Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 375 in total

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  1. Roziah Arabi, Rohani Mamat, Noraini Abd Rashid, Rufina Bakri
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(1):163-168.
    MyJurnal
    Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is very crucial for the health of infant as well as mother. However, the prevalence of
    exclusive breastfeeding is very low especially among working mother. Since the prevalence of EBF might be influenced by
    the level of knowledge on EBF, researcher comes to critical thinking to conduct this study to evaluate level of knowledge
    on EBF among working mother. A cross sectional design study was carried out to determine knowledge level on exclusive
    breastfeeding among working mother, and its relationship with demographic data in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz
    (HCTM). A total 283 respondents were recruited to participate in this study. The respondents’ knowledge level on exclusive
    breastfeeding was identified using Kim & Chapman (2013) Questionnaire on Knowledge and Practice about Exclusive
    Breastfeeding. The result showed that majority of the respondents (56.9%) had high knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding.
    For demographic data, factors such as age, level of education, and family income had shown a significant association (p
    < 0.05) with level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding. In conclusion, the level of knowledge of EBF was identified
    among working mother, yet it has been influenced by mother’s sociodemographic background
  2. Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Azimatun Noor Aizuddin
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(1):145-153.
    MyJurnal
    Health care services are not often accessible and available for all people in one country due to multiple reasons such as the geographical barrier, affordability, etc. The aim of this study was to analyse willingness to pay (WTP) for healthcare services user fees among Malaysian population and determine its’ influencing factors. Structured interviews were conducted involving 774 households in 4 states represents Peninsular Malaysia. Validated questionnaires with open ended, followed by bidding games were applied to elicit maximum amount of WTP. The study was analysed descriptively and with multivariate regression method to adjust for potential confounding factors. More than half of respondents WTP more than current fee for the government clinic outpatient registration fee with mean MYR3.76 (SD2.71). Majority of respondents not WTP more than usual for private clinic simple outpatient treatment charges with the mean MYR38.76 (SD5.45). Factors that were found to have significant associations with WTP for both government and private clinic were income and having health insurance. Community willing to pay for healthcare services user fees and charges but at certain amount. The healthcare services user fees and charges can be increased up to community WTP level to avoid from catastrophic expenditure.
  3. Gina Francesca Gabriel, Nur Fatin Ghazali, Dheephikha Kumaraguru, Khairul Osman, Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah
    MyJurnal
    Wood is one of the most common material found in homes and industrial fires, particularly in Malaysia. The abundance of different types of wood used to build structures, frames, furniture and others are important to take note as wood is a conducive material that can be used to initiate and propagate a fire, particularly in forensic fire cases. This study was conducted to provide the volatile chemical fingerprint of burnt Merbau (Intsia sp.) wood using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). The wood samples were prepared under two conditions; fully dried and partially dried. Six study replications of each condition were burnt outdoors and underwent an extraction process using activated carbon tablets. The tablets were incubated in an oven for 16 hours at 80ºC. Next, the tablets were desorbed in two different types of solvent; pentane and ethanol. The pentane- and ethanol-desorbed volatile products were then introduced into the GC-MS. Volatile organic compounds obtained across both conditions were in the range of volatile acids, aromatics and its derivatives, D-glucopyranose, phenolic derivatives and cycloalkane. The compounds emitted by fully and partially dried Merbau wood samples were similar, differing only in the absence of malonic acid and succinic acid in partially dried Merbau wood samples. Both solvents desorbed different types of volatile compounds. The burning behaviour of partially dried Merbau wood were different to those documented from fully dried Merbau wood and is attributed to the composition of wood rather than the dry or wet conditions.

  4. Linsay Sundram Gnanasundram, Bashirah Ishak, Aloysius Joseph Low, Rokiah Omar
    MyJurnal
    This study reports the vision status of a presbyopic patient who has undergone a corneal inlay procedure. The study
    hopes to provide optometrists more insight on the procedure and the co-management involved in such a patient. The
    patient, a 48 years-old Chinese woman with presbyopia underwent the corneal inlay procedure three years ago.
