Two species of plants, Andrographis paniculata and Euphorbia hirta were screened for antibacterial activities against three Gram positives and Gram negatives. The leaves from both plants were extracted by methanol extraction. The antibacterial activity was detected with spread plate well diffusion method. The extracts of both plants demonstrated inhibitory activity against both Gram negative and positives bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus epidemidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC determination using micro dilution method showed that the A/tic of A. paniculata for the tested bacteria were 1.56 mg/ml (Staph. aureus), 3.13 mg/ml (Bacillus subtilis), 3.13 mg/ml (Strept. epidemidis), 1.56 mg/ml (Escherichia cob), 12.50 mg/ml (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 3.13 mg/ml (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) respectively. The MIC value for E. hirta was 6.25 mg/ml (Staph. aureus) and 3.13 mg/ml (Bacillus subtilis), 3.13 mg/ml (Strept. Epidemidis), 3.13 mg/ml (Pseudomonas aeruginosa),12.5 mg/ml (Escherichia coli), and 6.25 mg/ml (Klebsiella pneumoniae). Both plants represent a potential for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications and are worthy of further study.
Ficus deltoidea atau nama tempatannya 'Alas Cotek' telah dipercayai secara tradisional mempunyai aktiviti hipoglisemia. Dalam kajian ini, aktiviti hipoglisemia ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea pada tikus normal dan diabetik ringan (aruhan streptozotocin) telah dikaji. Ekstrak pada dos berbeza (100, 500 dan 1000 mg/kg) telah diberi secara oral kepada kedua-dua kumpulan dalam keadaan puasa dan pasca prandial. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea tidak mempunyai kesan hipoglisemia pada tikus normal dan tikus diabetik ringan puasa. Pada tikus diabetik ringan pasca prandial, ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea pada dos 1000 mg/kg menunjukkan menunjukkan aktiviti hipoglisemia selepas 2 (p < 0.01), 4 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.01) jam pengambilan ekstrak. Mefformin, 500 mg/kg juga menunjukkan aktiviti hipoglisemia selepas 2 (p < 0.05), 4 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.01) jam pengambilan. Oleh sebab itu, kami mencadangkan bahawa mekanisme tindakan ekstrak akuas Ficus deltoidea mungkin melalui peningkatan pengambilan glukos oleh tisu otot serta pengurangan glukoneogenesis pada hepar.
DNA damaging effect of the salted and fermented food products (salted fishes, dried shrimps and shrimp pastes) collected from three different locations in Malacca namely Pantai Puteri, Batang Tiga and Kelemak on the DNA of the Chang liver cells were evaluated via Alkaline Comet Assay. Treatment at 62.5 mg/ml following 24 hours of incubation was used based on the preliminary cytotoxicity data. Percentage of damage to the DNA was calculated using software for scoring based on the tail moment and tail intensity (severity of the DNA damage). Hydrogen peroxide was used as positive control at 0.1 mM following 30 minutes of incubation in 4 C. The results showed that the methanol extracts of shrimp pastes and salted fish from Pantai Puteri, exhibited a higher DNA damage (shrimp pastes - TM - 8.33 ± 2.19; TI - 31.67 ± 5.84, salted fishes - TM - 2.25 ± 0.86; TI - 9.25 ± 1.55) and were expressed as (shrimp pastes) 56.66 ± 8.74% of DNA damage and methanol salted fish extracts from the same location showed 13.00 ± 2.84% of the DNA damage on Chang liver cells compared to the other extracts. Values for methanol extract of shrimp pastes from Pantai Puteri were comparable to the positive control - Hydrogen peroxide (TM- 9.50 ± 1.50; TI - 30.50 ± 2.50). On the other hand, aqueous salted fishes extract from Pantai Puteri (TM - 1.33 ± 0.42; TI - 8.67 ± 2.42) and shrimp pastes extracts from Kelemak (methanol extract - TM -1.75 ± 0.15; TI -7.50 ± 0.50, aqueous extract - TM - 1.00 ± 0.00; TI - 5.00 ± 0.00) showed slightly high value for tail moment and tail intensity as compared to negative control (TM - 0.29 ± 0.05; TI - 2.50 ± 0.29). Values for methanol extracts of shrimp pastes from Pantai Puteri were comparable to the positive control (TM- 9.50 ± 1.50; TI - 30.50 ± 2.50). In conclusion, our results demonstrate genotoxic damage induced by few salted and fermented food extracts in Chang liver cell.
