Computer games are often considered a teaching and learning tool as it is generally appealing to students. In this preliminary study, we investigate students’ perceptions of engaging game design in Learning of Historical Patriotic Heroes. In total, 33 students were involved in this study. The data was examined using standard descriptive statistical approaches. The results of the study indicated that the majority of the respondents are interested in the idea of Learning of Historical Patriotic Heroes through game approach. Hopefully, the outcome of this preliminary study will underline the need for developing a rigorous engaging game design for education.
On March 17, 2003 the Kelantan Health Department was notihed about a possible typhoid outbreak following a wedding party. An investigation was carried out to identiy the source and recommend control measures. Active case detection, yield investigation and case»control study were conducted. Cases were symptomatic attendees with a stool or blood culture positive for Salmonella
typhii. Each control had a negative culture and denied symptoms. Of the more than 1 OOO guests, 477 experienced fever; 152 met the case definition. The party hostess was found to be an Salmonelb typhii carrier. Syrup prepared with untreated well water was identified as the most likely source for this outbreak, with an odds ratio 14.0 (95% C1: 2.9, 104.1). This was a common source
outbreak of typhoid. We recommend that all food handlers at large parties be screened for typhoid and other foodborne diseases and samples of higherisk foods should be kept for few days after each event in case they are needed for testing.
Negritos of Peninsular Malaysia have physical features which strongly resemble the African pygmies rather than any of the other main South East Asian ethnic groups. In addition, their features are also completely different from the two other large sub-groups of the Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli, i.e. Senoi and Proto-Malay. In this study, we genetically screened three African-specific markers, Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene PvuII Type 2 polymorphism and A- mutation; and Sickle Cell trait in 103 unrelated individuals with G6PD deficiency. None of the Negritos’ samples carried A- and Sickle cell mutations but all males and females have the PvuII Type 2 polymorphism. The same results were seen in all DNA samples of the Malaysian’s Malay, Chinese and Indians. Additionally, all females in this study were homozygous for PvuII Type 2 polymorphism. Thus, we concluded that this polymorphism is widespread in all Malaysian population and is not unique to just Africans. However, these findings indicated that the polymorphism was widely conserved and can be used to study the African descendant in any world population hitherto supporting the ‘Out of Africa’ theory.
Melicope glabra (Blume) T. G. Hartley from the Rutaceae family is one of the richest sources of plant secondary metabolites, including coumarins and flavanoids. This study investigates the free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of M. glabra and its isolated compounds. M. glabra ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared using the cold maceration technique. The isolation of compounds was performed with column chromatography. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated based on their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) activities. The extracts and compounds were also subjected to antibacterial evaluation using bio-autographic and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) techniques against two oral pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans. Isolation of phytoconstituents from ethyl acetate extract successfully yielded quercetin 3, 5, 3'-trimethyl ether (1) and kumatakenin (2), while the isolation of the methanol extract resulted in scoparone (3), 6, 7, 8-trimethoxycoumarin (4), marmesin (5), glabranin (6), umbelliferone (7), scopoletin (8), and sesamin (9). The study is the first to isolate compound (1) from Rutaceae plants, and also the first to report the isolation of compounds (2-5) from M. glabra. The ORAC evaluation showed that the methanol extract is stronger than the ethyl acetate extract, while umbelliferone (7) exhibited the highest ORAC value of 24 965 μmolTE/g followed by glabranin (6), sesamin (9) and scopoletin (8). Ethyl acetate extract showed stronger antibacterial activity towards E. faecalis and S. mutans than the methanol extract with MIC values of 4166.7 ± 1443.4 μg/ml and 8303.3 ± 360.8 μg/ml respectively. Ethyl acetate extract inhibited E. faecalis growth, as shown by the lowest optical density value of 0.046 at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL with a percentage inhibition of 95%. Among the isolated compounds tested, umbelliferone (7) and sesamin (9) exhibited promising antibacterial activity against S. mutans with both exhibiting MIC values of 208.3 ± 90.6 μg/ml. Findings from this study suggests M. glabra as a natural source of potent antioxidant and antibacterial agents.
Palm oil (PO) is widely utilised in the food industry and consumed in large quantities by humans. Owing to its bioactive components, such as fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds, PO has been utilised for generations. However, public concern about their adverse effects on human health is growing. A literature search was conducted to identify fractionated palm oil processing techniques, proof of their health advantages, and potential food applications. Refined palm oil (RPO) is made from crude palm oil (CPO) and can be fractionated into palm olein (POl) and palm stearin (PS). Fractional crystallisation, dry fractionation, and solvent fractionation are the three basic fractionation procedures used in the PO industry. The composition of triacylglycerols and fatty acids in refined and fractionated palm oil and other vegetable oils is compared to elucidate the triacylglycerols and fatty acids that may be important in product development. It is well proven that RPO, POl, and PS extends the oil's shelf life in the food business. These oils have a more significant saturated fat content and antioxidant compounds than some vegetable oils, such as olive and coconut oils, making them more stable. Palm olein and stearin are also superior shortening agents and frying mediums for baking goods and meals. Furthermore, when ingested modestly daily, palm oils, especially RPO and POl, provide health benefits such as cardioprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects. Opportunities exist for fractionated palm oil to become a fat substitute; however, nutrition aspects need to be considered in further developing the market.
Discovering alternative protein sources that are both nutritious and environmentally friendly is essential to meet the growing global population's needs. Duckweed offers promise due to its cosmopolitan distribution, rapid growth, high protein content, and scalability from household tanks to large lagoons without requiring arable land that competes for the major crops. Rich in essential amino acids, particularly branched-chain amino acids, duckweed supports human health. Extraction methods, such as ultrasound and enzymatic techniques, enhance protein yield compared to traditional methods. However, low protein solubility remains a challenge, addressed by protein modification techniques (physical, chemical, and biological) to broaden its applications. Duckweed proteins hold potential as functional food ingredients due to their unique physicochemical properties. This review also includes patents and regulations related to duckweed protein, filling a gap in current literature. Overall, duckweed presents a sustainable protein source with a lower environmental impact compared to conventional crops.