Siasatan terhadap taburan dan kelimpahan kumpulan pemakanan
makroinvertebrata akuatik di Sungai Bogak, Kerian dan Serdang di lembangan sungai
Kerian menunjukkan terdapat 120 genera dari 59 keluarga dari 13 order makroinvertebrata.
Pemangsa terutamanya Odonata, Hemiptera dan Coleoptera adalah kumpulan yang paling
biasa dan didapati dalam kepadatan tinggi di Sungai Bogak (sungai yang diubah suai)
dan Sungai Kerian (sungai utama). Kumpulan dominan kedua di kedua-dua sungai itu
adalah pemungut-kumpul (Diptera dan Ephemeroptera) diikuti oleh pengikis (moluska).
Pola kumpulan pemakanan yang berlainan diperhatikan di Sungai Serdang (anak Sungai
Kerian). Kumpulan yang paling banyak adalah pemungut-kumpul, diikuti oleh pemangsa
dan pengikis. Secara umum, kelimpahan pemangsa menunjukkan korelasi positif dengan
kelimpahan mangsa mereka (kumpulan pemakanan lain). Kelimpahan pemangsa terutama
di Sungai Bogak dan Kerian, sangat dipengaruhi oleh parameter seperti PO43-, NO3-N
dan Zn. Kelimpahan pemungut-kumpul di sungai Serdang pula dipengaruhi oleh suhu
dan halaju air, TSS, kekeruhan serta kandungan Mn dan Cu di dalam sedimen. Walau
bagaimanapun, semua parameter air mempengaruhi secara lemah kelimpahan kumpulan
pemakanan di semua lokasi. Banyak pemungut-kumpul di Sungai Serdang dikaitkan dengan
air yang diperkaya oleh sisa antropogenik dari kawasan kediaman sekitar. Pada umumnya,
kumpulan pemakanan yang dominan di setiap sungai mencerminkan pengaruh keadaan
persekitaran yang berbeza dan ketersediaan sumber makanan di kawasan tersebut
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the most common occupational injury faced by computer users. Computer users faced
higher possibility of getting RSI due to their prolonged working time and static posture. The three main objectives of
this study are, first: to identify the prevalence of RSI among computer users; second, to investigate and determine the
RSI risk factors; and third to analyze the association between RSI risk factors and the prevalence of RSI among computer
users at a Telecommunication Company X. A total of 100 respondents were selected based on their daily exposure to
computer usage of more than 4 hours. Nordic modified questionnaire was used to gather respondents’ sociodemographic
data, job’s information, physical risk exposure, physical symptoms and their awareness level towards RSI.
Body Parts Symptoms Survey (BPSS) form were also used to identify the body parts exposed to the RSI risk among
computer users. The data was analysed using Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Study results showed
that the 41% of computer users in Telecommunication Company X felt tired at the upper-back near the neck and 38%
at the shoulder region. In conclusion, the prevalence of RSI among computer users is high at upper back near the neck
and at the shoulder region. There is a significant association between risk factors of RSI and the prevalence of RSI
among the computer users at Telecommunication Company X.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) brushes on silicon substrate was constructed and molecular weight and polydispersity index was controlled precisely. Molecular behavior of the PNIPA grafted surface was observed by using captive bubble contact angle method. A very interesting phenomenon of high density PNIPA grafted membrane with a chloride terminal molecule was observed. The contact angle of high density PNIPA-Cl increased sharply while the temperature rises above 32oC. But in the case of PNIPA gel surface the contact angle result decreases sharply while the temperature reaches above lower critical solution temperature (LCST). In order to identify the reason behind this abnormal behavior of PNIPA-Cl grafted membrane, the terminal chloride molecule of PNIPA chain was modified to less electronegative azide (-N3) as well as carboxylic acid (-COOH). Finally it was found that terminal molecule of high density PNIPA grafted membrane has a great influences on the wettability change of PNIPA membrane in water by changing the temperature.
