The incidence of envenoming from king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah in human is relatively rare. Its venom acts on the postsynaptic region of the neuromuscular junction causing descending flaccid paralysis. Locked-in syndrome is a clinical state of inability to provide motor response in a conscious patient. Many reported cases of locked-in syndrome following neurotoxic snake-bite mimics brain death. We report a case of a middle aged man who presented with progressive neurological deficit following a king cobra bite over his right arm. He had local and systemic neurotoxic envenoming. His condition deteriorated, and was intubated and ventilated in the emergency department. He received a total of 33 vials of the Ophiophagus hannah monospecific antivenom and subsequently recovered well with no neurological deficit. Retrospectively, he was able to recall the events and while he was lying paralysed and intubated under minimal sedation in the intensive care unit. He described it as a terrifying and painful experience. This case highlights the rare presentation of locked-in syndrome following a systemic envenoming from a king cobra bite. It is important to differentiate neurotoxic snake envenoming lock-in syndrome from brain dead. Patients are unable to respond to physical pain and require adequate analgesia. A patient suffering this highly distressing experience may require psychological support.
Keywords: emergency, envenoming, neurotoxicity, snakebite
This study was conducted to evaluatethe nitrogen use efficiency and 13C isotope discrimination of rice mutant lines viz.NMR151 and NMR152. Both cultivars are developed under rice radiation mutagenesis programme for adaptability to aerobic conditions. In the present study, NMR151 and NMR152 were grown under conditions of varying water potentials and nitrogen levels in a shade house. The rice mutant lines were planted on sandy loam soil. Three watering regimes and three nitrogen levels in a completely randomized design with three replications were carried out. The rice mutants were grown for 110 days under three water potentials, (i) Field capacity from 0 to 40 DAS and saturated from 41 to 110 DAS [ST], (ii) Field capacity from 0 to 110 DAS [FC], and (iii) Field capacity from 0 to 40 DAS and 70% of field capacity from 41 to 110 DAS [SS]. Direct 15N isotopic tracer method was used in this study, whereby the 15N labelled urea fertilizer 5.20% atom excess (a.e) was utilized as a tracer for nitroge nuse efficiency study (NUE)by the test crops. 15Nisotope presence in the samples was determined using emission spectrometry and percentage of total nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method. 15N a.e values of the samples were used in the determination of the efficiency of N used by the mutant varieties. The 13C isotope discrimination (Δ13C) technique was used as a tool to identify drought resistance rice species with improves water use efficiency (WUE). WUE is the ratio of the biomass produced by the water consumed. For 13C discrimination analysis, a sample of rice leaf was analyzed for 13C content by using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS).The parameter, viz. plant height, number of tillers, grain yield, 1000 grain weight, NUE, Δ13Cand WUE were recorded. Results from this study showed nitrogen rates imparted significant effects on plant height, number of tillers, grain yield, 1000 grain weight and WUE, while water potentials had significant effects on plant height, grain yield, 1000 grain weight, NUE, Δ13Cand WUE. Δ13C has a low but significantly negative relationship with WUE. Rice mutants NMR151 and NMR152 were found to be not significantly different except for their NUE.
Bisep brachii (BB) adalah salah satu otot yang mempunyai pelbagai variasi.
Terkini, kebanyakan maklumat adalah berkenaan variasi asal otot, namun terdapat
beberapa kes yang melaporkan variasi dalam sisipan BB. Dibentangkan di sini
kes BB otot yang mempunyai kedua-dua varian asal dan sisipan dalam otot yang
sama. Varian asal BB adalah panjang dan besar di kepala ketiga (10.2 cm lebar
dan 4.9 cm tebal) yang timbul dari pertengahan badan humerus. Lebih signifikan
lagi, bahagian tengah kepala meliputi dan menyembunyikan bahagian bawah
saraf median dan arteri brachial sebagai gerbang yang berterusan medially untuk
disisipkan ke epicondyle medial humerus. Dalam laporan ini, kami membincangkan
mekanisma yang mungkin untuk pemampatan neurovaskular oleh kepala ketiga
otot BB yang tidak normal dan perubahan BB dari asal dan sisipan. Memahami
perubahan ini adalah sangat penting dalam prosedur pembedahan di sekeliling
sendi siku dan lengan atas dan ia juga memberi ruang untuk diagnosis pembezaan
sindrom perangkap saraf
There are several alternative sampling and analytical methods available for the determination of respirable
crystalline silica exposure among workers. The commonly used ones are, (1) NIOSH Manual Analytical Method
No.7500(NMAM 7500) which is Silica, crystalline, by X-ray difractometer via filter deposition(NIOSH 2003), and
(2) MDHS 101 (Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances (MDHS) Guidance No.101: Respirable
crystalline silica in respirable airborne dust). The aim of this study is to compare applicability of respirable crystalline
silica sampling and analysis between method MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Laboratory procedures will be performed
strictly based on MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Both methods apply X-ray diffraction as analytical technique with
many variations on sampling techniques and laboratory preparations. Quality assurance values such as detection
limits, accuracy and precision are derived from both data and will be compared to determine which of the method
establishes better quality assurance. The method which establishes better quality assurance will be recommend to be
used in Malaysian respirable crystalline silica monitoring programme. The strength of this research lies on its potential
to provide local capabilities in analysis of respirable crystalline silica in Malaysian setting.
