This preliminary study aims to provide an initial description of phonological acquisition among Malaysian Children of Indian descent aged two to six years. The description of the consonantal phonemic inventory as well as various Phonological processes evidenced by subjects is also reported. The mothers’ phonemic inventory was obtained as the representation of the children’s most active environmental linguistic input. Speech samples of the mothers as well as the subjects were obtained from a single word test and narrative test. The speech sample was recorded and transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The results of the tests revealed a significant correspondence between the subjects' phonemic inventory and their mothers’ except for the following phonemes: /ð/ , /θ/ , /v/ and /w/. Both mothers and subjects demonstrated free variation for the production of /v/ and /w/. The mothers displayed a range of 21-23 phonemes in their inventories whereas the subjects displayed a range of 17-21 phonemes. The age acquisition for some phonemes, namely the affricates which was evidenced by subject aged 2;4 were noted to be earlier than that of subjects in past studies. Rapid phonological development was evidenced at the age of 2;4- 3;7.
Entomologi forensik dapat ditakrifkan sebagai pengetahuan mengenai serangga yang berkait rapat dengan bangkai terutamanya manusia, dengan tujuan ia dapat digunakan dalam penentuan jangka masa pascakematian. Jangka masa pascakematian (PMI) dapat ditentukan dengan mengambil kira spesies serangga dan peringkat perkembangan setiap spesies tersebut. Oleh kerana penentuan jenis spesies memerlukan serangga berkembang ke peringkat dewasa dan ini mengambil masa yang lama, maka objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk mengoptimumkan suhu dan kelembapan terhadap perkembangan serangga dengan menggunakan larva Chrysomya megacephala sebagai spesimen. Larva C. megacephala dipindahkan ke dalam bekas khas, kemudiannya dimasukkan ke dalam pengeram yang telah dilaraskan suhunya kepada 27, 30, 33, 36 dan 39°C. Selepas menentukan suhu optimum perkembangan larva, aras kelembapan relatif ditentukan. Ini dilakukan dengan menentukan tempoh masa yang diperlukan untuk mengembangkan telur C. megacephala hingga ke peringkat dewasa. Untuk itu aras kelembapan relatif dalam pengeram tersebut dilaraskan kepada 54.2, 57.6, 76.0 dan 67.5% (kawalan). Peringkat perkembangan C. megacephala direkodkan. Hasil yang diperolehi menunjukkan perkembangan C. megacephala lebih pantas pada suhu 33oC berbanding suhu-suhu lain yang digunakan. Aras kelembapan relatif yang optimum juga telah dikenal pasti iaitu pada 76.0%. Dengan menggunakan keduadua data didapati keseluruhan peringkat perkembangan C. megacephala iaitu daripada peringkat telur hingga dewasa dapat dipendekkan daripada 8 hingga 9 hari kepada 5 hari.
This paper aims to describe a Malay version of the Boston Naming Test (MBNT) and its normative data. The M-BNT follows closely the general administration procedures of the original Boston Naming Test (BNT) but is different in terms of item content. A total of 29 items from the original 60 items on the test were deemed culturally and linguistically valid for the Malay population and were thus retained. A total of 41 additional items were added to make a total list of 70 items for pilot testing. These items were first vetted by a panel of experts and then trialed on a sample of 40 Malay adults. Based on the item analysis from the pilot study, the M-BNT was reduced to a 50 item test. This was administered to 230 normal Malay subjects in five age groups (20 - 29 years, 30 - 39 years, 40 - 49 years, 50 - 59 years, and 60 - 69 years), split into two main educational levels (i.e. < 12 years of education, and 12 years or more) and across gender. The Malay subjects were chosen representative of the four major geographical regions in West Malaysia. Initial normative data was computed according to the five age groups and two educational levels. It is hoped that the M-BNT will become a test useful in the identification of patients with an expressive language word-finding disorder.
