Herbal-based slimming products which are consumed orally may be contaminated with heavy metals as well as
microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the safety level of these slimming products by determining heavy metals
and microbial contamination in different batch production. Six different brands of herbal-based slimming products (A, B,
C, G, H and I) with three different batch productions (1, 2 and 3) were investigated (n =18). Five heavy metals Arsenic,
Cadmium, Chromium, Copper and Zinc were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS). The presence of microorganisms was determined by total aerobic count and the bacteria were identified. The
samples’ moisture content was determined by calculating the percentage of water loss after drying process. All batches
of samples A and B had high content of zinc, over the permissible level of 5ppm while, 6 samples contained Chromium
above the permissible level (1.5 ppm). All 3 batches of sample A presented with the highest total daily intake of heavy
metals. Bacteria were present in all the samples tested with the highest numbers in samples G, H and A followed by
B, I and C. The highest number of fungi was found in product A while product I was free from fungal contamination.
Aspergillus spp. was the predominant fungus present in the samples. There was a weak correlation between moisture
content and bacteria (r = 0.087) and fungal (r = 0.253) presence in the samples. As some herbal slimming products
contain heavy metals as well as microorganisms, consumers need to be more vigilant and discerning when selecting
products to be consumed.
Health awareness promotion among farming communities are important for a sustainable agriculture activities. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess health status among farming communities in Cameron Highlands, Pahang (n = 61) and Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan (n = 143). Mobile Health Screening Programme composed of assessment of blood glucose, blood cholesterol, haemoglobin, blood pressure, pterygium, lung function and nerve conductive velocity was utilized. Our results indicate that the percentage of Cameron Highland’s farmers with hyperglycaemia, systolic hypertension, diastolic hypertension and anaemia were 8.2%, 14.8%, 11.5% and 8.2%, respectively. However, higher percentage of farmers in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan with hyperglycaemia (32.8%), hypercholesterolaemia (83%), anaemia (24.2%) and systolic hypertension (41.9%) were observed. Pterygium was positive for 88.6% of farmers in Cameron Highlands and 94.4% in Bachok and Pasir Puteh. Lung function test shows that 61.7% and 11.4% of farmers in Cameron Highlands had restrictive and obstructive lung, respectively. In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, a total of 19.8%, 55.5% and 23.9% of farmers were found to have obstructive, restrictive and combined obstructive and restrictive lung, respectively. Current Perception Threshold (CPT) value which indicate nerve conductive velocity were significantly increased (p < 0.05) among Cameron Highland’s farmers for both median and peroneal nerve at all frequencies (5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2000 Hz). In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, the values of the CPT for median nerve was significantly increased (p < 0.05) for all frequencies (5, 250 and 2000 Hz). Meanwhile, a signifi cant increased (p < 0.05) was observed for the CPT values for peroneal nerve at the frequencies of 250 and 2000 Hz as compared to control groups. In conclusion, analysis revealed different health problem among the studied farming communities which could be influenced by the differences in farming practices. Thus, employed Mobile Health Screening Programme offers a monitoring approach that could highlight the need for suitable health services and awareness programmes for different farming communities.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common disorder among elderly and may worsen to dementia. The aim of this study is to develop a nutrition and lifestyle booklet to implement better lifestyle modification, as an effort to delay cognitive decline. A series of discussions with a research group comprising of dieticians, nutritionists, a geriatrician and a public health physician were conducted to ascertain the content of the booklet. There were seven guidelines in the booklet including; eat more fish, eat more foods rich in folic acid, eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, do activities to stimulate memory, stop smoking and alcohol drinking and stay cheerful and positive. Evaluation of acceptance for the booklet was carried out which comprised of assessment on content, graphic and design among elderly and health staff at health clinic in Cheras. The assessment involved 15 Malay elderly subjects aged 60 to 81 years (mean age 66.1 ±6.6 years), with 60.0% men and 40.0% women and 10 health staff aged 36.6 ± 12.0 years, with range of 27 to 58 years, consists of 20.0% men and 80.0% women also participated. Most of elderly subjects (80.0%, n = 12) indicated they understood information in the booklet. Meanwhile, 20.0% (n = 3) of elderly expressed they did not fully understand the content of the booklet in particular on sentence and terminology. All health staff (100.0%) understood the information in the booklet. This booklet was well accepted by elderly subjects and health staff, however adding more graphics, simplifying sentence structures and minimizing scientific terminologies to improve understanding were suggested. The booklet has the potential to increase the nutritional and health knowledge of elderly specifically with MCI. This would motivate them to adopt healthy eating and lifestyle, thus reducing cognitive decline and prevent dementia.
