Introduction: The purpose of the study was to compare the size of visual field in horizontal and vertical, peripheral retinal sensitivity at mid- and far-peripheral temporal viewing using different sizes of stimuli between football athletes and age-gender matched non-athlete subjects. Methods: The participants comprised 9 experienced male football (23.44 ± 2.74 years) players and the control group comprised 9 age-matched male non-athletes (23.33 ± 2.96 years). The parameters were measured using Oculus Twinfield automated perimeter. Horizontal and vertical size of visual field was measured using manual kinetic strategy. The mid-peripheral (60deg) and far-peripheral (90deg) temporal retinal sensitivity in different sizes of stimuli were measured using manual static strategy. The measurement of each test was repeated three times, and then the most reliable value was taken from the three readings. Results: The results from athletes and non-athletes did not differ in regards to peripheral visual attention in all measured parameters (p>0.05). However, athletes group showed slightly better results than non-athletes group. Conclusions: Improved visual performance in selected parameters among athlete group in this study supports previous studies with hypothesis of visual skill in athletes is better compared to non-athletes.
Diuron has been substantially used in different parts of the world as an herbicide and as a bioactive ingredient in antifouling paint. However, knowledge on the toxicity of Diuron that could adversely affect non-targeted aquatic organisms, especially fish; is still deficient. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the possible sublethal effects of phenylurea herbicide Diuron at the cellular level of the liver and kidneys of an adult Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus), which has been used as the novel model organism. In the present study, histological assessment was carried out using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining protocol where the samples were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and sectioned into 5 μm thickness. The 210 samples used contained a range of Diuron concentrations comprising 1 μg/L, 50μg/L, 100 μg/L, 500 μg/L and 1000 μg/L; which also included the control treatments. Semi quantitative analysis revealed that liver and kidney tissues exposed at higher concentrations (500 μg/L and 1000 μg/L) showed significantly moderate to severe deformities and mild lesion alterations were already shown even at a lower concentration of Diuron exposure (1.0 μg/L), as compared to the control treatment of dechlorinated water (p
Field surveys of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami reported massive failures of many seawalls and coastal barriers. The massive damages are vivid evidence that there are flaws in the design of seawalls and barriers. With this as the background, a sequence of laboratory experiments using dam-break waves was performed to simulate the interactions between the tsunami-like bore flow and vertical seawall as well as to measure the bore-induced pressures and to estimate forces exerted on the vertical seawall model. The experimental result revealed that the maximum pressure (approximately 8 kPa) exerted on the vertical seawall was measured at the lowest pressure sensor location. Experimental data were used to re-examine the relevant empirical formulae found in the literature. The obtained results could be useful for calibrating mathematical and numerical models as well as for future research concerning the design of tsunami barriers.
Tripoli coastal aquifer, Libya, which is located in a densely urbanised area, is the primary source of water supply in Tripoli city. In the last few decades and due to population growth, more than 100 wells have been drilled in Tripoli aquifer for the purpose of increasing pumping to meet demand on groundwater. The urbanisation at the Tripoli upper aquifer system has reduced the recharge rates and affected the groundwater storage. In this study, changes in groundwater dynamics in Tripoli’s unconfined aquifers were simulated using MODFLOW-2005 code. The model was calibrated and validated using measured and simulated values. Statistical tests such as coefficient of determination, R2 mean error, mean absolute error, and the root mean square error were computed and found to be 0.97, 0.31, 1.70 and 2.32 respectively. The simulation will assist in the assessment of the long term saline water intrusion. Calibrated transient groundwater flow models for the years 2020 – 2100 indicated that this case is likely to occur along pumping profiles with high pumping rates. Simulation results show that the groundwater levels will decline and exceed 12 m in the Southern area while in the Northern area near the coastal line, depletion is continuous and more than 70 wells will face saline water intrusion by the year 2100. Doubling the pumping rate from the wells will accelerate the drop in the groundwater levels and about 98% of the wells will be subjected to high salinity level by 2100. The salinity levels in these wells will make the groundwater unfit for human consumption.
