Enhancement of physical function had been shown in older adults who actively participate in physical activities, particularly in the form of aerobic training with addition of progressive resistance training (PRT). However, it is quite challenging and risky for most older adults to exercise in standing position without any support. Chair Based Exercise (CBE) is an alternative mode of exercise for older adult to facilitate exercise participation and increase safety. Its effect when combined with resistance training is unknown to date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of CBE with PRT on physical performances among older adults. A total of 18 older adults (13 females (72%)) and 5 males (28%)), aged 60 to 83 years with mean age (SD) 72.67 (6.17) years completed the study. All subjects performed CBE with PRT intervention twice weekly for 8 weeks, with individually-tailored exercise progressions. Pre and post measurements of physical performance were performed using Six MinutesWalk Test (6MWT), Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSTS) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) test. Significant improvement in 6MWT (p < .001), HGS Right hand (p = .043), HGS Left hand (p < .001), FTSTS (p < .001) was shown after the eight-week intervention. Adding PRT into seated exercises results in further improvement in physical performance of older adults. CBE-PRT may be recommended as an exercise routine for older adults living in the community.
The global prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased rapidly in the recent decades, including in Malaysia. Thus, development of effective interventions to prevent childhood obesity in Malaysia is urgently needed. This paper describes the study design of a 12-week multi-component, school-based nutrition education programme aimed at managing childhood obesity. The objective of Juara Sihat™ is to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition education programme in improving anthropometric status, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of nutrition, eating habits and physical activity level among overweight and obese children. This quasi-experimental study involves two primary schools in Kuala Lumpur with similar demographic characteristics. Eligibility criteria of research participants are overweight and obese children aged 9 to 11 years. The main components of the Juara Sihat™ intervention are nutrition education classes on healthy eating and active lifestyle; physical activity sessions; and active involvements of parents and teachers. The control school does not receive any interventions. The primary outcome is BMI-for-age z-score, while other outcomes include waist circumference, body fat percentage, KAP of nutrition score, dietary intake, physical activity level, sedentary behaviour and biochemical profile. Outcome measures will be assessed at three intervals: baseline, post-intervention 1 (3-month follow-up), and post-intervention 2 (6-month follow-up). The Juara Sihat™ programme represents a promising approach to examining the effectiveness of a school-based childhood obesity intervention with strong empowerment of Parents’ and Teachers’ Association (PTA). We anticipate that this study may provide insights towards the development of more effective strategies in formulating childhood obesity interventions.
The phytochemical investigation on the fruit peel of Goniothalamus scortechinii (Selayar Raja Ubat) obtained from Gunung Stong, Kelantan has resulted in the isolation of five compounds namely pinocembrine, altholactone, goniofufurone, goniotriol and goniopypyrone. Their structures were determined by extensive ultra violet (UV), infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GCMS) analysis.
There has been an increasing interest in the use of natural materials as drug delivery vehicles due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility and ready availability. These properties make bacterial cellulose (BC), from nata de coco, a promising biopolymer for drug delivery applications. The aim of this study was to investigate the film-coating and drug release properties of this biopolymer. Physicochemical, morphological and thermal properties of BC films were studied. Model tablets were film coated with BC, using a spray coating technique, and in vitro drug release studies of these tablets were investigated. It was found that BC exhibited excellent ability to form soft, flexible and foldable films without the addition
of any plasticizer. They were comparable to Aquacoat ECD (with plasticizer) in tensile strength, percentage elongation and elasticity modulus. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) BC showed a high Tg value indicating thermally stability of films. These results suggest that BC can be used as novel aqueous film-coating agent with lower cost and better film forming properties than existing film-coating agents.
Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites with 30 wt.% loading of kenaf bast fibre (KBF) were compatibilised with 5 wt.% maleated PBS (PBS-g-MA). The maleic anhydride (MA) concentration in the compatibiliser was either 3, 5, 7 or 10 phr. In general, the compatibilised composites showed better flexural properties than the un-compatibilised composite. The highest increment in the flexural strength and modulus of 12.7 and 8.9%, respectively, were obtained with the addition of PBS-g-MA with MA concentration of 5 phr. Compatibilised and un-compatibilised PBS/KBF composites were
immersed in distilled water for 90 days. The absorption of water by all the composites was observed to follow Fick’s law. The equilibrium moisture content, Mm, of the composites with PBS-g-MA at 3, 5 and 7 phr of MA concentrations was lower than that of the un-compatibilised composite due to improved fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion and reduction of voids content. Both un-compatibilised and compatibilised composites showed dimensional instability after the water
absorption. This was probably due to the degradation of the fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion and fibre integrity. The flexural properties of these composites decreased after the water absorption. After re-drying only some of the flexural properties were recovered from plasticizing effect of water.
Kesan penggunaan kitosan terhadap nanozarah kuprum (Cu) yang disintesis menggunakan sinaran gama sebagai sumber agen penurunan telah dijalankan dalam sistem akues. Dos sinaran terserap yang digunakan adalah 50 kGy manakala penambahan isopropanol adalah penting sebagai penggarut kepada radikal pengoksidaan serta meningkatkan peranan agen penurun yang terhasil daripada proses radiolisis. Analisis serapan optik-uv telah mencirikan sifat optik larutan nanozarah Cu yang disintesis. Ketulenan fasa kristal nanozarah Cu yang terbentuk dalam matrix kitosan telah dibuktikan dengan pembelauan sinar-X (xRD). Berdasarkan imej mikroskop imbasan elektron (TEM), nanozarah Cu yang terhasil adalah berbentuk sfera dengan julat saiz 6-10 nm kecuali nanozarah Cu yang disintesis dalam kepekatan kitosan 03% wlv yang menunjukkan taburan bentuk yang tidak sekata. Analisis spektrofotometer transformasi Fourier inframerah (FHR) yang dijalankan telah mengesahkan kehadiran sebatian kitosan dalam sampel nanozarah Cu dengan kepekatan kitosan 0.1 dan 0.3% wlv. Kajian ini mendapati penggunaan kitosan dapat melindungi nanozarah Cu daripada pengoksidaan oleh persekitaran. Saiz nanozarah juga didapati meningkat seiring dengan peningkatan kepekatan kitosan yang digunakan.
A combined similarity-numerical solution of the magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer slip flow of an electrically conducting non-Newtonian power-law nanofluid along a heated radiating moving vertical plate is explored. Our nanofluid model incorporates the influences of the thermophoresis and the Brownian motion. The basic transport equations are made dimensionless first and then suitable similarity transformations are applied to reduce them into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the associated boundary conditions. The reduced equations are then solved numerically. Graphical results for the non-dimensional flow velocity, the temperature and the nanoparticles volume fraction profiles as well as for the friction factor, the local Nusselt and the Sherwood numbers are exhibited and examined for various values of the controlling parameters to display the interesting aspects of the solutions. It was found that the friction factor increases with the increase of the magnetic field (M), whilst it is decreased with the linear momentum slip parameter (a). The linear momentum slip parameter (a) reduces the heat transfer rates and the nanoparticles volume fraction rates. Our results are compatible with the existing results for a special case.
Cupric oxide (CuO) thin films were prepared on a glass and silicon (Si) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering system. The structural, optical and electrical properties of CuO films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (xRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ultra-violet visible spectrophotometer, respectively, four point probe techniques and Keithley 4200 semiconductor characterization system. The xRD result showed that single phase CuO thin films with monoclinic structure were obtained. AFM showed well organized nano-pillar morphology with root mean square surface roughness for CuO thin films on glass and Si substrates were 3.64 and 1.91 nm, respectively. Infrared reflectance spectra shown a single reflection peak which is corresponding to CuO optical phonon mode and it confirmed that only existence of CuO composition on both substrates. The optical direct band gap energy of the CuO film grown on glass substrate, which is calculated from the optical transmission measurement was 1.37 eV. Finally, it was found that the deposited CuO films are resistive and the palladium formed ohmic contact for CuO on glass and schottky contact for CuO on Si.