This study was carried out to gauge the level of job satisfaction among pharmacists in Malaysia. Surveys forms developed after referring to published studies, were mailed to 1700 pharmacist. Analysis of responses from 405 respondents revealed significant differences in job satisfaction with age, position held and monthly salary. Pharmacist within the age group of 26 to 35 were less satisfied with their work as compared to the other pharmacist. A monthly salary of more than RM8000 and prospects of promotion within an organization contributed to a high level of satisfaction among pharmacist. Sector of work and length of service did not appear to influence job satisfaction. Further analysis indicated that motivator factors and hygiene factors had a significant influence on job satisfaction, whereas job stress contributed toward dissatisfaction at work. The results of the study supported Herzberg’s theory, which states the motivator factors were far more important than hygiene factors in providing job satisfaction. From this study, it appeared that more than 50% of the pharmacists who responded had at least a moderate level of job satisfaction. However, efforts can be taken by employers to further improve job satisfaction among Malaysian pharmacists.
Kajian kes-kawalan ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji hubungan adipositi dan komposisi tubuh terhadap risiko kanser payudara di kalangan 70 orang wanita yang baru didiagnos kanser payudara dan 138 orang kawalan. Parameter antropometri yang merangkumi tinggi, berat, ukuran pinggang dan ukuran pinggul dan aras glukosa darah berpuasa serta tekanan darah diukur di kalangan subjek. Komposisi tubuh ditentukan menggunakan analisis bioimpedans (Maltron 906). Hasil kajian menunjukkan Indeks Jisim Tubuh (?T) kumpulan kes adalah 26.0 ± 4.8 kg/m2 dan 25.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2 bagi kumpulan kawalan (p > 0.05). Seramai 71% subjek dari kumpulan kes dan 40% subjek kumpulan kawalan mengalami obesiti abdominal (ukurlilit pinggang 80 cm) [OR = 3.4 (95% CI =1.7-6.9] (p < 0.05). Wanita pra menopaus berisiko sebanyak empat kali untuk mendapat kanser payudara dengan [Adjusted OR = 4.3 (95% CI = 1.8-10.3)]. Peratus lemak tubuh adalah tinggi di kalangan kes (36.4 ± 4.7%) berbanding kawalan 35.3 ± 4.4% tetapi perbezaan ini adalah tidak signifikan. Jisim Tubuh Tanpa Lemak ?TTL) menunjukkan nilai min 38.8 ± 5.7 kg bagi kawalan dan 38.9 ± 5.5 kg pada kes. Korelasi positif yang lemah ditunjukkan di antara umur dan IJT (r = 0.179, p = 0.010), ukuran pinggang (r = 0.218, p = 0.002), nisbah pinggang-pinggul (NPR) (r = 0.233, p = 0.001) dan peratus lemak tubuh (r = 0.330, p = 0.000). Kesimpulannya, obesiti abdominal meningkatkan risiko kanser payudara, terutama di kalangan wanita pra menopaus. Obesiti jenis ini dan peratus lemak tubuh adalah meningkat dengan pertambahan usia. Adalah penting bagi wanita untuk mengekalkan ukuran pinggang yang sihat melalui gaya hidup sihat bagi mengurangkan risiko kanser payudara.
