The return of ex-prisoners who were released from prison into an environment filled with fellow
friends could lead to negative influences such as drug addiction and crime repetition among former
prisoners. This paper has been derived from a doctorate study studying the repeatition of crimes that
occurred among former prisoners in Malaysia. The findings of the study have found that former
prisoners often return to their fellow members due to family absence. This study has been used
qualitative methods by interviewing 16 ex-prisoners identified through the technique of snowball
sampling. The finding revealed that all these former prisoners from different state were concentrated
around the Chow Kit road. Addiction, as a result of invitation process by friends. This situation are
make the study to proven relationship between the influence of friends and drug abused among the
former prisoners.
Conventional two-dimensional (2D) treatment planning of intracavitary brachytherapy is still a common practice at the radiotherapy center. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the organ at risk (OAR) doses estimated based on International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) reference-point in patients with cervical cancer treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). Between January 2010 and April 2014, 21 cervical cancer patients were treated with 42 fractions of brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids and underwent post-implant two-dimensional (2D) radiograph scans. HDR brachytherapy was delivered to a dose of 18 Gy in two fractions. Using the Oncentra brachytherapy treatment planning system (BTPS) software version 4.1 (Nucletron, Netherlands), the bladder and rectum points were retrospectively reconstructed based on 42 orthogonal radiographs datasets. The ICRU bladder and rectum point doses were recorded. As for results, the mean percentage dose of rectum and bladder for selected patients treated with intracavitary brachytherapy treatment (ICBT) were 47.27 and 75.59%, respectively. Combinations of ovoid’s size, length of tandem and anatomy variation between each patient were factors that affected the dose to the OAR. Therefore, the ICRU reference points can still be used with the 2D brachytherapy treatment planning in evaluating the OAR doses.
Breast cancer is the leading factor of mortality among women globally. According to the World Health Organization (2015), breast cancer is the second most common cancer after lung cancer; and contributes to nearly 15% of all cancer death among women in 2015. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a highly nutritious vegetable with various therapeutic benefits including anticancer. The therapeutic benefits are attributed to its bioactive compounds. Thus, study on the bioactive compounds of M. oleifera using various extraction methods with different extracting solvents have been the main focus of many researchers. Methods: The current study was carried out using Ultrasound Assisted Sequential Extraction (UASE) method and three extracting solvents (99.7% ethanol, 50% ethanol and deionised water) with ascending polarity. The yielded extracts were tested for possible anticancer effects against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7 and non-tumorigenic cell line, MCF-10A using microtitrate tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results: The IC50 values of the 99.7% ethanol, 50% ethanol and deionised water extracts were 25, 200 and 180 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: M. oleifera could be a potential preventative and/or therapeutic agent for breast cancer, either used alone or as an adjunct to the standard chemotherapeutic drugs.
Kajian ke atas sifat kehubungan efektif dalam korteks auditori dilakukan ke atas lima orang subjek Melayu lelaki sihat berumur antara 20 hingga 40 tahun menggunakan pengimejan resonans magnet kefungsian (fMRI), pemetaan statistik berparameter (SPM5) dan pemodelan dinamik penyebab (DCM). Paradigma pengimejan senyap digunakan untuk mengurangkan artifak bunyi pengimbas di atas imej kefungsian. Subjek dikehendaki menumpukan perhatian kepada stimulus hingar putih yang diperdengarkan secara binaural pada keamatan 70 dB lebih tinggi daripada aras pendengaran manusia normal. Pengkhususan kefungsian dikaji menggunakan perisian SPM5 yang berasaskan Matlab melalui analisis kesan malar (FFX), kesan rawak (RFX) dan konjunksi. Analisis individu ke atas semua subjek menunjukkan pengaktifan bilateral yang tidak simetri di antara korteks auditori kanan dan kiri pada kawasan Brodmann (BA)22, 41 dan 42 melibatkan korteks auditori primer dan sekunder. Tiga kawasan auditori di korteks auditori kanan dan kiri tersebut dipilih untuk penentuan kehubungan efektif melalui pembentukan sembilan model rangkaian. Kehubungan efektif ditentukan ke atas empat daripada lima subjek dengan mengecualikan seorang subjek yang mempunyai koordinat BA22 yang terletak terlalu jauh daripada koordinat BA22 yang diperoleh daripada analisis kumpulan. Keputusan DCM menunjukkan kewujudan kehubungan efektif di antara ketiga-tiga kawasan auditori yang dipilih di kedua-dua korteks auditori. Pada korteks auditori kanan, BA42 dikenalpasti sebagai pusat masukan dengan kehubungan efektif satu arah selari BA42 → BA41 dan BA42 → BA22. Walau bagaimanapun, untuk korteks auditori kiri, pusat masukan adalah BA41 dengan kehubungan efektif satu arah selari BA41→BA42 dan BA41→BA22. Kehubungan di antara kawasan auditori yang mengalami pengaktifan mencadangkan kewujudan lintasan isyarat dalam korteks auditori walaupun semasa subjek mendengar bunyi hingar.
