Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 400 in total

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  1. Fulltext Selective uptake of alpha-tocotrienol and improvement in oxidative status in rat brains following short- and long- term intake of tocotrienol rich fraction
    Musalmah, M., Leow, K.S., Nursiati, M.T., Raja Najmi Hanis Raja, l., Fadly Syah, A., Renuka, S., et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2013;19(2):251-259.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Tocotrienol exerts neuroprotective effects resulting in an improved circulating oxidative status. However, accumulation of tocotrienol due to longterm intake may exert pro-oxidant effects. Thus the effects of short- and longterm supplementation of vitamin E tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on the parameters of oxidative status in rat brains were determined. Methods: Wistar rats aged 3 months were supplemented with TRF for 3 or 8 months. Control groups received equivolume of distilled water. Rats were sacrificed and brains
    harvested, weighed and homogenised. Supernatants were analysed for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, vitamin E and protein carbonyl. Results: A significant decline in the level of total vitamin E and its isomers with increasing age were found. TRF supplementation increased the level of total vitamin E with alpha-tocotrienol (ATT) being the major isomer raised. Glutathione peroxidase activity was also
    significantly increased in the long-term supplemented group compared to the short-term supplemented and control groups. The results also showed significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  2. Fulltext Multimodal nutrition education intervention: a cluster randomised controlled trial study on weight gain and physical activity pattern among university students in Terengganu, Malaysia
    Lua, P.L., Wan Dali, W.P.E., Shahril, M.R.
    Malays J Nutr, 2013;19(3):339-352.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: This cluster randomised controlled study design aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing nutrition education intervention (NEI) that targeted at incremental reduction of body weight and increased physical activity level among university students. Methods: Body weight and physical activity level were assessed before and after intervention. A total of 417 university students from four public universities in Terengganu participated in the study. They were randomly selected and assigned into two arms, that is, intervention group (IG) or control group (CG) according to their cluster. The IG received 10 weeks intervention focused on NEI promotion using three modes which were conventional lecture, three brochures as take-home messages and text messages for intervention reinforcement while CG did not receive any intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOV A) and adjusted effect size were used to determine differences in body weight and physical activity levels between groups and time. Results: No significant changes in body weight were observed among both groups. The average weight and body mass index (BMI) were slightly reduced in IG compared to CG after the 10-week intervention (p>0.05). Nevertheless, physical activity level improved significantly among IG participants compared to CG with increased metabolic equivalent (MET) min/week spent for walking, moderate and vigorous activities and significantly decreased sitting time. The largest adjusted effect size was shown in total physical activity (0.75). Conclusion: The multimodal NEI had a positive influence on physical activity outcomes among university students. NEI should be continuously implemented in this particular population group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  3. Fulltext Serum soluble transferrin receptor concentration as a biomarker of erythropoietic activity: surrogate marker of adequate transfusion in adult beta-thalassaemia intermedia patients
    Thambiah, S., George, E., Nor Aini, U., Sathar, J., Zarida, H., Mokhtar, A.B.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2013;9(2):3-12.
    MyJurnal
    Management of Beta (β)-thalassaemia intermedia in contrast to β-thalassaemia major patients has no clear guidelines as to indicators of adequate transfusion. Regular blood transfusion suppresses bone marrow erythropoietic activity. Serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration is a marker for erythropoietic activity, with increased sTfR being associated with functional iron deficiency and increased erythropoietic activity. This study aimed to determine the use of sTfR as an indicator of adequate transfusion in adult β-thalassaemia intermedia patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hospital Ampang, Malaysia, for six months. Patient group included six β-thalassaemia intermedia and 34 HbE-β-thalassaemia transfused patients. None of the patients were on regular monthly blood transfusions as in β-thalassaemia major. The control group comprised of 16 healthy subjects with normal haematological parameters. Haemoglobin (Hb) analysis, sTfR and ferritin assays were performed. Hb and HbA percentages (%) were found to be significantly lower in patients compared to the controls, while HbE%, HbF%, sTfR and ferritin were significantly higher in patients. An inverse relationship was found in the controls between HbF% with Hb (r = -0.515, p < 0.05) and HbA% (r = -0.534, p < 0.05). In patients, sTfR showed an inverse relationship with HbA% (r = -0.618, p = 0.000) and a positive correlation with HbE% (r = 0.418, p = 0.007) and HbF% (r = 0.469, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that HbA% (r = 2.875, p = 0.048), HbE% (r = 2.872, p = 0.020) and HbF% (r = 2.436, p = 0.013) best predicted sTfR independently in patients. Thus, sTfR is a useful marker for erythropoiesis. The elevated sTfR in these patients indicate that the transfusion regimen used was inadequate to suppress ineffective erythropoiesis. Hb levels may not be the best target for monitoring transfusion treatment in β-thalassaemia intermedia patients, but the use of sTfR is helpful in individualising transfusion regimens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  4. Hearing impairment as occupational hazard in airport: a comparative cross sectional study in Malaysia
    Ibrahimzubil, A.R., Nor Hassim, I., Thaherah Nor
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2013;10(1):39-48.