Hepatitis C infection is a major public health problem that can be dealt with urgent and timely attention. Recently, WHO Global Hepatitis Report showed that 71 million people, equivalent to approximately 1% of the world population, are infected with hepatitis C. The disease incidence, mortality rate and risk factors vary across geographical regions. The virus is transmitted primarily through drug injection and exposure to infected blood products in healthcare and community settings. The common causes of death related to virus infections are decompensated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C infection is mainly prevented by identifying and controlling any possible risk factors for virus transmission because treatment is costly and limited in availability. In this review, articles discussing the natural history, epidemiology and risk factors for hepatitis C infection are reviewed.
The present work was aimed to optimise the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of dabai oil
from dabai pulp and defatted pulp using RSM in comparison with hexane extraction method.
Fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties of the extracted dabai oil were also determined.
Optimal RSM conditions were 36 MPa pressure, 40°C temperature and 21 min of extraction
time. The extracted yields ranged between 14.13% and 15.42%. Supercritical carbon dioxide
extracted oils had lower total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidative activities than the
hexane-extracted oils. High-performance liquid chromatography results showed that only
vanillic, protocatechuic and gallic acids were identified in both hexane and supercritical carbon
dioxide extracted oils of defatted dabai pulp. The total saturated fatty acids were higher in
hexane-extracted dabai oil as compared to the supercritical carbon dioxide extracted oil, and
vice versa for the unsaturated fatty acid. Although supercritical carbon dioxide extracted dabai
oils are inferior to the hexane-extracted oils, they are preferred as they are extracted using
green technology.
Degradation of coastal water quality is one of the major concern in the Malacca Strait since this area is one of the most important fishing ground in Malaysia. Despite being great in the fishery industry, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan somehow recorded the lowest marine fishes landing, which raises a question about dynamics of this area. It is therefore, a preliminary study of the physical properties and nutrient concentrations carried out from 27 March to 4 April 2016 at the coastal water off the southern west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, specifically at Pulau Besar, Malacca and Tanjung Tuan, Negeri Sembilan. Data for temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) was acquired by using Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) probe. Meanwhile, nutrient concentrations determination in this study was done by using a Westco Smartchem 200 Discrete Analyser, according to the procedure adopted from United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In general, results of this study indicated the coastal stations were characterised with cooler, less saline, and high DO waters than stations away from coast. Large sea surface heating and weak winds were determined as the causative factors affecting dynamics of water column at the study area. At nearshore area, temperature, salinity, and DO variability were modulated by degree of freshwater intrusion. High nutrient concentrations at the stations closer to the coast was believed to be associated with river outflow, which acted as the main source of nutrients supply in this area. Comparison to previous study had shown that nutrient concentrations in this research were low, which could contribute to an insight on declining marine fish catches in these two states. With regard to Malaysian Marine Water Quality Criteria and Standard (MWQCS), mean nutrient concentrations at the study area were in Class 1, which are suitable for marine parks and marine protected areas conservation. Regardless of limited scope, the outcome of this study is believed to be a good baseline reference for future studies seeking to understand coastal dynamics.
: Virtual reality (VR) has been integrated and used with smartphones as one of the digital entertainments such as in gaming and movie streaming. With emergent of various VR brands in the market, it concerns the public on the possible side effects of VR on the ocular performance specifically on tear film stability and ocular discomfort. The purpose of this study was to compare the change on non-invasive keratograph tear break-up time (NIKBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH) before and after the use of VR for 30 minutes, and to measure the ocular discomfort after the use of VR quantitatively. Thirty-two subjects were recruited in this study and all the subjects were divided randomly into two groups; VR and laptop (used as a control) groups. Each subject needed to watch a movie for 30 minutes using the respective devices. The changes of tear film stability and ocular discomfort before and after the use of the devices were then compared and the results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) after 30 minutes of the use. Comparison of the ocular parameters between the devices on post-watching activities was also not significant (p>0.05). Use of VR did not give any signs of dryness to the eyes and it can be used without any discomfort even after 30 minutes usage of the devices.