Due to the recent increase in obesity, effective nutritional strategies for weight management is needed. Because vegetables and fruits are high in water, vitamins and minerals, it is possible to reduce the density of energy, promoting satiety and reducing energy consumption by incorporating them into the diet. While few interventions have specifically mentioned the consumption of fruit and vegetables, evidence indicates advice to increase coupling the consumption of such foods with recommendations for reducing energy intake are particularly important in efficient weight management strategies. The aims of this study are therefore to assess the level of awareness and factors influencing vegetable consumption behaviour among students. This study examined the advantages of eating more vegetables and whether it can contribute to weight loss among university students, about the nutrition knowledge of the benefits of eating vegetables and the demographic factors of gender, race, age, marital status, education level, occupation and monthly income. Using the quantitative research methodology, this study explores vegetable consumption and weight loss among university students to ensure a healthy lifestyle, there is a need to educate the youth about the importance of fruit and vegetables in their diet. Findings suggest that fruits and vegetables can play an important role in weight management. Studies show that certain fruits and vegetables increase the feeling of fullness and decrease hunger. There is however limited knowledge on factors affecting the consumption of vegetables in Malaysia. It is therefore important to identify factors that increase the consumption of more vegetables that will help to lose weight.
Dermatophytosis is a widespread disease produced by pathogenic fungus particularly Trichophyton rubrum. The present study reports on the formulation and evaluation of topical gel containing Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Andrographis paniculata and Alpinia galanga extracts for significant antifungal potential. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of single plant and combination including synergistic effects were also determined. Macrodilution method was used to determine the MIC against Trichophyton rubrum. Gel formulations were evaluated using physicochemical parameters such as color, appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability and stability testing. Overall MIC values of extracts against Trichophyton rubrum ranged from 31.25 mg/mL to 500 mg/mL. The MIC for A. sativum, C. longa, A. paniculata and A. galanga respectively were 500mg/ml, 31.25mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 500mg/mL. However, the assessment of combinations of selected extracts showed indifferent and antagonism interactions. This study also revealed that the formulation containing C. longa showed better stability than other formulations. A. galanga gel formulation has good viscosity and spreadability making it a good candidate in the gel formulation with good efficacy as an antifungal. Thus, this herbal gel formulation showed potential used to inhibit growth of T. rubrum that can be the alternative treatment of dermatophytosis.
This study aims to determine the inculcation level of soft skills through petanque sport among its players at Public Institue of Higher Learning (IPTA) and the Private Institute of Higher Learning (IPTS). Specifically, this study has two objectives: (i) to identify the level of seven soft skills through petanque sport among its players at IPTA and IPTS; and (ii) to determine the relationship between the number of years playing petanque and the level of soft skills; A total of 224 respondents who enrolled in the Higher Education Institute Petanque Tournament 2017 participated in this study. The findings revealed that the level of soft skills included in this study are at high level, namely the communication skills (M=2.85, SP=.36); critical thinking and problem-solving skills (M=2.87, SP=.34); teamwork skills (M=2.89, SP=.31); lifelong learning, information management (M = 2.87, SP = .34); entrepreneurial skills (M=2.72, SP=.46); professional ethics and moral (M = 2.84, SP = .37); and leadership skills (M = 2.84, SP = .36). The chi-square (c2) test reveals no significant relationship between the number of years playing petanque and the level of soft skills among players of IPTA and IPTS (c2 = .790, p > .05). Therefore, based on the results, it can be concluded that all seven soft skills can be inculcated in the petanque’s players at IPTA and IPTS. Thus, petanque sport should be introduced and acculturated to the society at large and not restricted to students of higher education institutes only.
Ergosterol, a component of fungal cell membrane, has been frequently detected as an indicator of fungal presence and mass
in environmental samples like soil. However, its detection in major pathogenic fungal species has not been investigated.
In this study, the ergosterol contents of ten pathogenic fungal species were determined. Liquid chromatography was used
for the detection and quantification of ergosterol extracted from fungal broth cultures. Results showed that ergosterol
eluted as a single, well resolved peak in the chromatogram profiles of all tested fungi. Based upon relative amounts of
ergosterol produced per fungal mycelial dry weight, three groups of fungal pathogens were identified, namely low ergosterol
(Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans at 4.62, 6.29 and 7.08 µg/mg, respectively), medium
ergosterol (Fusarium solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Cryptococcus gattii and Rhizopus sp.
at 9.40, 10.79, 10.82, 11.38, 12.60 and 13.40 µg/mg, respectively), and high ergosterol (Candida tropicalis at 22.84 µg/
mg), producers. Ergosterol was not detectable in bacterial samples, which were included as controls. This first report on
ergosterol detection in major pathogenic fungal species indicates that ergosterol may be used as a biomarker to diagnose
invasive fungal infections in clinical samples.
