MyMedR

Fulltext A study of fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of lipid extracted from marine microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata and Tetraselmis suecica, using solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction

Bong, S.C., Loh, S. P.

International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(2):721-729.

MyJurnal

This study was conducted to investigate and compare the fatty acids and tocopherols of lipid extracted from marine microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata (NO) and Tetraselmis suecica (TS) using solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Fatty acids and tocopherols were determined in the extracted lipid as functions of the temperature (40, 80oC) and pressure (3000, 5000, 7000, 9000psi). Dichloromethane/methanol and hexane were the chosen conventional solvent for fatty acids and tocopherols extraction respectively. The results obtained showed that there were differences in the fatty acid composition of various lipid extracts of NO and TS. Extracts of NO were high in myristic acid (C14:0) (17-35%), palmitic acid (C16:0) (14-47%) and palmitoleic acid (C16:1) (11-42%) whereas extracts of TS were high in C14:0 (21-34%) and C16:0 (29-49%). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was detected only under certain SFE conditions in NO but was not detected in TS. α-, β- and γ-tocopherol were detected in various SFE extracts of NO but only α- and β-tocopherol were detected in TS. Hexane extraction of both NO and TS resulted in the detection of only α-tocopherol. In conclusion, the use of different extraction methods resulted in different compositions and concentrations of fatty acids and tocopherols in the microalgae studied.

Fulltext Iron intake and iron deficiency anaemia among young women in Kuala Lumpur

Loh, S. P., Khor, G. L.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(1):63-70.

MyJurnal

Objective: To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women aged 20-40 years and its association with iron intake. Methods: A total of 388 women were recruited from universities and work sites in Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs. The subjects comprised 135 Malays, 130 Chinese and 123 Indians. Dietary intake was estimated using a single 24-hour food recall and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum ferritin were determined. Results: The prevalence of anaemia (Hb

Fulltext Epidural buprenorphine and bupivacaine in major gynaecological operations

Loh SP

Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):207-10.

PMID: 8350797

Eight patients underwent major gynaecological operations. Their post-operative analgesia was provided by epidural buprenorphine 0.15 mg and bupivacaine 0.5%. The efficacy and side-effects of this combination were assessed. All patients had satisfactory analgesia ranging in duration from 10 hours to greater than 36 hours after a single dose injection. No significant side-effect was noted.

Fulltext In vitro inhibitory potential of selected Malaysian plants against key enzymes involved in hyperglycemia and hypertension

Loh SP, Hadira O

Malays J Nutr, 2011 Apr;17(1):77-86.

PMID: 22135867 MyJurnal

This study was conducted to determine the inhibitory potential of selected Malaysian plants against key enzymes related to type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Fulltext Bioaccessibility of apigenin from Mangifera indica (Water Lily Var.) during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Marina, Z., Amin, I., Loh, S. P., Fadhilah, J., Kartinee, K.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(5):1627-1634.

MyJurnal

The bioaccessibility property of apigenin from Mangifera indica (Water Lily var.) was
investigated using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model. Two digestion stages were
simulated namely the gastric and small intestinal digestion by using different enzymes and
physiological conditions that mimicked the digestion process. Following digestion, the
bioaccessible apigenin was analysed using HPLD-DAD-MS. Results showed that the apigenin
fraction in intestinal phase was higher than in gastric phase with amounts 1.03 ± 0.35 mg/100
g DW and 0.50 ± 0.08 mg/100 g DW, respectively. After 1 h exposure to gastric juice, the
bioaccessibility of apigenin was 20.26 ± 3.06% with 79.74 ± 3.06% losses during the digestion,
whereas in intestinal phase, the percentage of bioaccessibility significantly increased to 41.53
± 13.99% and 58.47 ± 13.99% losses after 2 h treatment with pancreatin. It was concluded that
the apigenin in Water Lily mango became bioaccessible, suggesting the absorption possibility
of the compound in the upper part of intestine, which can lead to the health-related outcomes.