While the prevalence of visually impaired children constitutes a small portion of the visually impaired population, it is important to determine whether the low vision services available are utilised by these children. This is important as previous studies have shown that children have a very high rate of successful low vision device use compared to adults. This was a cross sectional retrospective study. Fifty nine low vision clinic children records were evaluated. The results showed that 25.4% of the children were categorised as with moderate low vision, 30.5% with severe low vision and 40.7% were categorised as blind. The major causes of low vision were congenital cataract, congenital nystagmus, congenital glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Low vision rehabilitation for near work using magnifiers improved the vision of 30.5% of the low vision children. This finding suggests that 1/3 of low vision children could benefit from low vision rehabilitation. The low vision devices most commonly prescribed to the children in this study were stand magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers and spectacles. This study illustrates the key role of optometrists in the management of visual impairment in Malaysian children. It would appear that the establishment of low vision services in government hospitals using trained optometrists is a cost effective method of service delivery. Therefore more low vision children would have access to proper low vision rehabilitation and through that rehabilitation, their quality of life can be improved.
Key words: children, low vision
Study site: Klinik Penglihatan Terhad Pusat Perubatana, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malnutrition is common among pediatric oncology patients. Factors contributing to malnutrition include physiological abnormalities, response to the tumors and side effects of the treatment. A pilot study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of 17 pediatric oncology patients aged 4 to 12 years old in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The
nutritional status was assessed via anthropometric measurements and dietary intake through 3 days repeatitive 24 hours diet recall with subjects and their carers. Biochemical profiles (serum albumin and hemoglobin) were reviewed from the medical record. Through anthropometry measurements, weight and height were used to calculate Z-scores and further determine the percentile weight-for-age, height-for-age using NCHS percentile charts (WHO 1983). Frisancho’s standards (1981) were used to define malnutrition based on MUACfor- age. Underweight as determined using z scores below -2 for weight-for-age was observed in 70.6% of the subjects. Whilst, 76.5% of the subjects were classified as stunted (z score < –2) for height-for-age. Based on MUAC-for-age percentile, the sign of severe malnutrition category (<5 percentile) was observed in 35.3% of the subject and 23.6% of the subject were in the moderate malnutrition (>5 – <10 percentile). About 70.6% of the subject had low haemoglobin (< 11 g/dl) and 29.4% of the subject were hypoalbuminemia (< 35 g/dl) . Total macronutrient intake was assessed and compared with the individual requirement (Seashore 1984) for energy and protein intake were satisfactory, except for subjects in age group 10 – 12 years who achieved only 70% of the individuals requirements. As a conclusion, although food intake of the subjects was satisfactory but chronic malnutrition was prevalent. Early recognition of malnutrition is essential in order to plan for a nutritional intervention and further enhancing the quality of life.
Key words: Nutritional status, pediatric oncology, anthropometric, dietary intake, biochemical profile.
Clinical psychology is a specialised field of professional psychology that is much needed with regards to the treatment of mental disorders, behaviour problems and learning difficulties. The field of clinical psychology has been integrated into the health system, especially the mental health and education system, in many western countries. In Malaysia, clinical psychology is still a new concept and has yet to be accepted into the medical and health systems in Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia 5 (1) 2007: 59-6660 general. This preliminary study looks at the awareness of 199 medical and health sciences professional with regards to clinical psychology. Results of this survey found that only 13.6% of the respondents demonstrated basic knowledge of what clinical psychology is. The awareness of clinical psychology as a clinical profession, and its benefits within the health system is still very much lacking among medical and health sciences professionals. The need to improve awareness of clinical psychology as a clinical profession as well as a health science discipline is very important as clinical psychology services are able to contribute to more holistic treatment of health problems in Malaysia.Implications of this study includes the need for the awareness of clinical psychology to be improved.
