A polystyrene (PS)-anchored Pd(II) metal complex was synthesized on cross-linked polymer by heating a mixture of chlorometylated polystyrene with phenyldithiocarbazate and carbon disulfide in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in dimethylformamide (DMF). The reaction mixture was heated at 80 °C to form the corresponding phenyldithiocarbazate-functionalized polymer. Then, it was treated with bis(benzonitrile)palladium(II) chloride. The properties of dark colored polymer, impregnated with the metal complex was then characterized by various spectroscopic technique such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), CHNS elemental analysis, BET surface area, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission (ICP-OES) spectroscopy.
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens is non-pathogenic gram positive bacteria isolated from kefir grains and able to produce extracellular exopolysaccharides named kefiran. This polysaccharide contains approximately equal amounts of glucose and galactose. Kefiran has wide applications in pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, an approach has been extensively studied to increase kefiran production for pharmaceutical application in industrial scale. The present work aims to maximize kefiran production through the optimization of medium composition and production in semi industrial scale bioreactor. The composition of the optimal medium for kefiran production contained sucrose, yeast extract and K2HPO4 at 20.0, 6.0, 0.25 g L(-1), respectively. The optimized medium significantly increased both cell growth and kefiran production by about 170.56% and 58.02%, respectively, in comparison with the unoptimized medium. Furthermore, the kinetics of cell growth and kefiran production in batch culture of L. kefiranofaciens was investigated under un-controlled pH conditions in 16-L scale bioreactor. The maximal cell mass in bioreactor culture reached 2.76 g L(-1) concomitant with kefiran production of 1.91 g L(-1).
Higher level of education is associated with better cognitive performance and lower risk of developing dementia. However, the effect of education on cognitive performance varies across different cognitive domains and in different populations. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between education and performance of different cognitive domains among healthy Malay adults. A total of 53 individuals aged 29 to 77 years participated in a battery of neurophysiological tests consisting of Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, digit span, visual reproduction and digit symbol speed test (DSST). Blood test was performed for each participant to obtain their biochemical profile. Educational level was divided into level 1 (PMR), level 2 (SPM), level 3 (STPM), level 4 (Diploma) and level 5 (Degree). Simple linear regression indicated that years of education was positively associated with scores of delayed visual reproduction (b=1.348, p=0.002) and DSST (b=3.257, p=0.012). However, scores of all the tests were not significantly different among different levels of education after controlling for age, gender and blood test profile by ANCOVA. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that MMSE score was associated with red cell distribution width (b=-0.628, p=0.005), age (b=-0.119, p<0.001) and there was interaction between high density lipoprotein (HDL) with age (b=0.047, p<001). MoCA score was associated with age (b=-0.121, p<0.001), gender (male compared to female, b=1.870, p=0.020) and HDL (b=1.681, p=0.047). Age was associated with backward digit span (b=-0098, p<0.001) and immediate visual reproduction (b=-0.348, p<0.001), resp. Delayed visual reproduction was associated with age (b=-0.323, p<0.001) and potassium level (b=-4.471, p=0.016). DSST was associated with age (b=-0.911, p<0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (b=-0.754, p=0.002). The lack of association between educational level and cognitive performance after adjusting for confounders in this study maybe due to multiple factors influencing cognitive performance and further studies with a larger sample size are needed to further identify the factors involved.