    MyJurnal
    Comparative cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hearing impairment among workers in one of the airport in Malaysia and the factors associated with it. A total of 248 subjects comprising 175 from the exposed group and the remaining control group were sampled. The main tools used in this study were validated questionnaire on hearing assessment and pure tone audiometric test. Response rate was 94%. Both area and personal exposure monitoring have exceeded action level for 8 Hrs TWA in the exposed group but within normal limit in the control group. The prevalence of hearing impairment was 88% among the noise exposed group and 11% in the control group with prevalence odds ratio (POR) 3.569 (95%CI 1.210-10.53, p
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  5. Fulltext Outcome of pregnancy among Malaysian women with diabetes mellitus - a single centre experience
    Nirmala Kampan, Hanis Azman, Izzat Hafiz, Hazwani Mohammad, Chuah, Su Yee, Nur Azurah Abd Ghani, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2013;13(2):1-10.
    MyJurnal
    To observe the maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy as compared to healthy control. A case-control study involving 400 women with DM who delivered between 2005 to 2009 was done with age-matched control group. A total of 305 women (76.25%) were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on diet control, 79 (19.75%) were GDM on insulin and 16 (4%) were pre-existing DM. The mean body mass index of the women with diabetes was higher compared to the age-matched healthy women (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  6. Fulltext Effects of xiang sha yang wei wan on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Sprague Dawley rats: a histological study
    A.M.S. Al-Qaraghuli, E.M.N. Abdel Wahab, I.M. Al-Ani
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2013;12(2):3-10.
    MyJurnal
    Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (XSYWW) is a Chinese traditional medicine that is used for gastrointestinal disorders, specifically gastric ulcer in many countries of South-East Asia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential effects of XSYWW on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by means of histological Study. On a similar basis of treatment, ranitidine, a conventional medication was used as gold standard. Methods: Fifty five male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 gm) were divided into four groups. Group I (ethanol treated group) was the control group and gastric ulcers were induced by administering 100% ethanol (1 ml/200 g). Group II (Pre-treatment group) was divided into two subgroups; they were orally fed with 1.0 gm/kg and 2.0 gm/kg respectively of XSYWW solution. Thirty minutes later they were administered with absolute ethanol as in group I. Group III, was given an oral dose of 2gm/kg of XSYWW solution after one hour of ethanol administration. Group IV was given an oral dose of 200mg/kg ranitidine solution after one hour of ethanol administration. Five rats from groups I, III and IV were sacrificed on day 1, 2 and 3 while the animals of group II were sacrificed one hour after ethanol administration. Results: Histological study of the stomachs from ethanol treated rats showed multiple ulcers of various depths that reached the muscularis and the serosa. Conclusion: Pre or post-treated rats with XSYWW showed that XSYWW has protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesion. However, there was a faster and more complete healing process in the ranitidine treated group when compared to the XSYWW treated subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  7. Fulltext Alcohol consumption and its effect on testicular structure and on sperm count and motility in parent mice and their offspring
    Albadri, C.T., Al Ani, I.M., Hiba, H.M.A.
