproduction index to produce good quality of image after colour correction procedure. The experimental outcomes on colour checker show the colour difference is equal to 3.3289, ∆E*ab=3.3289 which is acceptable in digital image colour reproducibility.
An average number of books for a normal library is around 10,000. Finding books in a library is a cumbersome process and time consuming especially in a huge library. Besides, the cost to embed RFID tag on each book is too expensive. To overcome the problem, this paper proposed a solution for finding location of library books. The solution is using i) a smartphone application to navigate location of book, and ii) LED Blinker with Beacon Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology on bookshelf. The case study for this research is Library of Jeneral Tun Ibrahim at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) Library. This study also produces a new framework for finding books in libraries. The framework is a proof of concept that can be applied in the smart library system to assists library patrons in finding locations of books.
Data is anything in a form suitable for use with a computer. Data is often distinguished from programs. A program is a set of instructions that detail a task for the computer to perform. In this sense, data is thus everything that is not program code. Generally and in science, data is a gathered body of facts. Data security refers to protective digital privacy measures that are applied to prevent unauthorized access to computers data. Data security also protects data from corruption. However in this article would show a method for encryption text data by java program. It will encrypt is such a way that data could not read in plain text. Whereas Forensic science is a combine science. Scientific Evidence is a part of forensic science. By using the forensic science collecting information and present it on the court. So the meaning of evidence of science representing the understanding of collection information by establishes science. For example to create a DNA profile, following the establish protocol to make a DNA profile. So by testing it thousand times it will give the same result. This is the establish rule of science. When applying this rule in the court then it will call scientific Evidence. In Bangladesh most of the time it is seen that judiciary process is depends on confession based. Justice in the lower court does not depend on Digital forensic rather depend on Confession based. The definition of document is given in Section 3 at Evidence Act, 1872 and it is amended by ICT Act 2006 by Section 87 ,it is said that creating document by electronic is also a document .So any picture or video or audio are electronic document is a document .However for digital evidence based solution in this project using autopsy forensic tools, which will run on Kali Linux Forensic mode. It will generate a report paper and calculates MD5 hash values and confirms the integrity of the data before closing the files. Not all computer offence we can called cybercrime , but if a person created forged certificate or steal computer file , may called it as a Digital Crime .In real space , there are some physical force such as robbery , theft etc. But in Digital crime, there is no physical force, but doing the crime by technology.
Introduction: Good health literacy and knowledge are associated with improved outcomes in diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine diabetes-specific literacy and knowledge levels, and its associated socio-demographic factors, among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 adults from the Indian, Chinese, and Malay ethnic groups with T2DM who attended a primary care clinic in Seremban, Malaysia. The Literacy Assessment for Diabetes and Diabetes Knowledge Test 2 were used to assess diabetes-specific literacy and knowledge, respectively.
Results: The majority of participants (75.0%) had literacy scores that corresponded to Ninth Grade Level but only 3.6% of participants had a good knowledge of diabetes. Literacy scores explained up to 19.8% of the variance in knowledge scores (r=0.445, p<0.01). Indian participants had the lowest literacy and knowledge scores when compared to Chinese and Malays (p<0.05). Participants with higher education had better literacy
and knowledge scores (p<0.05). Educational level was more likely than ethnicity to predict both literacy and knowledge scores (p<0.001), while gender and age did not significantly predict either score. The majority of participants could answer general questions about physical activity, diabetes-related complications and healthy eating. Knowledge of diabetes and its relation to specific foods and the effect of diet on glucose control were limited among the participants.
Conclusion: Education and ethnicity were associated with literacy and knowledge on diabetes. There existed a deficit of diabetes-related nutrition knowledge among the participants. These findings may help healthcare providers tailor individualised patient educational interventions.
Keywords: Diabetes literacy, diabetes knowledge, type 2 diabetes
MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Health Literacy*
Introduction: A retrospective study was conducted with the aim of determining
the factors that affect weight loss among post-bariatric surgery patients. Methods:
A successful weight loss outcome in this study was defined as achieving at
least 50% excess weight loss (EWL). Eligible participants were those who had
undergone bariatric surgery at least two years prior to the study. Adherence to
lifestyle recommendations post-bariatric surgery, binge eating, depression, and
social support were assessed. Results: A total of 51 post-bariatric surgery patients
were recruited with a mean post-operative period of 3.2±0.7 years. The mean preoperative weight of 116.6±28.8 kg and body mass index (BMI) 45.2±8.8 kg/m2 were
significantly reduced to 86.6±21.0 kg and 33.6±6.7 kg/m2, respectively, during
follow-up (p
Introduction: The mNUTRIC score is a nutritional assessment tool to identify critically
ill patients with high nutritional risk who could benefit from nutritional interventions.