Kehilangan jisim tulang adalah lebih ketara selepas menopaus. Jangka masa menopaus dan umur yang meningkat dikaitkan dengan penurunan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak, peningkatan lemak badan dan peningkatan berat badan. Kajian ini melihat sumbangan relatif jisim tubuh tanpa lemak dan lemak badan ke atas ketumpatan mineral tulang (KMT) di kalangan 139 wanita Cina posmenopaus sihat di Kuala Lumpur. KMT di kawasan seluruh tubuh, tulang belakang ( L2-L4), leher femur dan keseluruhan tulang pinggul diukur dengan alat dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DxA). Hasil kajian mendapati 80% daripada wanita posmenopaus Cina mempunyai jisim tulang yang rendah (osteopenia) manakala 8% daripada mereka mengalami osteoporosis di bahagian tulang belakang atau tulang pinggul. Secara keseluruhan, lemak badan mempunyai korelasi yang positif dengan KMT di semua bahagian diukur (keseluruhan tubuh, r = 0.265, p < 0.001; tulang belakang r = 0.214, p < 0.05, leher femur, r = 0.254, p < 0.001; keseluruhan tulang pinggul r = 0.332, p < 0.001). Jisim tubuh tanpa lemak juga mempunyai korelasi yang positif dengan KMT kebanyakan kawasan diukur (keseluruhan tubuh, r = 0.239, p < 0.001; leher femur r = 0.365, p < 0.001; keseluruhan tulang pinggul r = 0.352, p < 0.001) kecuali tulang belakang. Analisis regresi menunjukkan lemak badan dapat meramal KMT pada keseluruhan badan (p < 0.0001) dan tulang belakang (p < 0.005) manakala jisim tubuh tanpa lemak dapat meramal KMT pada tulang femur dan tulang pinggul (p < 0.0001). Hasil kajian menunjukkan kedua-dua lemak tubuh dan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak memainkan peranan dalam mempengaruhi KMT, di mana lemak badan memainkan peranan yang lebih di kalangan wanita posmenopaus. Oleh itu, wanita posmenopaus perlu elakkan mempunyai berat badan yang terlalu rendah (kurang lemak badan) dan mengekalkan jisim tubuh tanpa lemak untuk mencegah osteoporosis.
Physical training is associated with oxidative stress and improvement in blood antioxidant status. In this study, we investigated the effects of training on plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) as markers of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and ascorbic acid (AA) after a single bout of acute exercise. Twelve healthy, untrained young adult men were recruited for 5 weeks of aerobic training period. They were subjected to a rope-skipping exercise for 20 minutes at the intensity of 65-80% of heart rate reserve, thrice weekly. They also had to perform a single, acute bout of the same exercise protocol prior to and after training period. Venous blood samples were collected at resting condition (BL), immediately (0 h) and 24 hours (24 h) post acute exercise on both single bout sessions. Results showed that the pattern changes of oxidative stress response are quite similar on both acute sessions. The acute bouts of rope-skipping is associated with a significant increased (p = 0.001) in lipid peroxidation markers immediately after cessation of exercise, with a concomitant increases in antioxidant levels, albeit higher when compared to pre-training values (p = 0.001). These changes were followed by a significant decreased (p = 0.001) in all parameters, toward resting values, 24 hours thereafter. The training program seemed to induce a significant increase in MDA and 4-1-INE but also enhanced the antioxidant defense system namely SOD and AA among the untrained subjects.
Keratitis Acanthamoeba merupakan sejenis inflamasi kornea yang dikaitkan dengan penggunaan kanta sentuh. la disebabkan oleh Acanthamoeba spp., ameba hidup bebas yang tersebar luas di pelbagai persekitaran manusia. Kontaminasi Acanthamoeba spp. pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh merupakan faktor kehadiran ameba pada kanta seterusnya menjangkiti mata. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat kehadiran Acanthamoeba spp. pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh pengguna asimptomatik. Seramai 90 orang pengguna kanta sentuh asimptomatik terlibat dalam kajian ini. Sampel diambil secara swab pada bekas kanta sentuh dan dikulturkan ke atas agar bukan nutrien yang dilapisi Escherichia coli. Plat agar diperiksa setiap hart bagi mengesan kehadiran ameba. Kultur positif seterusnya disahkan di bawah 'Image Analysis with Video TesT 4.0'. Acanthamoeba spp. didapati positif pada lapan daripada 90 sampel (8. 7%) dan kesemua strain adalah kumpulan II (polyphagids). Penemuan ini membuktikan Acanthamoeba spp. boleh Nadir pada bekas penyimpanan kanta sentuh pengguna asimptomatik dan boleh menjadi risiko jangkitan keratitis Acanthamoeba.
