Introduction: One of the risk factors for cancer is the habit of smoking. Some carcinogenic substances in ciga-rettes are nicotine and nitrosamine. In cigarette smoke there are free radical molecules or Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that can cause DNA mutations that can disrupt the balance of cell metabolism. One of them is the apoptosis, apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism. In cancer conditions there are apoptotic disorders and excessive proliferation of cells. The process of apoptosis is influenced by the death receptor, Tumor Necrosis Factor apoptosis inducing ligand R1 (TRAIL R1). This study aims to determine the effect of smoke exposure to expression of TRAIL R1 on the mucosal epithelium of the tongue of the Wistar rat (Rattus Novergicus). Methods: The subjects of this study were 24 male Rattus Novergicus with the age range of 12-14 weeks and weighing ± 170 grams. Divided into 4 groups with 2 control groups 4 weeks (K4), 8 weeks (K8) and 2 treatment groups each given 2 cigarettes / day ex-posure to cigarette smoke for each rat for 4 weeks (P4) and 8 weeks (P8). Results: The results showed that exposure to cigarette smoke can cause interference with TRAIL R1 expression. There was a significant difference in TRAIL R1 expression between the control and treatment groups and there was a significant difference in TRAIL R1 expression between the duration of cigarette smoke exposure (P4 and P8). Conclusion: Exposure to cigarette smoke can interfere with the process of apoptosis.
Introduction: The number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) keeps increasing every year. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects social communication and social interaction. They also demon-strate restricted, repetitive pattern of behaviour, interest or activities (RRB) that shows at an early developmental age. Due to this characteristic, ASD children are facing difficulties in social skills aspect such as eye contact, expression, and making friends. Studying and reciting the Quran are often used in Malaysia to ameliorate the symptoms, but there is no specific study in Malaysia that demonstrates the impact of these renditions on ASD’s children’s social skills. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect selected Qur’anic verses recitation on the social skills of the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods: This study will use the quasi-experimental research design. This study will be held at IDEAS Autism Centre, Rawang. The purposive sampling technique will be used and 14 ASD Muslim children aged 4-6 years old will be chosen. The ASD children will be divided into an experimental and control group. The experimental group will be listening to selected Qur’anic verses before the intervention. The Social Responsiveness Scale- Second Edition (SRS-2) will be used to assess the response. The scale consists of a 65-item questionnaire, with a 4-point Likert-scale. Results: The expected result for this study is the ASD children in the experimental group will have lower Total-scores of SRS-2 compared to control group. Conclusion: Listening to Qur’anic recitation provides a cost-effective complementary therapy to improve social skills among Muslim ASD children. Information from this study also can be used as a stepping stone in developing the teaching module to ASD children.
Introduction: Workers in health sector are exposed 5 times more workplace violence as compared to workers in other sectors. Their consequences can range from mild to severe, affecting the victim, quality of services and orga-nization. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of educational intervention on workplace violence among healthcare workers in health clinics. Methods: This study is a single blinded cluster randomized trial to see the ef-fectiveness of education intervention on coping with workplace violence involving 10 cluster clinics with total 82 respondents in each control and intervention group. Data was collected using pretested questionnaire at baseline, 1-month and 6-months post intervention. The analysis used were descriptive, compared mean at baseline, repeated measures of variance and Mixed Model. Results: Response rate 94% at 1-month due to loss to follow up. Majority of the respondents were female (82.3%), and Malays (83.5%). The prevalence of workplace violence was 27.4% and mostly involved psychological violence (95.6%). There were no significant different between control and interven-tion group characteristic at baseline. Repeated measures MANOVA test was conducted to test intervention effect on dependent variables. The results until 1-month time showed significant difference between intervention and control group on combination of the dependent variables over time in coping (F(1,162)=9.51, p=0.002, and η2=0.06), knowledge (F(1,162)=10.47, p=0.001, and η2=0.061) and confidence (F(1,162)=15.65, p