In order to ensure the optimum quality of palm oil, oil palm fruit needs to be harvested at the optimum maturity to avoid free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation. The high content of FFA not only reduces the quality of palm oil but also increases the refining cost. Optimum maturity based on plantation standard operating procedure (SOP) is determined by identifying the tree with loose fruit on the ground. The matured bunch is further identified based on the colour of the bunch. This paper presents a research work on formulation and validation of mathematical equations to estimate the maturity stages (age in weeks) of fresh fruit bunch (FFB) based on FFB position in oil palm phyllotaxis (spiral leaves arrangement) as an additional feature to confirm the maturity level of oil palm FFB. Regression analysis showed that the proposed method was able to estimate the maturity stages of oil palm FFB with the coefficient of determination R2 = 0.9 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.58 weeks. The FFB yield estimation model and harvesting can be created based on the extracted data using the formula which will help in the planning of harvesting operation. Plantation manager can use this information to generate yield variability map and estimate the appropriate number of workers and machine. Planned harvesting operation can save a significant amount of time in site harvesting operation.
Introduction: The number of patients with poor glycaemic control who refuse insulin therapy is alarming. Factors that contribute to insulin refusal are important to study to identify high risk groups so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent progression of uncontrolled diabetes. The objective of this study is to determine the risk factors of insulin refusal among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycaemic control at Tanglin Health Clinic, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: A case control study was conducted among 216 cases and 230 controls using stratified sampling method. Cases were defined as patients with HbA1C more than 7.5% but not on insulin therapy despite being offered by the doctor whereas controls consist of patients with HbA1C of more than 7.5% but already on insulin therapy. Data was collected from April until May 2018, using a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done via IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results: Response rate for cases was 93.9% and response rate for controls was 100%. Risk factors of insulin refusal among poor glycaemic control includes age above 60 years old, tertiary level education, duration of diabetes less than 10 years, poor level of knowledge on insulin, fear on injection pain and fear to bruising due to injections. Conclusion: Hence, efforts must be taken to tackle the modifiable factors such as knowledge on insulin and diabetes, and fear on injections and bruises.
A phytochemical study was conducted on the stems and leaves of Hedychium malayanum (Zingiberaceae). Three steroids
namely stigmasterol (1), sitostenone (2) and stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (3) as well as one triterpene, lupenone (4) and
one oxygenated sesquiterpene, caryophyllene oxide (5) were successfully isolated from the respective stems and leaves,
utilizing several chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means (IR, MS, NMR),
and by comparison with the literature data.
This study attempts to assess the impact of various types of land use along Sungai Langat and describes hydrological
change and water quality variation along this river. This study also determines water quality of Sungai Langat based on
low flow dry period Q100,7 using the application of QUAL2K. Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, temperature and conductivity
were measured in situ. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5
), ammonia nitrogen (NH3
-N) and total suspended solid (TSS)
were analysed according to the standard methods (APHA). Water quality data was referred to National Water Quality
Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) proposed by Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) to estimate Sungai Langat
water quality status. Four important water quality parameters namely DO, BOD5, NH3
-N and TSS were simulated with
QUAL2K version 2.07 for 83.67 km. As regard to individual parameter, DO classified this river into class III, BOD5 in
Class II, NH3
-N in Class IV and TSS in Class I. Based on QUAL2K simulation for low flow scenario, the results clearly
demonstrates a gradually reduction of DO and BOD5 whereas NH3
-N and TSS display opposite. Only NH3
-N was found
significantly increase which cause low water quality class towards the downstream. Three parameters namely DO, BOD5
and NH3
-N show effects of industrial which approximately located at the middle of river stretch. The TSS was contributed
to the river system at the upstream and downstream of the river stretch which most likely from sand mining activity which
located at Sungai Long, Cheras (near R5) and Sungai Semenyih (R11).