Keywords: Cognitive, education, booklet, elderly, lifestyle
Kajian terdahulu menunjukkan kualiti hidup dapat ditingkatkan melalui amalan keagamaan dan kerohanian. Hafazan al-Quran merupakan amalan keagamaan dan kerohanian yang memperkasa aspek mental dan fizikal. Namun, kajian saintifik yang mengaitkan hafazan al-Quran dengan kualiti hidup masih terhad terutamanya dalam konteks pelajar tahfiz. Maka, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti hubungan antara hafazan al-Quran dengan kualiti hidup dalam kalangan pelajar tahfiz di Selangor, Malaysia. Satu kajian keratan rentas telah dijalankan ke atas 116 pelajar dengan pensampelan rawak berstrata dari tiga buah sekolah tahfiz di Selangor. Pelajar tahfiz dikategorikan kepada tiga tahap hafazan berdasarkan jumlah juzuk yang telah dihafaz iaitu Tahap 1 (1-10 juzuk), Tahap 2 (11-20 juzuk) dan Tahap 3 (21-30 juzuk). Borang soal selidik telah digunakan untuk mendapatkan data sosiodemografi dan borang soal selidik Short Form-36 Quality of Life (SF-36) versi Bahasa Malaysia telah digunakan untuk menilai tahap kualiti hidup. Data telah dianalisa menggunakan SPSS versi 23.0. Hasil kajian mendapati wujud hubungan positif yang signifikan antara hafazan al-Quran dengan kesihatan fizikal (r = 0.300, p < 0.05) dan kesihatan mental (r = 0.194, p < 0.05). Ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa semakin banyak pelajar menghafaz al-Quran semakin tinggi tahap kualiti hidup mereka. Faktor yang mempengaruhi kesihatan mental dan fizikal adalah jumlah muka surat hafazan. Kesimpulannya, hafazan al-Quran berpotensi meningkatkan kualiti hidup serta kesihatan mental dan fizikal pelajar tahfiz.
The incidence of neonatal jaundice among aborigines is increasing with the morbidity and mortality among this group are
well recognized. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude status on neonatal jaundice among Orang Asli in
Sepang, Selangor. Cross-sectional study was conducted within two weeks in Kampung Orang Asli in Sg. Pelek, Sepang,
Selangor. A simple random sample of adults aged 18 years and above was selected. Data were collected by an interviewed
structured questionnaire. Overall, out of 152 residents, 67% were aware about neonatal jaundice. Majority of them were
female (72%), married (78.4%) and respondents who have children (86%). Among those who were aware, almost 68%
have good knowledge, in which 70% recognized jaundice by yellow discoloration on the body. High pitched crying (12.7%)
and not feeding (10.8%) were among symptoms they knew. Almost 50% of the respondents believed neonatal jaundice
may cause mental retardation. As for management of neonatal jaundice at home, majority of them (47%) will expose
the baby under the sun, 7.8% will take herbal medication whereas 2% will continue with breast feeding. Almost eighty
percent of the respondents will send their jaundiced baby to the hospital immediately, whereas 23% prefer management
by nurse at home. Although majority of respondents in Kg. Orang Asli Sg. Pelek have good knowledge & good attitude
on neonatal jaundice, some mothers are still likely to resort to self-treatment with potentially harmful therapies.
