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Fulltext A pedometer-based intervention with daily walking steps and its relationship with nutritional status among overweight/obese university students in Kuala Terengganu

Kok, J.L., Asma’, A., Khairil-Shazmin, K., Hayati, M.Y.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(3):17-28.
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Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pedometer-based intervention and the relationship between daily walking steps and nutritional status among overweight/obese university students in Kuala Terengganu. Materials and methods: The study was an 8-week intervention study that included 23 overweight/obese university students. After 7 days of baseline activity, anthropometric data such as weight, height and waist circumference and a one-day dietary record were taken. The participants were divided into a control and case group. The control group (n=15) was instructed to continue with their normal activities and habits throughout the 8 weeks. The case group (n=8) was instructed to walk based on the targeted number of steps. Data such as body weight, waist circumference and a one-day dietary record were taken after the intervention. Results: Both case and control group show significant differences in body mass index (BMI) with p=0.017 and p=0.047 respectively. However, there is a large and significant difference between walking steps and BMI before and after intervention for the case group. There were no differences in any other study parameters during the 8-week study. Conclusion: In conclusion, short-term intervention with a pedometer increased physical activity and positively affected the BMI of overweight/obese participants. The use of a pedometer was efficient in measuring daily physical activity (r= 0.756, p< 0.05).
Fulltext The gender responsiveness of social entrepreneurship in health - A review of initiatives by Ashoka fellows

Khalid S, Dixon S, Vijayasingham L

Soc Sci Med, 2022 Jan;293:114665.
PMID: 34954676 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114665

There are vocal calls to act on the gender-related barriers and inequities in global health. Still, there are gaps in implementing programmes that address and counter the relevant dynamics. As an approach that focuses on social problems and public service delivery gaps, social entrepreneurship has the potential to be a closer health sector partner to tackle and transform the influence of gender in health to achieve health systems goals better. Nevertheless, social entrepreneurs' engagement and impact on gender and health remain understudied. Using the Ashoka Fellows database as a sampling frame in November 2020 (n = 3352, health n = 129), we identified and reviewed the work of 21 organizations that implemented gender-responsive health-related programmes between 2000 and 2020. We applied the UNU-IIGH 6-I Analytic Framework to review the gender issues, interventions, included populations, investments, implementation, and impact in each organization. We found that a low proportion of fellows engage in gender-responsive health programming (<1%). Many organizations operate in low-and middle-income countries (16/21). The gender-responsive programmes include established health sector practices, to address gendered-cultural dynamics and deliver people-centred resources and services. Interestingly, most organizations self-identify as NGOs and rely on traditional grant funding. Fewer organizations (6/21) adopt market-based and income-generating solutions - a missed opportunity to actualise the potential of social entrepreneurship as an innovative health financing approach. There were few publicly available impact evaluations-a gap in practice established in social entrepreneurship. All organizations implemented programmes at community levels, with some cross-sectoral, structural, and policy-level initiatives. Most focused on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence for predominantly populations of women and girls. Closer partnerships between social entrepreneurs and gender experts in the health sector can provide reciprocally beneficial solutions for cross-sectorally and community designed innovations, health financing, evidence generation and impact tracking that improve the gender-responsiveness of health programmes, policies, and systems.
Fulltext Motivators and barriers of physical activity among private office workers in Selangor

Nui Jia Jun, Khairil Shazmin Kamarudin, Asma Ali, Noor Salihah Zakaria

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):58-65.
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Introduction: In Malaysia, private office workers tend to be more physically inactive due to work burden. This study aimed to determine physical activity level, motivation factors and barrier towards physical activity among private office workers. Methods: A cross sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted at nine private com- panies in Selangor involving 106 office workers aged 21 to 55 years old. Self-administered questionnaires includ- ing Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) and Physical Activity Barrier (PAB) were administered. Results: Over half of the respondents (58.5%) were having low physical activity level. The main motivation factors include physical condition, psychological condition and mastery. Meanwhile, tired after work, laziness, lack of discipline, family commitment and adverse weather were the main perceived barriers. A weak positive correlation was found between total motivation score and total physical activity (r=0.296; p=0.002). In contrast, there was a weak negative correlation between barriers and total physical activity (r=-0.237; p=0.015). Conclusion: The current physical activity level, its main motivation factors and barriers among private office workers were identified, providing an opportunity to create effective setting-based health promotion and intervention. It is also recommended that policy suggestions are made to influence and prepare essential partners (e.g. companies and employees) to promote ways of incorporating physical activity into one’s daily routine.
Fulltext Associations between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity and overweight/obesity among adults in Kota Bharu and Penang, Malaysia