Introduction: Association studies between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been abundant. However, there are limited reports on copy number variations (CNVs) of beta-defen- sins (DEFB) gene in relation to T2DM. In this study, DEFB copy numbers were quantified in T2DM with nephropathy, T2DM without nephropathy and non-diabetic control groups to investigate its influence in chronic inflammation in Malaysian individuals. Methods: DEFB copy number in Malaysian individuals were quantified by using paralogue ratio tests (PRT) which allow direct quantification of gene copy number by using PRT107A and HSPD21 PRT primers. The copy number generated was then validated from insertion/deletion ratio measurement 5DEL (rs5889219) and two microsatellite analyses (EPEV-1 and EPEV-3). Results: DEFB copy number was found extending from 2 to 8 cop- ies in the non-diabetic group (n=146), while in T2DM group (n=392), copy numbers were more extensive, ranging between 1 and 12 copies; with 1, 10 and 12 copies detected in T2DM with nephropathy group (n=202). Statistically, there is no significant difference in DEFB copy number between T2DM and the non-diabetic group (p=0.209) as well as between diabetic nephropathy and without nephropathy of the T2DM group (p=0.522). However, significant white blood cell (WBC) count was found between T2DM groups with and without diabetic nephropathy (p=0.000). Conclusion: Extreme DEFB copy numbers in T2DM with nephropathy group suggest future studies with bigger sam- ple size are necessary to elucidate the true impact of CNVs of DEFB gene in promoting early onset of nephropathy in T2DM.
Introduction: Inflammation is one of the major cause of cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and stroke. Many dietary compounds containing kernel oil or coconut oil with anti-inflammatory effect can delay the onset of these chronic diseases however the underlying mechanism is unclear. Methods: This study compares the effects of 5% virgin palm kernel oil (VPKO), virgin coconut oil (VCO) and refined, bleached, deodorized olive oil (RBDOO) on selected immune markers in healthy sprague dawley (SD) rats (n=16 per treatment) across 8 weeks. Sera were obtained for four major immunological analyses including cluster of differentiation 4 (CD 4), cluster of differentiation 8 (CD 8), interleukin 6 (IL 6), and c reactive protein (CRP). Results were expressed in mean ± standard error of the mean (mean±SE). Results: Eight weeks fat feeding had no significant difference in weight gain across treatments. Interestingly, we observe significant different on the concentration of CD 4 (p=0.001) with the lowest CD 4 level in rats fed with VPKO 3.87±0.65 ng/ml. The concentration of CD 8 in rats fed with VPKO 8.19±0.25 (p=0.001) ng/ml was comparable to VCO fed rats but was found lower than the control group, RBDOO fed rats. Lower T cell count (CD 4 or CD 8) indicates suppression in inflammation. IL-6 and CRP concentration in rat fed with VPKO 10.89±0.22 pg/ml and 118.39±7.13 ng/ml were slightly higher than that of VCO fed rats but were lower than RBDOO fed rats. Conclusion: We postulate that VPKO could be a potential supplement as an alternative to VCO for relieving inflammation and enhancing body immune system.
Introduction: Phototherapy is the primary treatment for neonatal jaundice and is evaluated via total serum bilirubin (TSB) level. Hanging white material around phototherapy unit can multiply energy delivery by many folds. This study is to evaluate the effect of hanging white bedsheet around phototherapy unit on the reduction of TSB level. Methods: Comparative interventional study was conducted in two public hospitals. 200 eligible neonates with hyperbiliru- binemia were recruited and assigned to intervention (n=100) and control group (n=100). Neonates assigned into intervention group were nursed under phototherapy with the addition of white bedsheet hanging around the unit while the control group were nursed under phototherapy with non-white curtains. Results: Mothers’ blood group (x = 3.75, p = .29), neonates’ blood group (x = 2.87, p = .41), birth weight (t = 1.41, p = .16), baseline total serum bilirubin (TSB) level (p = .08), baseline irradiance of phototherapy prior to the hanging of curtains (p = .13) and hours of phototherapy (p = .53). The mean for TSB level in intervention and control group at 24 hours was 235.82µmol/L and 208.67µmol/L respectively. The mean difference in TSB level between intervention and control group was sta- tistically significant at 24 hours (x = 27.15, t = 4.56, p < .001) and 48 hours (x = 19.27, t = 2.32, p = .02) after initi- ation of phototherapy. Conclusion: The baseline and demographic characteristics of the neonates and mothers were comparable between the intervention and control group. The TSB level at 24 hours and 48 hours were significantly lower in control group if compared to the intervention group. Therefore, hanging white bedsheet did not significantly hasten the reduction of TSB level when compared to ordinary non-white curtains.