Two species of plants, Andrographis paniculata and Euphorbia hirta were screened for antibacterial activities against three Gram positives and Gram negatives. The leaves from both plants were extracted by methanol extraction. The antibacterial activity was detected with spread plate well diffusion method. The extracts of both plants demonstrated inhibitory activity against both Gram negative and positives bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus epidemidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC determination using micro dilution method showed that the A/tic of A. paniculata for the tested bacteria were 1.56 mg/ml (Staph. aureus), 3.13 mg/ml (Bacillus subtilis), 3.13 mg/ml (Strept. epidemidis), 1.56 mg/ml (Escherichia cob), 12.50 mg/ml (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 3.13 mg/ml (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) respectively. The MIC value for E. hirta was 6.25 mg/ml (Staph. aureus) and 3.13 mg/ml (Bacillus subtilis), 3.13 mg/ml (Strept. Epidemidis), 3.13 mg/ml (Pseudomonas aeruginosa),12.5 mg/ml (Escherichia coli), and 6.25 mg/ml (Klebsiella pneumoniae). Both plants represent a potential for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications and are worthy of further study.
Ficus deltoidea atau nama tempatannya 'Alas Cotek' telah dipercayai secara tradisional mempunyai aktiviti hipoglisemia. Dalam kajian ini, aktiviti hipoglisemia ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea pada tikus normal dan diabetik ringan (aruhan streptozotocin) telah dikaji. Ekstrak pada dos berbeza (100, 500 dan 1000 mg/kg) telah diberi secara oral kepada kedua-dua kumpulan dalam keadaan puasa dan pasca prandial. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea tidak mempunyai kesan hipoglisemia pada tikus normal dan tikus diabetik ringan puasa. Pada tikus diabetik ringan pasca prandial, ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea pada dos 1000 mg/kg menunjukkan menunjukkan aktiviti hipoglisemia selepas 2 (p < 0.01), 4 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.01) jam pengambilan ekstrak. Mefformin, 500 mg/kg juga menunjukkan aktiviti hipoglisemia selepas 2 (p < 0.05), 4 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.01) jam pengambilan. Oleh sebab itu, kami mencadangkan bahawa mekanisme tindakan ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea mungkin melalui peningkatan pengambilan glukos oleh tisu otot serta pengurangan glukoneogenesis pada hepar.
DNA damaging effect of the salted and fermented food products (salted fishes, dried shrimps and shrimp pastes) collected from three different locations in Malacca namely Pantai Puteri, Batang Tiga and Kelemak on the DNA of the Chang liver cells were evaluated via Alkaline Comet Assay. Treatment at 62.5 mg/ml following 24 hours of incubation was used based on the preliminary cytotoxicity data. Percentage of damage to the DNA was calculated using software for scoring based on the tail moment and tail intensity (severity of the DNA damage). Hydrogen peroxide was used as positive control at 0.1 mM following 30 minutes of incubation in 4 C. The results showed that the methanol extracts of shrimp pastes and salted fish from Pantai Puteri, exhibited a higher DNA damage (shrimp pastes - TM - 8.33 ± 2.19; TI - 31.67 ± 5.84, salted fishes - TM - 2.25 ± 0.86; TI - 9.25 ± 1.55) and were expressed as (shrimp pastes) 56.66 ± 8.74% of DNA damage and methanol salted fish extracts from the same location showed 13.00 ± 2.84% of the DNA damage on Chang liver cells compared to the other extracts. Values for methanol extract of shrimp pastes from Pantai Puteri were comparable to the positive control - Hydrogen peroxide (TM- 9.50 ± 1.50; TI - 30.50 ± 2.50). On the other hand, aqueous salted fishes extract from Pantai Puteri (TM - 1.33 ± 0.42; TI - 8.67 ± 2.42) and shrimp pastes extracts from Kelemak (methanol extract - TM -1.75 ± 0.15; TI -7.50 ± 0.50, aqueous extract - TM - 1.00 ± 0.00; TI - 5.00 ± 0.00) showed slightly high value for tail moment and tail intensity as compared to negative control (TM - 0.29 ± 0.05; TI - 2.50 ± 0.29). Values for methanol extracts of shrimp pastes from Pantai Puteri were comparable to the positive control (TM- 9.50 ± 1.50; TI - 30.50 ± 2.50). In conclusion, our results demonstrate genotoxic damage induced by few salted and fermented food extracts in Chang liver cell.