Keywords: Cognitive performance; education; healthy Malay adults
ABSTRAK
Tahap pendidikan yang tinggi telah dikaitkan dengan prestasi kognitif yang lebih baik dan risiko perkembangan dementia yang lebih rendah. Namun, kesan pendidikan terhadap prestasi kognitif berbeza antara domain kognitif dan populasi yang berlainan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan hubungan antara pendidikan dengan prestasi pada domain kognitif yang berlainan pada individu dewasa Melayu yang sihat. Seramai 53 individu yang berumur antara 29 hingga 77 tahun telah menyertai ujian neuropsikologi yang terdiri daripada Pemeriksaan Keadaan Mental Mini, Penilaian Kognitif Montreal, digit span, penghasilan semula visual dan ujian kelajuan simbol digit (DSST). Tahap pendidikan dibahagikan kepada tahap 1 (PMR), tahap 2 (SPM), tahap 3 (STPM), tahap 4 (Diploma) dan tahap 5 (Ijazah Sarjana Muda). Regresi linear mudah menunjukkan bahawa tahap pendidikan berhubung kait secara positif dengan penghasilan semula visual tertunda (b=1.348, p=0.002) dan DSST (b=3.257, p=0.012). Namun, semua skor ujian menjadi tidak berbeza antara tahap pendidikan yang berbeza selepas mengambil kira kesan konpengasas dengan menggunakan ANCOVA. Regresi linear berganda menunjukkan bahawa skor MMSE berhubung kait dengan lebar taburan sel merah (b=-0.628, p=0.005), umur (b=-0.119, p<0.001) dan interaksi antara lipoprotein ketumpatan tinggi (HDL) dan umur (b=0.047, p<001). MoCA didapati berhubung kait dengan umur (b=-0.121, p<0.001), jantina (lelaki berbanding perempuan, b=1.870, p=0.020) dan HDL (b=1.681, p=0.047). Umur juga berhubung kait dengan digit span ke belakang (b=-0098, P<0.001) dan penghasilan semula visual segera (b=-0.348, p<0.001). Penghasilan semula visual tertunda berhubung kait dengan umur (b=-0.323, p<0.001) dan tahap kalium (b=-4.471, p=0.016). DSST berhubung kait dengan umur (b=-0.911, p<0.001) dan alanin aminotransferase (b=-0.754, p=0.002). Hubungan antara tahap pendidikan dan prestasi kognitif tidak dikesan selepas mengambil kira kesan konpengasas yang mencadangkan bahawa prestasi kognitif mungkin dipengaruhi oleh pelbagai faktor dan kajian lanjut dengan bilangan sampel yang lebih besar diperlukan untuk mengenal pasti faktor ini.
Nephrolepis cordifolia rhizome (sword fern) juice was investigated for diuretic activity in wistar rats. Different parameters viz. total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), urine concentration of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride have been evaluated. Rhizome juice of Nephrolepis cordifolia (100 mg/kg), the reference drug, furosemide (20 mg/kg) was administrated orally to male Wistar rats and their urine output was quantitated at several intervals of time after the dose. After single dose of the rhizome juice of Nephrolepis cordifolia, urine output was significantly increased. Increase in urinary levels of Na+, K+ and Cl- was also observed after the administration of rhizome juice.
Cornsilk is traditionally used to treat illnesses related to kidney and as diuretic agent. The study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Malaysian cornsilk in elevating diuresis and their dose response relationship in normal Sprague-Dawley rat. The diuresis activity was determined by administered the rats with different dose treatments of 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 mg/kg. Cumulative urine was significantly increased with the dosage levels (400-600 mg/ kg) ranging from 14.06 - 20.13 mL. Cumulative urine of aqueous extract of cornsilk (AEC) at 400 mg/kg (14.06 mL) and 500 mg/kg (15.21 mL) treatments found to be significantly lower than positive control (21.25 mL). In addition, Na+ content was significantly higher compared with negative control at dosages of 500, 600, 700 and 800 mg/kg. At any rate, K+ and Cl- content of all AEC treatments were not significantly different during 24 h monitoring. The pH values were increased paralleled with the increment of AEC dosages, though it was not significant. On the other result, the ED50 of AEC was observed at 454.10 mg/kg. Malaysian AEC had shown a mild diuretic activity in elevating urine and Na+ content at dosages from 500 to 800 mg/kg. Whilst, AEC also showed an effect of potassium sparing diuretics. Thus, it is suggested that Malaysian cornsilk can be used as an alternative natural diuretic agent.
