Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is among the most important finfish in aquaculture, particularly in Asia. Numerous genetically improved strains of Nile tilapia have been developed and disseminated through formal and informal channels to hatcheries, many of which operate at a relatively small scale in developing countries. The primary objective of this study was to assess the extent to which molecular genetic tools can identify different and interrelated strains of Nile tilapia in Bangladesh and the Philippines, two globally significant producers. A tool was developed using a low-density panel of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genotyping-by-sequencing and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC). When applied to 2,057 samples from 205 hatcheries in Bangladesh and the Philippines, for hatcheries where the hatchery-identified strain was one of the sampled core populations used to develop the tool, hatchery-identified and DAPC-assigned hatchery-level strains were in agreement in 74.1% of cases in Bangladesh and 80.6% of cases in the Philippines. The dominant hatchery-identified and DAPC-assigned strains were GIFT, in Bangladesh, and GET-ExCEL-a composite strain partially derived from GIFT-in the Philippines.
Autism has been associated with a low antioxidant defense mechanism, while honey has been known for decades for its antioxidant and healing properties. Determination of stingless bee honey (KH) effects on antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative damage in Autism Lymphoblastoid Cell Line (ALCL) was performed. ALCL and its normal sibling pair (NALCL) were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium at 37°C and 5% CO2. ALCL was treated with 400 μg/mL KH (24 h), and oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage was determined via comet assay. Low SOD activity (p < 0.05) and high MDA level (p < 0.05) were observed in ALCL compared to NALCL. Higher grade (Grades 2 and 3) of DNA damage was highly observed (p < 0.05) in ALCL compared to NALCL, whereas lower grade (Grades 0 and 1) DNA damage was highly detected (p < 0.05) in NALCL compared to ALCL. KH treatment caused a significant increase in SOD and GPx activities (p < 0.05) in ALCL compared to untreated ALCL. Correspondingly, KH treatment reduced the Grade 2 DNA damage (p < 0.05) in ALCL compared to untreated ALCL. CAT activity showed no significant difference between all three groups, while the MDA level showed no significant difference between treated and untreated ALCL. In conclusion, KH treatment significantly reduced the oxidative stress in ALCL by increasing the SOD and GPx antioxidant enzyme activities, while reducing the DNA damage.
The majority of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) reported in the literature is due to ABO and rhesus incompatibility. However, there are also other minor blood groups that have been identified as a cause of HDFN, although the occurrence is much rarer. The antibody screening program for D negative mother and the anti-D immunoglobulin treatment showed a significant reduction of the occurrence of HDFN secondary to anti-D. In a developed country, the screening for red blood cell antibody in the pregnant mother other than anti-D reduced the possibility of HDFN occurrence hence reduced the fetal morbidity and subsequently increased the fetal well being during pregnancy and after the postnatal period. In this case report, we discuss HDFN in a primigravida patient secondary to multiple alloantibodies (anti-Jka and anti-E). The baby developed jaundice with bilirubin levels approaching the exchange transfusion level. However, with extensive phototherapy and immunoglobulin treatment, the child did not require exchange transfusion. We also included the importance of the routine antenatal antibody screening program. This practice will help the transfusion center to find the antigen negative blood in a timely manner and reduce the morbidities and mortalities of HDFN among the newborns.
