Radiological manifestation of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV positive
patients is different with HIV negative patients. We aim to determine the differences in
chest radiological findings of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among HIV and non-HIV infected
patients in HTAA. (Copied from article).
Prolonged work with highly repetitious flexion and extension of the wrist and forceful grip task were shown to increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dental personnel. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and coping strategies of probable CTS among clinical dental support staff in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). A cross-sectional study was conducted and a set of questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic status, work-related and psychosocial risk factors and coping strategies was distributed. Ninety-five clinical dental support staff completed and returned the questionnaire with a response rate of 80.5%. The prevalence of probable CTS was 38.9%, with the highest prevalence was found among dental surgery assistants (40.5%) followed by dental technologists (29.7%). There was no significant association between work-related or psychosocial risk factors with probable CTS (p>0.05). Most of the respondents with symptoms of CTS chose religion as the coping mechanism; mean 7.11 (SD 1.13). Awareness training should be emphasized among clinical dental support staff on the prevention of CTS.
Study site: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
The potential use of medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) oil blends in food applications such as frying oil and salad dressings were investigated. The frying strength of palm-based MLCT oil with different antioxidants under deep frying conditions was assessed. Palm-based MLCT oil showed better thermal-resistant oxidative strength than refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein throughout the five consecutive days of frying. Sensory evaluation and rancidity assessment on fried chips showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between chips fried in RBD palm olein and palm-based MLCT oil. MLCT-based salad dressings treated with different antioxidants showed similar rheological behaviors as compared to soybean based salad dressings. The overall quality of the physical appearance and organoleptic acceptability based on quantitative descriptive analysis showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in all salad dressings. These findings indicated that MLCT-based oil blends can be used as healthy functional oil for daily consumption.
Despite a vast number of studies that were focused on the roles of superior temporal gyrus (STG) and cerebellum as sensory
area, little is known about their involvement in cognitive function such as attention and perception. The present fMRI
study aimed to identify this cognitive role from brain activation profile of STG and cerebellum obtained from an arithmetic
addition task. Eighteen healthy right hand dominance male adults participated in this study. They were instructed to solve
single-digit addition tasks in quiet and noisy background during the fMRI scan. Both the in-quiet and in-noise addition
tasks activated the bilateral STG and cerebellum (lobule VI and lobule VII) significantly but differentially. In both quiet
and noisy conditions, STG activation is dominant in the left hemisphere while cerebellum showed a right hemisphere
dominance. Bilateral STG and cerebellum (lobule VI) activation decreasedin noise, conversely cerebellum (lobule VII)
activation increased in noise. These asymmetrical activation indicated hemispheric lateralization and differential behaviors
of both brain areas in different environment while performing simple arithmetic addition task.
Hevea brasiliensis is one of the popular industrial crops in Malaysia better known as rubber tree belongs to the family Euphorbiaceace. From more than 12 species of Hevea, only Hevea brasiliensis is economically exploited because the milky latex extracted from the tree is the primary source of natural rubber. As in other crops, various plant physiological conditions and pathogenic diseases influence rubber production. Brown bast is one of the most serious threats to natural rubber production. In general, high-yielding clones of rubber tree are often considered to be more susceptible to this physiological disorder also commonly termed Tapping Panel Dryness (TPD). It is estimated that brown bast leads to approximately 15-20% decrease in yield. There is no known cure for brown bast yet. However, many plantation practices manage brown bast in rubber by giving tapping rest and changing tapping panel. Hence, this review condenses the causal of brown bast, symptoms of diseases and also control of brown bast affected Hevea tree.
Pork and bovine collagen incorporated into meat products showed promising
functional properties as food ingredients but has the halal issue. This study
investigated the effect of incorporating fish collagen hydrolysate (FCH) as a fat replacer
in buffalo patties in terms of proximate values, texture and colour properties. There
were five different formulations including a control (10% fat, 0% FCH), A (7.5% fat, 2.5%
FCH), B (5% fat, 5% FCH), C (2.5% fat, 7.5% FCH), and D (0% fat, 10% FCH). There were
no significant differences (p>0.05) between all formulations in terms of cooking yield,
shrinkage, water-holding capacity, and pH value. The sensory test showed no
significant difference (p>0.05) between all formulations in terms of colour,
appearance, juiciness, aroma, and overall acceptability, while sample D with 10% FCH
had significantly lower (p
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important bacterium with significant pathological implications
in the field of medicine. Attempting to cure bacterial infections at an advanced stage results in considerable waste
of time, effort and expenditure. Thus, the prevention of such illnesses is paramount. Besides using chemical
drugs to treat infections, several non-organic extracts have been tested in trials and been shown to impede the
bacteria’s growth. This paper proposes that the modified hydrothermal nanotitania extract has great potential to
combat this lethal organism. The viability of S. aureus was shown to be markedly reduced following the addition
of nanotitania extract with 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.05% silver after 24, 48, and 72 hours. The ability of the
nanotitania extract to inhibit the growth of S. aureus indicates its antimicrobial characteristics.