Introduction: Single parent families, especially, those headed by single mothers are becoming increasingly common around the world especially in Malaysia. Single mothers generally suffer from poorer mental health, job discrimina- tion, abuse and neglect. Hence, they often experience high anxiety, depression, and stress. This calls for research to empower their mental wellbeing. The present study examined the effectiveness of creative group counselling in increasing self-compassion, and decreasing depression, anxiety and stress among single mothers. Methods: A qua- si experimental pre-test post-test design was employed in the study. Research participants consisted of 36 single mothers placed in two experimental and two control groups. The instruments used were Self-Compassion Scale and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. A self-compassion module was developed that comprised creative therapeutic activities which was administered to the participants in the experimental groups via a 7-session group counselling programme. Participants in the control groups, on the other hand, took part in guidance activities. Semi structured in- terviews were also performed to gather feedback on the impact of the creative intervention from three single mothers. Results: Findings revealed that creative group counselling successfully increased the level of self-compassion among single mothers. Additionally, the depression, stress and anxiety scores of single mothers were lower after joining the group counselling programme. Furthermore, three themes emerged from the present study which are i) be kind to oneself; ii) mistakes are part of life; and iii) self-transformation. Conclusion: It is evident that the implementation of creative group counselling improves the mental wellbeing of single mothers.
Introduction: This paper discussed the effectiveness of “Healthy Kids Programme (HKP)”, specifically in improving the body weight status as well as knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the children. Methods: In this longi- tudinal intervention study, a total of 12 primary schools in Klang Valley were randomly selected and divided into intervention and control groups. There were 386 standard three children participated at baseline. All children in the intervention group participated in the HKP that was conducted by nutritionists. The evaluations included the pre- and post-Immediate Impact survey (IIS) (every topic), and changes in nutrition KAP survey and anthropometric assess- ment of the children at the beginning and end of every year for three years. Results: School children in intervention group reported with an increased in the IIS score for each topic and achieved a significantly higher mean nutrition knowledge score than those in the control group over time. There were no significant differences in mean attitude and practice scores between two groups after the intervention. Children in the intervention group had lower rates of overweight and obesity (pre-test: 27.3%; post-test: 32.5%) than their counterpart (pre-test: 26.6%; post-test: 44.0%). Conclusions: The HKP is effective in improving nutrition knowledge of the children. A lower rate of overweight and obesity was observed in intervention group than control group. This approach will contribute towards inculcating healthy eating and active lifestyle habits among Malaysian children that bring about long-term health benefits.
Introduction: This is open label randomised control trial, aimed to identify whether an early (commenced at the time of diagnosis) and intensive nutrition intervention (INI) (individualised dietary counselling, oral nutritional sup- plements [ONS], telephone, and home visit) can improve weight and dietary intake of gynaecological cancer (GC) patients preoperatively. Methods: Selected GC patients planned for surgery were randomly grouped into control group (CG) (n = 35) and intervention group (IG) (n = 34). Malnutrition screening tool (MST) was used as a screening tool, while Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used as a nutrition assessment tool. IG received an intensive individualised dietary counselling with the supply of ONS at baseline (Day 1). This continued with telephone and home visit follow-up by research dietitian (Day 3 and Day 6). Meanwhile, CG only received general nutritional counselling without supply of ONS. Final assessment was conducted on Day 14. The primary outcomes included weight changes measured using TANITA and dietary intake assessment using 24-hour diet recall. Results: Mean duration of INI was 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, there was a significant weight change between groups (p < 0.001), with 0.14% weight gain in IG and 1.3% weight reduction in CG. Mean energy and protein intake of IG were higher compared to CG by +329 kcal/day and +12.2 g/day, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that INI that incorporated individualised dietary counselling, ONS, telephone counselling, and home visit can increase energy and protein intake of GC patients, resulting in weight gain.