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) is a novel technology useful for therapeutic and research applications. To date, iPSCs
is produced through genetic modification that can promote mutation; making it harmful for therapeutic use. Therefore,
application of non-genetic modification through direct delivery of recombinant proteins aided by protein transduction
domain (PTD) enable a safer production of iPSC. This study is aimed to establish a stable production of secretable
recombinant protein via recombination of green fluorescence protein (GFP) and a novel PTD peptide, namely TATκ-GFP.
293Tcell line was transfected with 20 µg/ml of TATκ-GFP plasmid and the stably transfected 293T cells were then cultured
for 54 days to determine the stability of expression and secretion of TATκ-GFP recombinant protein in prolonged culture.
Methylation at the CMV promoter of the TATκ-GFP plasmid was investigated following treatment of transfected cells with
3 µM/mL of demethylation agent, namely 5-Azacytidine for 72 h in three cycles. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated
a transfection efficiency of 9.33% and successful secretion of TATκ-GFP proteins into the culture medium as analysed by
Western blot at 72 h post-transfection. However, the transfected cells exhibited a decreasing level of GFP expression and
secretion following prolonged culture with notable stability that only sustained for two weeks. 5-Azacytidine-treated cells
showed a slight increase of GFP expression compared to non-treated control, suggesting possible promoter methylation
which could cause instability of TATκ-GFP expression. Conclusively, promoter methylation should be considered for future
establishment of iPSCs as it could inhibit stable expression and secretion of recombinant proteins.
A comparative analysis of metabolites from different parts of Curcuma aeruginosa, i.e. leaves, stems, adventitious
roots and rhizomes was performed by GC-MS/MS coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. The GC-MS/MS analysis
confirmed the occurrence of 26 metabolites belonged to terpenoids in almost all the samples. The Principal Component
Analysis (PCA) indicated that there was a clear distinction between rhizomes and other plant parts, i.e. stems, leaves,
and adventitious roots that could be explained by relatively higher contents of terpenoids including curzerene, alphafarnesen, furanocoumarin, velleral, germacrone cineole, borneol, beta- and gamma- elemene and methenolone. The
results of Hierarchical Clustering Analyses (HCA) corresponded with the PCA results where many terpenoids found
abundantly high in rhizome were clustered together. This was supported by the Pearson correlation analysis that
showed a significantly good relationship between those terpenoids. The adventitious roots demonstrated the strongest
antioxidant activity as compared to the other plant parts which could be attributed to its highest Total Phenolic
Contents (TPC). Total phenolic contents of all the plant parts were positively correlated with their antioxidant activities
which indicate that phenolic compounds may play a role in the overall antioxidant activities of the plants. The results
of the study highlighted the potential of this underexploited Curcuma species which could serve as a new source of
important phytochemicals and natural antioxidant that could be incorporated in functional foods and nutraceuticals.
In addition, chemical and biological evidence shown in the present work has rationalised the different uses of various
plant parts of C. aeruginosa.
Introduction: Pediatric cardiac surgical mission programs are deemed as common practice, especially in developing nations funded by international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This article presents and discusses the results and strategies implemented by this partnership, aiming at achieving the autonomy of the local center by this collaboration. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients with congenital heart disease who underwent surgical intervention from the beginning of the NGO collaboration (September 2015) until November 2018 in an existing cardiac center. In between those visits, any congenital heart disease patient with Risk Adjustment Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS)-1 Category 1-3 would be discussed in a local multi-disciplinary meeting with regards to the feasibility of the surgery being performed by the local members. Results: A total of 60 operations were performed during the trips. Throughout the visit, 46% (28) of the operations were performed by the local surgeon, with or without assistance from the visiting surgeon. Between September 2015 and November 2018, 27 cases were also performed by the local team independently. For the 27 cases performed by the local team independently, the median age of the patient was 42 days (ranging from 14 days to 20 years old), with median body weight of 3.2 kg (ranging from 2.8 to 64 kg). Conclusion: Humanitarian pediatric cardiac surgical missions are safe to be done for the population in need. In order to achieve autonomy, continuous efforts by both teams are crucial, as the cooperation by the two parties ensures that the objectives are achieved.