Lee YY, Kamarudin KS, Wan Muda WAM

BMC Public Health, 2019 May 22;19(1):621.
PMID: 31118019 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6971-2

BACKGROUND: For the past decades, Malaysia has seen an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity which leads to significant health threats. Physical activity is beneficial in maintaining healthy body weight. The objective of this study was to measure physical activity of adults in Malaysia using objective measurement (accelerometer) and self-reported methods, as well as to determine their associations with (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) measurements.
METHODS: Four-hundred and ninety Malaysian adults (n = 490) aged 20 to 65 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. Their body weight, height, and WC measurements were measured according to standard procedures. Physical activity was assessed objectively with accelerometers for five to seven consecutive days. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate the amount of time spent on various domains of physical activity. Mixed models were used to determine the associations between physical activity variables and both BMI and WC.
RESULTS: The mean value of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 13.5 min per day, in which male participants recorded a significantly higher amount of time compared to females. On the other hand, the mean self-reported total physical activity was 380 min per week; male participants reported a significantly higher amount of time on physical activity in the occupation/work and leisure/recreation domains while female participants spent significantly more time in the domestic/household chores domain. We also observed that the mean values of objectively measured total MVPA, self-reported time spent on walking for leisure/recreation, and total time amount of time spent on MVPA for leisure/recreation were significantly higher among participants with BMI of less than 25 kg/m2. The final statistical model yielded a significant negative association between objectively measured total MVPA and BMI, but not with WC measurement. No significant association was reported between self-reported total physical activity with BMI and WC measurement.
CONCLUSIONS: Objectively measured MVPA was inversely associated with BMI, but not WC measurement. No significant association was observed between self-reported total physical activity and physical activity time measures across domains with both BMI and WC measurement.
Fulltext Antiangiogenic activity of sophorolipids extracted from refined bleached deodorized palm olein

Kithur Mohamed S, Asif M, Nazari MV, Baharetha HM, Mahmood S, Yatim ARM, et al.

Indian J Pharmacol, 2019 4 30;51(1):45-54.
PMID: 31031467 DOI: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_312_18

OBJECTIVES: Sophorolipids (SLs) are a group of surface-active glycolipids produced by a type of nonpathogenic yeast Candida bombicola in the presence of vegetable oil through fermentation technology. SLs have shown antitumor activity; however, the mechanism of action underlying the anticancer activity of SLs is poorly understood. This work evaluated the anticancer activity of SLs fermented from palm oil by exploring its antiangiogenic activity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SLs that were fermented and further characterized for their biochemical activities. Cytotoxicity study was performed to assess cytostatic properties. A series of in vitro and ex vivo angiogenesis assay was also carried out. The relative fold change in the expression of p53 mRNA by SLs was also studied.
RESULTS: Altogether, the data show that SLs derived from palm oil fermentation process inhibited neovascularization in the ex vivo tissue segments and also the endothelial cell proliferation between 50% and 65% inhibition as a whole. The palm oil derived SLs also caused downregulation of the suppression level of vascular endothelial growth factor and also upregulate the p53 mRNA level. The analytical studies revealed the presence of high amount of phenolic compounds but with relatively weak antioxidant activity. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies revealed abundant amount of palmitic and oleic acid, the latter an established antiangiogenic agent, and the former being proangiogenic.
CONCLUSION: Therefore, it can be concluded from this study that SLs derived from fermented palm oil have potent antiangiogenic activity which may be attributed by its oleic acid component.
Isoledene from Mesua ferrea Oleo-gum resin induces apoptosis in HCT 116 cells through ROS-mediated modulation of multiple proteins in the apoptotic pathways: a mechanistic study

Asif M, Shafaei A, Jafari SF, Mohamed SB, Ezzat MO, Majid AS, et al.

Toxicol Lett, 2016 Jun 3.
PMID: 27268964 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.05.027