Pelbagai bentuk pendekatan pengendalian pergerakan lipatan vokal paradoksikal (PLVP) telah dibincangkan dalam kajian-kajian sebelum ini, tetapi adalah penting untuk mengiktirafkan sifat kompleksiti kecelaruan ini dan perlunya diagnosis yang betul bagi membolehkan pengendalian yang sewajarnya dijalankan. Dapatan penyelidikan mendapati bahawa kecelaruan ini lazimnya berlaku di kalangan wanita muda yang mempunyai sejarah masalah perubatan yang berkaitan. Artikel ini membincangkan tentang kajian kes tunggal tentang seseorang kanak-kanak lelaki berumur 11 tahun yang mempunyai kecelaruan PLVP. Keadaan PLVP ini telah didiagnosis oleh pakar Otorinolaringologi di Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Ujian nasendoskopi menunjukkan pergerakan lipatan vokal adalah normal dalam pernafasan senyap dan sewaktu serangan episodik. Kanak-kanak ini kemudiannya dirujuk untuk terapi pertuturan; kecelaruan PLVPnya dikendalikan khususnya menggunakan rehabilitasi pertuturan. Pengurusan kecelaruan bagi kanak-kanak lelaki ini dibincangkan daripada mula rawatan sehingga beliau didiscaj daripada rawatan.
Kajian garis pangkal pengimejan resonans magnet kefungsian (fMRI) telah dijalankan ke atas 2 orang subjek lelaki sihat dominan tangan kanan dan kiri. Kajian ini menggunakan gerakan jari tangan kanan dan kiri untuk merangsang aktiviti neuron di dalam korteks serebrum. Subjek diarahkan supaya menekan jari-jari pada ibu jari secara bergilir-gilir semasa imbasan fMRI dilakukan. Paradigma 5 kitar aktif-rehat digunakan dengan setiap kitar mengandungi satu blok aktif dan satu blok rehat dengan 10 siri pengukuran untuk setiap blok. Seratus isipadu imej fMRI bagi setiap subjek dianalisis menggunakan pekej perisian MatLab dan SPM2. Model linear am (GLM) digunakan untuk menganggar secara statistik parameter yang mencirikan model rangsangan hemodinamik bagi gerakan jari. Kesimpulan mengenai pengaktifan otak yang diperhatikan dijana secara statistik berasaskan teori medan rawak (RFT) Gaussian. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa rantau otak yang aktif akibat gerakan jari adalah pada girus presentral merangkumi kawasan motor primer. Pengaktifan otak adalah secara kontralateral terhadap gerakan jari tangan kanan dan kiri. Keamatan isyarat keadaan aktif didapati lebih tinggi secara bererti (p < 0.001) daripada keamatan isyarat keadaan rehat. Bilangan voksel yang aktif didapati lebih tinggi pada hemisfera otak yang mengawal gerakan jari bagi tangan yang tidak dominan untuk kedua-dua subjek. Keputusan ini menyokong fakta bahawa kawasan pengaktifan motor pada hemisfera otak semasa gerakan jari tangan yang tidak dominan mengalami rangsangan hemodinamik yang lebih tinggi dan kawasan pengaktifan yang lebih luas berbanding dengan kawasan pengaktifan pada hemisfera otak yang mengawal gerakan jari bagi tangan yang dominan.
Natural peptides in insect vectors played an important role in the control of
pathogens. Musca domestica Linnaeus and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius were
two species of local fly chosen to detect presence of antimicrobial peptide substance.