This study was carried out to gauge the level of job satisfaction among pharmacists in Malaysia. Surveys forms developed after referring to published studies, were mailed to 1700 pharmacist. Analysis of responses from 405 respondents revealed significant differences in job satisfaction with age, position held and monthly salary. Pharmacist within the age group of 26 to 35 were less satisfied with their work as compared to the other pharmacist. A monthly salary of more than RM8000 and prospects of promotion within an organization contributed to a high level of satisfaction among pharmacist. Sector of work and length of service did not appear to influence job satisfaction. Further analysis indicated that motivator factors and hygiene factors had a significant influence on job satisfaction, whereas job stress contributed toward dissatisfaction at work. The results of the study supported Herzberg’s theory, which states the motivator factors were far more important than hygiene factors in providing job satisfaction. From this study, it appeared that more than 50% of the pharmacists who responded had at least a moderate level of job satisfaction. However, efforts can be taken by employers to further improve job satisfaction among Malaysian pharmacists.
Kajian kes-kawalan ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji hubungan adipositi dan komposisi tubuh terhadap risiko kanser payudara di kalangan 70 orang wanita yang baru didiagnos kanser payudara dan 138 orang kawalan. Parameter antropometri yang merangkumi tinggi, berat, ukuran pinggang dan ukuran pinggul dan aras glukosa darah berpuasa serta tekanan darah diukur di kalangan subjek. Komposisi tubuh ditentukan menggunakan analisis bioimpedans (Maltron 906). Hasil kajian menunjukkan Indeks Jisim Tubuh (?T) kumpulan kes adalah 26.0 ± 4.8 kg/m2 dan 25.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 bagi kumpulan kawalan (p > 0.05). Seramai 71% subjek dari kumpulan kes dan 40% subjek kumpulan kawalan mengalami obesiti abdominal (ukurlilit pinggang 80 cm) [OR = 3.4 (95% CI =1.7-6.9] (p < 0.05). Wanita pra menopaus berisiko sebanyak empat kali untuk mendapat kanser payudara dengan [Adjusted OR = 4.3 (95% CI = 1.8-10.3)]. Peratus lemak tubuh adalah tinggi di kalangan kes (36.4 ± 4.7%) berbanding kawalan 35.3 ± 4.4% tetapi perbezaan ini adalah tidak signifikan. Jisim Tubuh Tanpa Lemak ?TTL) menunjukkan nilai min 38.8 ± 5.7 kg bagi kawalan dan 38.9 ± 5.5 kg pada kes. Korelasi positif yang lemah ditunjukkan di antara umur dan IJT (r = 0.179, p = 0.010), ukuran pinggang (r = 0.218, p = 0.002), nisbah pinggang-pinggul (NPR) (r = 0.233, p = 0.001) dan peratus lemak tubuh (r = 0.330, p = 0.000). Kesimpulannya, obesiti abdominal meningkatkan risiko kanser payudara, terutama di kalangan wanita pra menopaus. Obesiti jenis ini dan peratus lemak tubuh adalah meningkat dengan pertambahan usia. Adalah penting bagi wanita untuk mengekalkan ukuran pinggang yang sihat melalui gaya hidup sihat bagi mengurangkan risiko kanser payudara.
