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Fulltext Use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Abubakar U, Zulkarnain AI, Samri F, Hisham SR, Alias A, Ishak M, et al.

BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Sep 18;20(1):285.
PMID: 32948163 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03082-4

BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem that affects female students' quality of life and academic activities. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of female undergraduate students with dysmenorrhea towards CATs.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in November and December 2019. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.
RESULTS: Of the 318 female undergraduate students invited, 219 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 68.9%) with 52% aged between 21 and 23 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 72.1%, and the prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs was 70.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Bed rest (71.5%), hot compress/heating pad (47.5%) and massage (43.0%) were the most common CATs used by the respondents. The most common reasons for using CAT were to reduce the need for analgesics (61.4%), efficacy (37.3%) and recommendation by others (32.9%). About 23 and 9% of the respondents believed that CATs were equally "effective" and "more effective" than analgesics, respectively. Reducing the need for analgesics (AOR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.136-7.739) and those who agreed that CATs are effective (AOR: 2.701, 95% CI: 1.337-5.457) were independently associated with the current use CATs for the treatment of menstrual pain.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs is high among female undergraduate pharmacy students. Bed rest and heat applications are the most common CATs used. Reducing the need for analgesics and efficacy are the factors associated with the current use of CATs. Students should be educated about the safe and effective use of CATs to reduce adverse effects and improve their quality of life.
Biochemical and radical-scavenging properties of sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) collagen hydrolysates

Abedin MZ, Karim AA, Latiff AA, Gan CY, Ghazali FC, Barzideh Z, et al.

Nat Prod Res, 2014;28(16):1302-5.
PMID: 24670209 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.900617

The molecular mass distribution, amino acid composition and radical-scavenging activity of collagen hydrolysates prepared from collagen isolated from the sea cucumber Stichopus vastus were investigated. β and α1 chains of the collagen were successfully hydrolysed by trypsin. The molecular mass distribution of the hydrolysates ranged from 5 to 25 kDa, and they were rich in glycine, alanine, glutamate, proline and hydroxyproline residues. The hydrolysates exhibited excellent radical-scavenging activity. These results indicate that collagen hydrolysates from S. vastus can be used as a functional ingredient in food and nutraceutical products.
Isolation and characterization of pepsin-solubilized collagen from the integument of sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus)

Abedin MZ, Karim AA, Ahmed F, Latiff AA, Gan CY, Che Ghazali F, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2013 Mar 30;93(5):1083-8.
PMID: 22936269 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5854

Sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) is considered an underutilized resource, since only its stomach and intestines are eaten raw as salad in a few countries and the remaining parts, especially the integument rich in collagen, is discarded. Hence a valuable by-product having potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications is wasted. In the present investigation, pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) from the integument of S. vastus was isolated, purified and characterized.
Fulltext History of Neurosurgery in Malaysia: The Past, Present and Future

Abdullah FC, Zakaria Z, Thambinayagam HC, Kandasamy R, Alias A, Abu Bakar A, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):129-185.
PMID: 35002497 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.13

The history of neurosurgery in Malaysia traces back to 1962 and is filled with stories of vibrant and humble neurosurgeons who have dedicated their life to patients and professions. The early development of neurological and neurosurgical services begins from the establishment of the neurosurgery unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), followed by the foundation of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Neuroscience Institute (IKTAR). Due to the exponentially increased demand for the care of neurosurgical patients, many universities and government hospitals have opened their neurosurgical units. In 2001, the formal residency training programme (USM Masters in Neurosurgery) started and since then has produced qualified neurosurgeons that empowered and shaped the present generation. The formation of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia (NAM) is another turning point towards bidirectional collaboration with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). Many opportunities were created for educational activities and the expansion of subspecialties in neurosurgery. This article describes the impact of the past neurosurgeons and the endeavors that they had gone through; the present neurosurgeons who pioneered the current neurosurgical services in Malaysia, and the future neurosurgeons that will continue the legacy and bring neurosurgery further ahead in this country.
Fulltext Challenges in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a review

Abdullah B, Alias A, Hassan S

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):50-4.
PMID: 22135512 MyJurnal

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a non-lymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx, an area that shows varying degrees of differentiation. Although relatively rare worldwide, NPC has substantial incidence and mortality in populations in Southeast Asia and in people with Southern Chinese ancestry. In Malaysia, NPC is a leading cancer type. In the clinic, NPC presents on a very wide spectrum. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion on the part of the clinician and an increased awareness by the patient is essential for the recognition of an early lesion. Early detection of the cancer is important as it affects the patient's prognosis and the mode of treatment. Managing patients with NPC is very challenging as patients usually present late when the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Here, we review the challenges in the management of NPC.
Fulltext Updates on knowledge, attitude and preventive practices on tuberculosis among healthcare workers

Abd Wahab F, Abdullah S, Abdullah JM, Jaafar H, Md Noor SS, Wan Mohammad WMZ, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2016 Nov;23(6):25-34.
PMID: 28090176 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.6.3

Ranking as the most communicable disease killer worldwide, tuberculosis, has accounted with a total of 9.6 million new tuberculosis cases with 1.5 million tuberculosis-related deaths reported globally in 2014. Tuberculosis has remain as an occupational hazard for healthcare workers since 1920s and due to several tuberculosis outbreaks in healthcare settings in the early 1990s, the concern about the transmission to both patients and healthcare workers has been raised. Healthcare workers have two to three folds greater the risk of active tuberculosis than the general population. Several studies on knowledge, attitude and practices on tuberculosis among healthcare workers worldwide have revealed that majority of the participated healthcare workers had good knowledge on tuberculosis. Most of the healthcare workers from South India and South Africa also reported to have positive attitude whereas a study in Thailand reported that most of the healthcare providers have negative attitude towards tuberculosis patients. Nevertheless, majority of the healthcare workers have low level of practice on tuberculosis prevention. An improved communication between healthcare workers and the patients as well as their families is the key to better therapeutic outcomes with good knowledge, attitude and preventive practice towards tuberculosis.
Fulltext Mixed biopolymer systems based on starch

Abd Elgadir M, Akanda MJ, Ferdosh S, Mehrnoush A, Karim AA, Noda T, et al.

Molecules, 2012 Jan 09;17(1):584-97.
PMID: 22231495 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17010584

A binary mixture of starch-starch or starch with other biopolymers such as protein and non-starch polysaccharides could provide a new approach in producing starch-based food products. In the context of food processing, a specific adjustment in the rheological properties plays an important role in regulating production processing and optimizing the applicability, stability, and sensory of the final food products. This review examines various biopolymer mixtures based on starch and the influence of their interaction on physicochemical and rheological properties of the starch-based foods. It is evident that the physicochemical and rheological characteristics of the biopolymers mixture are highly dependent on the type of starch and other biopolymers that make them up mixing ratios, mixing procedure and presence of other food ingredients in the mixture. Understanding these properties will lead to improve the formulation of starch-based foods and minimize the need to resort to chemically modified starch.