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.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents disease progression, and the emergence of resistant mutations. It also reduces morbidity, and the necessity for more frequent, complicated regimens which are also relatively more expensive. Minimum adherence levels of 95% are required for treatment success. Poor adherence to treatment remains a stumbling block to the success of treatment programs. This generates major concerns about possible resistance of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to the currently available ARVs. This paper aims to describe baseline results from a cohort of 242 Malaysian patients receiving ART within the context of an intervention aimed to improve adherence and treatment outcomes among patients initiating ART. A single-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial was conducted between January and December, 2014 in Hospital Sungai Buloh. Data on socio-demographic factors, clinical symptoms and adherence behavior of respondents was collected using modified, pre-validated Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) adherence questionnaires. Baseline CD4 count, viral load, weight, full blood count, blood pressure, Liver function and renal profile tests were also conducted and recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and R software. Patients consisted of 215 (89%) males and 27 (11%) females. 117 (48%) were Malays, 98 (40%) were Chinese, 22 (9%) were Indians while 5 (2%) were of other ethnic minorities. The mean age for the intervention group was 32.1 ± 8.7 years while the mean age for the control group was 34.7 ± 9.5 years. Mean baseline adherence was 80.1 ± 19.6 and 85.1 ± 15.8 for the intervention and control groups respectively. Overall mean baseline CD4 count of patients was 222.97 ± 143.7 cells/mm³ while overall mean viral load was 255237.85 ± 470618.9. Patients had a mean weight of 61.55 ± 11.0 kg and 61.47 ± 12.3 kg in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Males account for about 90% of those initiating ART in the HIV clinic, at a relatively low CD4 count, high viral load and sub-optimal medication adherence levels at baseline.
The health related quality of life (HRQoL) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is greatly influenced by their health status. The Health Index Questionnaire - Short Form 36 (SF-36) and St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) are commonly used to assess the HRQoL of COPD patients. Objective: This study investigates differences in HRQoL following sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) with a control group (CG) that had no intervention. Method: This quasi-experimental study involving 17 subjects assigned to the CG and 16 subjects in the intervention group (IG). Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant authority. Both groups were given the health index questionnaires- SF-36 and SGRQ prior and 5 weeks after the intervention. The CG only had medication while the IG performed exercises (cycling, treadmill walking, upper limb strengthening exercise and stair climbing exercise). Results: Data analysis using SPANOVA demonstrated significant improvement in HRQoL measured from SF-36 in domains of bodily pain (p=0.005), vitality (p=0.021) and mental health (p=0.002) in IG unlike the CG. Similarly, SGRQ, also shows improvement in symptom (p=0.028), activity (p=0.004) and total score (p=0.012. Conclusion: The 5 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program demonstrated improvement in HRQoL among COPD
patients.
The production of ammonia has been increasing over the past few years. Unfortunately, the production does not follow the safety control of ammonia on workers. Indonesia still adopts chemical standard from other countries. Therefore, it requires an ammonia standard at the highest dose without effect or no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in the workplace. This research aims to determine standard at the highest dose of without effect through the expression of CD8 cells as well as analysis of histological alteration CD8 lymphocyte between exposed to ammonia group and control. Methods: The study was a laboratory experimental research with a post-test only control group design. The research used Rattus novergicus species as many as 24. NOAEL was determined by middle dose with a location between the smallest and the largest dose. The doses of ammonia were given through inhalation. The histological alteration of CD8 between ammonia in exposed and the control group were analyzed by using the Kruskal Wallis test. Results: NOAEL was found through CD8 located in group 3 with 0.0154 dose mg/kg body weight. There was a differential expression of CD8 lymphocyte cells in the white mice lung between exposed to ammonia group and control (p=0.042). Conclusion: The expression of CD8 lymphocyte cells in the white mice lung exposed to ammonia differs significantly with the number of the expression of CD8 lymphocyte cells in white mice lung at control group. NOAEL was 0.0154 mg/kg body weight of white mice.
Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) was introduced over four decades ago as an imaging tool to evaluate functional and anatomical aspects of disease such as malignancy. Besides pathological uptake, PET-CT also shows physiological uptake, especially in the gastrointestinal system, thus impacting diagnostic accuracy in these cases. There are many conditions that can attribute to increasing physiological uptake in PET-CT including microbial activity and drugs. Therefore, certain anti-spasmodic agents have been introduced to help reduce physiological uptake during scanning such as Hyoscine-n-butylbromide (Buscopan). This study aims to establish its effectiveness in reducing physiological bowel uptake on 18F-FDG PET-CT scan. Methods: 133 subjects were recruited in random for this study and divided into hyoscine (68 subjects) and control groups (65 subjects), respectively. Subjects in control group not given any anti-spasmodic medications and both groups received intravenous 18F-FDG according to body weight. PET-CT scan and images were interpreted by experienced nuclear medicine physician who scored the images according to the degree of bowel uptake and difficulty of image interpretation. Results: There were no statistical difference in bowel uptake based on SUV mean of the bowel and bowel-to-liver ratio between hyoscine and control groups. Conclusion: There was no significant effect of Hyoscine-n-butylbromide in reducing physiological bowel uptake in PET-CT scan.
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS
New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Obesity is a global epidemic with major healthcare implications and costs. The availability of Smart-phone app as a new technological innovation developed is increasing rapidly. This new technological innovation can have a huge potential for interventions to help weight loss and combat obesity. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the effectiveness of Smartphone apps compared with other methods to promote weight loss and obesity. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies identified by a search of independently screened studies for inclusion criteria and extracted data. We included arti-cles that assessed any (Smartphone/Mobile phone app intervention with anthropometric measurement like weight/BMI, waist circumference), adult or children population then exclude articles in which the primary outcome is not weight/BMI/Waist circumference, non-original articles (Reviews, Editorials, Non-research letters), case reports or case series, non RCT study design, participant with co-morbidities or condition like pregnancy and Intervention using SMS or any text messaging. Results: We included 7 articles in this systematic review and meta-analysis. This me-ta-analysis shows that smartphone app interventions compared with conventional or other interventions is non-sig-nificant decreases in body weight, with the pooled estimates of the net change in body weight being -1.62 kg (95% CI –3.61 to 0.36; I2 = 93%). Pooled results indicated a non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD 0.26 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.83 to 1.34; I2 = 68%). For waist circumference, there is non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD -5.2 cm 95% CI --0.15 to 4.60; I2 = 93%). Conclusion: Smartphone apps intervention alone is not producing substantial evidence of weight loss despite there might be effective for certain groups. However, there are still explorable pros-pect on the use of smartphone app in combination of other approach to assist and promote weight loss as the use of smartphone are proven to influence health related behavioural modification.
Diabetic wounds (DW) are a chronic, non-healing wound on the feet of diabetic patients that pose a serious challenge to world health. Around 84% of diabetic patients undergo lower leg amputations. Though numerous topical and systemic drugs have been used to heal the DW, these drugs have led to the emergence and subsequent rapid overgrowth of resistant bacterial strains, side effects and toxicity. Many herbal plants have very important role in wound healing because they promote the natural repair mechanisms. Moringa oleifera (MO) is an important medicinal plant which has an impressive range of medicinal uses including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant and anticancer activities.Recently few researchers reported that MO extracts have effective wound healing property due to the presence of rich flavonoids and vicenin-2. The objective of the present study was to develop hydrogel formulations loaded with Moringa oleifera leaves extract. The prepared hydrogels were evaluated for physical appearance, rheological behavior, skin irritation and wound-healing power in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male wistar albino rats. Results showed that all hydrogel formulations exhibited good and acceptable physical properties. All the animals tolerated the applied gels and no signs of irritations were noticed during the skin irritation study. The in-vivo wound healing studies showed a time dependent increase in percentage of wound, a contraction which is higher than that produced by the control groups. These contractions were statistically significant (P
Introduction : Johor Bahru has one of the highest rates of dengue disease in this country in spite of the implementation of COMBI (Communication for Behavioural Impact) in 2001.