A study was conducted to determine the effects of a plant growth regulator (paclobutrazol, PBZ) and commercial
fertilizer (Krista-K Plus) as a source of potassium nitrate (KNO3
) on the growth of Xanthostemon chrysantus. It was
also attempted to investigate the anatomical changes in the leaf and stem after the treatment. Nine treatments, i.e.
control (no PBZ and Krista-K Plus application), 0 PBZ gL-1 + 100 g Krista-K Plus, 0 PBZ gL-1 + 200 g Krista-K Plus,
0.125 PBZ gL-1 + 0 g Krista-K Plus, 0.125 PBZ gL-1 + 100 g Krista-K Plus, 0.125 PBZ gL-1 + 200 g Krista-K Plus, 0.25
PBZ gL-1 + 0 g Krista-K Plus, 0.25 PBZ gL-1 + 100 g Krista-K Plus and 0.25 PBZ gL-1 + 200 g Krista-K Plus, were
tested. PBZ was soil drenched at the commencement of the study while Krista-K Plus was applied at three-month
intervals. Plant growth performances such as tree height, diameter at breast height, canopy diameter and leaf area
were recorded monthly throughout the study period. Stem and leaf samples were collected before the application
of treatments and after six months of treatments for anatomical observation by using electron microscope. Plant
height, diameter at breast height, crown diameter and leaf area were significantly reduced with the application of
PBZ. Palisade parenchyma thickness was increased by 33.83% with 0.25 PBZ gL-1 + 200 g Krista-K Plus, while only
2.44% increment recorded in the control tree. Xylem thickness in the stem was reduced by 21.81% after treated with
the highest dosage of PBZ, while the control tree only had 1.78% increment. Spongy parenchyma thickness in the leaf
was unaffected. However, palisade parenchyma was found the thickest after combined treatment with 0.25 PBZ gL-1
+ 200 g Krista-K Plus. Micrograph images of the cross-section of leaf lamina and stem showed that the cells were
tightly arranged in response to the application of PBZ.
Carbon spheres (CSs) were synthesized from sucrose by hydrothermal reaction. The synthesized materials were further
activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at different concentrations. The effects of KOH concentration on the surface area
and morphology were investigated. The route for pore formation and structural deformation in carbon spheres during
activation has been proposed and discussed based on micrographs and porosity trends. It was suggested that the pore
formation and structural deformation phenomena were due to the intercalating power of energized K+ into the carbon.
This work provides an insight of the pore formation in carbon spheres for the development of adsorbents as well as for
the understanding of the structural deformation of such materials at higher KOH concentrations.
Time of weed control and fertilizer application usually decide the profitability of crop production. The effects of weed control and macronutrients on maize crop were investigated. The study was undertaken in March 2009, using a RCBD design with split plot arrangements. The experimental set up was established at the Agricultural University Peshawar and seedbeds were prepared with the proper moisture regime. Maize was planted with one plot left weed free for first six weeks while another infested with weed. The combinations of macronutrients used were nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen-phosphorus, nitrogen-potassium, phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium. Control (no fertilizer) was included for comparison. The observations revealed that when a comparison was made between the application of fertilizers and weed control, the latter proved more important because weed infested plots had no harvestable maize plants. The role of main nutrients in crop production is well known and cannot be left aside, however weed infestation does not provide us a fair choice of fertilizers application. The maximum maize grain yield was recorded under nitrogen-phosphorus combination and promising results were obtained. The weeds and maize benefited equally in terms of fresh and dry weed biomass with an application of fertilizer in particular N singly or together with P. In view of this, application of fertilizer should be changed from broadcast to band and/or placement. In general, a positive interaction was seen between N and P promoting the growth of maize and weeds. It can be said that herbicide application for weed control is important because of the fact that hand weeding is not economical, difficult, time consuming because of perennial weeds and hot weather conditions in the month of June.