Background. Pre-school children are at a higher risk to acquire infectious diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease due to their immature immune system. Good hand hygiene prevents transmission of infectious diseases. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices of hand hygiene among pre-schoolers. Methods. In this prospective, multi-center study, the pre-schools were selected according to the selection criteria. A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographics, knowledge and practices of hand hygiene were administered via face-to-face interview during the pre- and post-intervention period. A total of 435 pre-schoolers aged 5 and 6 years old from 2 pre-schools within Klang Valley, School P (test group) and School C (control group) were involved in this study. The test group was provided with comprehensive hand hygiene education including video on proper handwashing technique during the 2 months intervention period, whereas the control group did not receive any form of intervention. The data were statistically analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent t-test. Results. Majority of pre-schoolers gained knowledge of handwashing from their parents. However, only 63% demonstrated good handwashing technique. Test group were significantly better (P
MeSH terms: Child; Child, Preschool; Demography; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease; Hand Disinfection; Humans; Immune System; Parents; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools; Caregivers; Patient Selection; Control Groups; Hand Hygiene
Phytonutrients are plant-derived bioactives which are widely utilized as colorants or supplements in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. To meet the global demand for phytonutrients, oil palm has emerged as a promising source of phytonutrients on account of its large-scale plantation worldwide and high oil productivity. Phytonutrients including carotenoids, tocols, sterols, squalene, phospholipids, coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols can be found in crude palm oil as well as in the byproducts (e.g. palm oil mill effluent and palm-pressed fiber oil) generated from the palm oil milling process. However, the high viscosity and semisolid properties of palm oil are problematic in phytonutrient extraction. Another major challenge is the retention of the sensitive phytonutrients during the extraction process. Over the years, the advances in the extraction methods have improved the extractability of phytonutrients. The emerging extraction methods can operate under mild conditions to mitigate the risk of phytonutrient degradation. This review outlines the types of phytonutrient in palm oil and their extraction strategies. The working principles and operating conditions of extraction methods are discussed along with their potential and limitations in terms of extraction efficiency and practicability. The methods for pretreatment of feedstocks for improving extraction efficiency are also highlighted. The challenges in the extraction of phytonutrient from palm oil feedstock are summarized. Lastly, we provide suggestions for overcoming the limitations and improving the performances of phytonutrient extraction.
Dementia represents a key impending global health challenge. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence on nutritional interventions for the prevention of dementia in developing economies in East-Asia. Four comprehensive databases were searched from inception until January 2020: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus. The search was restricted to randomized controlled trials [RCTs] in adult humans, assessing the effect of nutritional interventions on global and domain specific cognitive performance and dementia risk. Meta-analysis of data was conducted for each domain and sub-categorized according to the type of nutritional intervention. Twenty-four RCTs were included, of which, fifteen studies showed significant beneficial effects on cognition. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Significant beneficial effects were found for essential fatty acids (EPA/DHA) and micronutrient supplementation on specific cognitive domains including attention and orientation, perception, verbal functions and language skills. The effect size of the interventions appeared to be greater in older subjects with cognitive impairment. Supplementation with B-vitamins and essential fatty acids may represent promising strategies to minimize age-related cognitive decline in Asian populations. Large, high-quality, long-term trials are needed to confirm these findings.
MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Asia; Attention; Cognition; Dementia; Fatty Acids, Essential; Humans; Language; Perception; Vitamin B Complex; Global Health; Bibliometrics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; MEDLINE; Dietary Supplements
Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is a neurocritical emergency, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The precise pathophysiology is still not completely understood. The likelihood of spontaneous seizure termination reduces with time, and it is of paramount importance to abort status in order to prevent permanent long-term neurological sequelae and death. A few neuroprotective strategies, such as general anaesthesia, steroids, ketogenic diet and hypothermia, have been used to treat SRSE, however, the clinical outcome remains inconclusive. We herein present two cases of SRSE, which were successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) after failing all pharmacological measures.
MeSH terms: Drug Resistant Epilepsy/physiopathology; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy*; Adult; Electroconvulsive Therapy*; Female; Humans; Male; Status Epilepticus/physiopathology; Status Epilepticus/therapy*
HIV/AIDS is a major health issue faced by the world, generally, but particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria ranked third in the world by number of people living with HIV/AIDS in 2019. Despite prominent HIV counselling and testing (HCT) intervention programmes, Nigeria faces serious challenges, such as inadequate funding and low utilisation rates. Paucity of research into such a critical topic has restricted the capacity of policy makers to address the problem adequately. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was carried out using the contingent valuation method to assess the economic quantum of payment and determining factors associated with people's willingness to pay for HCT services. Data were collected from 768 people selected by convenience sampling of three local government areas - Alimosho, Ikorodu and Surulere in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and general linear regression model analysis. Findings show that 75% of respondents were willing to pay an average fee of N1 291 ($4.22) for HCT services. Significant determinants of willingness to pay were: income; knowledge of someone living with HIV or died of AIDS; worry about HIV infection; and fear of HIV-related stigma. The findings offer vital information germane to co-payment schemes aimed at financial sustainability of HCT and HIV/AIDS programmes in Nigeria.
MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Counseling/economics*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Financing, Personal/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Male; Mass Screening/economics*; Mass Screening/psychology; Middle Aged; Nigeria/epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; HIV Infections/diagnosis; HIV Infections/economics*; HIV Infections/prevention & control; HIV Infections/psychology
The Internet has changed people's life and made the learning methods of college students diversified. Because of the obvious disadvantages brought by the traditional passive classroom learning in China, online self-regulated learning, as a new learning method, has been paid more and more attention from Chinese universities. Online self-regulated learning adapts to the development of society. However, in China, the traditional academic year system limits the freedom of learning of university students. Most students lack learning motivation and affect learning efficiency, so the academic credit system has become an important factor that affects the development of online self-regulated learning. This paper will discuss online self-regulated learning and the academic credit system that affects online self-regulated learning in detail.
Since 20th century, the Korean wave has been a phenomenon globally and it has also spread through Malaysia in terms of culture, music, fashion and also food. Study shows that Malaysian is attracted towards Korean cuisine which increases the demand of Korean cuisine. As result, numerous of new business opportunities have raised. Sopoong, IOI City Mall, Putrajaya is one of the top and thriving Korean cuisine restaurant with more than five branches all over Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley area. The aims of this study are to help the food establishment to improve their service quality and subsequently increase the customer satisfaction, and also could help any other organizations that are interrelated to this research. This research is also purposely to determine the relationship of service quality with customer satisfaction focused at Sopoong, IOI City Mall, Putrajaya. The researchers used the service quality dimension (SERVQUAL) such as tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy to find the relationship with customer satisfaction as the main idea. This study is a quantitative study conducted to tracks the seasonal trends or phenomena related to the issue. For this research, survey questionnaire was used as data collection method and three hundred and one (301) questionnaires were distributed to respondent at Sopoong, IOI City Mall, Putrajaya. The data collected are analysed by using descriptive and correlation analysis by using IBM-SPSS software. The findings of this study show that the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction is available.
MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior; Empathy; Food; Malaysia; Music; Organizations; Personal Satisfaction; Surveys and Questionnaires; Restaurants; Seasons; Software; Reproducibility of Results; Republic of Korea
The purpose of this study is to determine and identify the relationship between transformational leadership and student engagement with the academic performance. Nowadays, the use of transformational leadership theory in higher education teaching attract researcher to develop more study on the topic. In this study we mostly investigate the relationship between the variables and the most influential dimension of the variables that affects the academic performance of students. Summary of the methodology is presented in this study which includes the sampling procedure, data collection processes and instrumentation jointly with data analysis procedures. A survey data were collected by using sample of 370 students of Management and Science University and the findings did not support that the transformational leadership and student engagement have significant relationship with academic performance. It indicates that transformational leadership and student engagement did not affect students in achieving higher grades to determine their academic performance. However, due to the presence of several limitations and the suggestions and recommendations were discussed.
MeSH terms: Achievement; Humans; Leadership; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students; Universities
Coronaviruses are known to cause fatal diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and recently recognised coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). It is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a single-stranded RNA virus. This review is done to study the clinical presentation, comorbid conditions in COVID-19 patients. The relevant articles were searched in PubMed, Science direct and special issues in JAMA, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Only selected papers were used for data extraction and synthesis. The exact source of current pandemic of Covid-19 is not known. The main clinical symptoms include fever, dry cough, myalgia, dyspnoea. Other symptoms presented are headache, malaise, chills/rigor and diarrhoea. The mortality rate was high in above 60 years of age with the comorbid conditions. The data analysis revealed varied mortality rates in different regions. The mortality rate of COVID-19 has been highest among elderly individuals with the comorbid conditions.