The co-use of conventional drug and herbal medicines may lead to herb-drug interaction via modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) by herbal constituents. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyzing glucuronidation are the major metabolic enzymes of Phase II DMEs. The in vitro inhibitory effect of several herbal constituents on one of the most important UGT isoforms, UGT2B7, in human liver microsomes (HLM) and rat liver microsomes (RLM) was investigated. Zidovudine (ZDV) was used as the probe substrate to determine UGT2B7 activity. The intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) of ZDV in HLM is 1.65 µL/mg/min which is ten times greater than in RLM, which is 0.16 µL/mg/min. Andrographolide, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, mitragynine and zerumbone inhibited ZDV glucuronidation in HLM with IC50 values of 6.18 ± 1.27, 18.56 ± 8.62, 8.11 ± 4.48 and 4.57 ± 0.23 µM, respectively, hence, herb-drug interactions are possible if andrographolide, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, mitragynine and zerumbone are taken together with drugs that are highly metabolized by UGT2B7. Meanwhile, only mitragynine and zerumbone inhibited ZDV glucuronidation in RLM with IC50 values of 51.20 ± 5.95 μM and 8.14 ± 2.12 µM, respectively, indicating a difference between the human and rat microsomal model so caution must be exercised when extrapolating inhibitory metabolic data from rats to humans.
Introduction: Providing adequate and equal access to healthcare is a key goal towards achieving universal health coverage. However, social and demographic inequalities in accessing health care services exist in both developed and developing countries. This study examined the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with the lack of access to public clinics in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area.
Materials and Methods: The study employed a survey involving 1032 participants. Data were collected using self- administered questionnaires distributed between October and December 2015 in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area.
Results: Of the 1032 participants, 535 were public clinic users. A quarter (25.8%) of the users stated that they did not have access to public clinics in their residential area. A multiple logistic analysis showed that the elderly, the women, those from ethnic minority groups, those of lower family income, and the private sector workers were more likely not to have access to public clinics than their counterparts.
Conclusions: The existing level of accessibility to public clinics could be improved by increasing the number of clinics. Clinics should be established to focus more on reaching the elderly, the women, the ethnic minority groups, the poorer families, and the private sector employees.
A study was conducted on the chemical and biological properties of three different species of Mangifera i.e. Mangifera pajang, M. indica L., and M. kemanga leaves obtained from Pitas, Sabah. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of secondary metabolites as well as the antioxidative activities especially the catalase (CAT) and guiacol peroxidase specific activities (gPOD) in the leaves part of these three species. The extraction of these samples was carried out using three different polarities of solvents: hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The total percentage of the crude extract of is 7.30% for M. pajang, 12.87% for M. indica and 7.98% for M. kemanga. Phytochemical screening was performed with various tests for each of the crude extracts. The results showed that these three species gave positive results for alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, carbohydrates, phytosterols, and tannins metabolites. Based on the tests, CAT specific activities were significantly higher in the leaves of M. pajang with 4.35 ± 1.18 units/mg protein compared to M. indica L. and M. kemanga. The guaiacol peroxidase (gPOD) specific activities showed that M. indica L. has the highest activity with the value of 0.0047 ± 0.0004 units/mg protein.
Most countries around the world have experienced a shortage in organs needed for transplantation. Organ donation performance is widely attributed to two important factors: the legislation and the role of the family. Thus, this literature review aims to examine the willingness of people for organ donation while highlighting the importance of having a presumed consent system.
