Circuit exercise therapy is being frequently used as a therapy option for stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation. However, the effectiveness of this therapy in improving post-stroke functionality remains limited. There is also a need to improvise the content of the existing circuit exercise therapy to further enhance the process of neuroplasticity towards the attainment of greater recovery. One strategy for this is to integrate the element of games into the exercise therapy to create a more enriched training environment during the exercise session. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a game-based circuit exercise therapy among stroke survivors. This was a pilot experimental study involving 30 stroke patients at post-acute phase post-onset (mean age and standard deviation = 58.9 ± 6.6 years; mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment score = 23.4 ± 7.1) and conducted in a district of Kelantan, Malaysia. Simple random sampling method was used in recruiting the study participants. All participants undergone game-based circuit exercise therapy using a game board named “Checkercise” for 45 minutes, twice per week for 8 weeks. The feasibility of the therapy was measured in term of attrition rate, occurrence of adverse effects and feedbacks from the participants. While its effectiveness on post-stroke physical function were assessed with regards to improvement in functional stability and cardiovascular endurance, using Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and 6-minute Walk Test, respectively. All data were analyzed using the paired samples t test, with the level of significance, p set at < 0.05. Study results shown low attrition rate, no apparent adverse effect, and positive feedbacks from the participants. Improvement in the participants’ mean score for DGI and 6-minute walk test by 7% and 23% respectively (p < 0.05), and medium effect size (Cohen’s d= 0.5 - 0.6) was obtained post-therapy. In conclusion, game-based circuit exercise therapy is feasible and beneficial for stroke survivors. The therapy can potentially be used as a therapy option for this population. A larger study is needed to confirm this study finding.
Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba and opportunistic protozoa that causes infection to humans. One of its primary infections is Acanthamoeba keratitis that occurs mostly amongst contact lens users. There are some difficulties in providing effective treatment to the patients as the cysts of Acanthamoeba spp. are very resistant towards most of the antimicrobial agents. Thus, study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents comprising 0.1% propamidine isethionate (Brolene®) and 0.3% ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan®) towards two clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. (HUKM 74 and HS 72). Besides that, the minimum cysticidal concentration (MCC) of the tested antimicrobial agents were also determined. Propamidine isethionate and ciprofloxacin showed cysticidal activities at therapeutic dosage against both Acanthamoeba spp. isolates. The minimum cysticidal concentration for propamidine isethionate was between 62.5-125 µg/ml while for ciprofloxacin was 375 µg/ml. Both the clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba belonged to group II (Polyphagids).
Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that can cause serious eye infection leading to blindness known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. The infection usually occurs amongst individuals wearing contact lenses. The use of contact lens disinfecting solution not effective against the Acanthamoeba cysts increases the risk for infection. There have been many studies indicating the resistance of Acanthamoeba cyst towards certain antimicrobial agents, enzymatic disinfectant and chemical disinfectant. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of contact lens disinfecting solutions comprising Opti-Free® Express® & Complete™, against the cysts of Acanthamoeba. This study also investigates the effectiveness of the disinfecting solutions based on the soaking time recommended by manufacturers, 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. Four clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba were tested in this study comprising HKL 11, HKL 51, HKL 32 and HKL 5. Ten microliter of cysts suspension (105 cells/ml) was tested on the disinfectant solution respectively. After an interval varying from 4 hours to 8 hours, the solutions were centrifuged and then the sediment was inoculated onto non nutrient agar lawn with E. coli. The plates were examined daily using inverted microscope for the emergence of Acanthamoeba trophozoites. The presence of Acanthamoeba trophozoites indicates that the cysts had successfully undergone excystation process denoting that the disinfecting solution is not effective. Opti-Free® Express® & Complete™ contact lens disinfecting solutions were not effective against all 4 isolates of Acanthamoeba cysts based on time recommended by manufacturers, 4 hours, 6 hours and even 8 hours soaking time. This study shows that there are more contact lens disinfecting solutions not effective against Acanthamoeba cysts compared to those that are effective.
