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  1. Vitamin E exhibits bone anabolic actions in normal male rats
    Shuid AN, Mehat Z, Mohamed N, Muhammad N, Soelaiman IN
    J. Bone Miner. Metab., 2010 Mar;28(2):149-56.
    PMID: 19779668 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-009-0122-2
    Recently, vitamin E has been found to promote the bone structure of nicotine-treated rats well above their baseline values, thus suggesting that vitamin E may have some anabolic action. A bone anabolic agent acts by improving the bone structure leading to stronger bone. To assess the possible anabolic action vitamin E on bone, we supplemented alpha-tocopherol (ATF) or gamma-tocotrienol (GTT) at 60 mg/kg or vehicle [normal control (NC) group] for 4 months to normal male rats and measured their bone structure and biomechanical properties. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that vitamin E-supplemented rats have better trabecular volume, thickness, number, and separation than rats receiving vehicle only. For the first time we reported that GTT improves all the parameters of bone biomechanical strength, while ATF only improved some of the parameters compared to the NC group. Vitamin E supplementation, especially with the gamma isomer, improves bone structure, which contributed to stronger bone. Therefore, vitamin E has the potential to be used as an anabolic agent to treat osteoporosis or as bone supplements for young adults to prevent osteoporosis in later years.
  2. Growth arrest and induction of apoptotic and non-apoptotic programmed cell death by, Physalis minima L. chloroform extract in human ovarian carcinoma Caov-3 cells
    Ooi KL, Muhammad TS, Sulaiman SF
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2010 Mar 2;128(1):92-9.
    PMID: 20045455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.12.032
    The decoction of the whole plant of Physalis minima L. is traditionally consumed to treat cancer. Its anticancer property has been previously verified (using in vitro cytotoxicity assays) against NCI-H23 lung, CORL23 lung and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines but the mechanism underlying the anticancer potency towards ovarian carcinoma cells remain unclear.
  3. The effect of vitamin E on basic fibroblast growth factor level in human fibroblast cell culture
    Rashid SA, Halim AS, Muhammad NA
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:69-70.
    PMID: 19024988
    Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is angiogenic and effective in down-regulating excess collagen production. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin E (Tocotrienol Rich Fraction) in altering the level of bFGF, a cytokine involved in the scar formation process. In this model, normal human fibroblasts were treated with various concentrations of vitamin E at different time frames. The levels of bFGF were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). This study demonstrated that Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) stimulated bFGF production by fibroblast and postulate that vitamin E may decrease aberrant scar formation.
  4. Fulltext Parental perception of their children's weight status, and its association with their nutrition and obesity knowledge
    Muhammad NA, Omar K, Shah SA, Muthupalaniappen L, Arshad F
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2008;17(4):597-602.
    PMID: 19114396
    BACKGROUND: Worldwide the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is escalating. Parents’ recognition of overweight or obesity in their own children is very important for a successful intervention in these children. This study examined parental perception of their children’s weight status, and its association with their knowledge on nutrition and obesity.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of parents with children aged 9 to 12 years, in a primary school of Kuala Lumpur. Parents responded to a self-administered questionnaire which contains parental perception of their child weight status as well as knowledge on nutrition and obesity. The parents’ perception of the children’s weight status was then compared with the actual measured weight status.
    RESULTS: There were 204 parents who participated in the study. Parents were found to underestimate their child weight status and 38.2% were inaccurate in their perception. The mean score of knowledge on nutrition and obesity was 78.5±14.4; and this did not associate with the accuracy of their perception on the child weight status. Parents showed inadequate knowledge in food pyramid and preparation of low fat meals.
    CONCLUSION: The Malaysian Health Campaigns had resulted in overall good knowledge on nutrition and obesity in the parents except in few domains. However, this was insufficient to make the parents recognize the growing overweight and obesity problem in their children.
    Key Words: overweight, obesity, children, parental perception, knowledge
  5. Interleukin-6 inhibits human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha gene expression via CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins in hepatocytes
    Chew CH, Chew GS, Najimudin N, Tengku-Muhammad TS
    Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 2007;39(10):1975-86.