Secara geologi, kawasan Cameron Highland terdiri daripada batuan granit batolit yang merejah ke dalam batuan sedimen yang lebih tua. Rejahan jasad igneus asidik ini menyebabkan pembentukan batuan meta-sedimen dan batuan metamorfik lain sebagai sisa bumbung. Sekis sering ditemui telah mengalami luluhawa tinggi hingga sepenuhnya, berwarna kelabu cerah hingga gelap dengan butiran halus hingga sederhana dan struktur foliasi yang ketara. Manakala batuan granit mengandungi mineral kuarza, felspar dan butiran biotit dan/atau turmalin. Kebanyakan cerun potongan jalan raya yang dibina merentasi jasad batuan ini dan survei ketidakstabilan cerun dilakukan berdasarkan jenis, geometri dan cirian fiziko-kimia tanah cerun. Hasil cerapan lapangan menunjukkan bahawa jenis cerun yang gagal adalah jenis cerun tanah yang terdiri daripada jenis gelinciran cetek dan dalam. Antara faktor yang menyumbang kepada ketidakstabilan cerun adalah geometri cerun seperti cerun yang tinggi dan sudut muka cerun yang curam, sifat keperoian tanah pada cerun dan kekurangan litupan vegetasi permukaan. Ini menyebabkan permukaan cerun terdedah kepada hentaman terus hujan. Kesan daripada air larian permukaan juga menyebabkan pembentukan alur-alur hakisan pada muka cerun tanah. Sifat fiziko-kimia bahan cerun (tanah) seperti taburan saiz partikel, pH, kandungan ferum oksida, bahan organik, kandungan air, ketumpatan pukal dan sebenar serta keporosan juga didapati memainkan peranan sebagai faktor yang dalaman dalam mempengaruhi kestabilan cerun tertentu yang dikaji. Julat pH tanah yang rendah (sifat asidik) pada semua cerun mengurangkan kandungan ferum oksida dalam tanah yang bertindak sebagai bahan penyimen tanah. Ini menyebabkan agregatan tanah menjadi lemah dan mudah terhakis.
Eleven different brands of mineral water available in Malaysia were assessed in comparison with two criteria for ingested radiation dose. It is concluded that mineral water can only contribute a very small fraction of the typical daily intake of potassium, and that the radiation dose acquired from any of the brands can never exceed a small fraction of the recommended limits.
The transesterification of Thevetia peruviana seed oil with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) for preparing biodiesel has been studied using as an active catalyst potassium-methoxide (KOCH3). The effects of reaction conditions: Molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate to Thevetia peruviana seed oil, catalyst concentration, reaction time and agitation speed on dimethyl esters (DMC-Tp-BioDs) yield were investigated. The highest DMC-Tp-BioDs yield could reach 97.1% at refluxing temperature for 90 min with molar ratio of DMC-to-oil 5:1 and 2.0% w/w KOCH3 (based on oil weight). The fuel properties of the produced DMC-Tp-BioDs were compared with the ASTM D6751-02 biodiesel standard.
Effects of different doses of fertilizers on growth and yield components of biodiesel plant (Jatropha curcas L.), was
made in the prevailing environment of University of Science and Technology Bannu. The experiment was carried out in
randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were applied
in the form of urea, single super phosphate and potash in the shape of combined NPK, respectively, during sprouting
of leaves and thereafter with each irrigation in split doses. The analysis of variance for number of branches per plant
showed significant results indicated in ANOVA. Significantly the number of primary branches per plant 8.07 was recorded
in T4 with the application of dose of (N P K: 2507.5 gm: 1091.5 gm: 501.5 gm). Maximum No. of secondary branches
per plant (9.100) were recorded in T1 especially at both plots. Flower per inflorescence showed that maximum value
(122.810) was recorded in T5 of especially at both plots. Inflorescence plant-1 showed that maximum value (39.477) were
recorded in T1 and minimum value were noted as (12.733) at T3 on both the flats. The data for fruits per plant showed
that maximum value (143.300) was recorded in T1. The seed index, which was the output of the aim of this research work,
reflects highly significant differences in mean value observed for both subplots. Mean values showed that maximum seeds
weight 45.86 was recorded in T1 of especially at both plots while low seed index was noted as 22.84 at T5 (N: 3400 gm,
P: 1480 gm, K: 680 gm) at both the subplots.
