This study was carried out to compare the effective dose, size specific dose estimation (SSDE) and scan length between genders and between CT scanner with different slice number. A total of 245 set data of radiation dose and scan length for CT scanning procedure involving thorax, abdomen and pelvis regions were obtained retrospectively for comparisons. 111 patients (60 males and 51 females) were scanned using 160-slices CT scanner while 134 patients (71 males and 63 females) were scanned using 640-slices CT scanner. Generally, there were no significant differences in the radiation dose and scan length among genders. However, differences for SSDE in CT thorax and CT thorax-abdomen-pelvis (TAP) protocols exist whereby in CT thorax protocol, 640-slices CT scanner had a significantly higher value of SSDE (9.06±2.67 mGy) than that in 160-slices CT scanner (7.82±1.33 mGy). Similarly to the CT TAP protocol, whereby 640-slices CT scanner had a significantly lower value in SSDE (9.17±1.59 mGy) than that in 160-slices CT scanner (10.76±3.72 mGy). In conclusion, there was no significant difference in the radiation dose and scan length between genders but significant difference was only observed in SSDE due to the presence of body size variation among the study population especially in different CT scanners.
Inappropriate responses towards sensory input received from the environment, also known as sensory processing difficulties (SPD) may affect daily living activities of the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sensory Processing Measure Home Form (SPM Home Form) as a parent report measure for SPD is available in English and other foreign languages. To enhance the applicability and meaningfulness of SPM Home Form for the Malay speaking population, a study that focuses on translating, adapting, and validating the SPM Home Form into the Malay language was conducted. The development of the Malay version of the SPM Home Form (SPM-MV Home Form) involved three steps: 1) Item evaluation, 2) Forward and backward translation, and 3) Expert review and content validity. The process of translation and adaptation of the form was performed according to standard guidelines. No item was excluded from the original SPM Home Form as all the items were considered by the expert panel as appropriate and relevance to evaluate the activity and social participation among children in Malaysia. Content validity as measured by 10 experts in occupational therapy is high. The mean of sub-scales I-CVI is between 0.96 and 1.00. The total S-CVI of the form is 0.95 with sub-scales S-CVI range between 0.82 and 1.00. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was reported at 0.80 and ICC for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.80 to 0.97. The SPM-MV Home Form has high potential to be used for assessing SPD among children ages 5-12 years in Malaysia.
Body sizes of patients undergoing x-ray examination vary in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMI and WC on the image quality of abdominal computed radiography (CR). Anteroposterior supine abdomen projection was conducted on 69 patients from Hospital Raja Perempuan Bainun, Ipoh using a Siemens Multixtop general x-ray unit, and the images were processed with CR Carestream Direct view Max. Samples were categorised into normal BMI (n = 23), overweight (n = 23) and obese (n = 23). Image quality was measured quantitatively in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and qualitatively by visual grading analysis (VGA) based on the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) image criteria. Data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation for comparison and determining the relationship among BMI, WC and image quality. Results showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in image quality of VGAmean (normal = 4.40 ± 0.15, overweight = 4.35 ± 0.13, obese = 4.03 ± 0.34) and SNRmean (normal = 60.79 ± 2.19, overweight = 59.66 ± 1.68, obese = 55.78 ± 4.31). A moderate to high negative correlation existed between SNR (r = −0.73), VGA (r = −0.7) with BMI (p < 0.01) and between SNR (r = −0.83), VGA (r = −0.79) with WC (p < 0.01). This study suggests that WC has a higher negative linear relationship than BMI and can be used as an effective image quality predictor for abdominal CR examination.