    PMID: 17616429
    Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha has been implicated as a regulator of acute phase response genes in hepatocytes. Interleukin-6 is widely known as a major cytokine responsible in the regulation of acute phase proteins and, therefore, acute phase response. Unfortunately, to date, very little is understood about the molecular mechanisms by which interleukin-6 regulates the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha. Here, we report the molecular mechanisms by which peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha was regulated by interleukin-6 in human HepG2 cells. Interleukin-6 was shown to down-regulate the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha gene expression at the level of gene transcription. Functional dissection of human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha promoter B revealed the role of predicted CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein binding site (-164/+34) in mediating the interleukin-6 inhibitory effects on peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha mRNA expression and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed the binding of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein isoforms to this cis-acting elements was increased in interleukin-6-treated HepG2 cells. Co-transfection experiments, then, demonstrated that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta either in homodimer or heterodimer with CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta plays a predominant role in inhibiting the transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha promoter B, thus, reducing the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha mRNA expression. These studies, therefore, suggest a novel mechanism for interleukin-6-mediated inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha gene expression that involves the activation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein isoforms with CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta may play a major role.
  6. SF-36v2 norms and its' discriminative properties among healthy households of tuberculosis patients in Malaysia
    Atif M, Sulaiman SA, Shafie AA, Asif M, Ahmad N
    Qual Life Res, 2013 Oct;22(8):1955-64.
    PMID: 23239084 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-012-0337-x
    BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to obtain norms of the SF-36v2 health survey and the association of summary component scores with socio-demographic variables in healthy households of tuberculosis (TB) patients.
    DESIGN: All household members (18 years and above; healthy; literate) of registered tuberculosis patients who came for contact tracing during March 2010 to February 2011 at the respiratory clinic of Penang General Hospital were invited to complete the SF-36v2 health survey using the official translation of the questionnaire in Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Scoring of the questionnaire was done using Quality Metric's QM Certified Scoring Software version 4. Multivariate analysis was conducted to uncover the predictors of physical and mental health.
    RESULTS: A total of 649 eligible respondents were approached, while 525 agreed to participate in the study (response rate = 80.1 %). Out of consenting respondents, 46.5 % were male and only 5.3 % were over 75 years. Internal consistencies met the minimum criteria (α > 0.7). Reliability coefficients of the scales were always less than their own reliability coefficients. Mean physical component summary scale scores were equivalent to United States general population norms. However, there was a difference of more than three norm-based scoring points for mean mental component summary scores indicating poor mental health. A notable proportion of the respondents was at the risk of depression. Respondents aged 75 years and above (p = 0.001; OR 32.847), widow (p = 0.013; OR 2.599) and postgraduates (p < 0.001; OR 7.865) were predictors of poor physical health while unemployment (p = 0.033; OR 1.721) was the only predictor of poor mental health.
    CONCLUSION: The SF-36v2 is a valid instrument to assess HRQoL among the households of TB patients. Study findings indicate the existence of poor mental health and risk of depression among family caregivers of TB patients. We therefore recommend that caregivers of TB patients to be offered intensive support and special attention to cope with these emotional problems.
    Study site: Respiratory clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  7. Growth arrest and non-apoptotic programmed cell death associated with the up-regulation of c-myc mRNA expression in T-47D breast tumor cells following exposure to Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. hexane extract
    Tan ML, Muhammad TS, Najimudin N, Sulaiman SF
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2005 Jan 15;96(3):375-83.
    PMID: 15619555
    Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. hexane extract produced a significant growth inhibition against T-47D breast carcinoma cells and analysis of cell death mechanisms indicated that the extract elicited a non-apoptotic programmed cell death. T-47D cells exposed to the extract at EC(50) concentration (72 h) for 24 h failed to demonstrate typical DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis, as carried out using a modified TUNEL assay. In addition, acute exposure to the extract produced an insignificant regulation of caspase-3 and p53 mRNA expression but increased in the c-myc mRNA expression. Ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscope demonstrated distinct vacuolated cells, which strongly indicated a Type II non-apoptotic cell death although the changes in chromatin were also detected. The presence of non-apoptotic programmed cell death was then reconfirmed with annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. These findings suggested that up-regulation of c-myc mRNA expression may have contributed to the growth arrest and Type II non-apoptotic programmed cell death in the Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. hexane extract-treated T-47D cells.