Prevalens obesiti di Malaysia telah meningkat dengan mendadak sejak dua dekad yang lalu. Oleh itu, usaha untuk menangani masalah ini menjadi semakin penting. Objektif umum kajian hirisan lintang ini adalah untuk menilai keberkesanan projek obesiti yang dijalankan oleh NGOs yang dibiayai oleh Lembaga Promosi Kesihatan Malaysia. Dalam kajian ini, data sekunder dari laporan akhir 22 buah projek obesiti telah dianalisiskan untuk menilai keberkesanannya. Maklumat dalam laporan akhir projek telah dimasukkan ke dalam borang penilaian formatif yang disediakan oleh pihak LPKM. Keberkesanan projek ditentukan melalui tahap pencapaian indikator RE-AIM dengan menggunakan 21 indikator berasaskan Model RE-AIM yang telah disahkan. Projek yang mencapaikan 15 hingga 21 indikator dikirakan mempunyai kualiti tinggi, 8 hingga 14 indikator dikirakan kualiti sederhana dan 0 hingga 7 indikator dikategorikan sebagai kualiti rendah. Dengan menggunakan ujian Cohen’s Kappa untuk menilai reliabiliti antara penyelidik terhadap 21 indikator RE-AIM, didapati bahawa terdapat persetujuan yang tinggi antara 2 penyelidik (k = 0.868). Daripada 22 buah projek obesiti yang dikaji, tiada projek yang mempunyai kualiti tinggi, 21 projek didapati mempunyai kualiti yang sederhana dan 1 projek mempunyai kualiti yang rendah. Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan terhadap peratusan pencapaian indikator RE-AIM antara tempoh projek menurut ujian T tidak berpasangan (P > 0.05). Berdasarkan kepada saringan kesihatan yang dijalankan terhadap 1982 orang peserta, 333 (16.8%) orang didapati mempunyai masalah berlebihan berat badan dan 354 (17.9%) orang adalah obes. Kesimpulannya, majoriti projek telah dilaksanakan dengan berjaya. Namun, kajian lanjut disarankan untuk memantau perubahan gaya hidup yang mungkin dapat mengurangkan prevalens obesiti di komuniti di mana projek telah dijalankan.
Kajian berbentuk hirisan lintang ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji hubungan antara keterlibatan aktiviti di kolej kediaman dengan status pemakanan pelajar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Kuala Lumpur dan menentukan tabiat makan pelajar serta kebolehdapatan makanan sihat di sekitar mereka. Seramai 106 pelajar tahun dua hingga empat UKM Kuala Lumpur terlibat dalam kajian ini (20.8% lelaki dan 79.2% perempuan). Data pengambilan makanan subjek direkod dengan menggunakan diari makanan tiga hari. Keterlibatan subjek dalam aktiviti kolej dan juga kebolehdapatan makanan sihat ditentukan dengan menggunakan borang soal selidik yang dibentuk khas untuk kajian ini. Berat badan, ketinggian, ukurlilit pinggang, peratus lemak tubuh dan Indeks Jisim Tubuh (IJT) juga diukur. Hasil kajian menunjukkan majoriti daripada subjek (62.3%) terlibat secara aktif dengan aktiviti yang diadakan di kolej kediaman. Daripada peratusan ini, 5.3% daripada subjek lelaki dan 31.9% perempuan adalah kurang berat badan. 68.4% subjek lelaki dan 55.3% perempuan mempunyai berat badan normal. 21% subjek lelaki dan 8.5% perempuan adalah pra obes. Tambahan pula, 5.3% (n = 1) subjek lelaki dan 4.3% (n = 2) daripada subjek perempuan tergolong dalam klasifi kasi IJT obes. Kajian ini mendapati majoriti subjek bersetuju bahawa mudah untuk memperolehi makanan sihat di kampus. Terdapat korelasi positif yang signifi kan di antara pengambilan tenaga (r = 0.352, p < 0.05) dan lemak (r = 0.391, p < 0.05) dengan Indeks Jisim Tubuh (IJT) bagi penglibatan terhadap aktiviti kolej yang kurang daripada tiga jam. Bagi penglibatan terhadap aktiviti kolej yang lebih daripada tiga jam pula, terdapat korelasi positif yang signifi kan di antara pengambilan tenaga (r = 0.678, p < 0.01), lemak (r = 0.550, p < 0.05), karbohidrat (r = 0.685, p < 0.01), protein (r = 0.465, p < 0.05), kalsium (r = 0.357, p < 0.05), ferum (r = 0.500, p < 0.05), vitamin A (r = 0.733, p < 0.01) dan vitamin E (r = 0.582, p < 0.05) dengan IJT. Pencapaian ‘Recommended Nutrient Intake’ (RNI) bagi pengambilan tenaga, kalsium, ribofl avin, vitamin C dan vitamin E adalah lebih tinggi bagi subjek yang terlibat dengan aktiviti kolej kurang daripada tiga jam berbanding dengan subjek yang terlibat dengan aktiviti kolej lebih daripada tiga jam. Kesimpulannya, walaupun ramai subjek yang aktif, masih terdapat dalam kalangan mereka yang mengalami masalah kurang berat badan, lebih berat badan dan obes. Oleh yang demikian, penglibatan dalam aktiviti di kolej kediaman memberi kesan kepada status pemakanan pelajar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity have increased drastically in the past years, including in Malaysia. School-based obesity intervention is important to promote healthy eating and behavioural change. Many obesity interventions have been conducted to combat childhood obesity; however, the sustainability of childhood obesity interventions are often overlooked. This study aimed to explore the factors that influenced sustainability of Juara Sihat intervention programme in Kuala Lumpur primary school. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 children aged 12- 14 years old whom participated in the Juara Sihat intervention programme were purposively selected. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The main themes identified as motivators are (1) support from family, facilitators, school teachers, and friends; (2) physical activity and healthy eating practices after intervention; (3) self-awareness; (4) knowledge on food pyramid and healthy eating; and (5) home environment. While the barriers are (1) knowledge inconsistency; (2) own safety; (3) peers influence; (4) self-attitude; (5) boredom towards programme. The results showed that the main promoting factor for sustainability of Juara Sihat intervention programme is continued practice of physical activity and healthy eating, while the main barrier is knowledge inconsistency. Therefore, school-based obesity intervention programmes should consider these promoting and hindering factors that could influence the sustainability of intervention programmes. Future studies should consider those factors during program intervention planning especially when factors that influence implementation and sustainability are carefully considered and taken care of to ensure long-term success.
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is very crucial for the health of infant as well as mother. However, the prevalence of
exclusive breastfeeding is very low especially among working mother. Since the prevalence of EBF might be influenced by
the level of knowledge on EBF, researcher comes to critical thinking to conduct this study to evaluate level of knowledge
on EBF among working mother. A cross sectional design study was carried out to determine knowledge level on exclusive
breastfeeding among working mother, and its relationship with demographic data in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz
(HCTM). A total 283 respondents were recruited to participate in this study. The respondents’ knowledge level on exclusive
breastfeeding was identified using Kim & Chapman (2013) Questionnaire on Knowledge and Practice about Exclusive
Breastfeeding. The result showed that majority of the respondents (56.9%) had high knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding.
For demographic data, factors such as age, level of education, and family income had shown a significant association (p
< 0.05) with level of knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding. In conclusion, the level of knowledge of EBF was identified
among working mother, yet it has been influenced by mother’s sociodemographic background
Body sizes of patients undergoing x-ray examination vary in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMI and WC on the image quality of abdominal computed radiography (CR). Anteroposterior supine abdomen projection was conducted on 69 patients from Hospital Raja Perempuan Bainun, Ipoh using a Siemens Multixtop general x-ray unit, and the images were processed with CR Carestream Direct view Max. Samples were categorised into normal BMI (n = 23), overweight (n = 23) and obese (n = 23). Image quality was measured quantitatively in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and qualitatively by visual grading analysis (VGA) based on the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) image criteria. Data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation for comparison and determining the relationship among BMI, WC and image quality. Results showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in image quality of VGAmean (normal = 4.40 ± 0.15, overweight = 4.35 ± 0.13, obese = 4.03 ± 0.34) and SNRmean (normal = 60.79 ± 2.19, overweight = 59.66 ± 1.68, obese = 55.78 ± 4.31). A moderate to high negative correlation existed between SNR (r = −0.73), VGA (r = −0.7) with BMI (p < 0.01) and between SNR (r = −0.83), VGA (r = −0.79) with WC (p < 0.01). This study suggests that WC has a higher negative linear relationship than BMI and can be used as an effective image quality predictor for abdominal CR examination.
Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are antithrombotic agents utilised in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. They have been shown to be more effective than unfractionated heparins (UFHs) in reducing ischeamic events, which include death, myocardial infarction (MI) and urgent revascularisation. Enoxaparin is one of the products of LMWHs. Its safety and efficacy has been proven in the ESSENCE and TIMI IIB studies. This study was carried out to identify risk factors that may affect bleeding complications associated with the use of enoxaparin for non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA) in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM). This observational, longitudinal study was conducted on patients who were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Coronary Rehabilitation Ward (CRW), Medical 1 and Medical 2 wards at HUKM and initiated on enoxaparin for NSTEMI/UA from 22nd of March until 22nd of April 2004. A total of 40 patients were included in the study with median age of 65 years, male to female ratio of 3:1, diagnosed with NSTEMI (55%) and UA (45%). 45% of patients developed an episode of bleeding and among them 83.3% (15 patients) characterised by haematuria. Higher percentages of women (80%) and those with creatinine clearance of < 30ml/min (100%) had incidence of bleeding as compared to men (50%) and those with creatinine clearance = 30 ml/min, respectively (p < 0.05 for both parameters). Age, enoxaparin dose and duration of therapy, smoking and concomitant aspirin/ticlopidine therapy did not significantly affect the incidence of bleeding. In conclusion, renal impairment and gender were associated with bleeding in relation with the use of enoxaparin that may require dose adjustments.
Introduction: There are increasing trend in using information and communication technology to enhance the deliverance of reminiscence work for people with dementia. Thus this study aimed to explore the feasibility of Digital Memory Album (DMA) to support reminiscence work and subsequently evaluate the psychosocial benefits of the DMA system for older adults with dementia living in community. Method: This was an exploratory case study involved five participants with mild to moderate dementia and their primary caregivers. Each participant had an opportunity to review their own life history using Life Review Experience Form (LREF) with the researcher for 8 consecutive weeks in which subsequently facilitated in development of a personalised digital life story. Caregivers provided additional information to support the development of DMA. The whole process was audio recorded. The digital life story was presented in multimedia format and displayed using the DMA. The DMA was given to the participants for review. Qualitative data was collected using semi structure questions with the participants and caregivers immediately after the completion of DMA and 6 weeks after having the DMA as a gift. Results: Analysis of the audio-records and interview data indicated that DMA promoted psychosocial wellbeing which included enjoyment, comfort, stimulate long term memory and enhanced communication and social interactions with family members and friends. Caregivers expressed the DMA helped them in recollecting the past and better understanding of their loved ones. It also reoriented their focus on their loved ones from their disability to the remaining strength. Conclusion: For the first time, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using DMA in improving the psychosocial wellbeing for people with dementia in Malaysia.
Elektroretinogram paten (pERG) adalah pengrekodan respons retina terhadap stimulus paten yang dipancarkan bersilih ganti. Ia memberi maklumat mengenai integriti sel dalaman retina khasnya sel ganglion. Pengrekodan pERG dalam sesebuah makmal boleh dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor, maka piawai makmal perlu ada untuk memastikan bacaan pERG yang diperolehi boleh diulang dan dihasilkan semula. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk menentusahkan faktor yang mungkin mempengaruhi pengukuran pERG untuk paiwaian Makmal Elektrofisiologi Jabatan Optometri, Fakulti Sains Kesihatan (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Kajian ini melibatkan 45 orang subjek yang berumur di antara 20 hingga 25 tahun yang dibahagikan kepada 3 kumpulan. Faktor yang dikaji adalah 1) kesan penggunaan anestetik Alcaine 0.5%, 2) variasi pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang dan 3) saiz dan bentuk target fiksasi yang berbeza terhadap bacaan pERG (amplitud dan tempoh pendam). Ujian-t berpasangan mendapati tiada perbezaan yang signifikan antara pengukuran sebelum dan selepas penggunaan Alcaine 0.5% bagi amplitud (p = 0.116) dan tempoh pendam
(p = 0.557). Pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang juga menunjukkan tiada perbezaan signifikan bagi amplitud (p = 0.864) dan tempoh pendam (p = 0.174). Untuk bentuk dan saiz target yang berbeza, didapati tiada perbezaan yang signifikan untuk parameter amplitud (p = 0.125) dan tempoh pendam (p = 0.404). Kesimpulannya, penggunaan Alcaine 0.5%, pengukuran pada waktu pagi dan petang dan target fiksasi yang berbeza tidak mempengaruhi bacaan pERG di Makmal Elektrofisiologi, FSK, UKM. Hasil kajian boleh diguna pakai untuk perbandingan dalam penyelidikan ataupun tujuan pendiagnosan penyakit retina di masa hadapan.