Suatu kajian untuk menilai kesan gabungan aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim terhadap kualiti sumber air telah dijalankan di Terusan Utara, Kedah. Kajian ini dijalankan di lima stesen terpilih selama 12 bulan berdasarkan Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) dan Piawaian Interim Kualiti Air Kebangsaan (INWQS). Kajian mendapati kualiti air di Terusan Utara berada pada Kelas III dan berlaku peningkatan kualiti air dari hulu ke hilir. Hampir semua stesen berpotensi sebagai punca pencemaran berdasarkan aktiviti guna tanah terutamanya di Pelubang, Jitra serta Tunjang. Kajian menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan ketika perubahan musim pada DO, TSS serta BOD, namun tidak pada ammonia, pH dan COD. Secara amnya, kombinasi aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim boleh mempengaruhi atau memberi kesan terhadap kualiti sumber air. Oleh itu, tindakan segera perlu dilakukan untuk mengawal punca pencemaran bagi memastikan kualiti sumber air di Terusan Utara kekal terpelihara.
Suatu kajian telah dijalankan untuk menentukan kepelbagaian dan kelimpahan foraminifera di sedimen permukaan sekitar delta Sungai Kelantan memandangkan kajian foraminifera terutamanya di perairan marin Malaysia amat kurang. Sejumlah 22 stesen daripada dua garisan transek telah ditentukan sebagai kawasan persampelan. Sebanyak 10,317 individu foraminifera yang terdiri daripada 27 famili, 34 genus dan 55 spesies telah ditemui di kawasan kajian. Secara keseluruhannya, famili Hauerinidae mencatatkan kepelbagaian spesies tertinggi (10 spesies) manakala famili paling dominan dengan jumlah individu tertinggi ialah Rotaliidae (26.14%). Spesies dominan dan paling melimpah di kawasan kajian ialah Asterorotalia pulchella (17.24%) dan Operculina ammonoides (10.19%). Indeks kepelbagaian spesies, H’ yang dicatatkan ialah antara 0.5 hingga 3.1 manakala indeks kekayaan spesies, α adalah antara 1.5 hingga 7.9. Kelimpahan dan kepelbagaian spesies tertinggi (α=7.9, H’=3.1) dicatatkan pada stesen 21 yang terletak di laut terbuka dengan kedalaman air sebanyak 36.8 m dan bersaliniti 32.2 ppt mendekati laut normal. Nilai H’ dan α terendah dicatatkan pada stesen yang berdekatan dengan muara sungai yang cetek dan bersaliniti lebih rendah. Secara keseluruhannya, nilai indeks kepelbagaian yang dicatatkan di kawasan kajian adalah menepati persekitaran marin berair cetek. Kesimpulannya, kepelbagaian dan kelimpahan foraminifera di kawasan kajian dipengaruhi oleh kedalaman dan saliniti air.