  8. Physicochemical properties of Malaysian-grown tropical almond nuts (Terminalia catappa)
    Ng S, Lasekan O, Muhammad KS, Hussain N, Sulaiman R
    J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Oct;52(10):6623-30.
    PMID: 26396409 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-015-1737-z
    The seeds of Terminalia catappa from Malaysia were analyzed for their physicochemical properties. The following values were obtained: moisture 6.23 ± 0.09 %, ash 3.78 ± 0.04 %, lipid 54.68 ± 0.14 %, protein 17.66 ± 0.13 %, total dietary fibre 9.97 ± 0.08 %, carbohydrate 7.68 ± 0.06 %, reducing sugar 1.36 ± 0.16 %, starch 1.22 ± 0.15 %, caloric value 593.48 ± 0.24 %. Studies were also conducted on amino acid profile and free fatty acid composition of the seed oil. Results revealed that glutamic acid was the major essential amino acid while methionine and lysine were the limiting amino acids. The major saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid, while the main unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid followed by linoleic acid. In addition, the seed was rich in sucrose and had trace amount of glucose and fructose. Briefly, the seed was high in proteins and lipids which are beneficial to human.
  9. Fulltext Knowledge and practice of diabetic foot care in an inpatient setting at a tertiary medical center
    Muhammad-Lutfi AR, Zaraihah MR, Anuar-Ramdhan IM
    Malays Orthop J, 2014 Nov;8(3):22-6.
    PMID: 26401231 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1411.005
    Good knowledge and practice regarding diabetic foot care will reduce the risk of diabetic foot complications and ultimately amputation. This study is conducted to assess patients' knowledge and compliance of diabetic foot care. A cross sectional study performed on patients who were admitted to HSNZ from the 1st September 2013 to 30th April 2014 for diabetic foot infections. They were interviewed with a questionnaire of 15 'yes' or 'no' questions on foot care knowledge and practice. Score of 1 was given for each 'yes' answer. The level of knowledge and practice, whether good or poor, was determined based on the median score of each category. The result was tested using a chi-square test in SPSS version 17. A total of 157 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 56.33 years (31-77). There were 72 male (45.9%) and 85 female (54.1%) patients with the majority of them being Malays (154 patients, 98.1%). Majority of the patients (58%) had poor foot care knowledge while 97 patients (61.8%) had poor diabetic foot care practice as compared to the median score. Based on the chi square test of relatedness, there was no significant association between knowledge and practice with any of the variables. In conclusion, the majority of patients admitted for diabetic foot infections had poor knowledge and practice of diabetic foot care. Education regarding foot care strategies should be emphasized and empowered within the diabetic population.
    Study site: Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu,Terengganu, Malaysia
  10. Fulltext Evaluation of wound healing properties of bioactive aqueous fraction from Moringa oleifera Lam on experimentally induced diabetic animal model
    Muhammad AA, Arulselvan P, Cheah PS, Abas F, Fakurazi S
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2016;10:1715-30.
    PMID: 27307703 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S96968
    Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication of diabetes, which affects a significant percentage (15%) of diabetics and up to 15%-24% of those affected may require amputation. Therefore, the economic burden of diabetic foot ulcers is enormous and is associated with high cost of treatment and prolongs hospitalization. The present study was conducted to evaluate antibacterial and in vivo wound healing activities of an aqueous fraction of Moringa oleifera on a diabetic condition. Antibacterial activity testing was carried out using agar well and tube dilution techniques. The in vivo study was conducted using six groups of animals that comprise of one normal and diabetic control group each, three treatment groups of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% w/w aqueous fraction, and a positive control group (1% w/w silver sulfadiazine). Rats were induced with diabetes using a combination of streptozotocin 65 and 150 mg/kg nicotinamide daily for 2 days, and excision wounds were created and treated with various doses (0.5%, 1%, and 2% w/w aqueous fraction) daily for 21 days. Biophysical, histological, and biochemical parameters were investigated. The results of the study revealed that aqueous fraction possessed antibacterial activity through inhibition of growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli organisms. The topical application of aqueous fraction revealed enhancement of wound healing under sustained hyperglycemic condition for the duration of the experiment. This enhancement was achieved through decreased wound size, improved wound contraction, and tissue regeneration, as well as downregulation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, and upregulation of an angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor in wound tissue treated with various doses of aqueous fraction of M. oleifera. The findings suggest that aqueous fraction of M. oleifera containing Vicenin-2 active compound may accelerate wound healing in hyperglycemic condition.