“Hacking the Science of Cell Division” was developed to unravel an alternative framework for the misconceptions in meiosis and mitosis among secondary school students. The application of Needham’s Five Phase Constructivism Model which contains an orientation phase, generation of ideas, restructuring ideas, application of ideas, and reflection phase was used to carry out this project. Questionnaires on courseware evaluation were distributed to 123 Form Four students from science stream classes in two different schools in Selangor. The research instrument consisted various attributes, including content, interactivity, navigation, and screen design. The result of each analysed item indicated a mean range between 3.95 and 5.00. It can be concluded from the data analysis that students were generally pleased with the outcomes of the courseware and did not feel that it was a waste of their time. Hence, “Hacking the Science of Cell Division” can be utilised to overcome the misconceptions in meiosis and mitosis among secondary students.
The upshot of blood pressure relies on the quantity and frequency of caffeine intake and on the rate of caffeine metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on blood pressure among frequent and non-frequent drinkers in rural and urban area of Kota Kinabalu. A total of 168 participants (Mean age = 26.52 ± 6.33 years; female = 50%; weight = 61.35 ± 12.52 kg; height = 163.37±7.70 cm; diploma holder = 45.2%) were recruited. Questionnaires consisting of socio-demography (5 items), caffeine intake frequency (2 items) and knowledge on coffee, blood pressure and effect to human health (10 items) were distributed. Blood pressure (BP) was taken before coffee consumption and after 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th minutes. SPSS version 24 were employed for statistical analysis. Frequent drinkers displayed significantly higher BP on the 90th (p=0.015) and 120th (p
MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination; Body Weight; Borneo; Caffeine; Coffee; Demography; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
The composition of ophthalmic preparation is administered topically to the eye in the form of a solution, suspension, ointment, gel or foam for the purpose of treating eye disease. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has been one of the desired ingredients of choice, as its benefits as functional food oil is known among the public. The uniqueness of coconut oil is its fats and oils that contain the highest percentage of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), which have antimicrobial properties, such as lauric acid and capric acid. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of eye drop containing a different VCO concentration using the Kirby-Bauer test. The formulation of eye drop had 1.5%, 2% and 3% amount of virgin coconut oil, which was later added with all basic materials needed for eye drop. The samples were evaluated for its zone of inhibition (ZOI). The antimicrobial effects of eye drop formulation that contains 3% of VCO (F3) against Streptococcus pneumonia were similar with all control products (Eye Glo, Pred Forte, Cationorm), and antimicrobial effects of F3 against Staphylococcus aureus are better than Cationorm. It is noticeable that the higher the VCO content in the formulation, the better the antimicrobial effects of the eye drop. In conclusion, VCO possesses moisture, anti-inflammation, better anti-microbial properties, and it could be further formulated as a stable eye drop emulsion.
The importance of vitamin A and Zinc has been a major concern due to their deficiency among children. This research aimed to investigate the association of vitamin A and zinc intake with visual acuity among Orang Asli children in Semenyih, Selangor. The total subjects involved were 94, consisting of boys, and girls aged 8-12 years old. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to determine the level of vitamin A and zinc intake. A Bailey-lovie chart test was used to determine the visual acuity. Vitamin A intake was highest among boys aged 8-9 years old (720 ± 324 mg). The mean intake of zinc, was lowest among boys aged 10-12 years old (4.42 ± 1.00 mg) and highest among girls aged 8-9 years old (5.04 ± 1.14 mg). The prevalence of abnormal visual acuity was 24%, which was equivalent to 23 subjects from the overall sample, consisting of boys and girls with a value of 0.50 Dioptric spherical equivalence (DSE). Findings from the research show that vitamin A and Zinc intake have a significant association with Visual acuity (p
MeSH terms: Child; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Humans; Male; Men; Nutritional Status; Surveys and Questionnaires; Visual Acuity; Vitamin A; Zinc; Prevalence
Diabetes mellitus is a condition of increase glucose concentration in blood plasma. Complication of diabetes mellitus are progressive and leads to several changes on ocular surface. Lack of data focusing on changes in ocular surface among early detect diabetes. Therefore, the aim of the study is to focus on the prevalence of changes in Meibomian glands, tear films and crystalline lens among early detect diabetes type 2. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to assess the grading of Meibomian glands, number of expressible glands, Tear-break up time (TBUT), schirmer’s test I , and crystalline lens in 100 eyes of 50 patients who has type 2 diabetes less than 5 years. Demographic information , medical and ocular history was recorded. Data was entered on SPSS version 25- descriptive analysis. The mean ± standard deviation for age was 51.08 ± 8.708 and the years of diabetes was 3.14 ± 1.498. The results stated, more people has MGD grade 1 with percentage of 39% . Besides, TBUT test has mean ± SD of 4.74 ± 1.404 and tear production with mean of 15.1± 8.650. There were 54% more patients has no changes on crystalline lens. Approximately, high prevalence in changes of Meibomian gland, and tear film while low prevalence on changes of crystalline lens among shorter duration diabetic patients.
Abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP) if left untreated it can lead to glaucoma and permanent vision loss. However, the correlation between IOP and body weight status, sodium intake, and blood pressure (BP) are unclear among adolescents. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship between body weight status, sodium intake, and BP with IOP among orang Asli adolescents. A total sample of 50 adolescents of Orang Asli aged 13 to 17 participated in this study. Three days' dietary intake was recorded through 24-hour diet recall to determine the sodium intake. The questionnaire was administered to acquire socio-demographic information, and measurements Body Mass Index (BMI) and BP were done according to standard protocols, and IOP was measured using Tonopen. Data obtained involving 40% boys and 60% girls. Two boys (4%) were underweight, 13 boys (26%) and 17 (34%) girls were normal weight, 4 (8%) boys and 11 (22%) girls were overweight, 1 (2%) boy and 2 (4%) girls were obese. Sixty percent of subjects have exceeded the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (LOAEL) of 2300 mg of sodium intake. Hypertension stage 1 was found higher than hypertension stage 2 in male and female subjects, with 38% of the female have stage 1 hypertension compared to only 14% in male subjects. 98% of subjects have normal IOP and only 2% of subjects have high IOP. There was a significant association between BMI and IOP (p
MeSH terms: Adolescent; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Diet; Female; Glaucoma; Humans; Hypertension; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Obesity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sodium, Dietary; Thinness; Body Mass Index; Overweight
Current trend shows that the eye modelling is based on the emmetropic eye taken its ocular optical components value from the population-based studies. However, no studies have been done to study the effect of aberration of myopic refractive error by modelling the eye using the parameters from ocular biometrics and ray tracing method. The objective of the present study was to determine the spot diagram (SPD) profile of myopic refractive error using eye modelling and ray tracing technique. Three eye models had been successfully modeled in Zemax software, namely, emmetropic Liou and Brennan, myopic Liou and Brennan, corrected myopic Liou and Brennan. The optical performance of the eye models were tested using the SPD profile. The ray distribution from the analysis of SPD of myopic Liou and Brennan eye was larger compared to the emmetropic model. In comparison with the emmetropic Liou and Brennan model, for the blue wavelength, the RMS spot radius for the corrected version was increased. However, the RMS values were decreased for green and red wavelengths. For the corrected myopic version of Liou and Brennan, in comparison with its emmetropic model, the Airy disc diameter increased with the increment of wavelengths. It was found that the Airy disc diameter accuracy were higher for the blue, green and red wavelengths. Although the accuracy values were in a positive sign, for Airy disc diameter, the smaller value indicates a diffraction-limited condition.
This study aims to determine the refractive error status of Orang Asli children and Malay-Jawa children in Kuala Langat, Selangor. Visual acuity was measured using LEA chart, followed by dry static retinoscopy which the testing eye fogged with 2.00D, and the contralateral eye fogged with 6.00D to determine the refractive errors. The inclusion criteria encompassed all children in the selected village. The exclusion criteria included children who were already on ophthalmology follow-up for known ocular conditions and refused visual acuity assessment or eye examination. In total, 103 ‘Orang Asli’ and 107 normal population children aged 3 to 13 years received refractive assessments. Approximately 18% of reported cases were myopia, 43% were hyperopia, while 39% were emmetropia. Results showed that the ‘Orang Asli’ population was more hyperopic than the Malay-Jawa (U = 4893.500, P > 0.05, r = 0.14). However, both groups were found more hyperopic compared to myopic conditions. In conclusion, both Orang Asli and Malay-Jawa in Kuala Langat, Selangor are more hyperopic and less myopic. This study suggests that refractive error screening is important for preventing visual impairment among children in rural areas.