Bacteria play an important roles in the soil ecosystem and in the rhizosphere, they are intricately linked to nutrient content
and its accessibility to plants, plant protection and sometimes pathogenicity. Banana grows well in the tropics and it is
popularly grown in Orang Asli (OA) (indigenous people) settlements. Banana is also grown in commercial plantations.
In traditional planting practices, the OA do not add pesticide nor fertilizer to their crops which are planted for selfsustenance
mainly. On the other hand, fertilizer and pesticide are added to commercial banana plantations to maximise
yield. Rhizosphere bacteria from the banana plant, Pisang Nipah, grown in OA fields and commercial plantations were
identified by clone library construction of the 16S rRNA gene. This was to determine whether farming practices influenced
the bacterial community in the banana plant rhizosphere. Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were found in
all the soil. Other common phyla found in some soil (but not all) were Nitrospirae, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi,
Verrumicrobia, Gemmatimonadetes and Cyanobacteria. The bacterial diversity was a little more diverse in the OA fields
than the commercial plantations. The latter had higher contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These could
have exerted selective pressure to reduce the bacterial diversity in the commercial plantations.
Mineral composition of rock has a very important influence on the physical and mechanical properties of tunnel surrounding rock. Take Dangjianshan tunnel in cold regions for example, the rock specimens in different parts of tunnel were taken to carry out the detection test of mineral composition. By the detail qualitative and quantitative analysis, the relationship between mineral composition and surrounding rock engineering properties was explored. First of all, the composition and content of minerals contained in in the rock specimens were detected by X ray fluorescence spectrometer and X ray powder diffraction. The detection results show that rock of tunnel contains high hardness minerals such as quartz and feldspar which were proven by initial engineering geological investigation report, in addition, it also contains several kinds of low hardness minerals including inclined chlorite and illite which may exhibit large deformation characteristic of soft rock after the tunnel excavation in case of meeting water and weathering conditions. The total content of inclined chlorite and illite accounted for a considerable component in main tunnel, inclined shaft and parallel pilot respectively and the influence on surrounding rock engineering properties cannot be ignored. Therefore, mineral composition detection must be paid attention to after tunnel excavation. Secondly, the effects of mineral composition on surrounding rock were analyzed in aspects of rock strength, weathering resistance, water softening property and excavation deformation through comparing the rock samples in different parts of tunnel. The comparative results showed that when the mineral contents is high with high hardness and poor hydrophilicity, tunnel surrounding rock plays a better performance of physical and mechanical properties, vice versa. Finally, according to the specific geological and construction parameters of the tunnel, the correlation analysis was studied about the vault settlement after tunnel excavation and the hydrophilicity mineral content in main cave. The logarithmic relationship between them was found and the correlation coefficient was 0.98. It can provide a useful reference for the settlement prediction of Dangjinshan tunnel construction.
In recent decades, minimizing the frequency of nutrient deficiency and malnutrition in rural areas of developing
countries becomes an alarming issue. Oyster mushrooms are rich source of both macro and micro nutrients. The
objective of this paper was to evaluate the yield of newly introduced oyster mushroom strains viz. Pleurotus sajorcaju
(PSC), Pleurotus flabellatus (FLB), Pleurotus florida (FLO), Pleurotus ostreatus (PO2
and PO3
), Pleurotus ostreatus
(HK-51) and Pleurotus geesteranus (PG1
and PG3
) and to justify their nutritional values when grown in the climatic
condition of Bangladesh. Strain HK-51 produced the highest amount of fresh sporophore (197.80 g). In contrast, the
highest number of fruiting body was obtained from the strain FLO (82 g) followed by strain PSC (69 g). Strain PG1 has
recorded the highest biological yield (278 g), productivity (55%) and biological efficiency (96%). Nutrient and mineral
analysis of sporophore of strain PG1 showed protein (31.80%), lipid (3.6%), potassium (1.3 mg/100 g), phosphorus
(0.8 mg/100 g), calcium (32 mg/100 g), iron (43 mg/100 g), magnesium (12 mg/100 g), copper (3.5 mcg/100 g), zinc
(12.5 mcg/100 g) and manganese (2.3 mcg/100 g). This study showed that the strain PG1
performed well with regard to
quality and productivity as compared to other strains. Hence, oyster mushroom strain PG1
is a potential cheap source
of nutrients and minerals to combat socioeconomic problems including malnutrition, diseases linked to malnutrition,
poverty reduction and agricultural diversity.