    She had the inlay implanted in the non-dominant eye to aid near vision i.e. her left eye. The pre and post-operative
    evaluations include distance and near visual acuity, fundoscopy, tonometry, Schirmer’s test, slit lamp evaluation, corneal
    topography and corneal pachymetry. Near visual acuity for the left eye improved from N14 to N5 immediately after
    the procedure. Even after 3 years of post-operative followup, the patient was still able to maintain her near vision. In
    conclusion, the corneal inlay procedure helped to improve near vision of this presbyopic patient. Optometrist plays
    a very important role in the co-management of such patients alongside with the ophthalmologist in terms of visual
    functional assessments pre and post-surgery, counseling of the procedure and managing patients’ expectations.
  5. Norhani Mohidin, Shaznida Ghulam, Rokiah Omar
    MyJurnal
    Elektroretinogram paten (pERG) adalah pengrekodan respons retina terhadap stimulus paten yang dipancarkan bersilih ganti. Ia memberi maklumat mengenai integriti sel dalaman retina khasnya sel ganglion. Pengrekodan pERG dalam sesebuah makmal boleh dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor, maka piawai makmal perlu ada untuk memastikan bacaan pERG yang diperolehi boleh diulang dan dihasilkan semula. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk menentusahkan faktor yang mungkin mempengaruhi pengukuran pERG untuk paiwaian Makmal Elektrofisiologi Jabatan Optometri, Fakulti Sains Kesihatan (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Kajian ini melibatkan 45 orang subjek yang berumur di antara 20 hingga 25 tahun yang dibahagikan kepada 3 kumpulan. Faktor yang dikaji adalah 1) kesan penggunaan anestetik Alcaine 0.5%, 2) variasi pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang dan 3) saiz dan bentuk target fiksasi yang berbeza terhadap bacaan pERG (amplitud dan tempoh pendam). Ujian-t berpasangan mendapati tiada perbezaan yang signifikan antara pengukuran sebelum dan selepas penggunaan Alcaine 0.5% bagi amplitud (p = 0.116) dan tempoh pendam
    (p = 0.557). Pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang juga menunjukkan tiada perbezaan signifikan bagi amplitud (p = 0.864) dan tempoh pendam (p = 0.174). Untuk bentuk dan saiz target yang berbeza, didapati tiada perbezaan yang signifikan untuk parameter amplitud (p = 0.125) dan tempoh pendam (p = 0.404). Kesimpulannya, penggunaan Alcaine 0.5%, pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang dan target fiksasi yang berbeza tidak mempengaruhi bacaan pERG di Makmal Elektrofisiologi, FSK, UKM. Hasil kajian boleh diguna pakai untuk perbandingan dalam penyelidikan ataupun tujuan pendiagnosan penyakit retina di masa hadapan.


  6. Muhammad Iqbal Shaharudin, Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Suzana Shahar
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(101):223-224.
    MyJurnal
    Falls is a global health concern due to its many negative consequences in older adults. Early falls screening and prevention is important among older adults. We developed Falls Screening Mobile Application (FallSA) as a self falls screening tool among older adults. FallSA was developed using data of physical performance test, demographic information and questions to inform falls risk from a larger population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). The aim of this study was to determine validity and reliability of FallSA as a self-screening tool to inform falls risk among Malaysian older adults. This cross sectional study was conducted among 91 community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above. FallSA was validated against Physiological Profile Assessments (PPA), a comprehensive falls risk assessment tool. Participants used FallSA to test their falls risk by repeating the test twice between an hour. Validity and test–retest reliability of FallSA was examined by using Spearman correlation, Kappa, Sensitivity and Specificity, Intra correlation coefficient (ICC), Cronbach alpha and Bland-Altman. Concurrent validity test was significant with moderate correlation rs = 0.518, p < 0.001, moderate agreement K = 0.516, p < 0.001 and acceptable Sensitivity: 80.4% and Specificity: 71.1%. Reliability of FallSA was shown to be good (ICC: 0.948, CI: 0.921-0.966), good internal consistency α = 0.948, p < 0.001 and good agreement was indicated by small mean differences and narrow limits of agreement (LoA). The results of this study suggest that FallSA was a valid and reliable tool to inform falls risk among Malaysian older adults. Further prospective studies are required to determine the accuracy of FallSA to correctly classify older adults into fallers and non-faller groups.