Atherosclerosis is initiated by damage to the endothelium followed by accumulation of inflammation tissue, foam cell formation, migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell and rupture of the plaque causing formation of thrombus. The study aims to determine the anti-atherogenic or inflammatory effect of BVFCE and its underlying mechanism in in vivo model. Five groups of four rabbits were treated with normal diet (Group I), Berberis vulgaris fruit aqueous extract [25mg/kg(group II), 50mg/kg (group III) bodyweight], aspirin 30mg/kg bodyweight (group IV) and cholesterol 2% (group V) for 10 weeks of treatments. At the end of the study, the rabbits blood were collected and aorta harvested post euthanized. Serum of the blood tested for cytokines (interleukin- 6 and tumour necrosis factor – alpha while aortic plaque composition of intimal and medial cell population in aorta was assessed by macrophages specific antibody called monoclonal mouse antibody directed against RAM-11 using immunohistology-staining techniques. The fatty streak lesion were analysed macroscopically by Sudan IV and microscopically by using the Olympus Cell ^F Imaging software and served to compute intimal area. The total macrophage-rich (RAM-11-positive) area measured using a manual contrast-based, area analysis function of the Olympus Cell ^F Imaging software. Macrophage density calculated as the ratio between macrophage and intimal areas. The RAM-11– positive were cells identified by brown staining, were divided by the total number of intimal and medial cells. Macrophage infiltration into the aorta wall showed dose dependent inhibition RAM11- positive cells in the vessel wall from 1.1 ± 1.2% of total cells with Berberis vulgaris 25mg/kg to 0.58 ±1.8% with Berberis vulgaris extract (50mg/kg) while positive control showed 1.9 ± 1.1%. This study demonstrates that Berberis vulgaris fruit aqueous extract is associated with changes in rabbit aorta plaque composition that favor lesion stability, by a reduction in lipid content and inflammation, in this case, interleukin -6 and macrophages, which gave an effect of anti -inflammation.
This research explores the possibility of using fluorescence technique to detect the presence of volatile organic compounds based on a single sensing material. The material used was TiO2 nanoparticles coated with porphyrin dye. The TiO2 nanoparticles colloid is in a sol-gel form synthesized from titanium (IV) ethoxide in ethanol with addition of kalium chloride (KCl) as stabilizer. TiO2 nanoparticles were then coated with porphyrin dye, Manganase (III) 5,10,15,20 tetra (4-pyridyl)-21H, 23H porphine chloride tetrakis (metachloride). The coated nanoparticles were deposited on quartz substrate using self-assembly through dip coating technique. The sensing properties of the thin film toward volatile organic compounds; ethanol, acetone, cyclohexane and 2-propanol were studied using luminescence spectrometer. It was found that the thin film produced different emission spectra peaks for different volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Hence, it eases chemical identification process and potentially be use as fluorescence gas sensor.
Fusarium semitectum is a widespread species occurring in various types of substrate. Fifteen F. semitectum isolates were recovered from several types of vegetable fruits showing fruit rot symptoms, namely long bean (Vigna sesquilpedalis), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), loofa (Luffa acutangula), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and green chilli (Capsicum annum). The identification of the F. semitectum isolates was based on morphological characteristics of macroconidia and microconidia, presence of mesoconidia and colony pigmentation. The isolates were then characterized using vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and sequencing of translation elongation factor-1α gene (TEF-1α). From VCG analysis, 11 isolates were assigned to six VCGs and another four isolates were self-incompatible. The results of the phylogenetic analysis using TEF-1α sequences showed that the isolates were phyogenetically distinct although the morphological characteristics were very similar and generally the grouping of the isolates was not according to the host. Both VCG and phylogenetic analyses indicated that F. semitectum isolates from vegetable fruits were highly variable which suggested that the isolates belong to a species complex.
Equol is a soy isoflavone metabolite that can be produced by intestinal bacteria. It is lipophilic and resembles natural oestrogens with an affinity to oestrogen receptors. This review is focused on how equol affects breast cancer, as evidenced by in vivo and in vitro studies. Equol is considered chemoprotective in specific endocrine-related pathologies, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and menopausal symptoms. In humans, not everyone can produce equol from gut metabolism. It is postulated that equol producers benefit more than non-equol producers for all the endocrine-related effects. Equol exists in two enantiomers of R-equol and S-equol. Earlier studies, however, did not specify which enantiomer was being used. This review considers equol's type and concentration variations, pathways affected, and its outcome in in vivo and in vitro studies.
Pembangunan model biosensor DNA berasaskan pengikatan dan interaksi kompleks logam sebagai penanda penghibridan
DNA boleh digunakan untuk diagnosis awal virus denggi melalui penghibridan DNA denggi sebagai DNA sasaran.