Pengkomposan tandan buah kosong (EFB) dan sisa efluen kilang (POME) merupakan pendekatan lestari bagi menukarkan EFB dan POME kepada baja kompos. Pengkomposan adalah satu proses biologi yang memerlukan pengawalan yang optimum agar nutrien yang terhasil adalah tinggi dan stabil. Cabaran utama yang dihadapi oleh industri kompos ialah untuk menghasilkan kompos yang bernutrien tinggi dan stabil. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk menganalisis prestasi jangka panjang bagi loji kompos terpilih melalui kandungan nutrien kompos yang dihasilkan. Penyelidikan ini mengkaji prestasi tiga tahun bagi empat loji kompos di Malaysia iaitu loji kompos Merotai, loji kompos Binuang, loji kompos Tanah Merah dan loji kompos Elphil. Prestasi kandungan nutrien yang diambil kira termasuklah nitrogen, kalium, nisbah karbon kepada nitrogen, kandungan kelembapan dan agregat kompos. Sebanyak 1,465 set data nutrien dianalisis secara deskriptif. Secara keseluruhannya, prestasi kandungan nutrien kesemua loji kompos yang dikaji berjaya memenuhi keperluan minimum industri sawit. Namun terdapat kes kompos yang dihasilkan mengandungi nutrien kalium yang tidak mencapai keperluan minimum industri dan kandungan kelembapan kompos yang tinggi. Kesimpulannya, masih terdapat ruang untuk penambahbaikan dalam proses pengkomposan agar kompos yang dihasilkan mengandungi nutrien yang stabil dan memenuhi keperluan minimum industri
The production of wheat crop is below average in many regions of the world which is ascribed to adverse environmental
conditions including drought stress. The present study was conducted to appraise the beneficial role of exogenouslyapplied
5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on growth, yield and some key physio-biochemical characteristics of two commercially
important wheat cultivars (Shafaq-06 and Uqab-2000) under well watered [100% field capacity (FC)] and water-deficit
(60 and 80% FC) conditions. Imposition of varying water regimes significantly decreased fresh and dry weights of shoots,
photosynthetic pigments (a and b), non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ), quenching coefficient
for non-photochemical (N) of chlorophyll fluorescence (qN), K+ (potassium ion), Ca2+ (calcium ion) and P (phosphorus)
accumulation in shoot and root and yield-related attributes. In contrast, water deficit regimes caused improvement in
Fv/Fm (chlorophyll fluorescence measurement), coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP), proline, glycinebetaine
(GB) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. Foliar spray of ALA at the rate of 50, 100 and 150 mg/Lalong with control
(no spray (NS) and/or water spray (WS)) significantly enhanced chlorophyll a and b pigments, qN, NPQ, qP, K+, Ca2+
and P accumulation in both roots and shoots, proline, GB, total phenolics and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and
yield. The wheat Shafaq-06 was better in shoot dry weight, qN, NPQ and Fv/Fm, shoot and root K+, root Ca2+, proline,
GB accumulation and yield attributes, while Uqab-2000 was better in chlorophyll a contents, root P and MDA contents.
Overall, better growth and yield of Shafaq-06 than Uqab-2000 under water deficit regimes was found to be associated
with ALA improved leaf fluorescence (qN, NPQ and Fv/Fm), shoot and root K+, root Ca2+, proline and GB accumulation.