The isolation of 66 streptomycetes from rhizosphere soil of chili plants was done for their inhibitory activities against three different dominant species of Colletotrichum namely C. acutatum, C. gloeosporioides and C. capsici. Twenty one streptomycetes strains were active against at least one of the Colletotrichum species. In addition, ten strains that inhibited the in vitro growth of Colletotrichum species showed chitinase activity. Strain P42, which displayed the highest inhibitory activity against all three anthracnose fungi species and high chitinase activity was tested as biological control agent in a greenhouse study. The strain successfully controlled chili anthracnose disease by significantly reducing the disease severity. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain P42 belongs to the Streptomyces rochei clade. The results of the current study showed that rhizosphere-derived soil of chili plants is an important source of bioactive streptomycetes which are antagonistic against Colletotrichum.
In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of batik wastewater in the presence of zinc oxide (ZnO) as photocatalyst was
investigated. The effect of various operating parameters, such as pH of batik wastewater, catalyst dosage and aeration
on the photocatalytic degradation process, was examined. The mineralization of batik wastewater was also evaluated
through chemical oxygen demand analysis. The decolorization of batik wastewater was enhanced at acidic conditions
(pH3) which was 88.2% after 10 h irradiated under solar light, meanwhile its mineralization was 286 mg/L after 12 h
irradiation time. The data obtained for photocatalytic degradation of batik wastewater was well fitted with the LangmuirHinshelwood
kinetic model. It can be concluded that batik wastewater could be decolorized and mineralized under solar
light irradiation with presence of ZnO.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignancies. In advanced stage, it is highly resistant to systemic therapies. RCC is a highly vascular tumour and angiogenesis pathway has been postulated in its carcinogenesis. Novel drug targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and advanced surgical interventions have shown to increase the overall patients’ survival. In this study, we evaluated the VEGF expression of RCC using immunohistochemistry technique and its potential correlation with the tumour grades. Methods: 40 RCC cases that underwent nephrectomy were selected. The archived samples of formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) were retrieved. The tumour tissue blocks were carefully chosen, sectioned and stained with VEGF using immunohistochemistry technique. The intensity of VEGF expression was scored as 0 (negative), 1+ (weak), 2+ (moderate) or 3+ (strong). Results: Majority of the RCC cases were male, with male to female ratio of 2.1:1. Mean patient age was 56.2 years (age ranged between 16 to 74 years). Most of the cases were Malays (42.5 %). VEGF was expressed in 36 (90%) of RCC cases. Among the 36 cases that were immunopositive, 8 (16.7%) were grade 1, 20 (55.6%) grade 2 and 8 (16.7%) grade 3. There was no significant association between VEGF expressions score and grades of RCC (p=0.39). Conclusion: VEGF was expressed in majority of RCC cases although there was no significant association with tumour grades.