Kompleks nikel(II) salfen dengan rantai sisi piperidina berjaya disintesis dan pencirian dijalankan dengan menggunakan
Spektroskopi Magnetik Nukleus (NMR), Spektroskopi inframerah (FTIR), spektrometri jisim dan kolorimetri pengimbasan
pembezaan. Jenis perikatan dan interaksi antara kompleks nikel(II) salfen dengan rantai sisi piperidina dan DNA denggi
dikaji dengan pentitratan DNA ultralembayung nampak. Berdasarkan spektrum ultralembayung nampak, hipokromisme dan
anjakan merah (batokromisme) diperhatikan apabila kompleks nikel(II) salfen dengan rantai sisi piperidina dititratkan
dengan DNA denggi menunjukkan pembentukan kompleks baru. Kompleks nikel(II) salfen dengan rantai sisi piperidina
berinteraksi dengan DNA denggi secara perikatan interkalasi dengan pemalar perikatan, Kb= 4.576×105
M-1. Penemuan
ini sangat berharga dalam menjadikan kompleks nikel(II) salfen sebagai penanda penghibridan bagi biosensor DNA
optik untuk mengesan kehadiran virus denggi.
local herb known as neem (semambu) or its scientific name Azadirachta indica has been used extensively in traditional treatment due to its medicinal properties. Neem leaves have been used traditionally for treating several epidermal dysfunctions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Neem is rich in antioxidants and helps to boost immune response in tissues of affected skin area. It also consists of bioactive compounds for antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. In this study, neem leaves extract was used in producing herbal neem soap as a remedy for curing skin problems. The herbal neem soap was made by blending 36.4% palm oil, 9.1% coconut oil, 27.3% sodium hydroxide, 9.1% neem oil extract, and 18.2% neem aqueous extract which formed a pale yellow soap base. The results of the selected physical and chemical properties of this study show that the moisture content of the soap was 4.02% with 10.60 pH value, 57.40% total fatty matter, and 0.44% free caustic alkali. The results imply that herbal neem soap is suitable for human skin and can be a therapeutic alternative to skin problems.
We report a rare case of Ochrobactrum anthropi bacteremia in a previously healthy young man who was admitted for severe dengue. O. anthropi is a rarely encountered Gram negative organism which is resistant to commonly used beta-lactam antibiotics. This organism is usually interpreted as a contaminant as it is ubiquitous in the environment. Isolation of this organism upon admission suggested a community-acquired infection. He had persistent bacteremia and had to be treated with a prolonged course of meropenem and ciprofloxacin. This case report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of this otherwise contaminant as previous reports showed this organism can be an opportunistic pathogen which may lead to severe infection.
The syntheses of salicylideneaniline (L1a) and 4-hydroxybenzalaniline (L1b) was carried out via condensation reaction giving yields of 80.74% and 81.65% respectively. The compounds were characterised by physical and spectroscopic techniques, namely melting point, micro elemental analysis (C, H and N), 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The characteristic n(C=N) peaks were observed at 1615 cm-1 and 1575 cm-1 respectively. Chronoamperometry (CA) was employed to electrodeposit both compounds on mild steel at 0.1 M inhibitor concentration in 0.3 M NaOH at three different potentials, +0.8 V, +1.05 V and +1.7 V. Formation of yellow imine films was observed on the mild steel. The corrosion behaviour of coated and uncoated mild steel was studied using Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) in 0.5 M NaCl. Coated mild steel showed better corrosion resistance and with the highest inhibition efficiency of 90.34%, L1a provides a better protection against corrosion for mild steel than L1b.
Kajian ini menilai potensi ekstrak pewarna kaliks Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. (rosel) sebagai bahan sensor. Dalam kajian ini, sensor pH dibangunkan menggunakan ekstrak warna kemerahan semulajadi dalam kelopak rosel, delfinidin-3-sambubiosida yang dipegunkan dalam kertas turas gentian kaca. Dalam larutan bebas, ekstrak rosel dicirikan menggunakan spektrofotometer UL-nampak untuk mengkaji kesan pH, kepekatan ekstrak, masa ransangan keadaan mantap, analisis kebolehulangan dan analisis kestabilan foto. Ekstrak rosel terpegun dicirikan dengan menggunakan spektrofotometer pantulan untuk mengkaji kesan pH, masa ransangan keadaan mantap, analisis kebolehulangan, analisis kestabilan foto dan kajian histerisis. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa ekstrak bahan semulajadi boleh digunakan sebagai bahan sensor dalam pembinaan sensor optik pH.