Malnutrition is a common occurrence during cancer treatment among pediatric cancer patients and without proper care, it can bring negative implications. The purpose of this study was to develop a printed educational material titled “Penjagaan Pemakanan untuk Penjaga Kanser Kanak-Kanak” (Nutrition Care for Children with Cancer) to help the caregivers to manage their child in terms of nutrition. The objective of this study was to evaluate caregiver’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) before and after receiving the printed educational material and to evaluate the acceptance of the printed educational material among caregiver. This quantitative study (Quasi-Experiment) was conducted among pediatric oncology caregivers in Institute of Pediatrics Hospital Kuala Lumpur (IPHKL)(n=34) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC)(n=34). IPHKL served as the experimental group where the caregivers received the developed booklet meanwhile UKMMC served as the control group where the caregivers received a pamphlet published by Institut Kanser Negara titled “Terapi Diet Pesakit Kanser – Kesan Sampingan Rawatan dan Cara Mengatasinya” (Nutrition Care for Cancer – How to Overcome the Side Effects of the Treatment). Results from this study showed that there was a significant increase (p
Behavioural change interventions for weight loss have been found to be effective in the short term, but their long-term effectiveness remains a question. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 36 weeks F.E.A.T program combining behavioural changes of healthy eating and physical activity. A quasi-experimental study of overweight adults was conducted in Malacca. A total of 53 subjects (mean age 47.4 ± 7.2 years) completed the program in three stages. In the first stage (T1: weeks 1–12), the intervention group (n = 28) participated in the F.E.A.T program activities, while the control group (n = 25) did not receive the intervention. In the second stage (T2: weeks 13-24), the activity was supervised and monitored by the peer support group. Sustainability of activity was measured at the third stage (T3: weeks 25-36). The effectiveness of the program was measured by changes in dietary intake, physical activity score, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage at T0 (pre-intervention), T1, T2 and T3. All parameters showed significant interaction effects (time*group) except for energy intake. The intervention group showed significant decreases from T0 to T3 for energy intake (-14.3%), body weight (-4.3%), BMI (-4.2%), WC (-10.5%) and body fat percentage (-3.6%). While physical activity level increased by 109.6% for the intervention group. There were no significant differences in all of these parameters among the control group. The results show the effectiveness of the F.E.A.T program on dietary status and physical activity changes during the 36-week of intervention period.
This paper is the first record of cigarette beetles collected from dried fish crackers (also known as “keropok ikan” in Malay) in Malaysia. The dead cigarette beetles were firstly isolated from a packet of dried fish crackers and were subsequently kept in 70% ethanol. The beetles were then identified as Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius 1792) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). They are common pests of stored products such as tobacco, flour, and cocoa beans but there is no record of ,his beetle infestation on dried fish crackers in Malaysia.
Garlic has gained popularity worldwide as a non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension but its use in Malaysia is still moderate. This study was undertaken among Malaysian urban population to assess their knowledge, awareness and attitude towards garlic supplement. This study is a cross sectional study and was carried out from February to May 2015. A total of 202 respondents took part in the study with 45% (n=91) taking garlic supplement. The result demonstrated that there was a significant negative correlation with age and knowledge score (r=-0.15, p=0.03). Majority of the respondents were unaware (n=61/202, 69.8%) that garlic has blood pressure lowering properties. Most preferred conventional medicines (n=119/202, 58.9%) over garlic supplement (n=83/202, 41.1%). However, most of the respondents (n=176/202, 87.1%) were interested to know more about the use of garlic for hypertension. There is no significant correlation between knowledge, awareness and attitude of respondents towards garlic supplement.
This study aimed to assess the nutritional and physical activity status among adults living in low-cost housing area. This cross-sectional study involved 115 adults aged from 18 to 59 years old (46 male and 69 female). Anthropometric and body composition measurements of height, weight, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference were taken. Biochemical measurements included blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Dietary intake was evaluated by interviewing subjects using Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). Physical activity status was determined by interviewing subjects using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Most of the subjects were found to be mainly on low socioeconomic status and working as blue collar workers. The mean body mass index (BMI) for men and women were 27.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2 and 28.5 ± 5.3 kg/m2, respectively. The waist-hip ratio of men and women were 0.92 ± 0.07 and 0.86 ± 0.06, respectively. Mean blood pressure observed was 128.8 ± 18.8 mmHg (systolic) and 78.2 ± 12.1 mmHg (diastolic). Mean blood glucose was reported to be 6.6 ± 3.2 mmol/L while the mean blood cholesterol was 5.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L. Overall energy intake was 2705 ± 603 kcal with the contribution of 53.4% carbohydrate, 13.5% protein and 32.5% fat to overall energy intake. The nutrients that did not achieve Malaysia’s Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) were calcium (73.1%), thiamine (70.5%), folate (25.0%) and vitamin A (19.6%). The mean physical activity of subjects was 6739.8 ± 8135.6 MET-min/week (high physical activity). In conclusion, the adults living in low-cost housing have unsatisfactory nutritional status yet they have good physical activity level which might be contributed by their occupation.