Objective: To ascertain the effect of dietary practice modification and a peer-support home blood pressure monitoring program on the nutritional intake (macronutrients and micronutrients), blood pressure and biochemical profiles of hypertension patients in a low-income community setting.
Methods: This is a pre- and post-measurement intervention study conducted in low-income community housing projects in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 90 participants aged 18 years and above with hypertension received intervention. The participants were divided into small groups and received instructions on the use of home blood pressure measurement. They also attended a series of talks on dietary intake modification and exercise demonstration for the first six months (active phase). In another 6 months (maintenance phase), they received only pamphlet and SMS reminders. Their anthropometry, blood pressure, dietary, and biochemical parameter changes were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months of intervention.
Results: Macronutrients and micronutrients showed a significant improvement at the end of 12-month dietary intervention. The energy, carbohydrate, protein, total fat, sodium, and potassium are showing significant reduction from baseline to end of the 12-month intervention. There is no significant reduction in blood pressure. Fasting blood glucose, renal sodium, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a significant improvement, after controlling for age and reported physical activity.
Conclusion: The intervention improved the nutritional intake and biochemical profiles of the low-income urban population with hypertension. This promising result should be replicated in a larger scale study.
The effect of acidosis on insulin-induced relaxation was studied in thoracic aortic rings (from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats) with (+ED) or without (-ED) endothelium. The rings were mounted in normal (pH 7.4) or acidotic (pH 7.2) Krebs solution for isometric tension recording. Phenylephrine (PE, 3.0 microM)-contracted tissues were exposed to insulin in the presence or absence of various inhibitors. Insulin exerted similar concentration-dependent relaxation of +ED tissues in normal and acidotic pH. Endothelium denudation, significantly (p<0.05) reduced insulin effect in normal, but not acidotic pH. Under normal pH, treatment with L-NAME or methylene blue significantly (p<0.05) reduced insulin responses in the +ED (but not the -ED) tissues. The insulin effect was also significantly (p<0.05) inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA; BK(Ca) blocker), 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP; K(V) channel blocker), combined treatments (L-NAME+4-AP+TEA, in +ED tissues) or (4-AP+TEA, in -ED tissues). In either +ED or -ED tissues, indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor), glibenclamide (K(ATP) channel blocker), barium chloride (K(ir) channel blocker) or Ouabain (a Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor) had no effect. Except for methylene blue (effect on +ED tissues), none of the drug treatments inhibited insulin vasodilator effect in acidosis (+ED or -ED tissues). These data indicate that insulin exerts an endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatation in rat aorta which in normal pH is mediated via BK(Ca) and K(v) channels, including the EDNO-cGMP cascade. Acidosis abolishes the endothelium-dependent relaxation mechanism unraveling a novel mechanism that is as efficacious and is cGMP-, but not EDNO-, BK(Ca)- or K(v)-mediated.
The distribution of natural radionuclides ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) and their radiological hazard effect in rocks collected from the state of Johor, Malaysia were determined by gamma spectroscopy using a high-purity germanium detector. The highest values of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K activity concentrations (67±6, 85±7 and 722±18 Bg kg(-1), respectively) were observed in the granite rock. The lowest concentrations of (238)U and (232)Th (2±0.1 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U and 2±0.1 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th) were observed in gabbro rock. The lowest concentration of (40)K (45±2 Bq kg(-1)) was detected in sandstone. The radium equivalent activity concentrations for all rock samples investigated were lower than the internationally accepted value of 370 Bq kg(-1). The highest value of radium equivalent in the present study (239±17 Bq kg(-1)) was recorded in the area of granite belonging to an acid intrusive rock geological structure. The absorbed dose rate was found to range from 4 to 112 nGy h(-1). The effective dose ranged from 5 to 138 μSv h(-1). The internal and external hazard index values were given in results lower than unity. The purpose of this study is to provide information related to radioactivity background levels and the effects of radiation on residents in the study area under investigation. Moreover, the relationships between the radioactivity levels in the rocks within the geological structure of the studied area are discussed.