Kehilangan jisim tulang adalah lebih ketara selepas menopaus. Jangka masa menopaus dan umur yang meningkat dikaitkan dengan penurunan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak, peningkatan lemak badan dan peningkatan berat badan. Kajian ini melihat sumbangan relatif jisim tubuh tanpa lemak dan lemak badan ke atas ketumpatan mineral tulang (KMT) di kalangan 139 wanita Cina posmenopaus sihat di Kuala Lumpur. KMT di kawasan seluruh tubuh, tulang belakang ( L2-L4), leher femur dan keseluruhan tulang pinggul diukur dengan alat dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DxA). Hasil kajian mendapati 80% daripada wanita posmenopaus Cina mempunyai jisim tulang yang rendah (osteopenia) manakala 8% daripada mereka mengalami osteoporosis di bahagian tulang belakang atau tulang pinggul. Secara keseluruhan, lemak badan mempunyai korelasi yang positif dengan KMT di semua bahagian diukur (keseluruhan tubuh, r = 0.265, p < 0.001; tulang belakang r = 0.214, p < 0.05, leher femur, r = 0.254, p < 0.001; keseluruhan tulang pinggul r = 0.332, p < 0.001). Jisim tubuh tanpa lemak juga mempunyai korelasi yang positif dengan KMT kebanyakan kawasan diukur (keseluruhan tubuh, r = 0.239, p < 0.001; leher femur r = 0.365, p < 0.001; keseluruhan tulang pinggul r = 0.352, p < 0.001) kecuali tulang belakang. Analisis regresi menunjukkan lemak badan dapat meramal KMT pada keseluruhan badan (p < 0.0001) dan tulang belakang (p < 0.005) manakala jisim tubuh tanpa lemak dapat meramal KMT pada tulang femur dan tulang pinggul (p < 0.0001). Hasil kajian menunjukkan kedua-dua lemak tubuh dan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak memainkan peranan dalam mempengaruhi KMT, di mana lemak badan memainkan peranan yang lebih di kalangan wanita posmenopaus. Oleh itu, wanita posmenopaus perlu elakkan mempunyai berat badan yang terlalu rendah (kurang lemak badan) dan mengekalkan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak untuk mencegah osteoporosis.
Physical training is associated with oxidative stress and improvement in blood antioxidant status. In this study, we investigated the effects of training on plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) as markers of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and ascorbic acid (AA) after a single bout of acute exercise. Twelve healthy, untrained young adult men were recruited for 5 weeks of aerobic training period. They were subjected to a rope-skipping exercise for 20 minutes at the intensity of 65-80% of heart rate reserve, thrice weekly. They also had to perform a single, acute bout of the same exercise protocol prior to and after training period. Venous blood samples were collected at resting condition (BL), immediately (0 h) and 24 hours (24 h) post acute exercise on both single bout sessions. Results showed that the pattern changes of oxidative stress response are quite similar on both acute sessions. The acute bouts of rope-skipping is associated with a significant increased (p = 0.001) in lipid peroxidation markers immediately after cessation of exercise, with a concomitant increases in antioxidant levels, albeit higher when compared to pre-training values (p = 0.001). These changes were followed by a significant decreased (p = 0.001) in all parameters, toward resting values, 24 hours thereafter. The training program seemed to induce a significant increase in MDA and 4-1-INE but also enhanced the antioxidant defense system namely SOD and AA among the untrained subjects.
Keratitis Acanthamoeba merupakan sejenis inflamasi kornea yang dikaitkan dengan penggunaan kanta sentuh. la disebabkan oleh Acanthamoeba spp., ameba hidup bebas yang tersebar luas di pelbagai persekitaran manusia. Kontaminasi Acanthamoeba spp. pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh merupakan faktor kehadiran ameba pada kanta seterusnya menjangkiti mata. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat kehadiran Acanthamoeba spp. pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh pengguna asimptomatik. Seramai 90 orang pengguna kanta sentuh asimptomatik terlibat dalam kajian ini. Sampel diambil secara swab pada bekas kanta sentuh dan dikulturkan ke atas agar bukan nutrien yang dilapisi Escherichia coli. Plat agar diperiksa setiap hart bagi mengesan kehadiran ameba. Kultur positif seterusnya disahkan di bawah 'Image Analysis with Video TesT 4.0'. Acanthamoeba spp. didapati positif pada lapan daripada 90 sampel (8. 7%) dan kesemua strain adalah kumpulan II (polyphagids). Penemuan ini membuktikan Acanthamoeba spp. boleh Nadir pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh pengguna asimptomatik dan boleh menjadi risiko jangkitan keratitis Acanthamoeba.
