Fibres from banana’s stem are abundantly available in Malaysia. This study focused on the production
of woven fabric from banana pseudo-stem fibres. Yarn made of 100% banana stem and 100% cotton
yarn were produced. Two types of retting techniques were conducted, which are water retting and
retting using softening agent. The fibres were spun and weaved into plain weave fabric. All specimens
were evaluated for yarn twist, yarn evenness, yarn linear density and selected fabric physical
properties. The results obtained showed that banana stem fabric treated with softening agent has lower
area density and higher thickness. Weft sample retted in softening agent has higher bending length and
flexural rigidity than sample retted in water. This might be due to the decrement of yarn’s stiffness,
which eases the insertion of yarn during shedding process. Weft sample retted in water has lower
bending length due to coarser yarn and tends to break easily. It is found that retting banana stem fibres
with softening agent affect the yarn linear density, area density, fabric stiffness properties and flexural
rigidity of the fabric.
Unilamellar liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were prepared by the reverse-phase
evaporation method and extrusion through a polycarbonate membrane filter. Liposomes at 0.7 mg/mL lipid concentration
in deionized water were exposed to gamma irradiation at a dose in the range 0.5 to 25 kGy. Gamma irradiation of
liposomes resulted in the degradation of DPPC lipids into free fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholine and 1,2-palmitoylphosphatidic
acid (DPPA). The effect of gamma irradiation towards the physical stability of liposomes was investigated
by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential analysis. From
the DLS analysis, no significant changes were observed in the hydrodynamic size of liposomes. TEM images indicate that
the liposomes surface became smoother and rounder as higher irradiation doses were applied. Zeta potential analysis
showed that gamma irradiation of DPPC liposomes at radiation doses as low as 0.5 kGy resulted in a drastic rise in the
magnitude of the zeta potential. The results also demonstrate that gamma irradiation of liposomes suspension enhanced
the overall stability of liposomes. Hence, it can be concluded that gamma irradiation on DPPC liposomes may potentially
produce liposomes with higher stability.
Food related disease or food poisoning is prevalent worldwide and is associated with high mortality. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, enterotoxins, mycotoxins, chemicals, histamine poisoning (scombroid) ciguatera and harmful algal bloom (HAB). Illness can also result by red tide while breathing in the aerosolized brevitoxins (i.e. PbTx or Ptychodiscus toxins). Bacterial toxin food poisoning can affect within 1-6 hours and 8-16 hours, and illness can be with or without bloody diarrhea. The common symptoms of food poisoning include abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosis includes examination of leftover food, food preparation environment, food handlers, feces, vomitus, serum and blood. Treatment involves oral rehydration, antiemetic, and anti-peristaltic drugs. Antimicrobial agents may be needed in the treatment of shigellosis, cholera, lifesaving invasive salmonellosis and typhoid fever. Proper care in handling and cooking is important to prevent any food borne diseases.
Introduction: Parents play an essential role in their children’s tuberculosis (TB) treatment
success despite many challenges from the beginning of their children’s symptoms until
completion of the TB treatment. The challenges can be described as perceived barriers,
according to the Health Belief Model, a theory of behaviour change. This study aims to explore
parents’ experiences on the challenges in achieving a successful TB treatment for their child
in two districts of Selangor state, Malaysia. Methods: The research was carried out using a
phenomenology study design. In-depth interviews were conducted among purposively
sampled parents of children with TB disease who have completed TB treatment or still
undergoing treatment from MyTB version 2.1, a national TB surveillance database. The
collected data was considered as achieving its saturation level if no new themes arise from
the latest interviews’ session. The R-based Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA) package
version 0.2-8 was used for the thematic data analysis. Results: The total number of
participants in this study was 15 mothers of children with TB disease; 12 (80%) of the children
had completed TB treatment. There were six subthemes identified from this study focusing on
the theme of multiple challenges, such as health symptoms challenges, TB investigation
challenges, personal challenges, healthcare facilities challenges, administration medication
challenges, and community challenges. Conclusions: Parents highlighted many challenges
during the child’s illness phase, and they should be given adequate education and appropriate
support to ensure TB treatment adherence. TB program managers should take action
following the relevant parents’ feedback regarding the quality of TB care in a healthcare
facility
Introduction: Role of nurses is very important in raising awareness, motivation level and increasing rate of organ donation subsequently. There are many studies on critical care nurses’ roles and education affect organ donation. Methods: A narrative literature review article of published research. Twelve published articles from ten different countries were found using different renowned online search engines. Results: Knowledge about organ donation among nursing students almost all over the world is inadequate than expectation and requirement in respective country. Marlene R et al showed that scores on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs subscales were positively cor- related with the number of requests for tissue and organs and consents obtained (0.76); and consents obtained for tissues and consents obtained for organs (0.72). Professional education was indicated in 43% of nurses surpassing family beliefs, religion and mass media. The cognitive part (knowledge) is directly depends on non-cognitive (Aware- ness and Attitude). Findings from almost all articles suggest the need of adding organ donation topic in the nursing and medical curriculum to prepare competent nurses and health care providers for future. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is a need to integrate organ donation aspects into the educational program to prepare nurses for their roles in organ and tissue procurement as well as awareness among policy makers in this regard for the well-be- ing of our patients.