Many studies have indicated that hearing-impaired (HI) children have poor oral hygiene mainly
contributed by difficulties in communication. The objectives of the study were to assess the difficulties
experienced by HI children during dental visit and the effectiveness of “Oral Health Care for the HearingImpaired”
(OCHI) programme in improving the oral health knowledge and practice, and reducing the dental
plaque maturity scores among HI children. A community intervention study was conducted and training of trainers
(TOT) was done to train the teachers in delivering oral health education (OHE) and practices by using developed
booklet and video. The difficulties faced by the HI children during dental visit, and the oral health knowledge and
practice (OHKP) were assessed by face-to-face interview with HI children whilst the dental plaque maturity was
assessed using GC Tri Plaque ID Gel™ (TPID) during pre-intervention, post-intervention-1 and postintervention-2.
Data were analysed using SPSS version 22. Among the teachers, there was an increase in the
mean (SD) total knowledge and attitude score during post-TOT compared to pre-TOT, 46.1 (2.44) and 43.7
(4.01); (p
Photochemical treatment is one of the pathogen inactivation method to treat plasma, part of a proactive approach used for blood and blood component safety. Three photochemical treatments that have been used were methylene blue, riboflavin and psoralen treatment. This study was done on Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) to evaluate the treatment effects of psoralen, methylene blue and riboflavin on coagulation factors level. Methods: FFP was collected from apheresis plasma units and kept at 22oC to 24oC. A sum of 90 apheresis plasma units and segments were used, separated from each bag and a part used as controls, placed in a -30oC freezer for storage, thawed, and coagulation proteins function was evaluated before and after treatment, at immediate, 30 days and 270 days storage. Results: Significant differences in fibrinogen and coagulation factor levels between before and after treatment with methylene blue, psoralen and riboflavin. However, most of the mean values in treated plasma were within reference ranges. Methylene blue treated FFP showed the lowest changes in fibrinogen and other coagulation factors level whilst riboflavin treated FFP demonstrated the highest changes in coagulation proteins concentrations especially for fibrinogen, FV, FVIII, FIX and FXII. However, FXIII showed the best recovery for all three photochemical methods with reduction level of 3% to 8% compared to pre-treatment. Storage time comparison of immediate, 30 days and 270 days was inconclusive. Conclusion: The coagulation proteins in psoralen treated FFP and MB-FFP were adequately preserved, where MB-FFP showed better preservation than other two photochemical treatments.
Andrographolide was separated from Andrographis paniculata Nees by using column chromatography and recrystallized from methanol. 1H and 13C NMR, IR, UV spectroscopic and GCMS data were in agreement with the previous report. The crystallined product has a monoclinic system with space group P21, a=6.541(1), b=8.003(1), c=17.962(2) Å and β=97.39(1)19o. The bicyclohexane fragments have a chair conformation with the methyl and the methylene hydroxyl groups occupying the axial position, while the OH and the C2-lactone are in the equatorial positions. The bond lengths and the angles are in the normal ranges. There are two intramolecular interactions of the type O-H … O and C-H …. O in the molecule. The molecule is stabilized by two interhydrogen bonds O-H … O and C-H … O to form polymeric chains parallel to b-axis.
Andrografolid telah dipisahkan daripada herba Andrographis paniculata Nees dengan kaedah kromatografi turus dan dihablur semula daripada metanol. Analisis spektroskopi RMN 1H dan 13C, 1M, UL, KGSJ bersetuju dengan laporan terdahulu. Hablur produk mempunyai sistem monoklinik dengan kumpulan ruang P21, a=6.541(1), b=8.003(1), c=I7.962(2)Å dan β =97.39(1)°. Fragmen bisikloheksana berkonformasi kerusi dengan kumpulan metil dan CH2OH mengisi kedudukan paksi. Kumpulan OH serta C2-lakton berada di kedudukan khatulistiwa. Panjang dan sudut ikatan adalah normal. Terdapat dua ikatan intrahidrogen O-H .... O dan satu C-H .. O. Molekul distabilkan oleh dua ikatan interhidrogen O-H ……O dan C-H .… O membentuk rangkaian polimer tak terhingga selari dengan paksi- b.