This study was conducted to validate the 28-day mortality prognostic performance
of the mNUTRIC score in a Malaysian intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This was
a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who were consecutively admitted to
the ICU from January 2017 to December 2018 for >24 hours. Data were collected on
variables required to calculate the mNUTRIC score. Patients with mNUTRIC score
≥5 points were considered to be at high nutritional risk. Main outcome was 28-
day mortality from all causes; ICU length of stay (LOS) and prolonged mechanical
ventilation (MV) (>2 days) were secondary outcomes. Results: From a total of 432
admissions, 382 (88.4%) patients fulfilled the study criteria. Seventy-seven (20.2%)
of these patients were at high nutritional risk. They had longer mean ICU LOS
(7.1±7.5 days versus 4.2±4.0 days, p=0.001), greater proportion of prolonged MV
(57.1% versus 14.4%, p
Introduction: The refeeding programme in government hospitals is aimed at
improving the nutritional status of malnourished children with weight-for-height
z-score (WHZ) below -2.0, using special therapeutic food. However, there is a lack of
data on the nutritional status of indigenous (Orang Asli) children when they return
to the community after hospital discharge. Case presentation: A 3-year-old Temiar
boy residing in a tribal village in Hulu Perak was visited to determine his nutritional
status following discharge from a refeeding programme in a government hospital.
He was admitted to the hospital with a weight of 10.0 kg, height of 85.5 cm and
WHZ of -2.09. The boy was later discharged weighing 11.0 kg, and with height
unchanged at 85.5 cm and WHZ of -0.87. During our visit to the child’s home
three months after discharge, his weight was 9.5 kg, height 86.0 cm, and WHZ
–2.91. Discussion: The management of the case in the hospital was based on
the Malnourished Orang Asli Protocols of the hospital. Household food insecurity,
feeding and care practices, unhealthy household environment and the lack of
communication between hospital and community health services were all identified
as risk factors for malnutrition. Conclusion: The recurrence of malnutrition in this
child, after successful improvement during hospital stay, highlights the importance
of identifying factors that may affect nutritional status after hospital discharge. This
knowledge will be beneficial in planning specific interventions, especially for Orang
Asli children, living in remote villages.
Introduction: Rice noodles are widely consumed as a staple food in Asia. The
main ingredient of rice noodle is polished white rice flour which lacks in nutritional
components. Substitution of white rice flour with brown rice flour often results in
noodles with better nutrient content but less favourable for cooking, textural and
sensory characteristics. Thus, this study aimed to develop and characterise brown
rice noodles substituted with mung bean powder at the level of 5% (g/100 g) and
compared with other formulations. Methods: Four formulations of rice noodles were
prepared using: a. 100% white rice flour; b. 100% brown rice flour; c. white rice flour
with 5% mung bean powder; and d. brown rice flour with 5% mung bean powder.
The rice noodles were produced by conventional extrusion method and evaluated for
their proximate composition, cooking qualities and sensorial properties. Results:
The results of proximate analysis indicated that protein (8.70g/100 g), dietary fibre
(3.10g/100 g), ash (1.50g/100 g) and fat (2.40g/100 g) contents were significantly
(p
The role of oxidized high- density lipoprotein (oxHDL) and the protective effects of adiponectin in terms of vascular calcification is not well-established. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oxHDL with regard to inflammation and vascular calcification and to determine the protective role of adiponectin in attenuating the detrimental effects of oxHDL. Cell viability, mineralization, and calcification assays were conducted to optimize the concentration of oxHDL. Then, human vascular smooth muscle cells (HAoVSMCs) were incubated with β-glycerophosphate, HDL, oxHDL, adiponectin, or the combination of oxHDL with adiponectin for 24 h. Protein expression of IL-6, TNF-α, osterix, RUNX2, ALP, type 1 collagen, osteopontin, osteocalcin, WNT-5a, NF-ĸβ(p65), cAMP and STAT-3 were measured by ELISA kits. OxHDL induced vascular calcification by promoting the formation of mineralization nodules and calcium deposits in HAoVSMCs. This was accompanied by an increased secretion of IL-6, osterix, WNT-5a and NF-ĸβ (p65). Interestingly, these detrimental effects of oxHDL were suppressed by adiponectin. Besides, incubation of adiponectin alone on HAoVSMCs showed a reduction of inflammatory cytokines, osteoblastic markers (RUNX2, osterix and osteopontin), WNT-5a and NF-ĸβ (p65). This study exhibits the ability of oxHDL in inducing inflammation and vascular calcification and these detrimental effects of oxHDL can be attenuated by adiponectin.