Introduction: Kratom or (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves are consumed as a folk remedy and opioid substitute in the Southeast Asian region. There is still a lack of information about the long-term or toxic-causing effects of kratom use. Methods: A total of thirteen regular kratom users, with long-term (>20 twenty years) kratom use history were recruited for this cross-sectional pilot study. Respondents were required to undergo a blood-test and laboratory anaysis was conducted to determine the mitragynine content in an acquired street sample of kratom. Results: The regular, long- term consumption of brewed kratom decoction did not cause any significant alterations in haematological, kidney, liver, thyroid, inflammatory and gastrointestinal analytes in a cohort of kratom users who had no history of substance misuse. However, those who had a higher intake (>3 glasses per day) of kratom exhibited higher lipid values (except for HDL-cholesterol), and a moderate elevation of homocysteine level. Conclusion: Long-term (>20 years with a daily intake of 87.54mg of mitragynine) kratom consumption was not associated with altered biochemical levels, although prolonged and heavy use (>3 glasses daily) may result in cardiovascular risks. The latter finding, however, requires further investigation.
The state of Johore, Malaysia had been hit by the worst flood in the Malaysian modern history on the 19th December 2006 (first wave) and the 12th January 2007 (second wave) affecting all the eight districts. A total number of 157,018 and 155,368 Johore population had been displaced by the first and the second wave event respectively. The Johore State Health Department activated the Flood Action Plan which include mobilising medical teams to conduct daily clinical examinations on the flood victims and health teams to inspect flood relief centres, food premises and homes at flood-hit areas with regard to prevent and control communicable diseases. The spreadsheet format was used to collect data on diseases, injury and death throughout the Johore flood disaster period starting from the 19th December 2006 until 19th February 2007. Analyses showed that 19,670 flood victims (36.3%) had communicable diseases and 34,530 (67.0%) had non-communicable diseases. As for the communicable diseases and symptoms/syndromes related to communicable disease, 41.3% were acute respiratory infections (ARI) followed by 25.9% skin infections, 19.1% fever, 10.1% acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and 3.0% acute conjunctivitis. Other infectious diseases include 61 notifiable diseases (46 food poisoning, 14 dengue fever and one tuberculosis), 20 leptospirosis (with two deaths), 20 chicken pox and two melioidosis cases. The Batu Pahat district had the highest incidence for the majority of the communicable diseases because of the prolonged flooding period. No cholera, typhoid, malaria, measles or hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases were detected among the Johore flood victims. Trends of disease incidence follow the number of evacuees placed in the relief centres corresponding to respective wave. A total of 507 flood victims had physical injuries related to flood mostly due to fall onto wet floor at the relief centres. Fifteen deaths due to drowning were mainly caused by accidental fall into the flood water. The incidence of communicable diseases encountered had been appropriately anticipated and managed attributed to enhanced public health control programmes augmented by syndromic and laboratory surveillance on potentialy fatal infectious diseases. Equal emphasis should be given to the surveillance and control of chronic diseases.