  7. Rohayu Hami, Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff, Siti Shahanis Md Sharif, Appalanaido, Gokula Kumar, Nizuwan Azman, Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Abdullah
    MyJurnal
    Hope leads to lower depression and anxiety and is associated with improved quality of life of cancer patients. In this
    study, Hope Scale (HS) was translated into Malay, and the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Hope
    Scale were investigated among Malaysian cancer patients. Concurrent translation and back translation of the original
    English version of the Hope Scale were performed, and the Malay version was administered to 195 cancer patients
    with different cancer diagnoses at baseline assessment and 2 months later at follow-up. The Hope Scale (Malay) total
    score (Cronbach’s α = 0.72; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.67) and its domains (Cronbach’s α [pathway] =
    0.7; Cronbach’s α [agency] = 0.7; ICC[Pathway] = 0.64; ICC[Agency] = 0.70) demonstrated acceptable internal consistencies and
    test-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were also achieved by the Hope Scale (Malay). The Hope
    Scale (Malay) demonstrated construct validity, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the items in the Hope
    Scale (Malay) best fit into two domains, which was true for the original English version. The Hope Scale (Malay) had
    acceptable psychometric properties and thus is suitable for assessing hope in Malaysian cancer patients.
  8. Abu Hassan Shaari NS, Abdul Manaf Z, Shahar S, Mohamad Ali N, Mohamed Ismail NA
    MyJurnal
    Peer-reviewed articles on the usage of mobile applications in the management of diabetes were reviewed. Studies using mobile device applications for diabetes interventions published between January 2007 and March 2013 were included in this review. Studies related to the developmental processes of the mobile applications were excluded. The characteristics of these studies and the outcomes of the methods used in the management of diabetes were gathered. We retrieved a total of 372 articles from ACM Digital library, PubMed and Proquest Medical Library. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were eligible for further review. Most of the studies included in this review showed the effectiveness of mobile applications in diabetes management. Their major contribution comes from feedback functions of the systems that assist participants in the self-monitoring of their blood glucose and dietary intake. However, the majority of the studies showed the limited use of the mobile phone as a tool to input information into systems which would in turn convey a reminder message to the patient. In conclusion, with its features of portability and convenience, mobile application used in the management of diabetes has the potential to improve glycaemic control, resulting in significant clinical and financial benefits.
  9. Yap, Wei Boon, Toong, Seng Tan, Sharifah Syed Hassan, Jeffrey Cheah
    MyJurnal
    Each year, influenza A infections have caused tremendous death rate as high as 300,000-500,000 globally. Although
    there are effective anti-influenza agents and vaccines, high mutational rate among influenza A viruses renders dramatic
    decline in the effectiveness of anti-influenza agents or vaccines in certain individuals. The situation is further complicated
    by limitations in influenza vaccine production, for instance, long production period, limited vaccine capacity and lack
    of cross-protection against various influenza A virus strains. To solve these issues, development of universal influenza
    vaccine based on conserved antigens such as non-stuctural protein 1 (NS1) has been endeavoured. NS1 protein is highly
    conserved in all influenza A virus strains known by far, produced abundantly on infected cell surfaces and responsible for
    maintaining virulence. Furthermore, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that are active against NS1 were also reported to be able
    to avoid shedding of influenza in hosts. To better inhibit influenza infections, oral immunization has long been proposed
    due to feasibility of this method to be implemented and safer for recipients while able to target influenza A viruses from
    the entry point. Lactobacillus has been vastly studied for its roles as bacterial carrier in oral vaccine development due
    to its significant probiotic properties. For examples, stimulation of immune responses in oral and airway mucosal layers,
    high colonization in oral and airway mucosal layers and great natural adjuvant effects. In this light, influenza universal
    oral vaccine developed using NS1 dan Lactobacillus should be further studied in influenza oral vaccine design.
  10. Nurul Izzah Ahmad, Aminah Abdullah, Md Pauzi Abdullah, Lee, Yook Heng, Wan Rozita Wan Mahiyuddin, Siti Fatimah Daud, et al.