Quality of life and functional status in patients with advanced cancer admitted to hospice home care in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Shahmoradi N, Kandiah M, Loh SP

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl), 2012 Sep;21(5):661-6.

PMID: 22369227 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2012.01338.x

Cancer patients more than often experience poor quality of life after diagnosis and treatment of cancer. As the disease progresses quality of life issues become important. This cross-sectional study assessed various features of quality of life among 61 (33 women and 28 men) patients with advanced cancer cared by selected hospices in Peninsular Malaysia. The Hospice Quality of Life Index was used to assess quality of life. The mean total Hospice Quality of Life Index score for all subjects was 189.9 ± 51.7. The possible scores range from 0 to 280. The most problem areas in these patients were in the domain of functional well-being, followed by psychophysiological and social/spiritual domain. Patients with advanced cancer have a diminished quality of life. These findings suggest that there is a need for improving quality of life in terminally ill cancer patients in hospice care.

Fulltext Glucose: a reevaluation of its intraoperative use in paediatric surgery

Lim SK, Loh SP

Med J Malaysia, 1997 Mar;52(1):64-9.

PMID: 10968055

Blood glucose concentration was measured in 100 children immediately before and during surgery. These children were randomly assigned to receive either lactated Ringer's (LR) solution or 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's (5%D/LR) intraoperatively as maintenance and replacement fluids. Blood samples were taken immediately after induction of anaesthesia and at 1/2, 1, 1.5, 2 and subsequent hours. Blood glucose concentration was assayed by a reflectance meter. None of the patients was noted to be hypoglycaemic pre- and intraoperatively. Intraoperative blood glucose concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) from preoperative levels for both groups of children but the increase in those that received 5%D/LR was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those who received LR. The number of children who were hyperglycaemic during surgery was also greater in those who received 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's as their intraoperative fluid. These data suggest that lactated Ringer's alone is a safe and appropriate fluid for intraoperative fluid therapy in children.

Fulltext Folate content and availability in Malaysian cooked foods

Chew SC, Khor GL, Loh SP

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Dec;18(3):383-91.

PMID: 24568079 MyJurnal

Data on folate availability of Malaysian cooked foods would be useful for estimation of dietary folate intake; however such information is scarce.

Fulltext MTHFR C677T polymorphism, homocysteine and B-vitamins status in a sample of Chinese and Malay subjects in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Choo SC, Loh SP, Khor GL, Sabariah MN, Rozita R

Malays J Nutr, 2011 Aug;17(2):249-58.

PMID: 22303578 MyJurnal

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T is involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism. Disruption in the activity of this enzyme will alter their levels in the body.

Fulltext Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among staff in a Malaysian public university based on Harmonised, International Diabetes Federation and National Cholesterol Education Program Definitions

Heng KS, Hejar AR, Rushdan AZ, Loh SP

Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):77-86.

PMID: 24800386 MyJurnal

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) as defined by the latest Harmonised definition and the agreement between the Harmonised definition and other definitions is poorly studied among Malaysians. This study was conducted to determine and compare the prevalence of MetSyn according to the Harmonised, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP ATPIII) definitions among Malay staff of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Fulltext Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids and Tocopherols in Marine Microalgae, Nannochloropsis sp. and Chaetoceros sp

Goh LP, Loh SP, Fatimah MY, Perumal K

Malays J Nutr, 2009 Mar;15(1):77-86.