Methods : To identify factors contributing to this problem, a case control study was conducted, focusing on risk factors such as the weather (rainfall and temperature), environment and sociodemography. Cases were selected from confirmed dengue cases from January to June, 2006. Controls were selected from patients who had no past history of having dengue illness from Health Clinics in Johore Bahru. Both case group and control group were matched by age and sex. All risk factors were analysed using SPSS version 11.5.
Results : Results from time-series analysis indicated that the cases of dengue illness were related to changes in the minimum temperature (r =-0.149; p
Various studies conducted in Indonesia have shown that administration of Vitamin A to pre-school children had decreased the mortality and morbidity rates among them. In the first study conducted in the province of Acheh in North Sumatra, a twice yearly high dose of vitamin A led to a 34% decrease in mortality. In a second study in Bogor, conducted by fortifying the nutritional additive MSG with vitamin A and distributing the product in a designated area, the mortality rate among preschool children was 45% less than in a control area. In the third study also conducted in Bogor, where vitamin A was given to lactating women 2 weeks after giving birth and then directly to the infants themselves after 5 months of age, the mortality rate was 38% lower. The prevalences of respiratory and diarrhoeal infections were statistically lower than in the control gorups. Another study on preschool children showed a two-fold increase of anti TT IgG on primary immunisation against tetanus when compared to a control group and a four-fold increase with a secondary immunisation. Other studies conducted in Bogor and other parts of the world have showed that smaller doses given more often are more effective than bigger doses given less often.
This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different drying methods (sun drying, cabinet
drying and convection oven) and hydrocolloids (carrageenan and alginate) on physicochemical
properties of semi-dried catfish jerky. The concentration of hydrocolloids used was 1% and 2%.
Samples without the addition of hydrocolloid served as the control group. The water activity of semidried catfish jerky decreased with the addition of hydrocolloids. For colour properties, lightness (L*)
value of semi-dried catfish jerky increased with the increased concentration of hydrocolloids. The
addition of 2% alginate (2%A) and 2% carrageenan (2%C) showed higher lightness (L*) than the
controlled group for all drying methods, except for sun drying with carrageenan. Both carrageenan and
alginate added into semi-dried catfish jerky increased the processing yields. The addition of 2%
carrageenan (2%C) and 1% alginate (1%A) improved the product yields for all drying methods. This
paper argues that the application of cabinet dryer gives better shelf stability due to the lower range of
water activity than other drying methods while preserving colour quality and product yields.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess: i) the staining susceptibility of composite resins, ii) the ability of whitening toothpastes in removing stains from composite resins.
Materials and Methods: Thirty specimens from each composite resins: Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE), Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) and Beautifil (Shofu Inc.) were fabricated. After polishing, specimens were immersed in coffee for 3 days. Specimens were then brushed twice a day for 2 weeks using Colgate Total (Colgate-Palmolive, control group), Colgate Advanced Whitening (Colgate- Palmolive, test group) and Darlie All Shiny White (Hawley & Hazel Chemical Co., test group). Colour changes (?E*) were measured using Spectrophotometer at baseline, after coffee immersion and after brushing. Results were statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.
Results: There was significant difference in terms of colour changes for Filtek Z350, Filtek Z250 and Beautifil after coffee immersion (P0.05).
Conclusions: Filtek Z350 was able to resist staining by coffee better than Filtek Z250 and Beautifil. The whitening toothpastes did not offer added advantage in terms of ability to remove stains compared to ordinary toothpaste.