The composite polymer films of polyvinyl alcohol/polypyrrole/chloral hydrate (PVA-PPy-CH) had been prepared. Effects of γ-rays on the electrical conductivity of the composite polymer films had been investigated by using Inductance Capacitance Resistance meter (LCR) meter at a frequency ranging from 20 Hz to 1 MHz. With the incorporation of chloral hydrate in the polymer sample, the conductivity increased indicates that it is capable to be used as dopant for polymerizing conjugated polymer. The electrical conductivity obtained increased as the dose increased, which is in the order of 10-5 Scm-1 indicates that γ-rays is capable to enhance the electrical conductivity of the composite polymer films. The parameter of s is in the range of 0.31 d s d 0.49 and obeyed simple power law dispersion ωs. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs reveal the formation of polypyrrole globules in polyvinyl alcohol matrix which increased as the irradiation dose was increased.
This is a prospective study on infection following fixation of closed fractures done in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan ,Kuantan from May 2003 to May 2005. There were 23 cases in this study. The mean age of patient was 32.9 years (range 15 to 77). Twenty one were males and 2 females. Twenty (87%) infections occurred in the lower limb and only 3(13%) occurred in the upper limbs. Twenty two patients (91%) had plating done for the fracture. Infection following internal fixation is commonly a deep seated (96%) and florid (78%) infection in which 70% occur after the surgical wound has healed. Staphylococcus aureus is the commonest organism isolated in which 43% are Methicillin resistant (MRSA). Overall infection caused by gram negative organisms is more common than gram positive organisms.
The composite polymer films of polyvinyl alcohol/polypyrrole/chloral hydrate (PVA-PPy-CH) had been prepared. Effects of J-rays on the electrical conductivity of the composite polymer films had
been investigated by using Inductance Capacitance Resistance meter (LCR) meter at a frequency
ranging from 20 Hz to 1 MHz. With the incorporation of chloral hydrate in the polymer sample, the conductivity increased indicates that it is capable to be used as dopant for polymerizing conjugated polymer. The electrical conductivity obtained increased as the dose increased, which is in the order of 10-5Scm-1 indicates that J-rays is capable to enhance the electrical conductivity of the composite polymer films. The parameter of s is in the range of 0.31 d s d 0.49 and obeyed simple power law dispersion Zs. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs reveal the formation of polypyrrole globules in polyvinyl alcohol matrix which increased as the irradiation dose was increased.
Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare workers has been reported to compromise patient safety. Medical students are future doctors. We explored how early medical students acquired the practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.
Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data; frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons were made between senior and junior medical students.
Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among junior and senior medical students. They acquired the habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time, space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior students experiencing these more than senior students. The latter were better at interpreting standard and non-standard abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable. Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in patient management as a result of misinterpretation of abbreviations.
Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of using abbreviations early in their training. Senior students knew more and correctly interpreted more standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to junior students. Medical students should be taught to use standard abbreviations only.
Madu gelam telah didapati mempunyai kesan anti-oksidatif, anti-kanser dan antiinflamasi
terhadap banyak jenis kanser. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan
kesan madu gelam terhadap aras tekanan oksidatif sel kanser peparu manusia.
IC50 madu gelam ditentukan dengan merawat sel A549 dengan dos madu yang
berbeza (50-200 mg/ml). Sel dibahagikan kepada 4 kumpulan dan diaruh tekanan
oksidatif dengan menggunakan hidrogen peroksida (H2
O2
) mengikut kumpulan
tertentu: kawalan, H2
O2
, madu gelam, H2
O2
+ madu gelam. Selepas 24 jam
rawatan, biopetanda tekanan oksidatif seperti malondialdehid (MDA) dan protein
karbonil ditentukan. Aruhan tekanan oksidatif meningkatkan aras MDA (p
The fermentation of Pleurotus pulmonarius (non-irradiated) and Pleurotus pulmonarius (irradiated) were carried out in Erlenmeyer flask 500 mL (working volume 250 mL) and screened for the presence of β-glucan (1, 3:1, 6). The biomass obtained was extracted using Modified Mizuno Method to get the endopolysaccharide. The endopolysaccharides of Pleurotus pulmonarius (irradiated) contained higher content of β-glucan (1, 3:1, 6) with 16.7 g/100g crude polysaccharide compared to the non-irradiated strain. The irradiated strain was chosen for further investigation. Fractionation of endopolysaccharide Pleurotus pulmonarius (irradiated) using column chromatograph yielded 7 fractions. The first fraction (F1) contained high molecular weight fraction ~ 105 Da which potential immunomodulation characteristics. The Pleurotus pulmonarius (irradiated) was produced in a 5 L air-lift bioreactor. The highest biomass was obtained at air flowrate of 2 L/min, yielding productivity of 2.56 g/L.d.