Feather waste is a potential renewable source to recover valuable products because it is being a rich source of keratin proteins and amino acids. It can be used to make feather meal, fertilizer and yarn sizing agent. Various treatments have been used to recover the protein from chicken feathers as the keratinous feathers cannot be easily degraded due to its tough structure. This paper reviews the existing treatment methods used to hydrolyze chicken feathers. The treatment methods for feather hydrolysis such as physical, chemical, biological and combined treatments as well as their advantages and challenges are highlighted. The effects of these treatments on feather hydrolysis are complex and vary in regards to the performance of feather hydrolysis and product yielded. Hence, it is important to choose an appropriate treatment method since the type of treatment applied affects the product yielded qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, the economic assessment and environmental impact of the choice of treatment should be considered also.
Aim: The Shortened Dental Arch (SDA) concept, proposed as a strategy to prevent prosthodontics overtreatment, is defined as a specific type of dentition with an intact anterior region and a reduction in the occluding pairs of posterior teeth. While this concept has been accepted worldwide, little is known about such a situation in Malaysia. This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes, awareness and opinion of dentists working at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM) towards the SDA concept. Methods and Methods: All dentists (n=71) working at the Faculty of Dentistry, UiTM were invited to participate in a paper-based questionnaire survey to assess their attitudes, awareness and perception towards the SDA concept. Results: The response rate was 59% (n=42). Overall, 85.7% of respondents were aware of the Kayser’s SDA concept. A majority of them (61.1%) learnt about it through undergraduate studies. Only some respondents reported patients’ dissatisfaction in chewing (29.4%), appearance (8.8%) and comfort (6.3%) following application of the concept. Most participants disagreed that missing molar teeth should be replaced in all patients (52.4%), and supported the application of SDA concept in clinical practice (88.1%). However, some would choose to replace missing molars for older patients in order to provide posterior support (90.5%), prevent anterior wear (52.4%) and improve masticatory function (83.3%). Conclusion: Respondents’ awareness and support for the SDA concept suggested its acceptance as a possible strategy in patient care.
Objective: To compare the mean duration of diarrhea between children taking yogurt and with the group taking commercial probiotics, containing lactobacillus in acute watery diarrhea. Materials and
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Services Hospital, Lahore. The duration of this cross sectional study was 6 months, from June 2013 to November 2013. A total of 200 children suffering from acute watery diarrhea were involved in the study after the informed consent under the said hospital. Their demographic information was recorded and later divided in two groups of 100 each; group A received yogurt and group B was given commercial probiotic. The duration of diarrhea was observed in both groups. The results were compared by using independent sample t-test.
Results: The average duration of diarrhea in group A, was 1.98 + 1.31 day while that in group B was 3.09 + 1.64 days. Student's t-test was applied and the difference between the two groups was found to be statistically significant (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: Treatment with yogurt significantly decreases the mean duration of diarrhea as compared to probiotic among patients with acute watery diarrhea.