The screening of the antimicrobial activity was carried using a spectrophotometric
method. Results were obtained much quicker and less laborious. The results showed
larva hemolymph of M. domestica lysed Bacillus subtilis and two Gram negatives,
Escherichia coli and Pseudomona. aeruginosa. The pupae hemolymph only lysed E.
coli. Whereas, the hemolymph of C. megacephala larva showed bactericidal effect
against both of the Gram positives tested, i.e. B. subtilis and Staph. aureus. and no
effect was against the Gram negatives. The pupa showed lytic activity against Staph.
aureus and P. aeruginosa. As a conclusion, the larva and pupa hemolymph of M.
domestica and C. megacephala demonstrated antibacterial activity. However, larva
hemolymph of M. domestica and C. megacephala has broader antibacterial activity
against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.
This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derived from cellulose of palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) and its use asa film-coating agent. Samples were prepared at various concentrations and then their physicochemical properties were studied including the viscosity, pH, tensile strength of films, surface properties of the films and dissolution studies on coated tablets. CMC EFB showed lower viscosity than commercial CMC product at the concentration of 1%, 2% and 3% with the values of 44.0cp, 299.9cp, 358.9cp and 90.0cp, 689.9cp, 5569.0cp respectively. The tensile strength of the films for CMC EFB were 7.85MPa, 14.79MPa, 10.36MPa while the commercial CMC exhibited higher values of 21.72MPa, 35.14MPa and 26.9MPa at similar concentration. The scanning electron microscope showed different surface properties of the films for both of them where the commercial CMC is smoother in texture and very transparent unlike its counterpart. However, dissolution studies on paracetamol tablets coated using the samples showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in drug release profile between the two materials. Hence, CMC EFB has a greater potential to be developed as a competitive tablet-coating agent despite the differences in its physicochemical properties.
Aktiviti fizikal yang kerap seperti senaman mempunyai implikasi yang baik terhadap kehidupan seharian kita terutamanya dalam aspek kesihatan dan pengurusan stres. Kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan program senaman aerobik dengan protokol yang ditetapkan ke atas aras penanda tekanan terpilih di kalangan pelajar universiti semasa musim peperiksaan akademik. Lapan belas (n=18) mahasiswa tidak terlatih, dipadankan dengan umur dan BMI, telah dibahagikan kepada 2 kumpulan iaitu kumpulan intervensi (n=10) dan kawalan (n=8). Kumpulan intervensi menjalani senaman jenis aerobik berintensiti sederhana (60-75% daripada kadar denyut jantung maksimum), 3 kali seminggu selama 40-50 minit untuk setiap sesi selama 6 minggu. Darah vena diambil pada sebelum program senaman bermula (M1) dan selepas program senaman berakhir (M2) iaitu dalam minggu pertama musim peperiksaan. Kecergasan kardiorespiratori dan status stres psikologi diukur sebelum kedua-dua sesi pengambilan darah. Analisis biokima dijalankan untuk melihat aras malondialdehid (MDA) plasma dan kortisol serum. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa program senaman selama 6 minggu ini telah merangsang penurunan aras MDA yang signifikan (F=19.58, p=0.002) semasa minggu peperiksaan berbanding aras sebelum program senaman bermula. Kumpulan intervensi juga menunjukkan aras MDA yang lebih rendah (t=-0.42, p=0.001) berbanding kumpulan kawalan semasa menduduki minggu peperiksaan. Walaubagaimanapun, tiada perbezaan yang signifikan pada aras kortisol dalam kedua-dua kumpulan walaupun terdapat penurunan yang sedikit pada kumpulan intervensi semasa minggu peperiksaan. Kajian ini mencadangkan bahawa program senaman yang dijalankan mampu dijadikan sebagai strategi yang berkesan untuk membantu pelajar menghadapi stres terutamanya sewaktu sesi akademik yang memberatkan.