The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of exposure of heavy metals such as Ni, Fe and Mn on the growth of the cyanobacteria Anabaena flos-aquae, which can be found in fresh water environment. Results of the experiments showed that exposure of A. flos-aquae to Ni caused the most toxic effect as compared to exposure with Fe and Mn. The 96 hr LC50 value for Ni exposure was 0.321 mg/mL (approximately 30% inhibition), whereas Mn was the second most toxic metal followed by Fe with the 96 hr LC50 values of 0.684 mg/mL and 3.020 mg/mL respectively. This study demonstrated that even though Fe and Mn are essential micronutrients for A. flos-aquae, both show toxic effects at high concentrations. The difference in the toxicity value between Fe and Mn for A. flos-aquae is five times and this indicates that Mn was five times more toxic to A. flos-aquae than Fe suggesting that the Cyanobacteria is more tolerant to Fe when compared with Mn.
Kandungan logam-logam berat Pb, Zn, Ni, Co dan Cd pada empat bahagian tumbuhan Nepenthes sp. (akar, batang, daun dan periuk) serta substrat tanih yang menyokong pertumbuhannya dari kawasan bekas lombong bijih timah dan besi di Lombong Pelepah Kanan, Kota Tinggi, Johor telah ditentukan. Komposisi logam-logam berat dalam sampel tanih diekstrak menggunakan campuran asid nitrik pekat dan asid perklorik. Pengekstrakan logam berat dalam tumbuhan pula dilakukan menggunakan kaedah penghadaman basah. Kandungan logam berat di dalam ekstrak larutan tanih dan tumbuhan ditentukan menggunakan Spektrofotometer Penyerapan Atom kaedah nyalaan (FAAS-model Perkin Elmer 3300). Nilai koefisien Penyerapan Biologi (BAC) yang merupakan nisbah kandungan logam berat dalam tumbuhan kepada kandungan logam berat dalam tanih ditentukan secara kiraan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa tanih di kawasan kajian adalah berasid dan didominasi oleh pasir. Kandungan bahan organik dan kepekatan garam dalam tanih pula adalah rendah, manakala nilai pH adalah berasid. Logam Zn (698.5 mg/kg) menunjukkan kepekatan yang tinggi di dalam substrat tanih diikuti oleh logam Co (182.9 mg/kg), Pb (58.2 mg/kg), Ni (12.2 mg/kg) dan Cd (2.09 mg/kg). Kepekatan logam berat di dalam tumbuhan mengikut kepekatan menurun adalah Ni>Co>Cd>Pb>Zn. Kepekatan logam di dalam bahagian-bahagian tumbuhan tidak menunjukkan perbezaan signifikan bagi semua logam. Tumbuhan Nepenthes sp. didapati menumpukkan logam Ni dalam kepekatan yang tinggi sebagaimana yang ditunjukkan nilai BACnya yang tinggi. Tumbuhan ini mungkin boleh digunakan sebagai bio-penunjuk bagi kehadiran Ni dalam kepekatan yang tinggi di dalam tanih.