This study aimed to evaluate the coronal microleakage of different thickness of different restorative materials (glass ionomer cement (GIC, GC Gold Label 2), composite restoration (SDR, Dentsply Sirona) and (Filtek Z350 XT, 3M ESPE)) used as final restoration in endodontically treated teeth. 72 sound maxillary incisors were used. Following instrumentation, all canals were obturated with gutta-percha (Dentsply Maillefer) and Roth sealer (Roth International Ltd). After 2mm of gutta-percha removal below cemento-enamel junction, the crown was cut until length of 6mm from the gutta-percha to the incisal edge was achieved. The teeth were divided into four experimental groups (n=18) and access restorations were placed in different thickness combinations. Group 1 (G1): 2mm SDR + 4mm Filtek; Group 2 (G2): 4mm SDR + 2mm Filtek; Group 3 (G3): 2mm GIC + 2mm SDR + 2mm Filtek; Group 4 G4): 6mm SDR. All samples were thermocycled (500 thermal cycles between 5o and 55o C and dwell time of 30s), coated with nail varnish leaving 1mm margin around the filling material, immersed in 2% Rhodamine B solution and sectioned longitudinally. The dye penetration was observed under a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX7) with 1.25x magnification. The data were analysed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey’s HSD test. There was significant difference of microleakage among all groups. G1 showed least microleakage but with no significant difference between G1 and G3 (p=0.513) and G1 and G4 (p=0.477). G2 showed significant microleakage compared to G1, G3 and G4 (p
Perivitelline fluid, extracted from the fertilized eggs of horseshoe crabs, has been reported to play a
vital role in supporting embryogenesis as well as cell proliferation. The present study aims to evaluate the effect
of PVF on the expression of COL1A1 in human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The cells were grouped into two;
untreated (control) and treated with a single dose of PVF (0.019 mg/ml). Gene expression was quantified for
COL1A1 on day 1, 3 and 7 using reverse transcriptase PCR. The expression of COL1A1 on day 3 of treated
group with PVF was the highest though there was a decline of COL1A1 expression on day 7. Mann Whitney test
was utilized to determine the significance of COL1A1 expression between treated and untreated groups.
Significant difference in the expression of COL1A1 was observed between the treated and untreated groups on
day 3 though there was no significance in the expression on day 7. The present study indicates that PVF may
have the potential to increase cell proliferation in human DPSCs.
In competitive markets, agribusiness firms have embarked on improving their service quality for building and maintaining a profitable relationship with their customers. However, such impact of service quality on business commitment has not been empirically investigated. To fill this gap, this study explores the relationship between service quality and commitment, using a case of supplier selection of fresh produce by hotel, restaurant, and catering (HORECA) sector in Malaysia. Using SERVQUAL as the main component of the conceptual framework, the relevant information was collected from 195 random HORECA operators and analyzed using partial least squares. The results indicate that service quality explains little of HORECA’s decision to stay with their current suppliers. While most service quality factors were insignificant, “responsiveness” in term of providing delivery service had a statistically significant positive impact on HORECA’s contractual arrangement with their current suppliers. These findings imply that quality service is being seen as a supplement; economic factors (e.g., prices and their stability, credit term) are likely to be the key drivers affecting buyer-seller relationships. If suppliers want to stay on course, they have to improve their service quality and focus more on delivery service. In addition, more research is needed in this relatively new area.
As Malaysian economies grow, Malaysian per capita income is likely to increase. From economics point of view, it is expected that better-off consumers will move to better quality of food attributes such as freshness, food safety, quality and healthfulness in their food intake. This study aimed to investigate the demand for eggs attributes by Malaysian consumers. The study considers the conjoint analysis technique as a method for acquiring insights into preferences for eggs product. The technique was applied to establish the trade-offs that Malaysian consumers make between size, colour, size of packaging, functional attribute and price in the purchasing of eggs for 202 respondents. Least squares regression was utilized to estimate the relative importance of attributes for eggs. The results revealed that the ideal characteristic of egg was one with large size (grade A), omega eggs, brown, and ten per packs. We also found that consumers were also willing to pay more for their preferred attributes. The results found in the study provide valuable inputs to producers or marketers to improve their marketing efforts as well as market positioning, in line with the demanded eggs attributes.
There are some signals that Malaysian marine landings are decreasing and that wild stocks have been over-fished. However, it has extensive inland water bodies which have the potentials to be developed into freshwater aquaculture sites. Tengas (Neolissochilus sp.), a freshwater type of fish, are found in abundance in Malaysia; but has not reached the commercial level in the market. This paper examines the potential of developing tengas as a commercial freshwater species. The data used in this study were obtained through primary data search from key informants and a survey. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire with Malay and Chinese languages was designed for the interviews. The study areas covered Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. From the survey, we found that tengas has potential to be taken as a food item and an ornamental fish. The wild stock of tengas in fact is also worthwhile to be conserved for agro-tourism development. Many restaurant operators are willing to invent cooking method on tengas.
Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(1): 22-34, 2016 - This study aims to
provide information to the team manager, especially at the university level to understand the
relationship between coaching style and mental toughness among athletes. The sample had
been selected from four Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) football team consisting of 88
players (n = 88: 22 players per team). The study used two instruments that had been modified
namely "Leadership Scale for Sports Questionnaire" (LSS-40), (Chelladurai & Salleh, 1980)
and "The Mental Toughness Questionnaire" (MTQ-48), (Clough, Earle & Sewell, 2002).
Research findings had identified UiTM’s football team scores has a moderately high level of
mental toughness for each dimension known as challenge, commitments, control assurance
and confidence. The study also found that the leadership style of training and instruction was
favored by UiTM’s footballer compared to the autocratic leadership style. Overall, the study
found a significant relationship between the leadership style with mental toughness especially
for dimension training and instruction. The findings also showed that there is a moderately
relationship between leadership style of democratic, social support and positive response to
the mental toughness dimension of confidence. As for the coaching style of training and
instruction also has a moderately relationship to the mental toughness dimensions of
challenge. Results of this study showed that the leadership style affects the level of mental
toughness UiTM’s football teams. Furthermore, the coaches need to figure out the best
coaching style in order to improve mental toughness among football team.
Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(1): 49-64, 2016 - The aim of this study is
to assess health related physical fitness of MSKPPM soccer players (Veteran Category).
Besides that, this study also aims to see whether there is any differences based on the health
related components of physical fitness according to age group. The samples of this study were
40 soccer players who were involved in a selection, aged between 40 to 49 years. Test battery
used in this study is Prudential FITNESSGRAM® by Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research
(1992) which includes PACER 20 meter Multistage run, push up, curl up, trunk lift and body
mass index (BMI). Data analysis showed that there is significant difference on the different
components of health related physical fitness for the different age groups. Age 40-41, Pacer
[min: 24.66; SD: 2.88], curl up [min:33.33; SD: 5.20], push up [min: 46.83; SD: 3.65], trunk
lift [min: 43.16;SD: 13.58] and BMI [min:42.46; SD: 5.99]. Age 42-43, Pacer [min: 24.38; SD:
2.29], curl up [min:41.08; SD: 9.26], push up [min: 48.41; SD: 6.12], trunk lift [min: 47.16;SD:
9.35] and BMI [min:42.66; SD: 5.40]. Age 44-45, Pacer [min: 24.36; SD: 2.66], curl up
[min:39.75; SD: 9.69], push up [min: 48.00; SD: 5.81], trunk lift [min: 45.92;SD: 9.51] and
BMI [min:41.69; SD: 5.62]. Age 46-47, Pacer [min: 20.65; SD: 3.51], curl up [min: 19.40; SD:
1.67], push up [min: 44.20; SD: 1.78], trunk lift [min: 30.60;SD: 8.50] and BMI [min: 33.92;
SD: 4.13]. Age 48-49, Pacer [min: 27.26; SD: 0.55], curl up [min: 17.00; SD: 3.60], push up
[min: 47.33; SD: 2.88], trunk lift [min: 29.00;SD: 8.18] and BMI [min: 30.23; SD: 3.45]. The
results of this study can be used by the coaches in Malaysia to ensure that players involved in
any tournaments has excellent fitness level and to avoid from making aggressive actions which
may cause tense situation among players. The results of this study is hope to convince all
players and coaches on the importance of good physical fitness as it will positively affect the level of playing to be more effective and high quality.
Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 5(2): 53-60, 2016 – Many previous studies
focus on attention has consistently demonstrated that an external focus (movement effect)
enhances motor performance and learning relative to an internal focus (body movements).