This preliminary study aims to provide an initial description of phonological acquisition among Malaysian Children of Indian descent aged two to six years. The description of the consonantal phonemic inventory as well as various Phonological processes evidenced by subjects is also reported. The mothers’ phonemic inventory was obtained as the representation of the children’s most active environmental linguistic input. Speech samples of the mothers as well as the subjects were obtained from a single word test and narrative test. The speech sample was recorded and transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The results of the tests revealed a significant correspondence between the subjects' phonemic inventory and their mothers’ except for the following phonemes: /ð/ , /θ/ , /v/ and /w/. Both mothers and subjects demonstrated free variation for the production of /v/ and /w/. The mothers displayed a range of 21-23 phonemes in their inventories whereas the subjects displayed a range of 17-21 phonemes. The age acquisition for some phonemes, namely the affricates which was evidenced by subject aged 2;4 were noted to be earlier than that of subjects in past studies. Rapid phonological development was evidenced at the age of 2;4- 3;7.
Disturbances in immune system contribute to chronic infection among diabetic patients. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) fruit extract has been scientifically proven to possess antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiinflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of H. sabdariffa fruit extract against oxidative stress parameter and T lymphocyte population in spleen of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 45 mg/kg STZ to induce diabetic condition and further treated with 100 mg/kg H. sabdariffa fruit aquoeus extract daily for 28 days. Spleen was harvested to determine the oxidative stress indicators and quantification of T lymphocytes. The results showed a significant decreased in the number of spleen cells and spleen weight in the diabetic rats compared with control rats. However, there were no significant changes in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity the percentage of spleen CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ T lymphocytes amongst groups of study. In addition, histology observation showed no pathological alteration in spleen histology of diabetic rats. The findings suggested that aqueous extract of H. Sabdariffa fruit supplementation has no effect on the oxidative stress and the percentage of CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ T lymphocytes in spleen of diabetic rats.
Keywords: Diabetes, H. sabdariffa, spleen, oxidative stress, T lymphocytes
Knowledge about the hemodynamic model that mediates synaptic activity and measured magnetic resonance signal is essential in understanding brain activation. Neural efficacy is a hemodynamic parameter that would change the evoked hemodynamic responses. In this work, brain activation and neural efficacy of the activated brain areas during simple addition task in two different backgrounds were studied using fMRI. The objectives were to determine the activated areas during the performance of arithmetic addition in quiet (AIQ) and noisy (AIN) background and to investigate the relationship between neural efficacy and height extent of activation for the respective areas. Eighteen healthy male participants performed simple arithmetic addition in quiet and in noise. Bilateral cerebellum, superior temporal gyrus (STG), temporal pole (TP) and supplementary motor area (SMA) were significantly (p < 0.05) activated during AIQ and AIN. Left middle frontal gyrus (L-MFG), right superior frontal gyrus (R-SFG), right superior orbital gyrus (R-SOG) and bilateral insula were more active in quiet as compared to in noise while the left middle cingulate cortex (L-MCC), left amygdala (L-AMG), right temporal pole (R-TP) and left cerebellum (L-CER) were more active in noise as compared to in quiet. The t value for most of the activated regions was found to be inversely proportional to the neural efficacy. Significant (p < 0.05) negative relationship between t value and neural efficacy were found for R-STG and bilateral cerebellum during AIQ, while for AIN, similar relationships were found in R-CER, R-STG and R-TP. This study suggests that while being significantly activated, the hemodynamic responses of these brain regions could have been suppressed by the stimulus resulting in an intensity decrease with increasing neural efficacy.