This study reports the vision status of a presbyopic patient who has undergone a corneal inlay procedure. The study
hopes to provide optometrists more insight on the procedure and the co-management involved in such a patient. The
patient, a 48 years-old Chinese woman with presbyopia underwent the corneal inlay procedure three years ago.
She had the inlay implanted in the non-dominant eye to aid near vision i.e. her left eye. The pre and post-operative
evaluations include distance and near visual acuity, fundoscopy, tonometry, Schirmer’s test, slit lamp evaluation, corneal
topography and corneal pachymetry. Near visual acuity for the left eye improved from N14 to N5 immediately after
the procedure. Even after 3 years of post-operative followup, the patient was still able to maintain her near vision. In
conclusion, the corneal inlay procedure helped to improve near vision of this presbyopic patient. Optometrist plays
a very important role in the co-management of such patients alongside with the ophthalmologist in terms of visual
functional assessments pre and post-surgery, counseling of the procedure and managing patients’ expectations.
The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Stichopus chloronotus Brandt were investigated for their effectiveness against guinea pig dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes using the hair root invasion test. The ethanol extract at 10 mg/ml showed 82.8 % efficacy against T. mentagrophytes while the aqueous extract at similar concentration showed 84.8% efficacy against M. canis infection, as compared to econazole which showed 100% efficacy against both infections. No adverse effect on the skin was observed in the treated animals. In conclusion, aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. chloronotus showed high antimycotic activity against experimentally induced dermatophytosis in guinea pigs.
Pendedahan terhadap pestisid dapat menyebabkan penurunan paras unsur surih di dalam badan manusia. Unsur surih memainkan peranan penting dalam metabolisma tubuh. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji paras unsur surih selenium, zink dan kromium dalam kalangan pesawah yang terdedah kepada pestisid di Wilayah I, MADA, Perlis. Kajian keratan rentas ini melibatkan 70 orang pesawah dan 57 orang yang tinggal di perkampungan nelayan sebagai kumpulan kawalan yang berumur di antara 21 hingga 80 tahun. Maklumat sosiodemografi pesawah dilakukan melalui temuduga borang soal selidik yang telah divalidasi. Pemeriksaan tekanan darah dan glukosa darah pesawah dilakukan. Paras selenium, zink dan kromium sampel kuku dan rambut dianalisis dengan menggunakan kaedah penghadaman asid dan mesin Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa paras selenium pada rambut (5.11 ± 17.05 μg/L) dan kuku (4.92 ± 2.17 μg/L) adalah lebih rendah secara signifikannya (p < 0.05) berbanding paras selenium pada rambut (15.67 ± 10.59 μg/L) dan kuku (6.67 ± 2.81 μg/L) kumpulan kawalan. Paras kromium pada rambut (31.83 ± 15.17 μg/L) dan kuku (87.64 ± 23.30 μg/L) kumpulan pesawah juga didapati lebih rendah secara signifikannya (p < 0.05) berbanding paras kromium pada rambut (85.19 ± 56.90 μg/L) dan kuku (99.36 ± 56.89 μg/L) pada kumpulan kawalan. Walau bagaimanapun, tiada perbezaan paras unsur surih yang signifikan (p > 0.05) menurut tempoh pendedahan pestisid. Kesimpulannya, paras selenium dan kromium pada kuku dan rambut pesawah yang terdedah kepada pestisid adalah lebih rendah berbanding kumpulan komuniti nelayan.