  11. Fulltext Cytotoxic data of 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide (14-DDA), double transfection and DDIT3 silencing data in T-47D breast carcinoma cells
    Tan HK, Tengku Muhammad TS, Tan ML
    Data Brief, 2016 Jun;7:1506-10.
    PMID: 27182548 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2016.04.046
    The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide induces DDIT3-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy in T-47D breast carcinoma cells", which the mechanistic toxicology properties of 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (14-DDA) were investigated (Tan et al., 2016 [1]). This article describes the derivation of cytotoxic parameters of 14-DDA, cell viability data after double transfection and DDIT3 silencing in T-47D cells.
  12. Fulltext Synthesis of Highly Crystalline Multilayered Boron Niride Microflakes
    Ahmad P, Khandaker MU, Amin YM, Muhammad N
    Sci Rep, 2016;6:21403.
    PMID: 26892366 DOI: 10.1038/srep21403
    Boron niride microflakes of 2-5 μm in diameter and greater than 40 μm in length with multilayer structure and highly crystalline nature are synthesized in two states of catalysts and dual role of nitrogen at 1100 °C. Most of the microflakes are flat, smooth and vertically aligned with a wall-like view from the top. Transmission electron microscopy shows overlapped layers of microflakes with an interlayer spacing of 0.34 nm. The h-BN components of the synthesized microflakes are verified from B 1s and N1 s peaks at 190. 7 and 397.9 eV. Raman shift at 1370 (cm(-1)) and sharp peaks in the XRD pattern further confirm the h-BN phase and crystalline nature of the synthesized microflakes. Microflakes of h-BN with the above characteristics are highly desirable for the development of a solid state neutron detector with higher detection efficiency.
  13. Role of Religion in Preventing Youth Sexual Activity in Malaysia: A Mixed Methods Study
    Muhammad NA, Shamsuddin K, Sulaiman Z, Amin RM, Omar K
    J Relig Health, 2017 Dec;56(6):1916-1929.
    PMID: 26809242 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0185-z
    One of the popular approaches of preventing youth sexual activity in Malaysia is using religion to promote premarital sexual abstinence. Despite this intervention, youth continue to practise premarital sex. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory mixed methods study was to understand the role of religion on sexual activity among college students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire survey to determine the relationship between religiosity and youth sexual activity was carried out on 1026 students recruited from 12 randomly selected colleges. Concurrently, face-to-face interviews were conducted on 15 students to explore how religiosity had influenced their decision on sexual activity. The survey data were analysed using logistic regression, while the qualitative data from the interviews were examined using thematic analysis with separate analysis for each gender. Both quantitative and qualitative results were then compared and integrated. Religious activity significantly reduced the risk of continuing sexual activity among female students (AOR = 0.67, CI = 0.47, 0.95, p = 0.02) but not male students. There was no significant relationship of religious affiliation and intrinsic religiosity (inner faith) to sexual activity by gender. Having faith in religion and strong sexual desire were the main themes that explained participants' sexual behaviour. Engaging in religious activity might be effective at preventing female students from being sexually active. However, when sexual urges and desires are beyond control, religiosity might not be effective.
  14. Fulltext Individualised second line anti-tuberculous therapy for an extensively resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (XDR PTB) in East Malaysia
    Muhammad Redzwan SR, Ralph AP, Sivaraman Kannan KK, William T
    Med J Malaysia, 2015 Jun;70(3):200-4.