Proses penuaan seringkali dikaitkan dengan kemerosotan sistem kognitif. Kemerosotan tersebut bermula seawal usia dua puluhan dan berterusan secara linear. Walau bagaimanapun, kesan penuaan ke atas ciri kehubungan antara kawasan otak masih belum difahami. Dalam kajian ini, pengimejan resonans magnet kefungsian (fMRI) digunakan untuk mengkaji kesan penuaan ke atas kehubungan otak yang terhasil daripada tugasan mengulang secara terbalik (BRT). Subjek normal dalam empat kumpulan umur iaitu 20-29 tahun (n=14), 30-39 tahun (n=14), 40-49 tahun (n=10) dan 50-65 tahun (n=14) mengambil bahagian dalam kajian ini. Stimulus BRT terdiri daripada satu siri lima perkataan yang diberi secara auditori. Pemetaan statistik berparameter (SPM) dan pemodelan sebab dan akibat dinamik (DCM) digunakan untuk menentukan pengaktifan dan kehubungan otak. Sebanyak 200 model kehubungan intrahemisfera dan 150 interhemisfera dibina bagi menguji kewujudan gandingan antara girus temporal superior (STG), girus Heschl (HG), talamus (TH) dan girus presentral (PCG) kesemua subjek. Keputusan DCM menunjukkan subjek keempat-empat kumpulan umur menggunakan kehubungan intrahemisfera yang sama semasa tugasan BRT. Kehubungan interhemisfera pula didapati berubah menjadi semakin kompleks apabila usia meningkat. Perubahan tersebut didapati bermula pada usia 40 tahun. Keputusan ini menyokong penemuan terdahulu bahawa penuaan menyebabkan perubahan pada sistem neuron otak seterusnya mempengaruhi pemprosesan kognitif.
Areca catechu fronds show higher capability for removal of color and COD and were utilized as an adsorbent for adsorption
process. Areca catechu fronds activated carbon (AC) undergoes activation process after carbonization under purified
carbon dioxide and turned as activated carbon. Three variables were chosen for the preparation optimization which
consists of temperature, activation time and impregnation ratio in order to study the effect toward the removal of color
and COD from cotton textile mill wastewater. For this study, the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed.
Quadratic model were develop based on three variables and responses of color and COD. High values of the coefficient
determination, R2
were obtained from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for both responses. The optimum Areca catechu
fronds activated carbon (AC) preparation condition was established at temperature 797 °C for 1.57 hour of activation
time and 2.75 impregnation ratios, corresponding to the removal of color and COD with 78.83 and 62.41%, respectively.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as a food additive but its excessive intake leads to oxidative stress of several organs. However, the oxidative effect of MSG on male accessory reproductive organs remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSG on the status of oxidative stress and morphological alterations in the male accessory reproductive organs such as epididymis, prostate glands and seminal vesicle of Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with 8 rats per group. Control group received distilled water (1 ml/kg) while MSG60 and MSG120 received 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg of MSG, respectively. All the substances were administered via force feed oral for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed to obtain the accessory organs for biochemical analysis and histological observations. The SOD activity in the epididymis showed a significant increase in MSG60 and MSG120 compared to control (p < 0.05). The GSH levels in the epididymis of MSG 120 showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The levels of MDA and PC in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG60 and MSG120 showed a significant increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Histological alterations were found in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG treated rats. In conclusion, MSG at both doses induced oxidative stress in the epididymis and prostate gland of experimental rats.
Dengue virus is one of the emerging agents that can be transmitted via blood transfusion from infected blood donors to recipients. In Malaysia, the increase in dengue infection may contribute to the existence of asymptomatic blood donors and increase the risk of blood supply contaminated with this virus. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of NS1 dengue antigen among blood donors and to ascertain the demographic data of blood donors in Penang and and Perak. Methods: A total of 374 voluntary blood donors were recruited from two blood donation campaigns organised by Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak from April to May 2016. From each centre, 187 voluntary blood donors were enrolled, blood was collected and Dengue NS1 Ag was screened on all the samples using Platelia dengue antigen test kit from Bio-Rad Laboratories, France. Results: All 374 samples were found to be negative for the Dengue NS1 antigen. Demographic data of these blood donors showed that the most common blood group was O Rh positive, men donated more than women and Chinese blood donors were the biggest group of donors. Conclusion: Even though dengue is endemic in Malaysia, none of the blood donors was screened positive for dengue NS1 antigen in the areas studied. This indicates that none of the blood donor at the time of donation was in viraemia stage. The established donor screening program ensures that the dengue transmission through transfusion is minimal in the areas studied.