Ulam is fresh traditional Malaysian vegetables which normally consumed in raw form or after a short blanching process.It contains high antioxidants and polyphenols. However, there is limited study about the relationship between ulam consumption and cognitive status. Thus, a cross sectional study was conducted to determine the relation with cognitive function among 132 middle-aged Malays adults (45-59 years old), ecruited by convenient sampling from low income residences in Klang Valley. Respondents were interviewed to obtain data on sociodemography, dietary intake and total ulam intake and also measured for anthropometric parameters at respective community centres. Cognitive status was measured using Digit Span (attention and working memory), Rey auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT) (verbal memory) and comprehensive trail making test (CTMT) (cognitive flexibility). The average ulam intake by the respondents was 15.1 ± 8.2g/day and the top five highest consumed ulam were petai (68.1%), pucuk paku (62.9%), ulam raja (56.8%), pegaga (54.6%) and kesum (44.7%).There was a significant correlation between ulam intake with Digit Span (r = 0.265, p = 0.006), total immediate recall of RAVLT (r = 0.427, p < 0.001) and CTMT (r = 0.257, p = 0.007). Analysis of multiple regression indicated that total ulam intake was a significant predictor for Digit Span (R2 = 0.152, p < 0.05), RAVLT (R2 = 0.335, p = 0.001) and CTMT (R2 = 0.310, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study showed that ulam has the potential to protect against cognitive decline, however, randomized control trials should be conducted to determine the efficacy of the ulam as neuroprotective agent.
Heschl’s gyrus (HG) is known to interact with other auditory related areas of the same hemisphere during the performance
of an auditory cognitive task. However, the information about how it interacts with the opposite HG is still lacking.
The aim of this study was to investigate the psychophysiologic interaction (PPI) between the bilateral HG during a
simple arithmetic addition task and to verify the role of noise as an experimental factor that would modulate the PPI.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on eighteen healthy participants, in which a
single-digit addition task were solved during in-quiet (AIQ) and in-noise (AIN) conditions. The fMRI data were analysed
using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8). The interaction between the bilateral HG was investigated using PPI
analysis. The response in right HG was found to be linearly influenced by the activity in left HG, vice-versa, for both
in-quiet and in-noise conditions. The connectivity from right to left HG in noisy condition seemed to be modulated
by noise, while the modulation is relatively small oppositely, indicating a non-reciprocal behavior. A two-way PPI
model between right and left HG is suggested. The connectivity from right to left HG during a simple addition task in
noise is driven by a higher ability of right HG to perceive the stimuli in a noisy condition. Both the bilateral HGs took
part in the cognitive processes of arithmetic addition from which the interactions between the two were found to be
different in noise.
Kefungsian mobiliti dalam kalangan populasi warga emas merupakan elemen yang penting bagi kualiti hidup yang
lebih bermakna. Penilaian adalah penting untuk memastikan langkah-langkah sewajarnya boleh diambil demi
mengesan perubahan dalam kefungsian mobiliti. Terdapat pelbagai jenis penilaian mobiliti namun kebanyakan
kajian kebolehpercayaan ulang semula alat penilaian ini adalah berdasarkan kajian luar negara. Oleh itu, kajian
ini adalah untuk menentukan kebolehpercayaan tiga alat penilaian status kefungsian mobiliti terutama aktiviti fizikal
dalam kalangan warga emas. Seramai 60 orang warga emas dengan min umur 76.32 tahun dan sisihan piawai 8.66
terlibat dalam kajian kebolehpercayaan uji-ulang semula bagi tiga jenis alat penilaian; Ujian Berjalan Enam Minit
[Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)], Ujian Bangun dan Berjalan [Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)], Ujian Duduk-Berdiri [Sitto-Stand
Test (STS)]. Bacaan di ambil sebanyak dua kali dengan selang masa seminggu antara penilaian pertama dan
kedua. Korelasi Intra-Kelas [Intraclass Correlation (ICC)], Had Keserasian [Limits of Agreement (LOA)] dan Ralat
Pengukuran Piawai [Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)] dan diikuti kombinasi ketiga-tiga kaedah telah digunakan
dalam analisa data. Hasil kajian menunjukkan ketiga-tiga alat penilaian menggunakan metodologi analisis statistik
ICC, LOA, SEM dan kombinasi ketiga-tiga metodologi tersebut menunjukkan nilai kebolehpercayaan yang tinggi. Nilai
ICC bagi kesemua alat penilaian aktiviti melebihi 0.90 (ICC=0.94-0.99). Graf LOA menunjukkan wujudnya suatu tahap
kebolehpercayaan bagi kesemua alat penilaian aktiviti manakala peratus SEM pula merekodkan nilai kurang dari
10% (SEM%=0.95%-9.95%). Kesimpulannya, ketiga-tiga alat penilaian mempunyai ketekalan yang tinggi dan sesuai
digunakan sebagai salah satu alat penilaian kefungsian mobiliti bagi warga emas di Malaysia.