Macrofungi of the order Polyporales are among the most important wood decomposers and caused economic losses by decaying the wood in standing trees, logs and in sawn timber. Diversity and distribution of Polyporales in Peninsular Malaysia was investigated by collecting basidiocarps from trunks, branches, exposed roots and soil from six states (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor) in Peninsular Malaysia and Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur. This study showed that the diversity of Polyporales were less diverse than previously reported. The study identified 60 species from five families; Fomitopsidaceae, Ganodermataceae, Meruliaceae, Meripilaceae, and Polyporaceae. The common species of Polyporales collected were Fomitopsis feei, Amauroderma subrugosum, Ganoderma australe, Earliella scabrosa, Lentinus squarrosulus, Microporus xanthopus, Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes menziesii.
The water chemistry of selected rivers in Kota Marudu, Sabah was studied based on the major ion chemistry and its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Ten sampling stations were selected and water samples were collected from each station to assess its chemical properties. The physico-chemical variables including temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH3-N), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solid (TSS) were measured. The cations (K, Mg, Ca, Na) were analyzed by ICP-MS. Most of the variables were within the drinking water quality standards stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia except for turbidity. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and salinity hazard were calculated to identify the suitability of the water as irrigation water. The Wilcox diagram classifies that only 10% of samples are not suitable for the purpose of irrigation. The overall results showed that most of the rivers in Kota Marudu are still in a clean condition and suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes except for Sumbilingan River, which is considered as slightly polluted. The results are supported by the hierarchical cluster analysis as the stations were grouped into two groups; low and high pollution intensities. This preliminary result can update the baseline data of selected water quality parameters in the Kota Marudu and could serve as tool for assisting relevant government bodies in regulating the water resources policies in the future.
The effect of composition on nickel cobaltites prepared by co-precipitation was investigated. Various compositions were synthesised under different heat treatment conditions. The formation mechanism, lattice parameter and crystallite size were determined by various techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the optimum condition for the formation of single phase nickel-cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) can be obtained from solution containing Ni: Co ratio of 33.3 mol%: 66.7 mol% with heat treatment at 400 °C. The presence of pure phase NiCo2O4 with the particle size of approximately 34.10 nm was also observed in field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The crystallinity of the synthesized oxides was improved with the increment of Ni content.
The study of medicine is often regarded by students as a stressful environment particularly during examination period. Studies found a high percentage of medical students experience significant psychological distress during the examination period. This study compared percentage and level of psychological distress between two batches of first year medical students who underwent different selection admission processes during a stressful examination period. A comparative
cross-sectional study was done on two batches of first year medical students; one group selected based on academic merit (2008/2009 batch) and the other selected based on academic merit, psychometric tests and interview (2009/2010 batch). The psychological distress was measured by the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12). The data were collected right after the final examinations. A total of 99 (46.05%) medical students of the 2008/2009 batch and 196 (100%) medical students of the 2009/2010 batch participated. The percentage of medical students who had psychological distress of the 2008/2009 and the 2009/2010 batches were 58.59% and 42.3%, respectively. The mean GHQ-12 score and percentage of psychological distress were significantly different between the two batches (p< 0.01). The older batch had 2.01 times higher risk for developing psychological distress compared with the newer batch (p< 0.01). The newer batch
of medical students had better psychological health status and was less likely to develop psychological distress during the stressful period compared with older batch.
In this study, the asymmetry of the main effects of action, background and tonal frequency during a pitch memory processing
were investigated by means of brain activation. Eighteen participants (mean age 27.6 years) were presented with low and
high frequency tones in quiet and in noise. They listen, discriminate and recognize the target tone against the final tone
in a series of four distracting tones. The main effects were studied using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with action (to
wring (rubber bulb) vs. not to wring), background (in quiet vs. in noise) and frequency (low vs. high) as the factors (and
levels respectively). The main effect of action is in the right pre-central gyrus (PCG), in conformation with its contralateral
behavior. The main effect of background indicated the bilateral primary auditory cortices (PAC) and is right lateralized,
attributable to white noise. The main effect of frequency is also observed in PAC but bilaterally equal and attributable to
low frequency tones. Despite the argument that the temporo-spectral lateralization dichotomy is not especially rigid as
revealed by the main effect of frequency, right lateralization of PAC for the respective main effect of background clearly
demonstrates its functional asymmetry suggesting different perceptual functionality of the right and left PAC.