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2013;12(1):43-48.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The goal of the present study was to examine the effect of alcohol consumption on sperm count and motility and the morphological changes in the seminiferous tubules of parent mice and their offspring. Methods: Animals were divided into two groups, Group 1 (alcohol group) of twelve male and twelve female mice, were given a daily dose of (3 g/kg body weight as 25%, v/v) ethanol by gastric gavage for four and eight weeks. Group 2 (control group) also of twelve male and twelve female mice; received normal access of food and water. After four weeks of treatment, the males and females in each group were allowed to mate, and ethanol treatment continued for up to another four weeks. Twelve male offspring from group 1 and twelve male offspring from group 2 were selected randomly and allowed to become mature. Male parent mice were killed at the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment, and their male offsprings were killed when they reached maturity age. Results: Physiological examination of the sperm solution showed that there was a significant decrease in sperm count and motility after 4 and 8 weeks of ethanol treatment in parent male mice, but this decrease was not significant in their adult offspring. Furthermore, histological investigations indicated testicular lesions in the parent male mice and their adult male offspring. Conclusion: Alcohol abuse has deleterious effects on the testes structure and on the sperm count and motility of the epididymal spermatozoa of both parent mice and their offspring.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  8. Fulltext Calcium supplementation amongst postmenopausal women: Effect on serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium level
    Fazlini, M.F., Suriah, A.R., Zaitun, Y., Kandiah, M., Chee, W.S.S., Chan, Y.M., et al.
    International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(1):477-480.
    MyJurnal
    This study assessed the effect of calcium supplementation towards the change in serum calcium,
    phosphorus and magnesium level. We carried out a randomized controlled trial of calcium supplementation in 113 postmenopausal women for 24 months period study. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. Subjects in Calcium Supplemented Group (CSG) were to take calcium supplement (1200 mg/day) while the Control Group were not given any placebo and advised to continue with their regular diet. The study showed that calcium supplementation helps to increased daily intake of calcium amongst the subject which in results helping to maintain the serum calcium level within normal range. The serum magnesium and phosphorus level in this study were kept at a normal range although there is a slight decrease in serum phosphorus levels may be due to a reduction in the daily intake of the mineral.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  9. Fulltext Self awareness and reflective skills in the promotion of personal and professional development of future medical professionals
    Siraj, Harlina H., Salam, A., Hani Azmina, C.M.N.A., Chong, S.H., Saidatul Akma, S., M. Faiz, K., et al.
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2013;5(4):29-33.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Self-awareness and reflective-skill are important components of personal and professional development of medical students.

    Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether self awareness and reflective skill could be improved by direct teaching intervention.

    Method: This was a cross sectional intervention study conducted among 75 third year medical students of UKM Medical Centre Malaysia in 2010. Malaysian Emotional Quotient Inventory (MEQI) was used to measure self-awareness and reflective writing scripts were used to measure the reflective skills of the respondents before and after teaching intervention. Experimental group comprised of 30 students while the control group constituted the rest 45 students selected randomly. The factors contributing to self awareness with gender and learning styles were determined.

    Result: There was no significant improvement observed in self-awareness of the respondents but reflective skills was significantly improved (p=0.007) following intervention. A non-significant relationship between self-awareness and gender (p=0.588) as well as self-awareness and learning styles (p=0.435) was also noticed.

    Conclusion: It is concluded that intervention programs improved students' reflective skills but not their self-awareness. Effectiveness of the intervention programme is an important factor. Continuous effort should be focused to train students in an effective way in order to be more self-reflective, self-regulative as well as self-corrective, to ensure a high level of personal and professional development in their daily practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  10. Piper sarmentosum water extract attenuates diabetic complications in streptozotocin induced sprague-dawley rats
    FARIDA HUSSAN, NUR NAZILAH BT MAT ZIN, MOHD RAMDZI BIN ZULLKEFLI, YOW SC, NOOR ADIBAH BT ABDULLAH, TEOH SL
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1605-1612.
    Piper sarmentosum has been shown to possess antihyperglycemic effect. The effect of water extract of PS leaves was determined on the diabetic complications in streptozotocin induced rats. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups with six rats each, namely, control, diabetic untreated and PS treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced with intramuscular injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Ten days following the induction, the diabetes was confirmed with fasting blood sugar level more than 8 mmol/L and PS extract was administered orally (0.125 g/kg) for 28 days. The left kidneys were collected to analyze. The body weight and kidney weight index showed significant differences between control and diabetic groups (p<0.05). However, the lesser extent of body weight gain was observed in diabetic group compared with the control groups. The fasting blood sugar level was reduced in PS treated group. The percent area occupied by the glomerulus over a renal corpuscle was found to be 74.5% in DPS, 72% in DNT and 75% in C group; however it was statistically insignificant. Histological study revealed marked inflammatory cells infiltration and glomeruli contraction with widened urinary spaces revealed in DNT group following 28 days of hyperglycemic state whereas the DPS group showed features of improvement. The water extract of PS leaves has the potential preventive effect on the diabetic nephropathy by reducing hyperglycemia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  11. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of immune cells in Oral Mucosal Lichen Planus (OMLP)
    Sinon S, Rich A, Firth N, Seymour G
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:65-71.