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the relationship of maternal dietary
intake with human milk nutritional composition, among Malay mothers during the
postpartum period of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: Human milk samples (20-
30ml) were collected from mothers (n=32) at least once monthly for six months
postpartum. Macronutrients and fatty acids contents were determined using
proximate analysis and gas chromatography methods, respectively. Maternal
dietary intakes were recorded using the multiple-pass diet recall method prior
to each milk sampling and were analysed using the Nutritionist ProTM software.
Associations between the milk composition and maternal diet were tested using
Spearman correlation. Results: The energy content ranged between 49.6-59.2
kcal/100ml, protein 1.3-1.4 g/100ml, carbohydrate 6.5-9.7 g/100ml and total
fat 6.5-9.7 g/100ml. The polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty
acids concentrations were 10.5-19.1 %, 40.6-43.5 %, and 38.0-49.7 %, respectively.
During confinement (first month postpartum), total energy and total fat content of
human milk were the highest whereas total carbohydrate was the lowest, compared
to the rest of the exclusive breastfeeding period. In contrast, intakes of total calorie
and total fat were the lowest, whereas protein was the highest during this period.
However, no associations were detected between human milk nutritional contents
and maternal dietary intake. Conclusion: In our study population, the composition
of maternal diet and nutritional content of human milk differed between confinement
and post-confinement periods. However, the association between maternal diet and
human milk composition itself warrants further investigation.
Introduction: Adequate, nutritive and safe foods are crucial for growth and healthy
living. Adolescents are vulnerable to food insecurity. This study was aimed at
determining the demographic factors, food security status, health-related quality of
life (HRQOL) and body weight status of adolescents in Mentakab, Pahang, Malaysia.
Methods: This study involved 160 households that comprised pairs of mothers and
children aged 13-17 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers
to assess their demographic and food security status (Radimer/Cornell Hunger and
Food Insecurity Instrument). Meanwhile, the children answered a self-administered
HRQOL questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PedsQL). Body weight
and height were measured to obtain the body mass index (BMI). Results: About
48.8% of the adolescents were from households with food insecurity. The number
of school-going siblings, occupation status of mother, occupation status of father,
household income and house ownership status were predictors of food security
status (p
Introduction: The implementation of front-of-pack (FOP) energy icon labelling helps
consumers in making good food choices. This is the first study in Malaysia focusing
on such labelling since it was launched in 2012. It was aimed at determining the
awareness and understanding of the FOP energy icon on food labels in Malaysia.
Methods: A total of 366 consumers aged 18-60 years old in the state of Negeri
Sembilan participated in the study. A guided, self-administered survey was
conducted using a convenient sampling method. Results: The results showed
that 85% of consumers surveyed were aware of FOP energy icon. Among those
who were aware of the icon, 50% (n=155) were categorised as ‘excellent’ and 41%
(n=128) categorised as ‘good’, for understanding the FOP. Conclusion: This study
indicated that the icon could be viewed as a potential tool to be used in conjunction
with the nutrition information panel (NIP). Most of the respondents could extract
nutrition information from the FOP (energy) icon. The study showed that those who
had understood the icon were in the group categories of high education, youth
and female. There was also no significant association between those who received
nutrition labelling education and level of understanding nutrition information from
the icon. Therefore, it is important to further explore the possibility the beneficial
impact of FOP labelling system, including consumer education aspects.
Introduction: Monitoring changes in energy and nutrient intakes of the population
over the course of time is essential to help healthcare providers develop effective
dietary policies. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the nutrient
intake and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) achievements by using the data
obtained from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Surveys (MANS) that were carried out
in 2003 and 2014. Mis-reporting of energy intake was taken into account. Methods:
Dietary data were obtained from MANS 2003 and MANS 2014, which involved a
combined total of 4,044 randomly selected respondents, aged 18-59 years, using
a single 24-hour diet recall. Energy and nutrients calculations were based on the
Malaysian Food Composition database using the Nutritionist Pro software. The
results were compared against the RNI for Malaysia to assess dietary adequacy.