Pelbagai bentuk pendekatan pengendalian pergerakan lipatan vokal paradoksikal (PLVP) telah dibincangkan dalam kajian-kajian sebelum ini, tetapi adalah penting untuk mengiktirafkan sifat kompleksiti kecelaruan ini dan perlunya diagnosis yang betul bagi membolehkan pengendalian yang sewajarnya dijalankan. Dapatan penyelidikan mendapati bahawa kecelaruan ini lazimnya berlaku di kalangan wanita muda yang mempunyai sejarah masalah perubatan yang berkaitan. Artikel ini membincangkan tentang kajian kes tunggal tentang seseorang kanak-kanak lelaki berumur 11 tahun yang mempunyai kecelaruan PLVP. Keadaan PLVP ini telah didiagnosis oleh pakar Otorinolaringologi di Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Ujian nasendoskopi menunjukkan pergerakan lipatan vokal adalah normal dalam pernafasan senyap dan sewaktu serangan episodik. Kanak-kanak ini kemudiannya dirujuk untuk terapi pertuturan; kecelaruan PLVPnya dikendalikan khususnya menggunakan rehabilitasi pertuturan. Pengurusan kecelaruan bagi kanak-kanak lelaki ini dibincangkan daripada mula rawatan sehingga beliau didiscaj daripada rawatan.
While cancer is considered to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, there is a growing scientific and public interests on selenium as a dietary and antioxidant of many diseases, in particular, cancer. Despite advanced technology and significant improvement of surgical, chemical, hormonal and radio therapies, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still common in Asia and Africa and is increasing in the developed countries. Prognosis of HCC at an early stage is still challenging. At the moment, combination of Alpha feto protein (AFP) and ultrasonography tests offers more accurate and sensitive results for the diagnosis of HCC. Selenium (also known as the moon element) has been recognized for almost 49 years as an antioxidant and anti cancer agent. The weight of evidence supports the position of selenium as an anti cancer agent for HCC but the molecular mechanism of how selenium inhibits HCC is still unknown. Numerous theories have been proposed and selenium induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest is the predominant one so far.
A four-month cross-sectional study found five species of parasitoids parasitizing puparia of filth flies breeding at the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor. Effect of monthly rainfalls towards density of flies and percentage of parasitoids emerging from collected puparia were also analyzed. Spalangia sp. was the most common, consisting of Spalangia endius Walker, S. cameroni Perkins and S. gemina Boucek. Other parasitoids collected were Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani and Exoristobia phillipinensis Ashmead. The parasitized fly hosts were Musca domestica Linn. and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius. S. endius was the most common parasitoid attacking M. domestica at both locations. M. domestica was the most common fly found at the Sg. Pelek poultry farm whereas C. megacephala was the most numerous at the Taman Beringin landfill. During heavy rainfall month of November 2003, density of flies were high whereas the emerging parasitoids were low at both landfill and poultry farm. The present study revealed the endemic presence of parasitoids especially S. endius in both poultry farm and garbage landfill and the potential of the parasitoid species in fly control in Malaysia.
A total of 306 Malaysian university students and staff were surveyed to ascertain the physical and emotional effects of the polluted haze on them. All subjects completed self-reported questionnaires. Analysis of the results indicated that the majority of subjects reduced their outdoor activities and sports, and also reported an increase in emotional and physical health problems. The results indicated that there was a general increase in emotional problems such as feeling depressed, lacking in energy, not feeling like doing anything, feeling anxious and afraid, difficulty sleeping, feeling agitated and irritable, and having no appetite. There was also an increase in physical symptoms such as itchy or red eyes, itchy or running nose, dry throat/cough, headaches, nausea, and fever. This study indicated that emotional and behavioural problems are just as common during the haze, when compared with physical health problems. The study also suggests that there are a broad range of problems which health care and human resource departments need to be aware of and take precautions to minimize during a haze.