The relationship between heavy metal and trophic properties in polymictic lake at Sembrong Lake, Peninsular Malaysia was assessed. Sixteen parameters, including heavy metals and trophic parameters were monitored. pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and heavy metals level changes significantly influenced by the dynamic of polymictic mixing pattern. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the reservoir decreased in the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > As > Pb. The result showed that this polymictic lake is being threatened by cultural eutrophication with TSI value range from 72.40 to 80.41 and classified as a hypereutrophic lake. The levels of heavy metal pollution in the reservoir range from slightly polluted to polluted. Factor analysis was performed to determine the relationship between heavy metals and trophic parameters. Five factors were responsible for data structure and explained the 83% of total variance. These factors differentiate each group of parameters according to their common characteristics. Photosynthesis, respiration and redox processes were main factors contributing to the variability of both properties.
High sensitivity signal detection for a sparse temporal sampling (STS) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is compensated by the increase in the number of scans (Ns) and consequently the scan time. A long scan time would result in fatigue and restlessness in participants, while a short scan time is undesirable for an STS-fMRI due to insufficient Ns for averaging. The purpose of this study was to determine the Ns practically sufficient for a sparse fMRI study. Eighteen participants were presented with white noise during a sparse fMRI scan. The height extent of activation was determined via t statistics and region of interest (ROI) based percentage of signal change (PSC). The t statistics and PSC for Heschl’s gyrus (HG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) during which the participants listened to the white noise were calculated for different number of scans which were 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36. The t statistics and PSC values calculated for the bilateral HG and STG qualitatively indicated a minimal change over Ns = 12 to 36. Both ROIs showed a consistent common right lateralization of activation for all Ns, indicating the right-hemispheric dominance of auditory cortex in processing white noise stimulus. It was proposed that for a sparse fMRI study, Ns may practically fall between 12 and 36
A 31-year-old lady with normal physical characteristics was found to have persistent high FSH and LH and was suspected possible premature ovarian failure after reported to have not normal menstrual cycle. Leucocytes were collected from patient’s fresh peripheral blood sample and Giemsa banding (G-banding) was done. All metaphases were captured and analysed using Cytovision software 4.5 and the final analysis show 47,XXX.
Advanced parental age is a risk factor for chromosomal abnormalities in their offspring. Trisomy X or Triple X syn- drome has previously been reported with advanced maternal age. Here we report two (2) cases of Trisomy X with paternal age as risk factor. Generally, Trisomy X individuals show variable physical and psychological manifesta- tions. However, both cases reported here have advanced paternal age as a risk factor; 55 years old (46 years old at conception) for Case 1 with patient having right eye squint, beaked nose, Posterior Misalignment Type Ventricular Septal Defect (PMVSD) and small Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with failure to thrive and 49 years old (45 years old at conception) for Case 2 with speech delay and protruding tongue. In view of that, advanced paternal age could possibly contribute the accumulation of de novo mutations in germ line mosaicism.
Clinacanthus nutans (Acanthaceae) is a local plant consumed as tisane in Indonesia and ‘ulam’ in Malaysia. This plant has been claimed for its ability to prevent many diseases including diabetes. However, the scientific proof on this claim is still lacking. Therefore, the present work study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential and antioxidant capacity of C. nutans leaves extracts using in vitro bioassay tests. The 80% methanolic crude extract of this plant was further partitioned using different polarity solvents namely hexane, hexane:ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v), ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate:methanol (1:1, v/v), and methanol. All the sub-fractions were analysed for antioxidant effect via 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) scavenging activity, ferric reducing power (FRAP) and xanthine oxidase (XO) assays followed by antidiabetic evaluation via α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory assays and glucose uptake experiment. The ethyl acetate fraction showed a good antioxidant potential while the hexane fraction exhibited high α-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzyme inhibition. The hexane fraction also improved glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The present work thus provides an informative data on the potential of C. nutans to be developed as a functional food in preventing diabetes.