Suatu kajian pemencilan dan pengenalpastian mikroflora bakteria daripada kolam air panas telah dilakukan di kolam
air panas Bentong, Pahang. Kebanyakan bakteria yang dipencil dari kolam air panas adalah dari Bacillus sp. kerana ia
mempunyai ciri adaptasi yang membolehkannya hidup di kawasan ekstrem suhu tinggi dengan pembentukan endospora.
Objektif kajian adalah untuk mengenal pasti spesies bakteria selain dari spesies Bacillus sp. yang mampu mandiri dalam
kolam air panas ini. Tiga buah kolam air panas dikenal pasti sebagai A, B dan C. Julat suhu berada antara 36°C-52°C
dan nilai pH antara 7.88-8.65. Kajian ini telah berjaya memencilkan dua isolat bakteria kokus Gram positif bersama
tiga spesies Gram negatif. Spesies Gram positif tersebut adalah dari spesies Streptococcus sp. dan Staphylococcus sp,
manakala Gram negatif pula dikenal pasti sebagai Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp. dan Proteus sp.. Sebagai kesimpulan,
bakteria tak berspora yang bukan Bacillus sp. mampu mandiri dalam kolam air panas.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), peripheral artery disease, and atherosclerosis of the aorta. All females face the threat of CVD. But becoming aware of symptoms and signs is a great challenge since most adults at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have no symptoms or obvious signs especially in females. The symptoms may be identified by the assessment of their risk factors. The Bayesian approach is a specific way in dealing with this kind of problem by formalizing a priori beliefs and of combining them with the available observations. This study aimed to identify associated risk factors in CVD among female patients presenting with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) using Bayesian logistic regression and obtain a feasible model to describe the data. A total of 874 STEMI female patients in the National Cardiovascular Disease Database-Acute Coronary Syndrome (NCVD-ACS) registry year 2006-2013 were analysed. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation approach was applied in the univariate and multivariate analysis. Model performance was assessed through the model calibration and discrimination. The final multivariate model of STEMI female patients consisted of six significant variables namely smoking, dyslipidaemia, myocardial infarction (MI), renal disease, Killip class and age group. Females aged 65 years and above have higher incidence of CVD and mortality is high among female patients with Killip class IV. Also, renal disease was a strong predictor of CVD mortality. Besides, performance measures for the model was considered good. Bayesian logistic regression model provided a better understanding on the associated risk factors of CVD for female patients which may help tailor prevention or treatment plans more effectively.
Heat and mass transfer of MHD boundary-layer flow of a viscous incompress-
ible fluid over an exponentially stretching sheet in the presence of radiation is investi-
gated. The two-dimensional boundary-layer governing partial differential equations are
transformed into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using similarity
variables. The transformed equations of momentum, energy and concentration are solved
by Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The validity of HAM solution is ensured by com-
paring the HAM solution with existing solutions. The influence of physical parameters
such as magnetic parameter, Prandtl number, radiation parameter, and Schmidt num-
ber on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are discussed. It is found that
the increasing values of magnetic parameter reduces the dimensionless velocity field but
enhances the dimensionless temperature and concentration field. The temperature dis-
tribution decreases with increasing values of Prandtl number. However, the temperature
distribution increases when radiation parameter increases. The concentration boundary
layer thickness decreases as a result of increase in Schmidt number.
‘Solat Alert Software’(SAS) innovation is a software developed to give users an early prayers reminder and subsequently prevents any further usage of computer systems when prayer calls. This allows the computer users to pray at the beginning of praying time. This software works by displaying a reminder in the form of text message as well as a remembrance audio on the computer before the time comes. Later, it will be followed by azan audio, indicating the prayers time, which automatically will cause the windows system to be in ‘log off’ mode. The reminder will continue for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the settings customised by the system administrator (Admin). This time-off duration is set to prevent users to ‘log in’ during the praying time span so it will give room for users to pray early at any time of prayer. The system administrators can also set different prayers time according to areas by referring to the Malaysia’s official prayers time database developed by JAKIM. The advantage of thissoftware isthatsystem will be automatically logged off, causing the users to stop their virtual activities and perform the prayers on time.
Calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine and tacrolimus are increasingly becoming part of the standard immunosuppresant therapies for renaltransplanted patients in Malaysia. In this study, the clinical safety and efficacy of cyclosporine and tacrolimus in a Malaysian renal-transplanted population is compared. A fourteen-year retrospective review on all renal-transplanted patients (from September 1991 to September 2015) or patients being followed up at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) on cyclosporine or tacrolimus regime was conducted. We collected the clinical and laboratory parameters at 3-month, 6-month, 7-month, 8-month, 9-month, 10-month, 11-month, 12- months, 2-year and 3-year following from transplantation for each drug. The mean cyclosporine and tacrolimus trough levels were within the recommended therapeutic ranges (189.16 ± 69.10 ng/ml and 7.84 ± 2.18 mg/day respectively). The mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly higher at eleven months for tacrolimus compared to cyclosporine. Similarly, the mean total bilirubin level was significantly higher with cyclosporine as compared to tacrolimus between 3 – 9 months post transplantation but did not show any significant difference (p = 0.49). The overall monthly means of serum uric acid levels in patients were also similar, 380 ± 87 mg/dL (cyclosporine) and 390.96 ± 95.97 mg/dL (tacrolimus) (p = 0.49). The Kaplan-Meier survival rate is significantly longer (p = 0.03) with cyclosporine-based treatment as compared to tacrolimus. Overall, cyclosporine and tacrolimus did not show any significant difference in terms of safety and efficacy parameters among Malaysian renal-transplanted patients indicating that they may be used interchangeably.
Anaemia still constitutes a public health problem in the world, especially in the developing countries (1). Nutritional deficiency remains a major causative factor (2). During pregnancy, growth of the foetus, placenta and the larger amount of circulating blood in the expectant mother will lead to an increase in the demand for nutrients, especially iron and folic acid. Many women start their lives with insufficient iron stores, but also, because of inadequate child spacing, they have little time to build up their iron levels between pregnancies. In pregnancy, anaemia has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality (3,4,5). Iron and folic acid supplementation is routinely given to pregnant mothers in Malaysia. It is anticipated that pregnant mothers who comply strictly with the prescribed iron supplement will maintain adequate iron stores at parturition. However, the compliance rate among rural mothers in Kelantan is often poor (6). Kelantan is also one of the most socio-economically underdeveloped
This research was conducted to investigate the compaction performance and mechanical
strength of compacted urea fertilizer in unlubricated and lubricated die systems. The
ground urea 46% N fertilizer was compacted in a 13 mm flat-face cylindrical die set in
both unlubricated and lubricated die systems with vegetable fatty acids and magnesium
stearate as lubricants at various compaction stresses to produce urea fertilizer tablets. In
conclusion, a lubricated die system reduces the frictional effects during the production of
urea fertilizer tablets and also produces a mechanically stronger urea fertilizer tablet than
those produced in an unlubricated die system. In addition, the vegetable fatty acids and
magnesium stearate lubricants are found to improve the compaction performance of urea
fertilizer tablet as well as its mechanical strength.
Eye tracking is a technology used to track and record what the human eye perceives. It has been applied in detecting visual field loss, determining infant’s preferential looking and virtual reality therapy. In reading tasks, eye tracking needs to be accurate because even a substantial head movement can affect its fixation accuracy; as such, using a headrest can minimise head movements and the associated fixation errors. This experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of headrest usage on eye tracker fixation accuracy during reading aloud activity by comparing a group with headrest and a group without it. The results showed that the difference between the two groups was significant (p=0.004), where the headrest group and non-headrest group introduced a mean fixation error of 30.728 ± 15 mm and 17.671 ± 9 mm respectively. Eye tracking accuracy for the headrest group was then compared with a standard value of 0.6 degrees. The findings showed that the accuracy was significantly different (p