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignant tumors worldwide. Arising from the transformation of epithelial cells in the colon and/or rectum into malignant cells, the foundation of CRC pathogenesis lies in the progressive accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, such as APC and KRAS. Resistance to apoptosis is one of the key mechanisms in the development of CRC as it is for any other kind of cancer. Natural products have been shown to induce the expression of apoptosis regulators that are blocked in cancer cells. In the present study, a series of in vitro assays were employed to study the apoptosis inducing attributes of Isoledene rich sub-fraction (IR-SF) collected from the oleo-gum resin of M. ferrea. Data obtained, shows that IR-SF inhibited cell proliferation and induced typical apoptotic changes in the overall morphology of all the CRC cell lines tested. Fluorescent staining assays revealed characteristic nuclear condensation, and marked decrease in mitochondrial outer membrane potential in treated cells. In addition, an increment in the levels of ROS, caspase-8,-9 and -3 was observed. Proteomic analysis revealed that IR-SF up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, i.e., Bid, Bid and cytochrome c. Cytochrome c in turn activated caspases cascade resulting in the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, IR-SF significantly down-regulated Bcl-2, Bcl-w, survivin, xIAP and HSPs pro-proteins and induced DNA fragmentation and G0/G1-phase arrest in HCT 116 cells. Chemical characterization of IR-SF by GC-MS and HPLC methods identified Isoledene as one of the major compounds. Altogether, the results of the present study demonstrate that IR-SF may induce apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cells through activation of ROS-mediated apoptotic pathways.
Fulltext Establishment of in vitro and in vivo anti-colon cancer efficacy of essential oils containing oleo-gum resin extract of Mesua ferrea

Asif M, Yehya AHS, Dahham SS, Mohamed SK, Shafaei A, Ezzat MO, et al.

Biomed Pharmacother, 2019 Jan;109:1620-1629.
PMID: 30551416 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.127

Proven the great potential of essential oils as anticancer agents, the current study intended to explore molecular mechanisms responsible for in vitro and in vivo anti-colon cancer efficacy of essential oil containing oleo-gum resin extract (RH) of Mesua ferrea. MTT cell viability studies showed that RH had broad spectrum cytotoxic activities. However, it induced more profound growth inhibitory effects towards two human colon cancer cell lines i.e., HCT 116 and LIM1215 with an IC50 values of 17.38 ± 0.92 and 18.86 ± 0.80 μg/mL respectively. RH induced relatively less toxicity in normal human colon fibroblasts i.e., CCD-18co. Cell death studies conducted, revealed that RH induced characteristic morphological and biochemical changes in HCT 116. At protein level it down-regulated expression of multiple pro-survival proteins i.e., survivin, xIAP, HSP27, HSP60 and HSP70 and up-regulated expression of ROS, caspase-3/7 and TRAIL-R2 in HCT 116. Furthermore, significant reduction in invasion, migration and colony formation potential was observed in HCT 116 treated with RH. Chemical characterization by GC-MS and HPLC methods revealed isoledene and elemene as one the major compounds. RH showed potent antitumor activity in xenograft model. Overall, these findings suggest that RH holds a promise to be further studied for cheap anti-colon cancer naturaceutical development.
Biodegradation of monocrotophos by Brucella intermedia Msd2 isolated from cotton plant

Shazmin, Ahmad SA, Naqvi TA, Munis MFH, Javed MT, Chaudhary HJ

World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2023 Mar 31;39(6):141.
PMID: 37000294 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03575-7

Widespread and inadequate use of Monocrotophos has led to several environmental issues. Biodegradation is an ecofriendly method used for detoxification of toxic monocrotophos. In the present study, Msd2 bacterial strain was isolated from the cotton plant growing in contaminated sites of Sahiwal, Pakistan. Msd2 is capable of utilizing the monocrotophos (MCP) organophosphate pesticide as its sole carbon source for growth. Msd2 was identified as Brucella intermedia on the basis of morphology, biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA sequencing. B. intermedia showed tolerance of MCP up to 100 ppm. The presence of opd candidate gene for pesticide degradation, gives credence to B. intermedia as an effective bacterium to degrade MCP. Screening of the B. intermedia strain Msd2 for plant growth promoting activities revealed its ability to produce ammonia, exopolysaccharides, catalase, amylase and ACC-deaminase, and phosphorus, zinc and potassium solubilization. The optimization of the growth parameters (temperatures, shaking rpm, and pH level) of the MCP-degrading isolate was carried out in minimal salt broth supplemented with MCP. The optimal pH, temperature, and rpm for Msd2 growth were observed as pH 6, 35 °C, and 120 rpm, respectively. Based on optimization results, batch degradation experiment was performed. Biodegradation of MCP by B. intermedia was monitored using HPLC and recorded 78% degradation of MCP at 100 ppm concentration within 7 days of incubation. Degradation of MCP by Msd2 followed the first order reaction kinetics. Plant growth promoting and multi-stress tolerance ability of Msd2 was confirmed by molecular analysis. It is concluded that Brucella intermedia strain Msd2 could be beneficial as potential biological agent for an effective bioremediation for polluted environments.