This paper describes the systematic process followed in the development of culturally appropriate equalized speech-in-noise sentences suitable for use in an adaptive Speech-In-Noise training protocol for adults in Malaysia. The process involved three iterative phases of development. They were (1) analysis, (2) design and (3) development phases. In the analysis phase, important variables that needed to be considered for speech-in-noise materials were identified through literature review and discussion with the experts in the field. Next, in the design phase, the compilation and formation of sentences, evaluation of naturalness and recording of the speech materials were done. The last phase was the development phase which involved the evaluation of performance intensity function and equalization of intelligibility. The final outcome of these phases were 171 sentences with equal intelligibility that can be used interchangeably in a speech-in-noise training protocol for adults in Malaysia.
Objective: This study aimed to identify differences in physical activity scores, calorie intake, calcium and protein intake and their relationship to elderly bone density status at Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK), Cheras. Methods: The design of this study was a descriptive survey study involving 117 respondents (L = 71, P = 46) living in the RSK, Cheras. This study uses a questionnaire form adapted from Topolski et al. (2006) to determine physical activity scores and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for information on calorie intake, calcium and protein intake and the use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS-2 ™) machines to measure bone density status. The analysis used in this study was descriptive analysis, independent t-test and correlation. Findings: Independent t-test analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the level of significance of 0.05 to (a) physical activity score of male respondents (M = 4.51, SP = 1.25) and female (M = 4.17, SP = 0.71), [ t (113) = 1.834, p = 0.07]. (b) protein intake was male (M = 438.61, SP = 23.57) and female (M = 437.28, SP = 14.50), [t (115) = 0.376, p = 0.708]. On the other hand, there were significant differences between men and women at the level of significance of 0.05 for the variables (a) of calorie intake that were male respondents (M = 3058.21, SP = 332.68) and women (M = 2420.26, SP = 246.76), [t (115) = 11.16, p = 0.000. (b) calcium intake was male (M = 2783.96, SP = 141.32) and female (M = 3847.89, SP = 96.42), [t (115) = -2.69, p = 0.008]. (c) bone density status was male (M = ─2.22, SP = 0.42) and female (M = ─2.04, SP = 0.20), [t (108) = 3.11, p = 0.002]. Correlation tests revealed no significant relationship between bone density and (a) physical activity score for male respondents (r = 0.024, p = 0.842) and female respondents (r = 0.251, p = 0.092), (b) calorie intake for respondents male (r = 0.062, p = 0.606) and female respondents (r = ─0.221, p = 0.140) and (c) protein intake for male respondents (r = -0.044, p = 0.718) and female respondents (r = 0.238, p = 0.112). A weak positive relationship was noted between bone density status and calcium intake for male respondents (r = 0.331, p = 0.026) while a moderate positive relationship was noted for female respondents (r = 0.465, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Awareness of physical activity as well as calorie intake, calcium and protein is essential for older people to improve their quality of life especially in terms of bone health. A variety of programs can be developed by the aged care institution so that the elderly can optimize their golden age with appropriate physical activity as well as appropriate calorie, calcium and protein intake, while maintaining their bone health.
[BMIM]OTf and alcohol-based DES combination with a selected organic solvent (acetone and acetonitrile) have
been proven to efficiently extracting rotenone (isoflavonoid biopesticide) compound compared to individual organic
solvents. Their efficiency builds up interest to study the solvent-solute interaction that occurs between both selected
solvent systems with rotenone. The interaction study was analyzed using FTIR, 1D-NMR and 2D- NMR (NOESY, HMBC).
Correlation portrayed by NOESY and HMBC of [BMIM]OTf - standard rotenone mixture predicted probable hydrogen
bonding between the oxygen of rotenone with acidic proton C2-H of [BMIM]OTf. While for the alcohol-based DESrotenone
mixture, the correlation shows probable interaction to occur between methyl and methoxy group rotenone
with the hydroxyl group of 1,4-butanediol. In conclusion, potential hydrogen bonding that occurs between solvent
and solute aid towards the solvent efficiency in extracting rotenone compound while emphasizing on the low cost and
green mediated solvent systems.