Kidd blood group system is distributed differently within populations. In Malaysia, the prevalence of Kidd phenotypes have been reported but not in Hospital Umum Sarawak (HUS).We characterised Kidd phenotypes among regular blood donors in HUS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from 1st September 2015 to 10th September 2015. Blood samples were collected from 250 regular blood donors of different ethnicities in HUS. Samples were then investigated for Kidd blood group phenotypes by utilising Seraclon anti-Jka and anti-Jkb reagents employing the Diamed-ID gel card system. Results: Phenotype Jk(a+b+) was found in 110 out of 250 (44.0%) and phenotype Jk (a-b-) phenotype in seven out of 250 (2.8%) blood donors. Jk(a+b-) was detected in 60 out of 250 (24.0%) and Jk(a-b+) in 73 out of 250 (29.2%) donors. Kidd phenotype was detected in four ethnics; Chinese 50.8%, Malays 38.4%, Bidayuh 10.0% and Iban 0.8%. Jk(a-b-) phenotype was present only in the Malays; seven out of 250 (2.8%) but not found in other ethnicities. Conclusion: Jk(a+b+) is the most common Kidd phenotype found in regular blood donors in HUS in the four ethnicities studied. Only Malays exhibit the Jk(a-b-) phenotype which is a rare phenotype. The results of this study may serve as a preliminary database for Kidd blood group profile of regular blood donors in HUS.
Citrate is commonly used as an anti¬coagulant during plateletpheresis procedure. The calcium chelating property of citrate may cause hypocalcaemia when the anticoagulated blood are returned to the donor’s circulation after selective removal of platelet. This study aims at investigating how regular plateletpheresis affects calcium level and bone density in the donors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy donors at National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, from 15th January till 31st March 2016. Donors were divided into two groups based on the frequency of plateletpheresis donation: low frequency group - donors who had donated less than 20 times, high frequency group - donors who had donated more than 50 times. Dual emission X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was performed to assess bone density. Pre-donation blood sampling was taken for albumin level. Calcium and magnesium levels were measured before and after donation. Results: Fifty donors participated in this study where the median age of participants was 35.0 years for low frequency and 45.2 years for high frequency group. There was no significant difference in the corrected calcium for both groups before and after plateletpheresis. However, the magnesium levels were significantly reduced in both arms (P
Sampels of Mnx-zMgzZn1-xFe2O4 ferrites, with x = 0.5, 0 < z < 0.5; x = 0.6, 0 < z 0.6 and x = 0.7, 0 < z < 0.7, were prepared by solid state reaction. For all samples, magnetization as a function of applied magnetic field was measured at room temperature (TR) and several temperatures above TR but below the Neel temperature (TN); while magnetic hysteresis was obtained at TR and 373 K using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Electrical resistivity at TR was measured by a two terminal method. The three series of Mn-Mg-Zn ferrite indicate a maximum ,agnetization at certain substitution of Mg. TN increased with the increase of Mg content while resistivity varied in the opposite manner. The variation of magnetization is interpreted as due to Mg started to replace the Mn at the tetrahedral sites (A) so that the resultant magnetic moment increased. However further substitution occurred at the octahedral sites (B), thus lowering the magnetic moment. A small coercivity indicates that the samples are soft ferrites with a small energy loss. A reduction in the electrical resistivity with Mg content probably due to an increase in the mobility of charge hopping between the Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and also between Mn2+ and Mn3+ ions.