    PMID: 26248785 MyJurnal
    Clinical experience with extensively Drug Resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has not been reported in Malaysia before. We describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors, progress and therapeutic regimen for a healthcare worker with XDR-TB, who had failed therapy for multidrug resistant TB (MDR TB) in our institution. This case illustrates the risk of TB among healthcare workers in high TB-burden settings, the importance of obtaining upfront culture and susceptibility results in all new TB cases, the problem of acquired drug resistance developing during MDR-TB treatment, the challenges associated with XDR-TB treatment regimens, the value of surgical resection in refractory cases, and the major quality of life impact this disease can have on young, economically productive individuals.
  15. Molecular characterisation of six alternatively spliced variants and a novel promoter in human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha
    Chew CH, Samian MR, Najimudin N, Tengku-Muhammad TS
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2003 May 30;305(2):235-43.
    PMID: 12745064
    Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor that governs many biological processes, including lipid metabolism, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. We demonstrate here the existence of six variants and multiple transcriptional start sites of the 5(') untranslated region (UTR) of hPPARalpha gene, originating from the use of alternative splicing mechanisms and four different promoters. Three new novel exons at the 5(')-untranslated region of human PPARalpha gene were also identified and designated as Exon A, Exon B, and Exon 2b. In addition, 1.2kb promoter fragment which drives the transcription of 2 variants with Exon B (hPPARalpha4 and 6) was successfully cloned and characterised. Sequencing results revealed promoter B did not contain a conservative TATA box within the first 100 nucleotides from transcriptional start site but has several GC-rich regions and putative Sp1 sites. Using luciferase reporter constructs transfected into HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines, promoter B was shown to be functionally active. Basal transcriptional activity was significantly high in the promoter fragment -341/+34, but lower in the region -341/-1147 as compared to the fragment -341/+34, indicating the presence of an element conferring transcriptional activation between positions -341 and +34 or alternatively, the presence of transcriptional repression between positions -341 and -1147 in the promoter B of hPPARalpha.
  16. Fulltext Effectiveness of mobile SMS based counselling intervention in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices of HIV/AIDS patients enrolled in hospitals/NGOs in Terengganu, Malaysia: a mixed mode study protocol
    Hossain MM, Min RBM, Muhammad Z, Mani KKC
    BMC Public Health, 2020 May 26;20(1):787.
    PMID: 32456618 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08910-3
    BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious problems in many parts of the world, and is a high priority for health managers and decision-makers. The aim of the qualitative part of this study will be to develop a mobile SMS (short messaging services) counselling intervention to prevent HIV/AIDS, while the quantitative part will be to test the effectiveness of a mobile SMS counselling intervention to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients concerning the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

    METHOD: A mixed methods approach will be used. Qualitative part: Design: focus group discussions (FGDs) will be conducted.

    SETTING: Hospital/NGOs in Terengganu, Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Three FGDs will be conducted with male and female HIV/AIDS patients, and one group of local community leaders. One FGD will be conducted for each group. Three in-depth interviews (IDIs) will be conducted with patients who had HIV/AIDS, of which one will be female. Quantitative part: Design: a cluster randomized clinical trial with 384 HIV/AIDS patients in Terengganu, Malaysia.

    INTERVENTION: Mobile SMS counselling intervention for patients concerning the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

    RESULTS: The main outcomes of this study will be the differences in knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients concerning the prevention of HIV/AIDS between the baseline and immediate follow-up after the intervention, and after 3 months.

    CONCLUSIONS: The mobile based SMS counselling intervention developed will be effective in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices of patients concerning HIV/AIDS prevention in Terengganu, Malaysia.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20200212001; 7/02/2020.

  17. Modifiable risk factors and overall cardiovascular mortality: Moderation of urbanization
    Sajid MR, Muhammad N, Zakaria R, Bukhari SAC
    J Public Health Res, 2020 Oct 14;9(4):1893.