    Cell mediated immunity is currently thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal lichen planus (OMLP). However, literature reveals there is no large scale data of immunohistochemistry (IHC) study on these immune cell populations. The aim of this study was to assess and compare immune cell surface identification markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD83 between the OMLP (n=40) and non-specific inflammatory lesions (as control group) (n=10) qualitatively and quantitatively. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests have been used to make comparison between the test and control group, p values of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. T cell surface markers (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+), B cells (CD19+) and mature dendritic cells (CD83+) showed intense immunostaining in OMLP tissues with a significantly higher expression of positive cells than in the control group (p<0.05). CD3, CD4 and CD8+ve T cells were the predominant inflammatory cell type in OMLP rather than CD19+ B cells, supporting the role of Th1 cells in the pathogenesis of OMLP. CD83+ mature dendritic cells were present in the least number and were mostly localized to areas where there were aggregates of lymphocyte. There was a positive correlation and direct relationship between T and B lymphocyte subsets whereby as one subset increased, the other follows.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  12. Fulltext Virgin coconut oil prevents blood pressure elevation and improves endothelial functions in rats fed with repeatedly heated palm oil
    Nurul-Iman BS, Kamisah Y, Jaarin K, Qodriyah HM
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:629329.
    PMID: 23861707 DOI: 10.1155/2013/629329
    This study was performed to explore the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in male rats that were fed with repeatedly heated palm oil on blood pressure, plasma nitric oxide level, and vascular reactivity. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (i) control (basal diet), (ii) VCO (1.42 mL/kg, oral), (iii) five-times-heated palm oil (15%) (5HPO), and (iv) five-times-heated palm oil (15%) and VCO (1.42 mL/kg, oral) (5HPO + VCO). Blood pressure was significantly increased in the group that was given the 5HPO diet compared to the control group. Blood pressure in the 5HPO + VCO group was significantly lower than the 5HPO group. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) level in the 5HPO group was significantly lower compared to the control group, whereas in the 5HPO + VCO group, the plasma NO level was significantly higher compared to the 5HPO group. Aortic rings from the 5HPO group exhibited attenuated relaxation in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside as well as increased vasoconstriction to phenylephrine compared to the control group. Aortic rings from the 5HPO + VCO group showed only attenuated vasoconstriction to phenylephrine compared to the 5HPO group. In conclusion, VCO prevents blood pressure elevation and improves endothelial functions in rats fed with repeatedly heated palm oil.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  13. Fulltext Gastroprotective Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract against Ethanol-Induced Ulcer in Rats
    Wong JY, Abdulla MA, Raman J, Phan CW, Kuppusamy UR, Golbabapour S, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:492976.
    PMID: 24302966 DOI: 10.1155/2013/492976
    Hericium erinaceus is a famous tonic in oriental medicine. The gastroprotective effects of aqueous extract of H. erinaceus against ethanol-induced ulcers in Sprague Dawley rats were investigated. The possible involvements of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were also investigated. Acute toxicity study was performed. The effects of aqueous extract of H. erinaceus on the ulcer areas, ulcer inhibition, gastric wall mucus, gross and histological gastric lesions, antioxidant levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were evaluated in ethanol-induced ulcer in vivo. In acute toxicity study, a high dose of 5 g/kg did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. The extract promoted ulcer protection as ascertained by a significant reduction of the ulcer area. Furthermore, it exhibited a significant protection activity against gastric mucosal injury by preventing the depletion of antioxidant enzymes. The level of MDA was also limited in rat stomach tissues when compared with the ulcer control group. Immunohistochemistry showed upregulation of HSP70 protein and downregulation of BAX protein in rats pretreated with the extract. The aqueous extract of H. erinaceus protected gastric mucosa in our in vivo model. It is speculated that the bioactive compounds present in the extract may play a major role in gastroprotective activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  14. Fulltext Does Oral Ingestion of Piper sarmentosum Cause Toxicity in Experimental Animals?
    Mohd Zainudin M, Zakaria Z, Megat Mohd Nordin NA, Othman F
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:705950.