Sampel ferit Mnx-zMgzZn1-xFe2O4 dengan x = 0.5, 0 < z < 0.5; x = 0.6, 0 < z 0.6 dan x = 0.7, 0 < z < 0.7, disediakan dengan tindak balas keadaan pepejal. Pengukuran pemagnetan sebagai fungsi medan magnet dilakukan pada suhu bilik (TR) dan suhu-suhu yang lebih tinggi tetapi di bawah suhu Neel bilik (TR) dan suhu-suhu yang lebih tinggi tetapi di bawah suhu Neel (TN) serta histerisis magnet pada suhu bilik dan 373 K diperolehi untuk semua sampel menggunakan magnetometer sampel bergetar (VSM). Kerintangan elektrik pada suhu bilik diperolehi dengan kaedah dua terminal. Ketiga-tiga siri ferit Mn-Mg-Zn itu masing-masing menunjukkan suatu pemagnetan maksimum pada suatu kadar penggantian Mn oleh Mg. TN meningkat dengan kandungan Mg tetapi kerintangan elektrik berubah sebaliknya. Perubahan pemagnetan seperti yang tersebut disebabkan Mg mula menggantikan Mn pada tapak tetrahedron (A) menyebabkan momen magnet paduan meningkat. Penambahan Mg seterusnya menyebabkan Mn pada tapak oktahedron pula diganti, sehingga momen magnet paduan mengurang. Koersiviti yang kecil menunjukkan sampel bersifat magnet lembut dengan kehilangan tenaga yang sangat kecil. Pengurangan kerintangan dengan penambahan Mg mungkin disebabkan oleh peningkatan kelincahan pembawa cas yang melompat di antara ion-ion Fe2+ dan Fe3+ dan juga di antara Mn2+ dan Mn3+.
In order to cope with the ever-increasing traffic loading and to minimise the cost of road construction and maintenance, several road trials of High Modulus Base (HMB) materials containing a 15 penetration bitumen (known as HMB15) have been carried out in the UK since 1990s. It has been showed that, although HMB15 behaved in a similar way to conventional Dense Bitumen Macadam with a cost saving of approximately 25%, its long-term durability (aging and moisture damage) is still a major concern of researchers as considerable deteriorations have been commonly observed during the ongoing investigations on cored samples from the sites (either with or without traffic loading). The aim of this paper was to quantitatively show the relationship between aging properties of HMB15 and its binder film thickness (binder content), so that an optimum binder content could be determined. In order to achieve this, 5 groups of cylindrical HMB15 specimens with different binder contents (3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5% and 5.5%) were fabricated and subjected to SHRP long-term oven aging test (at 85oC for 5 days), their mechanical properties both before and after aging simulation were tested using Indirect Tensile Stiffness Modulus (ITSM) tests. In addition, binders were recovered at different aging stages and their rheological characteristics were investigated with Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) tests. Based on these, aging indices of different groups were calculated and their mathematical relationship with binder film thicknesses was regressed. The results show that the aging properties of HMB15 mixtures are significantly affected by their binder film thicknesses. However, regression analysis between aging indices and binder film thicknesses indicates that, as the binder film becomes thicker than 9.5 μm, the change of aging indices with film thicknesses becomes minor and therefore, a film thickness of approximately 9.5 μm was recommended for HMB15 mixtures.
The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) is one of the most complex and powerful instruments currently used to characterise the linear viscoelastic (LVE) rheological properties of bituminous binders. However, the DSR also has its limitations in that the measured complex modulus data are exposed to errors, known as compliance (testing) errors, particularly at low temperatures and/or high frequencies. This study was conducted to investigate the validity of equations developed by Schröter and associates on complex modulus data collected using the DSR. The equations used were originally developed based on the calibration of the advanced rheometric expanse system (ARES) rheometer. It was found that those equations are able to satisfactorily correct the data on unmodified bitumens and unaged bitumen-filler mastics, including unaged and aged samples. Similar results were also observed for storage and loss moduli master curves. Finally, the 2S2P1D Model was used to calibrate the corrected complex moduli data and it was found that the model satisfactorily simulates the rheological properties of tested samples.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is crucial to prevent a wide range of chronic diseases from a global view point. However, no suitable dietary assessment tool is available for usage among Malaysian population. The present study aimed to evaluate the validity of interviewer-administered semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing the omega-3 PUFAs intake among the Malays and Chinese elderly individuals in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Thirty-seven elderly people (54.1% women and 45.9% men), aged 60 years and above, were recruited from a community setting. Omega-3 PUFAs intake for the past one month was assessed using a 45-food item FFQ and validated against 3 days Food Record (FR). Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated no significant mean intake difference between two assessment methods. Significant correlation was found for total omega-3 PUFAs (r=0.926), α-linolenic acid (ALA) (r=0.745), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (r=0.579) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (r=0.912). Bland-Altman analysis exhibited no apparent systematic bias between the two methods for total omega-3 PUFAs intake, while quartile analysis classified 73% subjects assigned into the same quartile. Conclusively, the newly-developed FFQ yielded a reasonable validity in the tested population and provided a convenient means to estimate omega-3 PUFAs intake within healthy Malays and Chinese elderly individuals. Further study to evaluate its validity and reproducibility for different age groups is required.