PMID: 22691807

Microalgae can produce various natural products such as pigments, enzymes, unique fatty acids and vitamin that benefit humans. The objective of the study is to study the bioaccessibility of carotenoids (β-carotene and lycopene) and vitamin E (α- and β-tocopherol) of Nannochloropsis oculata and Chaetoceros calcitrans. Analyses were carried out for both the powdered forms of N. oculata and C. calcitrans, and the dried extract forms of N. oculata and C. calcitrans. In vitro digestion method together with RP-HPLC was used to determine the bioaccessibility of carotenoids and vitamin E for both forms of microalgae. Powdered form of N. oculata had the highest bioaccessibility of β-carotene (28.0 ± 0.6 g kg-1), followed by dried extract N. oculata (21.5 ± 1.1 g kg-1), dried extract C. calcitrans (16.9 ± 0.1 g kg-1), and powdered C. calcitrans (15.6 ± 0.1 g kg-1). For lycopene, dried extract of N. oculata had the highest bioaccessibility of lycopene (42.6 ± 1.1 g kg-1), followed by dried extract C. calcitrans (41.9 ± 0.6 g kg-1), powdered C. calcitrans (39.7 ± 0.1 g kg-1) and powdered N. oculata (32.6 ± 0.7 g kg-1). Dried extract C. calcitrans had the highest bioaccessibility of α-tocopherol (72.1 ± 1.2 g kg-1). However, β-tocopherol was not detected in both dried extract and powdered form of C. calcitrans. In conclusion, all samples in their dried extract forms were found to have significantly higher bioaccessibilities than their powdered forms. This may be due to the disruption of the food matrix contributing to a higher bioaccessibility of nutrients shown by the dried extract forms.

Impact of phytic acid on nutrient bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of dehusked rice

Lee HH, Loh SP, Bong CF, Sarbini SR, Yiu PH

J Food Sci Technol, 2015 Dec;52(12):7806-16.

PMID: 26604353 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-015-1918-9

Whole grains consumption promotes health benefits, but demonstrates controversial impacts from phytic acid in meeting requirements of good health. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the nutrient bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of rice cultivars named "Adan" or "Bario" and deduce the nutritional impact of phytic acid. Majority of the dehusked rice in the collection showed an acceptable level of in-vitro starch digestibility and in-vitro protein digestibility, but were poor in antioxidant properties and bioaccessibility of minerals (Ca, Fe and Zn). The drawbacks identified in the rice cultivars were due to relatively high phytic acid content (2420.6 ± 94.6 mg/100 g) and low phenolic content (152.39 ± 18.84 μg GAE/g). The relationship between phytic acid content and mineral bioaccessibility was strongest in calcium (r = 0.60), followed by iron (r = 0.40) and zinc (r = 0.27). Phytic acid content did not significantly correlate with in-vitro starch digestibility and in-vitro protein digestibility but showed a weak relationship with antioxidant properties. These suggest that phytic acid could significantly impair the mineral bioaccessibility of dehusked rice, and also act as an important antioxidant in non-pigmented rice. Bario rice cultivars offered dehusked rice with wide range of in-vitro digestibility of starch and protein, and also pigmented rice as a good source of antioxidants. However, there is a need to reduce phytic acid content in dehusked rice for improved mineral bioaccessibility among Bario rice cultivars.

Vitamin D status and its association with parathyroid hormone concentrations in women of child-bearing age living in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur

Green TJ, Skeaff CM, Rockell JE, Venn BJ, Lambert A, Todd J, et al.

Eur J Clin Nutr, 2008 Mar;62(3):373-8.

PMID: 17342165

OBJECTIVE: To describe the vitamin D status of women living in two Asian cities,--Jakarta (6 degrees S) and Kuala-Lumpur (2 degrees N), to examine the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, and to determine a threshold for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D above which there is no further suppression of PTH. Also, to determine whether dietary calcium intake influences the relationship between PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 504 non-pregnant women 18-40 years.

MAIN MEASURES: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH.

RESULTS: The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 48 nmol/l. Less than 1% of women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicative of vitamin D deficiency (<17.5 nmol/l); whereas, over 60% of women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicative of insufficiency (<50 nmol/l). We estimate that 52 nmol/l was the threshold concentration for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D above which no further suppression of PTH occurred. Below and above this concentration the slopes of the regression lines were -0.18 (different from 0; P=0.003) and -0.01 (P=0.775), respectively. The relation between vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone concentration did not differ between women with low, medium or high calcium intakes (P=0.611); however, even in the highest tertile of calcium intake, mean calcium intake was only 657 mg/d.

CONCLUSION: On the basis of maximal suppression of PTH we estimate an optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of approximately 50 nmol/l. Many women had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D below this concentration and may benefit from improved vitamin D status.

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