Idiopathic scoliosis is a spinal deformity which affects patient’s self-esteem, self-image and quality of life. Surgery is offered when the curve is more than 45 degree based on its progression. The objective of this study is to determine the pre and post-surgical self-esteem, self-image and quality of life in idiopathic scoliosis patients. A cross sectional study was conducted by using Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) self-administered patient questionnaire. There are 115 patients were recruited in this study where 35 (30.43%) male and 80 (69.6%) female patients. Age of patient ranged from 10 to 49 years old with mean age of 24.65 ± 7.704. There were 42 (36.52%) Malay patients, 40 (34.78%) Chinese patients, 25 (21.73%) Indian patients and 8 (6.96%) from other races. Results shows that self-esteem and self-image is significantly higher (r = 0.216, p=0.021) after surgery compared to before surgery. As for quality of life, physical function did not significantly change after surgery but quality of life based on psychological function and social wellbeing is significantly higher after surgery. Positive association were found between satisfaction of treatment with self-image (r = 0.713, p=0.00) and self-image with self-esteem (r = 0.216, p=0.021) and negative association found between satisfaction of treatment with self-esteem (r = - 0.210, p=0.024). In conclusion patients with idiopathic scoliosis report lower self-esteem and self-image before surgical treatment and significantly improves after surgical correction and patients are generally satisfied with their life as well as the outcome of surgical treatment.
Nanotechnology is one of the most developing areas which involve utilization of materials with structural dimension in of 1-100 nm. This technology opened a pathway for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle by various physical and chemical methods. The biosynthesis method from plant extracts are considered as alternative as it is relatively simple, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly methods. The objective was to synthesize and characterize silver nanoparticle via ultraviolet visible spectroscopy of silver nanoparticles from three piper species which are Piper nigrum, Piper sarmentosum and Piper betel. Silver nanoparticles were prepared by the reaction of 1 mM of 90 ml silver nitrate and 10 ml methanolic leaf extract of each type of plant that act as reductant and stabilizer. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by color changes from green into dark brown with increasing intensity of the color from 10 minutes until 48 hour indicating the completion of silver nanoparticle formation at 48 hour. A UV–Vis spectrum of the methanolic medium containing silver nanoparticles demonstrated a peak at 413 nm, 417 nm and 420 nm for Piper nigrum, Piper sarmentosum and Piper betel respectively that corresponds to the plasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. The maximum percentage increase in the rate of absorbance was found specifically at 24 hour in all the three leaf. In conclusion piper species is a source for synthesizing silver nanoparticles and Piper nigrum being an excellent source for the synthesis due to the narrow, sharp peak and showing maximum percentage increase at 24 hour among all the three plants. This study exhibited the potential of three methanolic extract of piper species for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disease which are related to the heart and its circulations. The main modifiable risk factors of the CVD disease are hypertension, hyperglycemia and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice on cardiovascular disease risk factors among Gombak community in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire and anthropomet- ric measurement among 388 subjects in Gombak District, Kuala Lumpur. Descriptive data analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression were carried to identify demographic and factors associated. Results: The prevalence of the risk factors was high among study subjects, including obesity (24.2%), hypertension (42.3%) and hyperglycemia (26.8%). More than half (64.4%) of the study subjects having at least one of the risk factor. The multivariate binary logistic model factor illustrated that compare to Malays, Chinese were 37% less likely to have obesity (CPR=0.67; 95% Cl: 0.26-1.69). Gombak district community are more likely to have the knowledge on the CVD risk factor but lack of awareness and poor in practicing the prevention action. The Indian ethnic group was less likely to be aware (APR: 0.33, Cl: 0.05-2.31) and others bumiputera ethnic group were less likely to prevent (APR: 0.58, CI: 0.20-1.65) the risk of CVD. The Chinese ethnic less likely to have the knowledge (APR: 0.88, Cl: 0.35-2.22). Conclusion: Gom- bak community was more likely to have the knowledge but less likely to be aware and lack of practice of prevention of the risk factors of CVD.