However, the effectiveness of the external focus direction and internal focus on the press
behind neck lift not yet again compared among the weightlifter. Therefore, the aim of this
study was to identify the three conditions (external focus, internal focus and control) that
brings the best performance in the press behind neck. Besides that, a total of 30 athletes
Selangor weightlifters performed the pre-test before they are divided into treatment groups
(external focus and internal focus) and a control group. There are changes in the score in
force between the test scores (pre, post and retention test) and the group will be analyzed
using Two Way ANOVA Repeated Measure. The results showed that, there are the main
effect of testing, F(2, 54) = 1671.065 p = 0.001 means there is a significant difference
between pre-test and post-test . There is a main effect for group, F (2, 27) = 16,646, p =
0.001. Meanwhile, there was a significant interaction between the test group f (4. 54) =
378,732 p = 0.001. There are no significant differences between the three groups during the
pre-test. However, in the post-test found an external focus groups (M = 51.5 kg, SP = 7.4)
and an internal focus group (M = 49.5kg, SP = 6.6) is better and has significant differences to
the control group (M = 30.5kg, SP= 6.9). Besides that, the external focus group retention test
(M= 59.5 kg, SP=6.0) is better and has a significant difference compared with internal focus
(M= 43.2kg, SP = 5.9) and the control group (M= 30.1, SP = 6.3). Therefore, the overall
direction of a focus of external forces show better performance compared to focus on internal
and groups are not given any specific instructions for long term programme.
Despite a vast number of studies that were focused on the roles of superior temporal gyrus (STG) and cerebellum as sensory
area, little is known about their involvement in cognitive function such as attention and perception. The present fMRI
study aimed to identify this cognitive role from brain activation profile of STG and cerebellum obtained from an arithmetic
addition task. Eighteen healthy right hand dominance male adults participated in this study. They were instructed to solve
single-digit addition tasks in quiet and noisy background during the fMRI scan. Both the in-quiet and in-noise addition
tasks activated the bilateral STG and cerebellum (lobule VI and lobule VII) significantly but differentially. In both quiet
and noisy conditions, STG activation is dominant in the left hemisphere while cerebellum showed a right hemisphere
dominance. Bilateral STG and cerebellum (lobule VI) activation decreasedin noise, conversely cerebellum (lobule VII)
activation increased in noise. These asymmetrical activation indicated hemispheric lateralization and differential behaviors
of both brain areas in different environment while performing simple arithmetic addition task.
Bee pollen is considered as one of the functional foods due to its complex biochemical
properties. Bee pollen which is collected from pollen grains from various botanical sources
contains almost a complete nutrition such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, vitamins
and minerals. Its beneficial effect on health is thought to be due to the presence of phenolic
compounds with its antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activities of ethanolic bee pollen extract
(BPE) from three species of Malaysian stingless bee; Trigona thoracica, Trigona itama and
Trigona apicalis in this study were measured using DPPH-HPLC method and gallic acid (GA)
as a standard reference. The percentage of DPPH inhibition by T. apicalis BPE at 1 mg/mL
showed the highest inhibition (39%, GA equivalent to 0.3 mg/mL) compared with T. itama
(14.3%, GA equivalent to 0.1 mg/mL) and T. thoracica (6.7%, GA equivalent to 0.05 mg/mL).
Our result was the first in reporting antioxidant activity of BPE measured using DPPH-HPLC
method from three different species of Malaysian stingless bee.
The purpose of this study is to compare the tensile strength between additional polystyrene into coconut meat husk reinforced fiber composite. Composite were produced by using hand layup technique. It is seen that with the additional of polystyrene into the coconut meat husk reinforced polyester composites showed the increment tensile strength value compared to the non-added polystyrene which indicates that effective stress transfer between the fiber, matrix and polystyrene.
Commercialisation of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] in the early 1970s has left a big leap in the agriculture sector. This is due to its effectiveness in controlling a wide range of weeds. Glyphosate translocates well in plants. In addition, with added surfactant in its formulae, it can also be used in wet conditions. Its ability to kill weeds by targeting the 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) makes no competing herbicide analogs in its class. Considering its cost effectiveness, only small amount is needed to cover a large sector in agricultural land. The most important aspect in the success of glyphosate is the introduction of transgenic, glyphosate-resistant crops in 1996. However, glyphosate is not an environmental friendly herbicide. This systematic herbicide has raised environmental concern due to its excessive use in agriculture. Studies have shown traces of glyphosate found in drinking water. Meanwhile, it's rapid binding on soil particles possesses adverse effect to soil organisms. Glyphosate degradation in soil usually carried out by microbial activity. Microbes’ capable utilising glyphosate mainly as phosphate source. However, the activity of C-P lyase in breaking down glyphosate have not clearly understood. This review presents a collective summary on the understanding on how glyphosate works and its environmental fate.