Results: The proportions of calories derived from macronutrients were within the
recommendations for a healthy diet. The consumption of protein, fat, calcium, iron
and vitamin A was significantly higher in 2014 than in 2003. The consumption
of protein, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A was found to exceed the RNIs in 2014.
However, carbohydrate and sodium intakes had significantly decreased. Despite the
decrease, sodium intake still exceeded RNI recommendations. Conclusion: Signs
of changing energy and nutrient intakes were found, including increases in protein
and fat intakes since 2003, and decreased carbohydrates. This could be an alarming
indicator of the tendency to eat energy dense food among the population.
Introduction: Under-reporting of energy intake is a common cause of bias
in nutritional studies. This study was aimed at examining the extent of underreporting of energy intake and its related characteristics among respondents in
the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2003 and MANS 2014. Methods:
The present study analysed energy intakes of 9,624 adults aged 18-59 years from
the MANS in year 2014 (2,890 respondents) and 2003 (6,734 respondents) using
a single 24-hour diet recall. Basal metabolic rates (BMR) were calculated from the
age- and gender-specific equations of Schofield. Under-reporting was defined as an
energy intake:BMR ratio of
Introduction: Data on water and sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) intake
among young adults in Malaysia is sparse. This study aimed at measuring the
intake of plain water and SSB among undergraduate students in a Malaysian
university and examine its association with body mass index (BMI). Methods:
A total of 376 undergraduate students aged 18-30 years were recruited. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to determine the SSB consumption pattern.
The questionnaire consisted of five sections that included the background of the
participants, knowledge about SSB, SSB preferences, frequency and portion size.
Results: 23.9% of subjects in this study were overweight. Almost all of the subjects
took outside food (93.1%) and drink (74.2%). The highest daily consumption was
plain water (92.3%), with a majority drinking more than two cups at each intake.
Caffeinated drinks (coffee or tea) were the most popular SSB among the students
(18.4%). Most students (79.7%) did not consume SSB on a daily basis. A significant
association was found between the proportion of plain water consumption and BMI
(p
Introduction: Obesity and excess weight gain in adults are linked to an increased
risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities. The changing lifestyle experienced by the
Orang Asli predisposes the population to the risk of obesity and non-communicable
diseases. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity as
well as body-weight change over a period of four years among Orang Asli adults.
Methods: Data were collected from Orang Asli adults aged ≥18 years, who were
enrolled in the 2011-2012 and 2015-2016 surveys, and who were residing within
the Krau Wildlife Reserve. Weight and height of the adults (N2011-2012=828; N2015-
2016=662) were measured at both time points. Follow-up data were available for 378
adults (male:113; female:265). Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity
were 18.8% and 7.4% in 2011-2012 and 26.1% and 9.5% in 2015-2016. In the
follow-up group, significant differences in body weight and body mass index (BMI)
were observed in men and women, respectively. More than one-third (35.5%) of the
adults had weight gain of more than 5.0%. The increasing percentage of body weight
change was associated with being female, younger age, more years of schooling and
reduced household income. Conclusion: Obesity is a growing health problem in
the Orang Asli adult population. Weight gain was associated with socioeconomic
indicators and it was more prominent in women. Effective strategies are needed to
address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population to
further reduce adverse health outcomes.
Introduction: The aging population is a matter of global concern. Age-related
physiological, pathological, psychosocial, economic, cultural and environmental
changes are common and may greatly influence the quality of life of the elderly.
The aim of this review was to explore the determinants and motivations that drive
the elderly in making food choices. Methods: The search strategy of this literature
review used the PRISMA protocol. Potential literature that was related to food
choices was identified using two different combinations of keywords and two major
electronic search engines, namely Pubmed and Science Direct. The articles that
were selected for this review had to be in the English language, open-accessed and
published between January 2007 and December 2017. Results: From a search of
1398 articles, 15 articles (seven quantitative and eight qualitative) were identified
that were related to food choices among the elderly. The key factor that determined
food choices among the elderly population was identified to be health. Others
included convenience, sensory appeal, price, early food experience and more. The
limitations of these studies that were reported were the small sample size and the
reliance on self-reporting. The conclusions that were drawn were for specific groups
that were studied in this review should be extrapolated or generalised with caution.
Conclusion: Strategies for intervention programmes should be undertaken in
collaboration with health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the food
industry. Future research is needed in the elderly who have chronic diseases, are
dependent or who have disabilities.