There has been a significant increase in research on probiotics-associated health benefits in the last 20 years. Many studies carried out in vitro and clinically show that consumption of probiotics inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the consumption of probiotics also enhances the host immune response and decreases the levels of carcinogenesis-inducing enzymes. These positive outcomes have led to the use of probiotics in prevention and treatment of infectious diseases like bacterial or antibiotic associated diarrhea, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer. This review summarises literature pertaining to mechanistic actions of probiotics in improving the well-being of hosts.
The calcareous rings of two species of local sea cucumbers, Stichopus hermanni Semper and Holothuria atra Jaeger, were located, dissected, exposed and recorded. The calcareous rings of both species each composed of ten plates knit together by connective tissues. The radial plate of H. atra was a square with a notch at the anterior part whereas in S. hermanni it was squarish consisting of 4 ridges in the anterior part with a notch at the posterior part. The interradial plates of both species were smaller than the radial plates. A ridge was present at the anterior part of the interradial plate in H. atra. In S. hermanii, the ridge at the anterior part of the interradial was thin and prominent. Under the scanning electron microscope the calcareous rings from the two species exhibited a mosaic of small, numerous spicules bound to each other.
The controversial usage of antiseptic in treating wound infections had become a huge issue over the years due to its minimal effectiveness and high toxicity level that are harmful to humans. Hence, numerous studies had been carried out to determine other possible approaches including herbal remedies. The alarming situation had led us to study on Piper sarmentosum and its antimicrobial activity against selected pathogens. In present study, methanol extract of Piper sarmentosum leaves were prepared to investigate the presence of phytochemical compounds. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude methanolic extract was evaluated using disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods. The study demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus (7 mm) and Escherichia coli (6.5 mm). However, no zone of inhibition was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Meanwhile, the MIC values for Staphylococcus aureus was 6.25 mg/mL whilst Escherichia coli was 12.5 mg/mL. In addition, the phytochemical screening results revealed that the extract contained glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolics. In conclusion, methanolic extract of Piper sarmentosum leaves has the potential as a new, effective alternative towards current drugs that are available for skin-associated infection. The findings from this study are crucial in providing latest information of the plant’s additional values that can be incorporated as a baseline for current and future studies as well as in investigating other possible plants that are beneficial for health purposes, particularly for combating skin-associated infection.
This study aimed to assess the nutritional and physical activity status among adults living in low-cost housing area. This cross-sectional study involved 115 adults aged from 18 to 59 years old (46 male and 69 female). Anthropometric and body composition measurements of height, weight, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference were taken. Biochemical measurements included blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Dietary intake was evaluated by interviewing subjects using Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). Physical activity status was determined by interviewing subjects using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Most of the subjects were found to be mainly on low socioeconomic status and working as blue collar workers. The mean body mass index (BMI) for men and women were 27.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2 and 28.5 ± 5.3 kg/m2, respectively. The waist-hip ratio of men and women were 0.92 ± 0.07 and 0.86 ± 0.06, respectively. Mean blood pressure observed was 128.8 ± 18.8 mmHg (systolic) and 78.2 ± 12.1 mmHg (diastolic). Mean blood glucose was reported to be 6.6 ± 3.2 mmol/L while the mean blood cholesterol was 5.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L. Overall energy intake was 2705 ± 603 kcal with the contribution of 53.4% carbohydrate, 13.5% protein and 32.5% fat to overall energy intake. The nutrients that did not achieve Malaysia’s Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) were calcium (73.1%), thiamine (70.5%), folate (25.0%) and vitamin A (19.6%). The mean physical activity of subjects was 6739.8 ± 8135.6 MET-min/week (high physical activity). In conclusion, the adults living in low-cost housing have unsatisfactory nutritional status yet they have good physical activity level which might be contributed by their occupation.