    MyJurnal
    A survey was conducted to investigate the level of consumption of ‘ulam’ in Selangor State among 252 adults (> 17 years) (male 28.6%, female 71.4%) of major ethnics (Malays-51.6%; Chinese-30.5%; Indians-17.5%) with the mean age of 42.7 ± 13.9 years. Consumption data were collected using 24 hours duplicate samples together with questionnaire on perceptions of ‘ulam.’ Results showed that ‘ulam’ was preferred by majority of the subjects (82.1%), especially amongst Malays (92.3%). A total of 52% of the subjects consumed partially or boiled ‘ulam.’ Factors that affect their preferences on ‘ulam’ were the perception of therapeutic effects of the ‘ulam’ towards health, its good taste and unique
    aroma. The most consumed ‘ulam’ were cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (60.6%) ‘kacang botol’ (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) (33%), Indian pennywort (Hydrocotyle asiatica) (31.5%), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) (27.6%), ‘petai’ (Parkia speciosa) (29%) and ‘ulam raja’ (Cosmos caudatus) (21.9%). The most preferred partially or boiled ‘ulam’
    were tapioca shoot (Manihot esculenta) (31.5%), ocra (Hibiscus esculentus) (12.5%) and ‘jantung pisang’ (Musa sapientum) (20.1%). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) amongst the three different ethnic groups on the consumption of ‘ulam’ and the median for total intake per day was within the range of 30-39 g/day. Ulam is a potential
    source for increasing vegetable consumption to meet recommendation by World Health Organization (WHO), which is 400 g per day.
    Keywords: Adults; perception; ‘ulam;’ Selangor State
  11. Hartini Yusof, Mohamed Kamel Abd. Ghani
    MyJurnal
    A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2006 to determine the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection among Orang Asli (Aborigine) children at Pos Lenjang, Pahang. A total of 71 faecal samples were collected from the children (40 girls and 31 boys) aged between 1-12 years. The samples were examined for the presence of Trichuris trichiura ova using direct smear and formalin-ether concentration techniques. The result revealed that the overall prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection was 43.7%. The infection was higher in males (51.6%) compared to females (37.5%), though not statistically significant (p > 0.05). According to age group, the school-aged children had higher prevalence of infection (56.8%) than preschool children (29.4%) (p < 0.05). Low socioeconomic status, large family size, poor environmental sanitation and poor personal hygiene are possible contributing factors that increase the prevalence of infection among the Orang Asli children at Pos Lenjang. In 31 samples positive for Trichuris trichiura, a detection rate of 100% was obtained using formalin-ether concentration, compared to 25.8% with direct smear technique. Thus, it is recommended that both techniques be performed in routine faecal examination for a more accurate diagnosis.
  12. Shamshimah Samsuddin, Noriszura Ismail
    MyJurnal
    Occupational injury is an issue that needs to be considered in reducing the problems of disability and death in the
    workplace. Healthy and high-productivity workers are one of the important factors that are important to the economic
    growth of a country. This study aims to identify the trend of disability for employees covered by the Employment Injury
    Scheme under the Social Security Organization Malaysia (SOCSO) for the years 2009-2013. Based on the descriptive
    analysis, 80% of the total numbers of workers who suffer injury or death in the workplace are male employees. In
    addition, workers aged 25 and above are more prone to injury and death associated with work. The results showed that
    socio-demographic factors such as gender and age, as well as level of disability are several important factors that need
    to be considered in identifying the trend of disability among employees.
  13. Mohd Faiz bin Mohd Yaakob, Jamal@Nordin bin Yunus
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2017;15(1):131-134.
    MyJurnal
    Tuberculosis or TB is a major issue in Malaysia as the dramatic emerge of infection. In Mac 2016 (Until 15 April 2016)
    3049 cases were reported and total cases were reported 7717 cases which increasing 902 (13.0%) cases at same month
    2015 (6815 cases). Meanwhile, prevention and diagnosis should be started from children. Educational planning with
    the collaboration from Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Health (MOH) should be intensive to ensure the
    prevention and mechanism control of this disease can be cure at the beginning. The focus of the study was given on the
    (1) transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in Malaysia (2) practice of prevention of TB (3) mechanism control in educational
    institutions and (4) promotion health programmes in schools. The conclusion of this study is drawn on the premise of
    providing plausible suggestion that will promote good governance for the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of
    Health (MOH) to strengthening the current policy for a better future implementation.
  14. Nursyuhada Jamaludin, Zainora Mohammed, Norliza Mohamad Fadzi
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2017;15(22):109-114.