Akuiti visual subjek ambliopia anisometropik sering disimulasi pada individu normal dengan mengkaburkan penglihatan
fovea mereka. Walau bagaimanapun, prestasi akuiti visual periferi subjek ini tidak diketahui dan kaedah pengkaburan
ini tidak semestinya dapat mensimulasi penglihatan periferi mereka. Untuk mendalami ketepatan kaedah ini, kami
mengkaji akuiti dan bentuk zon interaksi ruang di fovea dan periferi retina subjek normal dan ambliopia anisometropik
serta kesan pengkaburan pada akuiti subjek normal pada esentrisiti retina yang berbeza untuk dibandingkan dengan
periferi subjek ambliopia. Akuiti diukur menggunakan Kaedah Rangsangan Malar untuk huruf Sheridan-Gardiner pada
6 orang subjek normal dan 6 orang subjek ambliopia anisometropik. Kesan kesesakan diukur dengan membandingkan
respons pengesanan huruf sasaran yang diapit oleh huruf lain yang diletakkan pada orientasi mendatar, menegak dan
pepenjuru. Rangsangan dipaparkan pada fovea dan 2.5, 5 dan 10 darjah di medan penglihatan inferior. Selain itu,
akuiti fovea 4 orang subjek normal dikaburkan supaya sepadan dengan akuiti fovea subjek ambliopia menggunakan
kaedah pengkaburan optik dan penuras digital Gaussian. Subjek normal menunjukkan kemerosotan akuiti yang lebih
besar dengan peningkatan esentrisiti retina (E2
: 2.25±0.21) berbanding subjek ambliopia anisometropik (E2
: 6.02±1.45).
Kesemua subjek menunjukkan zon interaksi ruang yang tidak simetri di kesemua esentrisiti retina yang diuji. Interaksi
antara jenis kabur dan esentrisiti retina adalah signifikan F(2.13,6.38)=4.93, p=0.049) tetapi akuiti subjek normal yang
dikaburkan dengan kedua-dua kaedah pengkaburan tidak berbeza secara signifikan dengan akuiti subjek ambliopia.
Zon interaksi ruang subjek ambliopia anisometropik adalah sama dengan subjek normal. Akuiti fovea subjek ambliopia
anisometropik lebih teruk berbanding subjek normal kerana peningkatan pengkaburan intrinsik. Walau bagaimanapun,
periferi subjek ambliopia adalah normal secara fungsian.
Exposure to organophosphate pesticide including fenitrothion (FNT) has led to many adverse effects on human health.
However, a potent antioxidant like palm oil tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) can reduce oxidative damage in various
pathological conditions, could also reduce the adverse effects by FNT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect
of TRF on oxidative liver damage in FNT induce hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley
rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10, namely control, TRF, FNT and TRF+FNT group. TRF (200 mg/kg
body weight) and FNT (20 m/kg body weight) were administered through oral gavage for 28 days. Corn oil which
served as vehicle was given orally to the control group. At the end of the study period, liver and blood was taken for
oxidative damage and biochemical evaluation and histological observation. TRF supplementation prevents oxidative
liver damage by reducing the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) level significantly. Besides,
TRF also restored the endogenous antioxidants particularly reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)
and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). TRF also prevent liver damage by reducing the liver enzymes, alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The attenuation of liver damage by TRF was also showed
histologically. In conclusion, TRF supplementation showed a potential in preventing oxidative liver damage in FNTtreated
rats by reducing the oxidative damage and improving the antioxidant status.
In this work, a new optical screening method for acrylamide was developed. Bacterial Bacillus sp. strain ZK 34 was used to
hydrolyse acrylamide to the corresponding acid and ammonia. Nessler’s reagent was used to detect the produced ammonia
and the yellow complex formed was treated as signal. Bacterial pellet was immobilised in the alginate membrane. The
optimum composition of alginate used is 2%. The mass ratio of alginate:bacterial of 1:0.5 gave the optimum respond.
Optimum concentration for NaOH and Nessler’s reagent were 0.075 M and 2.5 mM, respectively. The yellow complex
of mercury (II) amido-iodine formed was directly proportional to the concentrations of acrylamide up to 50.00 ppm
with the limit of detection of 1.30 ppm. This sensor shows a good reproducibility which the relatives standard deviation
(RSD) values from 3.17-6.15%. Therefore, the detection of acrylamide based on the amidase hydrolysis is suitable for
screening this carcinogen compound.