The purpose of rehydration is to replace fluid and electrolyte losses. Carbohydrates and sodium are the main nutrient sources for rehydration. The presence of protein aids the rehydration process and thereby promoting muscle synthesis. Zea mays had been identified as one of the potential food sources that could be an alternative recovery beverage. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of Zea mays (ZM) juice as an alternative rehydration beverage. A total of 15 male participants were involved in this study. They were required to cycle to 70-80% of their age predicted maximum heart rate until they were dehydrated (1.8-2% body weight loss). Then they were given either ZM juice or CE drink in an amount representing 150% of their initial body weight loss. After 4-hours of rest with no other food allowed, their USG and percentage of fluid retention were calculated. Results showed that ZM juice had better retention and demonstrated well hydrated USG readings compared to CE drink. Therefore, ZM juice has the potential to be an alternative rehydration beverage.
Bone can heal on its own through the process known as bone remodelling. Nonetheless, a critical size bone defect will hinder the natural bone-healing process and may not allow for complete fracture healing. These requires surgical intervention by employing the use of bone tissue implants and in need of realignment and fixation for proper fracture healing. Traditional knowledge of bone injury and fracture healing must be comprehended thoroughly for a proper invention of bioengineered material or devices that could enhance the physiological process. Heretofore, engineered materials used to address critical size bone defects haveencounteredvarious challenges and improvement be it in bone grafting or choices of mechanicalstabilization devices. To date, researchers have been mainly focussingon the alternative material for bone graft substitutealbeit the selection of fixators to establish mechanical stabilization are as important. This review highlighted the challenges, improvement and advancement in mechanical stabilization devices and bone graft substitute with respect to the physiological process of bone fracture healing. Identifying these challenges would helpassist theresearcher in an expedition toward the recovery and restoration of critical size bone defects.
Dermatophytosis is a widespread disease produced by pathogenic fungus particularly Trichophyton rubrum. The present study reports on the formulation and evaluation of topical gel containing Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Andrographis paniculata and Alpinia galanga extracts for significant antifungal potential. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of single plant and combination including synergistic effects were also determined. Macrodilution method was used to determine the MIC against Trichophyton rubrum. Gel formulations were evaluated using physicochemical parameters such as color, appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability and stability testing. Overall MIC values of extracts against Trichophyton rubrum ranged from 31.25 mg/mL to 500 mg/mL. The MIC for A. sativum, C. longa, A. paniculata and A. galanga respectively were 500mg/ml, 31.25mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 500mg/mL. However, the assessment of combinations of selected extracts showed indifferent and antagonism interactions. This study also revealed that the formulation containing C. longa showed better stability than other formulations. A. galanga gel formulation has good viscosity and spreadability making it a good candidate in the gel formulation with good efficacy as an antifungal. Thus, this herbal gel formulation showed potential used to inhibit growth of T. rubrum that can be the alternative treatment of dermatophytosis.
The use of electronics or technology, to improve the subjects’ knowledge,
attitude, and practice (KAP) in nutrition or their compliance in recording their
diet, for general primary care is not uncommon. However, there are more to
be explored to improve sports nutrition KAP. The objective of this study was
to develop a web app tool for athletes to increases their KAP in sports
nutrition and to test on their acceptance towards the web app tool. This study
was divided into 3 phases. Phase I involves the development of the web app.
In Phase II, a focus group of 20 people was recruited to test the web app tool.
Phase III was to evaluate the effectiveness of the web app in increasing
athletes’ sports nutrition KAP and their acceptance of the web app. 30 athletes
were recruited to use this web app for a week, a PRE- and POST-intervention
KAP questionnaire were given. There was a strong correlation between
athletes’ attitude towards this tool and intention to use in the future (r = 0.675).
The more this web app tool was perceived as useful, the more likely they will
visit the web app (r = 0.589). Although the web app was well-accepted among
the athletes, their KAP score was significantly reduced after the intervention
(p= 0.011). The reduction of scores was due to the lack of consistent usage on the web app. In conclusion, it requires more facilitating support from the
coach, longer training time, reminders, and entertainment features for
consistent usage, to improve the athletes’ KAP in sports nutrition via the web
app.