    MyJurnal
    Low vision device (LVD) is prescribed to visually impaired (VI) schoolchildren to assist in their learning. One of the factors
    that could influence the success of LVD use is the skills of using the devices. The objective of this study is to compare the
    reading speed of VI schoolchildren before and after receiving LVD training by special school teachers. Twenty-two special
    school teachers attended a series of workshop on the use of LVD. Twenty-two VI schoolchildren were recruited and paired
    with teachers for training of LVD in the classroom (in-classroom training). A suitable LVD was prescribed by the researcher
    to the schoolchildren before training commence. The total in-classroom training was 5 hours which is 1 hour/week. In
    classroom training was based on a module that was developed at the beginning of the study and the teachers used a
    checklist to monitor the schoolchildren’s progress. Reading speed in words per minute (wpm) was measured using UKM
    near chart before and after completion of in-classroom training. All teachers successfully completed the in-classroom
    training session. Results from One-way repeated measure ANOVA test showed reading speed improved significantly after
    5 hours of in-classroom training, F(1.6,34.4)= 35.53, p < 0.001, partial ŋ² = 0.63. Reading speed of VI schoolchildren
    have improved after completion of in-classroom training. This suggests that systematic training of LVD given by the special
    school teachers assist VI schoolchildren to use their device effectively and thus, improved their reading speed.
  15. CoRe, H. W., Lee, H. L., M. Sofian-Azirun, Nura-Muna, A. H., Chen, C. D., O. Wan-Norafikah
    MyJurnal
    The efficacy of a 2.15% imidacloprid gel bait against laboratory strain Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica
    was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The susceptibility trend of both species towards imidacloprid was: adult male
    < adult female < nymphs. All stages of both species were dead within 10 days in primary poisoning testing. Periplaneta
    americana adult male (LT50 = 0.47 h; LT95 = 5.24 h) died fastest, while nymphs of B. germanica took the longest time to
    reach 95% mortality (LT95 = 43.84 h). In indirect exposure via secondary poisoning, only adult males of P. americana (LT50
    = 100.63 h) and B. germanica (LT50 = 54.66 h) obtained 50% mortality before the testing ended. No complete mortalities
    were achieved in any stages of both species within 10 days of secondary poisoning testing. Therefore, imidacloprid gel
    bait used in this study was able to cause complete mortalities within less than 2 days of 10-day primary poisoning testing
    but less effective in the 10-day secondary poisoning testing.
  16. Maarof, M.F., Mhd Ali, A., Makmor Bakry, M., Taha, M.A., Adliah Mohd. Ali
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(101):115-163.
    MyJurnal
    Previous studies explain the time course of withdrawal symptoms among smokers pre and post quit attempt, either with or without the help of medication. Studies showed that male Muslim smokers could quit smoking during Ramadan since fasting relate to the changes in psychosomatic, daily activities and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the time course of withdrawal symptoms among smokers who used nicotine patch to quit smoking during fasting in Ramadan. A total of 40 eligible Muslim males who tried to quit smoking was selected and provided with smoking cessation counseling for the duration of 8 to 10 weeks while on nicotine patch. Participants level of withdrawal symptoms was recorded by using nine items of Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale over a period of 60 days. Participant’s carbon monoxide reading and body weight were measured within six months including pre and post-Ramadan fasting. Over four weeks of the fasting month, the measured withdrawal symptoms such as urge to smoke (P ≤ 0.001), depressed mood (P ≤ 0.001), irritability/frustration or anger (P ≤ 0.05), anxiety (P ≤ 0.05), difficulty concentrating(P ≤ 0.001), restlessness (P ≤ 0.001), difficulty going to sleep (P ≤ 0.001) and impatient (P ≤ 0.05) significantly decreased except appetite by the end of week 4. Time course analyses demonstrated that all outcome measures showed good effects during cessation in fasting month. The point prevalence abstinence at first month of quitting was 67.5% which is higher in fasting month. This has shown positive clinical implications in managing smoking cessation program during Ramadan with the aid of nicotine patch.
  17. Ahmad Rohi Ghazali, Asmariah Ahmad, Lim Yi Cheng, Shafreena Shaukat Ali, Satirah Zainalabidin
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(101):47-53.