In the 21st century, obesity and its related health complications have become a serious problem worldwide. The primary reasons for this situation are environmental and genetic factors. In this review, we focused on a genetic marker that was found to play a crucial role in determining an individual’s predisposition to weight gain and being obese. This dissertation will also have a look into genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that revealed the possible link of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the first intron of the Fat Mass Obesity Associated (FTO) gene to body mass index and obesity. Moreover, it has become clear that this association with the regulation of body weight is replicable across multiple populations. Furthermore, evidence from animal models where FTO expression has indicated the role of the FTO gene in the regulation of body weight. In the regulation of body weight, FTO protein disallows weight gain by increasing the body’s sensitivity to satiety to prevent excessive food intake through fat cell lipolysis. On the other hand, the FTO variant risk allele increased the appetite and energy intake, but not the expenditure of energy that can lead to weight gain. Individual that is having homozygous of the risk allele, which is the A-allele, was associated with the risk of being obese and the rise in BMI. The purpose of this review is to discuss the association of the FTO gene common variant, rs9939609 with obesity and body mass index, and to describe the role of the FTO gene in the regulation of body weight.
Etilingera elatior or kantan is from the Zingiberaceae family which has a variety of nourishments. In this experiment, the flower buds were used to extract non-polar compound using petroleum ether solvents. Kantan extract is tested for its antimicrobial property against skin bacteria where this test helps to see evaluate its role in fighting skin infection. In addition it is also tested on fungi such as Candida albicans and Asperigillus niger. Our results showed that it inhibits bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis and Streptococcus feacalis. In addition, non-polar kantan extract also inhibits the growth of fungi such as C. albicans and A. niger. In conclusion this extract has the potential in medical treatment and is a broad spectrum compound.
MUHAMMAD IKRAM A. WAHAB, PRITHINA RAJENDRAN, SITI HAZIMAH AYU ISMAIN, ANIS NAJWA HARUN, NUR ‘AFIFAH NAJWA MOHD PAUZI, KHAIRATUL FARHANA MD RODZI, et al.
This research was conducted to study the level of environmental literacy, attitude and behaviour of students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM. A Google Form consisting of four sections: Demographic Information, Environmental Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Challenges were distributed to students. Each section was scored based on the right answers given by the students. In this study, it was found that Nutritional Science Program students had the highest environmental knowledge, while Dietetics students practised the highest environmental attitude among the other courses. The second objective revealed a positive correlation r = 0.297; p < 0.05 between environmental knowledge and attitude among the students. However, this is a weak correlation, which means that students with higher levels of knowledge do not tend to have higher attitudes and vice versa. Students' main challenges to practice good environmental behaviour are lack of knowledge in the correct way of practising those behaviour. Poor legal enforcement is the second most reason why students take environmental issues for granted. Last but not least, the environmental challenges are directly proportional to the environmental attitude. In other words, when environmental challenges increase, the environmental attitude decreases. In conclusion, students' attitude towards the environment may always improve depending on their individual effort to contribute to a better environment.
Elektron mikroskop digunakan untuk melihat tindakbalas bahan ekstrak air kantan atau Etilingera elatior akan mekanisma tindakbalasnya. Di dalam kajian ini kesan tindakbalas antibakteria bunga kantan telah di kaji. Pengimejan dari elektron mikroskop imbasan telah memberikan imej kerosakan pada permukaan bakteria yang disebabkan oleh ekstrak air kantan. Ekstrak kantan pada kepekatan 1.5mg/ml, merencat pertumbuhan bakteria S. aureus dan B.subtilis . Apa yang penting adalah kesan mekanisma tindakbalas ekstrak kantan yang menghasilkan kerosakan seperti lekukan pada bakteria Gram positif. Ini menunjukkan ekstrak air kantan sangat berkesan terhadap lapisan peptidoglikan pada permukaan Gram positif sehingga kerosakan ini menyebabkan kesan bakterisidal.
Phosphatases are extracellular enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phospho-ester bonds inorganic phosphate-containing substrates and release inorganic phosphate in the arrangement of orthophosphates that able to be consumed by organisms. In the current years, there has been a major escalation in the number of studies and publications focusing on alkaline phosphatases (ALPs). This expansion reveals more complexity of the functions of this enzyme. This review highlights multiple roles played particularly on ALP in relation to human health, aquaculture, bacteria, and mammals. Continuous research on this multifaceted enzyme will undeniably offer better insight into understanding the overall function in every living organism.