Perkembangan penggunaan insektisid sebatian organostanum(IV) terhadap Aedes aegypti telah diterokai dan diuji keberkesanannya bagi mengatasi masalah kerintangan insektisid sedia ada. Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan menguji kesan insektisidal iaitu larvisidal dan adultisidal dua siri baru sebatian difenilstanum(IV) dan trifenilstanum(IV) alkilfenilditiokarbamat ke atas Ae. aegypti di makmal. Keempat-empat sebatian iaitu difenilstanum(IV) etilfenilditiokarbamat (DFEF), trifenilstanum(IV) etilfenilditiokarbamat (TFEF), difenilstanum(IV) butilfenilditiokarbamat (DFBF) dan trifenilstanum(IV) butilfenilditiokarbamat (TFBF) telah dijalankan ujian bioasai larvisidal ke atas larva instar ketiga Aedes aegypti. Kajian lanjutan diteruskan bagi sebatian yang telah menunjukkan aktiviti larvisidal terbaik untuk menguji kesan adultisidnya ke atas nyamuk betina Aedes aegypti. Hasil ujian bioasai larvisidal, didapati sebatian TFEF menunjukkan kesan larvisidal terbaik dengan nilai LC50 dan LC90 pada 0.082 ppm dan 0.184 ppm masing-masing. Sementara itu, sebatian TFBF juga menunjukkan kesan larvisidal yang baik dengan nilai LC50 dan LC90 masing-masing pada 0.108 ppm dan 0.273 ppm manakala kedua-dua sebatian DFEF dan DFBF didapati tidak menunjukkan kesan larvisidal yang baik. Ujian adultisidal pula, sebatian TFEF didapati tidak menunjukkan kesan adultisidal yang baik dengan nilai LC50 dan LC90 masing-masing yang agak tinggi iaitu 31,556.03 ppm dan 98,427.05 ppm. Walaupun sebatian TFEF didapati tidak menunjukkan kesan adultisid yang baik, ianya sangat berpotensi untuk dibangunkan sebagai larvisid. Namun begitu, kajian lanjutan perlu dilakukan untuk menjelaskan dan memastikan sebatian ini selamat digunakan sebagai larvisid.
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.
Identifi cation of unknown suspect through bite marks has always been challenging. Narrowing list of suspects through sex and race markers is always recommend but rarely utilized due to limited publication in this area. Thus, this preliminary research was aimed to study the difference of bite mark made on dental wax between sex and race. A sample size of 40 UKM undergraduates comprising of Malay (male = 10, female = 10) and Chinese (male = 10, female = 10) were used in this study. Bite mark of subject was obtained through dental wax, digitally scanned and analyzed using Image-J software. Parameters measured were anterior teeth size, intercanine width and anterior teeth relative rotation. Result indicated that mandible left canine tooth size had signifi cant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.05) in differentiating sex. The means for male and female measured were 4.63 ± 1.05 mm and 5.35 ± 0.87 mm respectively. In addition to the result, tooth size of maxillary left canine and mandible left lateral incisor were signifi cantly different (p < 0.05) between races. Means for mandible left canine Malay and Chinese were 5.27 ± 1.01 mm and 4.50 ± 1.22 mm respectively. Furthermore, left lateral incisor mandible had means of 5.15 ± 0.87 mm and 4.60 ± 0.74 mm for Malay and Chinese respectively. Unfortunately, there were no signifi cant differences for intercanine width and anterior teeth relative rotation between the two major races in Malaysia. In conclusion, this research has demonstrated the possibility of using tooth size of mandible left canine, maxillary left canine and mandible left lateral discriminate sex and race.
In light of the increases in alcohol-induced diseases and social problems, the present study sets out to examine the factors affecting alcohol consumption among adults in Penang (Malaysia) using a cross-sectional survey sample consisting of 398 respondents. The results of the logistic regression analysis show that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status and smoking are significantly associated with alcohol consumption. In particular, males (OR: 3.720; 95% CI: 1.939, 7.136), Chinese (OR: 3.628; 95% CI: 1.808, 7.279) and smokers (OR: 5.083; 95% CI: 1.876, 13.774) are more likely to consume alcohol than others, whereas, old individuals (OR: 0.971; 95% CI: 0.941, 1.002), Malays (OR: 0.059; 95% CI: 0.021, 0.165) and married individuals (OR: 0.419; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.833) are less likely to consume alcohol than others. Based on the findings of the present study, several intervention strategies toward reducing alcohol consumption are proposed. Specifically, these strategies should be targeted at young individuals, males, Chinese, unmarried individuals and smokers.