    PMID: 33244464 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2020.1893
    Background: Modifiable risk factors are associated with cardiovascular mortality (CVM) which is a leading form of global mortality. However, diverse nature of urbanization and its objective measurement can modify their relationship. This study aims to investigate the moderating role of urbanization in the relationship of combined exposure (CE) of modifiable risk factors and CVM. Design and Methods: This is the first comprehensive study which considers different forms of urbanization to gauge its manifold impact. Therefore, in addition to existing original quantitative form and traditional two categories of urbanization, a new form consisted of four levels of urbanization was duly introduced. This study used data of 129 countries mainly retrieved from a WHO report, Non-Communicable Diseases Country Profile 2014. Factor scores obtained through confirmatory factor analysis were used to compute the CE. Age-income adjusted regression model for CVM was tested as a baseline with three bootstrap regression models developed for the three forms of urbanization. Results: Results revealed that the CE and CVM baseline relationship was significantly moderated through the original quantitative form of urbanization. Contrarily, the two traditional categories of urbanization could not capture the moderating impact. However, the four levels of urbanization were objectively estimated the urbanization impact and subsequently indicated that the CE was more alarming in causing the CVM in levels 2 and 3 urbanized countries, mainly from low-middle-income countries. Conclusion: This study concluded that the urbanization is a strong moderator and it could be gauged effectively through four levels whereas sufficiency of two traditional categories of urbanization is questionable.
  18. Optimisation of signal peptide for recombinant protein secretion in bacterial hosts
    Low KO, Muhammad Mahadi N, Md Illias R
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2013 May;97(9):3811-26.
    PMID: 23529680 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4831-z
    Escherichia coli-the powerhouse for recombinant protein production-is rapidly gaining status as a reliable and efficient host for secretory expression. An improved understanding of protein translocation processes and its mechanisms has inspired and accelerated the development of new tools and applications in this field and, in particular, a more efficient secretion signal. Several important characteristics and requirements are summarised for the design of a more efficient signal peptide for the production of recombinant proteins in E. coli. General approaches and strategies to optimise the signal peptide, including the selection and modification of the signal peptide components, are included. Several challenges in the secretory production of recombinant proteins are discussed, and research approaches designed to meet these challenges are proposed.
  19. Production of biogas from solid organic wastes through anaerobic digestion: a review
    Muhammad Nasir I, Mohd Ghazi TI, Omar R
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2012 Jul;95(2):321-9.
    PMID: 22622840 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-4152-7
    Anaerobic digestion treatments have often been used for biological stabilization of solid wastes. These treatment processes generate biogas which can be used as a renewable energy sources. Recently, anaerobic digestion of solid wastes has attracted more interest because of current environmental problems, most especially those concerned with global warming. Thus, laboratory-scale research on this area has increased significantly. In this review paper, the summary of the most recent research activities covering production of biogas from solid wastes according to its origin via various anaerobic technologies was presented.
  20. Fulltext Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Education and Factors Associated with Implementation among Antenatal Women in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Muhammad J, Muhamad R, Husain NRN, Daud N
    Korean J Fam Med, 2019 Jan;40(1):45-52.
    PMID: 30613064 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.17.0136
    BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscle exercise is effective for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Despite the high prevalence of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction in women in the community, pelvic floor muscle exercise recognition is low in Malaysian society; thus, this intervention is not frequently used . This study assessed the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of pelvic floor muscle exercise among antenatal women before and after educational classes. The study also determined factors associated with exercise practice.

    METHODS: An interventional study was conducted in 121 antenatal women selected through systematic random sampling between June and December 2010. Baseline knowledge of, attitude towards, and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise were assessed using self-administered validated questionnaires at first visit and at 2 months postpartum. All participants attended two exercise education classes on their next two visits before delivery. A paired ttest and multivariate analysis were used for data evaluation.

    RESULTS: The mean pre-intervention scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practice were 24.98, 24.25, and 3.51, respectively, with statistically significant mean score increments after intervention (P<0.001). The mean differences were 4.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.86-5.49), 3.77 (95% CI, 3.05-4.50) and 3.45 (95% CI, 2.90-4.00) for knowledge, attitudes, and practice, respectively. Lack of baseline information on pelvic floor muscle exercise was significantly associated with practice change following an educational class.

    CONCLUSION: Education is effective in improving knowledge of, attitude towards, and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise. There is a need for greater effort to increase exercise awareness in our community, especially during antenatal class.

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