Introduction: Transfusion Medicine is an evolving filed which integrates multidisciplinary science in providing safe blood and blood products for patients. With an increasing demand for Transfusion Medicine training in Malaysia, a formal survey is needed to evaluate the postgraduate Transfusion Medicine programme offered by Advanced Med- ical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia to identify areas of deficiency based on the alumni experiences. Methods: An English language survey form was developed specifically to assess the programme contents (overall contents, learning experience in each year, and support in research), the alumni perception on soft-skills gained during the study, and the outcome of the programme. The survey forms were distributed to all alumni between March 2018 and October 2018 via e-mail or hand-delivered. Results: The survey response rate was 79% (37 of 47). A ma- jority (97%) of the transfusion medicine specialists (TMS) in this study reported that the course offered in the program was relevant to their current job. The learning experience which includes course content, student’s placement, facili- ties, and support in research) were rated between satisfactory and good. Communicating effectively through speaking was the highest reported soft-skill gained during the programme, whereas communicating effectively in writing was the lowest soft-skill gained. On the programme outcome, all TMS agreed that this programme will produce qualified and well trained specialists for current working market. Conclusion: Some improvement in the programme contents and teaching activities are needed to equip the future TMS for the nation.
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality globally, primarily attributed by atherosclerosis, of which dyslipidaemia is one of the main risk factors. There is limited data in Malaysia on the prevalence and awareness of having dyslipidaemia, and the proportion who are treated.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of (1)dyslipidaemia; (2)awareness of dyslipidaemia and (3)subjects with dyslipidaemia who are treated.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 11,525 Malaysian subjects from various rural and urban populations, with representations from the three major ethnic groups (age mean + SD: 52.6 + 11.3years; 6487 females, 5038 males). Clinical history and physical examinations were performed and fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of lipid profiles. Dyslipidaemia was defined by mild, moderate or severe hypercholesterolaemia(HC):TC > 5.2, 6.5 and 7.8mmol/L respectively, or hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG):TG > 1.7 mmol/L, or low HDL-c:females < 1.3, males < 1.0mmol/L. Questionnaires were completed for data on awareness and treatment of dyslipidaemia.
Results: Subjects with HC and HTG were 66.9% and 40.9% respectively. Low HDL-c were found in 15.2% and 74.9% in females and males respectively. Among those with HC, 42.6%, 19.3% and 5.0% had mild, moderate and severe HC respectively. Awareness of dyslipidaemia was only found in 13.9% of the population, of whom only 8.0% were on treatment.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dyslipidaemias in Malaysia, majority of whom are unaware of having the major risk factor for atherosclerosis-related complications such as CAD. Hence, there is an urgent need for coronary risk identification, prevention and intervention to combat the global epidemic of CAD
Introduction The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide
and many of these affected individuals remain unidentified. Undiagnosed
T2DM may impose substantial public health implications because these
individuals remain untreated and at risk for complications. The objective of
this study was to determine the national prevalence of undiagnosed T2DM
and to identify the associated risk factors.
Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted involving 17,783
respondents. Two-stage stratified sampling design was used to select a
representative sample of the Malaysian adult population. Structured
validated questionnaires with face to face interviews were used to obtain
data. Respondents, who claimed that they were not having diabetes, were
then asked to perform a fasting blood glucose finger-prick test by Accutrend
GC machine.
Results The prevalence of undiagnosed T2DM was 8.9% (n=1587). The highest
percentage of undiagnosed T2DM was found among males (10.2%), 55-59
years old (13.4%), highest education attainers of primary school (11.1%),
Indians (10.3%), married (10.3%), working (8.9%) and living in the urban
areas (9.2%). Multivariate analyses showed that factors associated with
undiagnosed T2DM were gender, age group, ethnicity, marital status, obesity
and hypertension.
Conclusion This study found an increasing trend of undiagnosed T2DM in Malaysia
compared to 2006. This finding is alarming as risk factors associated with
undiagnosed diabetes were related to most of the socio-demographic factors
studied. Therefore, early diabetic screening is crucial especially among adults
aged 30 and above to prevent more serious complications of this disease.