A preliminary study was conducted to determine the level of oxidative DNA damage, fruits and vegetables intake among 50 breast cancer patients (cases) as compared to 50 healthy women (controls) with no known medical history of breast cancer in Klang Valley. Both groups were matched for age and ethnicity. Data on socio-demographic, health status and medical history, fruits and vegetables intake, and supplements intake were obtained through an interviewbased questionnaire. Anthropometry measurements included weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were also carried out on subjects. A total of 3mL fasting venous blood was drawn to assess lymphocytes oxidative DNA damage using Alkaline Comet Assay. Results indicated that the mean intake of fruits and vegetables was lower in cases (4.09 ± 1.17 servings/d) than controls (4.77 ± 0.90 servings/d)(p < 0.05) The intake of fruits and vegetables from family groups of solanaceae, myrtaceae, caricaceae, apiaceae, brinjal, rutaceae, broccoli, orange, carrot, watermelon were 0.5 - 1 servings/week significantly higher among controls as compared to cases (p < 0.05 for all parameters). However, the intake of fruits from rosaceae family and apple was higher among controls than cases (p < 0.05). The estimated intake of ß-carotene, carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C (p < 0.001), a-carotene and lycopene (p < 0.05) from fruits and vegetables were higher among controls than cases. Mean DNA damage level of cases (4.55 ± 1.78 % DNA in tail, %TD; 0.35 ± 0.21 tail moment, TM) were 3.5 and 3.9 times higher than the value of controls (1.3 ± 0.70% TD; 0.09 ± 0.09 TM) (p < 0.001) and the damage increased with higher values of waist hip ratio (% TD, r = 0.396, p < 0.05; TM, r = 0.349, p < 0.05) and waist circumference (% TD, r = 0.334, p < 0.05; TM, r = 0.360, p < 0.05). There was an inverse relationship between oxidative DNA damage with intake of total fruits and vegetables, cauliflowers and water convolvulus and also consumption from rutaceae and solanaceae families. Similar trend was noted for estimated intake of vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin C, ß-carotene and lycopene. In conclusion, the intake of fruits and vegetables of five servings/d and the consumption of specific families and types of fruits and vegetables might protect against oxidative DNA damage and further reduce breast cancer risk.
This study was aimed at identifying the effectiveness of hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme as compared to home-based pulmonary programme in improving the condition of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital. A total of 35 patients aging between 17 to 78 years old were randomised either to hospital (48.6%, n = 20) or home (43%, n = 15) -based pulmonary rehabilitation by the Physiotherapists. For the hospital-based rehabilitation programme, the patients were scheduled to come to the hospital twice a week for eight weeks. For home-based rehabilitation programme, subjects were scheduled to come to the Physiotherapy Department twice to learn on the exercises that need to be carried out before they are allowed to do on their own at home. Each subject was given a diary to record the exercises that have been done. A telephone call is made once a week for monitoring purpose. Assessment of lung function, six-minute-walk test and Borg score were carried out before and after the eight-week rehabilitation is conducted. The Results showed that there was no significant change in lung function for both groups before and after rehabilitation. There is a significant different (p < 0.05) in 6MWT before and after rehabilitation for hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation patients. However, the difference is not significant (p > 0.05) for home-base pulmonary rehabilitation patients. The results also show that there exist no significant correlation between lung function and 6MWT even though there is an increase in walking distance at baseline or the eighth week. In conclusion, hospitalbased pulmonary rehabilitation is more effective than the home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in improving the exercise endurance which would helps in reduce dyspnoea among COPD patients.
Keywords: Home-based pulmonary programme; Hospital-based pulmonary programme; COPD; Lung function