    PMID: 24228062 DOI: 10.1155/2013/705950
    The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportion in Malaysia and worldwide. Scientific studies have shown that herbal plant Piper sarmentosum exhibits an antidiabetic property. Despite the extensive usage and studies of this herb as alternative medicine, there is paucity of the literature on the safety information of this plant. Thus, the present study aimed to observe the subacute toxic effects of Piper sarmentosum aqueous extract (PSAE) on the haematological profile, liver, and kidney in rats. The extract was administered by oral gavage to 6 male and female Sprague Dawley rats in daily dose of 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. The control group received normal saline. General behavior of the rats, adverse effects, and mortality were observed for 28 days. The haematological and biochemical parameters were determined at baseline and after the treatment. PSAE did not show abnormality on the body weight and gross observation of internal organs. The haematological, biochemical and histopathological profiles showed minimal changes and variation within normal clinical range except for significant increase in serum potassium level that suggests the need of regular monitoring. Nevertheless, these findings suggested that PSAE up to 2000 mg/kg/day did not show subacute toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  15. Fulltext Effects of Swedish massage therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive women
    Supa'at I, Zakaria Z, Maskon O, Aminuddin A, Nordin NA
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:171852.
    PMID: 24023571 DOI: 10.1155/2013/171852
    Swedish Massage Therapy (SMT) is known for its therapeutic relaxation effects. Hypertension is associated with stress and elevated endothelial inflammatory markers. This randomized control trial measured the effects of whole body SMT (massage group) or resting (control group) an hour weekly for four weeks on hypertensive women. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before and after each intervention and endothelial inflammatory markers: vascular endothelial adhesion molecules 1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecules 1 (ICAM-1) were measured at baseline and after the last intervention. Massage group (n=8) showed significant systolic BP (SBP) reduction of 12 mmHg (P=0.01) and diastolic BP (DBP) reduction of 5 mmHg (P=0.01) after four sessions with no significant difference between groups. Reductions in HR were also seen in massage group after sessions 1, 3, and 4 with significant difference between groups. VCAM-1 showed significant reduction after four sessions: the massage group showed reduction of 998.05 ng/mL (P=0.03) and the control group of 375.70 ng/mL (P=0.01) with no significant differences between groups. There were no changes in ICAM-1. In conclusion, SMT or resting an hour weekly has effects on reducing BP, HR, and VCAM-1 in hypertensive women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  16. Fulltext Nigella sativa Oil Enhances the Spatial Working Memory Performance of Rats on a Radial Arm Maze
    Sahak MK, Mohamed AM, Hashim NH, Hasan Adli DS
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:180598.
    PMID: 24454487 DOI: 10.1155/2013/180598
    Nigella sativa, an established historical and religion-based remedy for a wide range of health problems, is a herbal medicine known to have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This present study investigated the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) administration on the spatial memory performance (SMP) of male adult rats using eight-arm radial arm maze (RAM). Twelve Sprague Dawley rats (7-9 weeks old) were force-fed daily with 6.0  μ L/100 g body weight of Nigella sativa oil (NSO group; n = 6) or 0.1 mL/100 g body weight of corn oil (control) (CO group; n = 6) for a period of 20 consecutive weeks. For each weekly evaluation of SMP, one day food-deprived rats were tested by allowing each of them 3 minutes to explore the RAM for food as their rewards. Similar to the control group, the SMP of the treated group was not hindered, as indicated by the establishment of the reference and working memory components of the spatial memory. The results demonstrated that lesser mean numbers of error were observed for the NSO-treated group in both parameters as compared to the CO-treated group. NSO could therefore enhance the learning and memory abilities of the rats; there was a significant decrease in the overall mean number of working memory error (WME) in the NSO-treated group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  17. Fulltext Stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Increases Insulin Sensitivity in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
    Mohd-Radzman NH, Ismail WI, Jaapar SS, Adam Z, Adam A
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:938081.