The emergence of research about the biological effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) have growing concern among
researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on the brain of rats periodically exposed to 0.1 mT EMF.
Total 24 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subdivided randomly to 4 groups: 2 control groups (C1 6 hours: 6 h/
day for 5 days; C2 20 hours: 20 h/day for 5 days) and 2 treatment groups which exposed to 0.1 mT EMF (T1 6 hours:
6 h/day for 5 days; T2 20 hours: 20 h/day for 5 days). A significant decrease in the pyramidal cell number was higher
as the exposure duration to EMF was extended (T1, p
This article discusses on the natural compounds from the ant plant (Myrmecodia species, family: Rubiaceae). The ethyl
acetate (EtOAc) extract from the tuber of M. platytyrea was fractionated by using medium pressure liquid chromatography,
giving eight fractions (F1-F8). Those fractions were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
assay. Fraction F5 was recorded as potent (EC50 = 21.57 ± 1.40 µg/mL). Then, it was purified by using column
chromatography (CC) (mobile phase = chloroform: EtOAc). From the CC, ten fractions (F5F1-F5F10) were obtained
and compound (1) was isolated from F5F3 via preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC). After spraying with
anisaldehyde-sulphuric reagent, compound (1) gave a green TLC spot (Rf
= 0.65, 100% CHCl3
, multiple development).
The 1
H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (500 MHz, CDCl3
) was performed to determine the chemical
framework of (1). This compound was identified as morindolide, having an iridoid structure. Meanwhile, the mass
spectra for compounds (2) and (3) were analysed. The data presented the molecular ion at m/z 375 [M-H]- and 255,
suggesting the formulation of 2-(2-methylbutyryl)phloroglucinol glucoside and a flavanone, respectively. From the
literature, compound (1) was firstly isolated from a Chinese natural medicine, the dried root of Morinda officinalis
(family: Rubiaceae). The flavonoids are also included as the biologically active compounds from Myrmecodia. In
short, this is the first occurrence of morindolide from the ant plant.
Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) is a routine vestibular test which checks the integrity of
vestibulocollic reflex (VCR) pathway. Clinically, 500-Hz tone burst is widely used stimulus to evoke a cVEMP. Although
several studies have suggested different plateau times (PT) for eliciting cVEMPs, but not many have reported the optimal
PT for evoking cVEMP using 500 Hz tone burst stimuli. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of
PT on cVEMPs elicited by 500 Hz tone burst at 95 dBnHL using four different PT (0, 2, 4 and 10 ms). Thirty healthy
adults with normal hearing and vestibular systems participated in this study. Results revealed that the P1 latency was
significantly longer for PT 10 ms compared to other PTs. N1 latency was significantly prolonged for long PT of 10 ms
compared to PT 2 ms. P2 latency showed no significant differences among PTs. The P1-N1 inter-amplitude values
however revealed no significant difference across all PTs. It was found that the P1-N1 inter-amplitude was severely
affected after 4 ms of PT. This study concluded that the PT of either 0 or 2 ms yielded the most robust cVEMP.
The occasional influenza pandemics and the seasonal influenza epidemics have destroyed millions of lives since
the last century. It is therefore necessary to understand the virus replication patterns as this provides essential
information on the virus infectivity, pathogenicity and spread patterns. This study aimed to investigate the replication
of avian influenza A virus H5N1 (A/Chicken/Malaysia/5858/2004) in MDCK cells. In this study, the TCID50 (50% tissue
culture infectious dose) of AIV H5N1 was first determined. The MDCK cells were then infected with AIV H5N1 at TCID50
for 0-48 h. The CPE (cytopathic effect) was observed and cell death was determined hourly. The virus-infected cells
and media were subsequently collected for gene analysis. The results showed that the TCID50 of AIV H5N1 was 10-9
dilution. The CPE percentage showed a strong and positive correlation with the infection period (r = 1.0, n = 9, p <
0.01). The amount of a highly conserved influenza viral gene, M2 gene amplified from infected media (r = 0.471, n =
9, p= > 0.05) and infected cell (r = 0.73, n = 9, p < 0.05) were also positively correlated with the infection period. In
conclusion, although CPE started to be observed in the early time points of infection, however, the M2 gene was only
amplified from the infected media and cells after 48 h and 24 h, respectively. This signifies that AIV H5N1 used in this
study is pathogenic and it is able to cause severe cytopathology to host cells even at low virus load.