    MyJurnal
    Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. or also known as roselle which is rich in polyphenols, has been demonstrated to cause lowering of blood pressure in animal and clinical settings. However its exact mechanism of action particularly from polyphenolic compounds is not clearly understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of H. sabdariffa polyphenol extract (HPE) towards vascular reactivity and its mechanism of action. The HPE was studied on isolated thoracic aortic rings from normal Sprague-Dawley rats, suspended in a 15-ml organ chambers containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. The changes in tension were recorded by isometric transducer connected to data acquisition. HPE relaxed the contraction induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 μM) in similar pattern for both endothelium-intact and endothelium denuded aortic rings in dose-dependent manner 0.1 ~ 0.9 mg/ml. The pretreatment with atropine (1 μM), a competitive muscarinic antagonist, and propranolol (1 μM), a non-selective beta- blocker did not alter HPE vasorelaxation response. In addition, HPE did not inhibit the contraction induced by extracellular Ca2+ precontracted by PE (1 μM) or KCl (60 mM), in Ca2+ -free solution, suggesting that the relaxation effect of HPE was not via inhibition of calcium channels. In conclusion, HPE demonstrated vasorelaxation effects on rat thoracic aorta although the underlying mechanism is still unknown. The vasorelaxation effect could be via angiotensin type 1 receptor inhibition in the vascular smooth muscle cells or the activation of hyperpolarizing K+ channel.
  18. Shee, Wei San, Affizal Ahmad, Bhanupiriya Mahadevan
    MyJurnal
    Dysphagia is a significant health issue and it gives a substantial impact on the individual’s quality of life. This study aims to explore the quality of life of patients with dysphagia in head and neck cancer population. Twenty patients with dysphagia who were attending to oncology clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for their medical treatment on the head and neck cancer involved in the study. The Swallowing Activity and Participation Profile (SAPP) was used to gather information on the patients’ swallowing ability and psychosocial domains (personal, social and working, and emotional). The results indicated that the swallowing ability was significantly related to the personal, social and working, and emotional domains. The Mann-Whitney test showed no statistically significant difference in the personal domain and in the social and working domain of men and women. Yet the result revealed a statistically significant difference in the emotional domain of men (M = 10.42) and women (M = 14.63). On the whole, this study positively conform that the quality of life of patients with dysphagia among head and neck cancer population was truly affected.

  19. Hawa Ismail, Ng, S.K., Hing, H.L., Normalawati Shamsudin, Ridzwan Hashim
    MyJurnal
    The calcareous rings of two species of local sea cucumbers, Stichopus hermanni Semper and Holothuria atra Jaeger, were located, dissected, exposed and recorded. The calcareous rings of both species each composed of ten plates knit together by connective tissues. The radial plate of H. atra was a square with a notch at the anterior part whereas in S. hermanni it was squarish consisting of 4 ridges in the anterior part with a notch at the posterior part. The interradial plates of both species were smaller than the radial plates. A ridge was present at the anterior part of the interradial plate in H. atra. In S. hermanii, the ridge at the anterior part of the interradial was thin and prominent. Under the scanning electron microscope the calcareous rings from the two species exhibited a mosaic of small, numerous spicules bound to each other.
  20. Ibrahim Jantan
    MyJurnal
    This paper attempts to examine the real values of Malaysian herbal products in the aspects of quality, safety and efficacy as curing agents. In so doing it will also determine the driving force behind the intense public interest for herbal medicine as alternative or complementary to conventional medicine. Most herbal products in the Malaysian market are not sufficiently provided with information on their ingredients, indications, dosage, pharmacology, contraindications and possible side-effects. Most published information on the products on evidence of safety and efficacy is not supported with scientific evidence. The present practice of traditional medicine still depend heavily on information obtained through ethnopharmacological experiences. However, the herbal product market is experiencing a tremendous growth and there is an increased trend of incorporating herbal therapy into modern medical practice by many mainstream health professionals. Unfortunately, the popularity of herbal products is more associated with consumer attitudes and the ability of the herbalists to influence rather than their true quality as medicinal agents. Many people are exploited due to ignorance on the real value of herbals as therapeutic agents. It is especially disappointing when popular media, promotional literature and talk shows by individuals promoting quackery are given much publicity. Even worse, many individuals trained in the health sciences are promoting quackery. This has often left the consumers with the perception that the authority condones the improper use of herbal products. Thus, it is important for pharmacists and physicians to be trained in traditional herbal medicine so that they can educate the public on the benefits, quality, safety and proper use of herbal products.
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