    PMID: 24391675 DOI: 10.1155/2013/938081
    Stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana has been reported to exert antihyperglycemic effects in both rat and human subjects. There have been few studies on these effects in vitro. In this paper, radioactive glucose uptake assay was implemented in order to assess improvements in insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 cells by elevation of glucose uptake following treatment with stevioside. Oil Red-O staining and MTT assay were utilized to confirm adipocyte differentiation and cell viability, respectively. Findings from this research showed a significant increase in absorbance values in mature adipocytes following Oil Red-O staining, confirming the differentiation process. Stevioside was noncytotoxic to 3T3-L1 cells as cell viability was reduced by a maximum of 17%, making it impossible to determine its IC50. Stevioside increased glucose uptake activities by 2.1 times (p < 0.001) in normal conditions and up to 4.4 times (p < 0.001) in insulin-resistant states. At times, this increase was higher than that seen in positive control group treated with rosiglitazone maleate, an antidiabetic agent. Expressions of pY20 and p-IRS1 which were measured via Western blot were improved by stevioside treatment. In conclusion, stevioside has direct effects on 3T3-L1 insulin sensitivity via increase in glucose uptake and enhanced expression of proteins involved in insulin-signalling pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  18. Fulltext Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet
    Kanagasabapathy G, Malek SN, Mahmood AA, Chua KH, Vikineswary S, Kuppusamy UR
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:185259.
    PMID: 23737819 DOI: 10.1155/2013/185259
    Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In this study, the effect of β -glucan-rich extract of P. sajor-caju (GE) on lipid lowering and antioxidant potential was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120, and HFD240 (for high-fat diet), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, and 240 mg GE/kg b.w). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. GE-treated groups showed significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, and liver enzymes levels. GE also attenuated protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide levels by increasing the enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities in the mice. GE-treated groups induced the expression of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) while downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR- γ ), sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hence, GE prevented weight gain in the mice by inducing lipolysis and may be valuable in the formulation of adjuvant therapy for obesity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  19. Fulltext High-frequency hearing loss among mobile phone users
    Velayutham P, Govindasamy GK, Raman R, Prepageran N, Ng KH
    Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2014 Jan;66(Suppl 1):169-72.
    PMID: 24533378 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-011-0406-4
    The objective of this study is to assess high frequency hearing (above 8 kHz) loss among prolonged mobile phone users is a tertiary Referral Center. Prospective single blinded study. This is the first study that used high-frequency audiometry. The wide usage of mobile phone is so profound that we were unable to find enough non-users as a control group. Therefore we compared the non-dominant ear to the dominant ear using audiometric measurements. The study was a blinded study wherein the audiologist did not know which was the dominant ear. A total of 100 subjects were studied. Of the subjects studied 53% were males and 47% females. Mean age was 27. The left ear was dominant in 63%, 22% were dominant in the right ear and 15% did not have a preference. This study showed that there is significant loss in the dominant ear compared to the non-dominant ear (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
  20. Nicotine and endometrial decidual growth in pseudopregnant rats
    Siti Norashikin MT, Ghosh S, Chatterjee R, Rajikin MH, Chatterjee A
    Reprod. Med. Biol., 2014 Jul;13(3):135-141.
    PMID: 29699157 DOI: 10.1007/s12522-013-0174-9
    Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the effects of nicotine on the endometrial decidual growth and levels of estrogen and progesterone in pseudopregnant rats.

    Methods: Pseudopregnancy (pc) was induced in cyclic Sprague-Dawley rats by sterile mating. Subcutaneous injection of nicotine tartrate (7.5 mg/kg/day) was scheduled from day 1 through day 5, day 5 through day 9 or day 1 through day 9 of pc. In another group of pseudopregnant rats, concomitant treatment of nicotine tartrate concurrently with progesterone (2 mg/day) was scheduled from day 1 through day 9 pc. Control groups received subcutaneous injections of vehicle only. Endometrial decidualization was induced on day 5 pc. On day 10 pc, animals were sacrificed.The degree of decidual growth and circulating levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured.

    Results: The decidual growth in all the first three nicotine-treated groups of animals was significantly reduced, particularly in the animals treated with nicotine from day 1 through day 9 pc. Plasma estrogen levels were significantly elevated in animals treated with nicotine from day 1 through day 9 pc. Conversely, levels of plasma progesterone were found to be significantly attenuated in the same group of nicotine-treated animals compared to controls. Exogenous replacement of progesterone, however, caused a higher degree of endometrial decidualization compared to the nicotine-treated group but it was slightly less than when compared to control.

    Conclusions: In conclusion, nicotine-induced progesterone deficiency with a corresponding elevation of estrogen may possibly attenuate the degree of endometrial decidualization in pseudopregnant rats.

    Matched MeSH terms: Control Groups
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