Chlorella vulgaris (ChV), sejenis alga hijau unisel telah dilaporkan mempunyai khasiat kesihatan pada penyakit tertentu termasuk kanser. Objektif utama kajian ialah untuk mengukur dan menilai kesan antioksidan dan antitumor ekstrak air panas ChV ke atas sel kanser hepar yang dijalankan secara in vivo dan in vitro. Asai DPPH yang dijalankan menunjukkan peratus pengautan ChV yang tinggi. Dalam kajian in vivo, tikus Wistar jantan (200-250 g) dibahagikan kepada lapan kumpulan: tikus kawalan (diet normal), tikus diaruh kanser hepar (diet kurang kolin + 0.1% etionin dalam air minuman) atau singkatannya CDE, tikus diberi rawatan ChV pada tiga dos berbeza (50, 150 dan 300 mg/kg berat badan) dan tikus CDE diberi rawatan ChV pada tiga dos berbeza. Sampel darah dan tisu diambil dari semua kumpulan tikus pada minggu 0, 4, 8 dan 12 untuk penentuan kadar proliferasi dan apoptosis sel untuk melihat kesan antitumor ChV. Peratus pembentukan nodul praneoplasia adalah tinggi pada tikus diaruh kanser hepar (CDE) tetapi ChV pada semua dos berjaya mengurangkannya. Pertambahan jumlah sel kanser semasa hepatokarsinogenesis ditunjukkan dengan peningkatan proliferasi hepatosit yang signifikan (p<0.05) pada tikus CDE berbanding kawalan tetapi ChV pada semua dos berjaya mengurangkan proliferasi secara signifikan (p<0.05). Peratus apoptosis sel didapati meningkat secara signifikan (p<0.05) pada tikus CDE, tetapi peningkatan yang lebih ketara berlaku pada tikus CDE diberi ChV (300 mg/kg berat badan). Dalam kajian in vitro pula, aktiviti antitumor ekstrak air panas ChV telah ditentukan dengan melihat perubahan dalam proliferasi dan apoptosis sel kanser hepar HepG2 yang dikultur di makmal. Ekstrak air panas ChV berjaya menurunkan kadar proliferasi sel HepG2 dengan signifikan secara berkadar terus dengan dos yang digunakan dengan nilai IC50 1.6 mg/ml. Hasil analisis TUNEL pula menunjukkan ekstrak air panas ChV berjaya mengaruh apoptosis dalam sel HepG2. Keputusan ini disokong oleh hasil pemblotan Western dengan peningkatan pengekspresan protein P53 dan protein proapoptosis BAX dan Kaspase-3. Daripada hasil-hasil kajian, dapatlah dicadangkan bahawa ChV berpotensi tinggi sebagai antioksidan serta berupaya memberi kesan antitumor kepada kanser hepar pada kajian in vivo dan in vitro.
The role of heat shock protein in reproduction is widely known as a molecular chaperone in aiding and repairing protein
formation when stress occurred. The present objectives were to evaluate the effect of different thawing temperature and
time on the expression of HSP70 gene expression and the capacitation status in cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Briefly,
fresh ejaculates were obtained from three different adult bulls. The semen then underwent a sperm washing technique
known as Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting System (MACS) and later on, cryopreserved. The sperm- containing straws
were then thawed at five different thawing temperatures and time post-cryostorage; 20°C for 13 s, 37°C for 30 s, 40°C
for 7 s, 60°C for 6 s and 80°C for 5 s. The RNA was extracted from each of the sperm’s pellets and converted to cDNA
prior to the qPCR process. Capacitation status was then determined by means of CTC assay. The results showed that after
the process of amplification, there is a significant different of HSP70 gene expression in MACS process samples when the
thawing process was performed at 37°C for 30 s, with p<0.05. Furthermore, the CTC assay also showed that thawing at
the same temperature gave less capacitated spermatozoa with p<0.05. As a conclusion, MACS yield spermatozoa with a
better expression of HSP70 gene and less capacitated spermatozoa when thawing was done at 37°C for 30 s.
Introduction: Rotary wing aircraft (RWA) or the helicopter has been used in Primary Health Care and Medical Emergency Services in the state of Sabah since the seventies. The use of RWA has distinct advantages in terms of speed, ability to access remote areas and in the transportation of patients to tertiary care. Single engine RWA was used for the last forty years which has now been replaced with twin engine RWA. The objective of this study is to compare the different type of RWA which was used and the suitability of
these machines for health services in Sabah. Methods: A detailed analysis and comparison of manufacturers’ specifications which include the performance, size, the number of power plant, passenger capacity,
safety track record, aircraft manufacturer’ s support, maintenance and operational costs of different types of RWA available in Sabah taking into account current and future demands as well as functional requirements and
the capability of the aircraft service providers were considered. Results: The choice of aircrafts depends on the type of service and its suitability. From the assessment, a single engine RWA would be adequate to support the
current and future need in Sabah. Conclusion: Adequate technical knowledge in choosing the type of aircraft to provide an effective health service is vital. These also contribute to the cost effectiveness of the program and significantly determine efficiency of the service and the interest of the rural people with poor accessibility to health care.
The construction industry is one of the major sectors in Malaysia. Apart from providing
facilities, services and goods it also offers employment opportunities to local and
foreign workers. In fact, the construction workers are exposed to high risk of noises
being generated from various sources including excavators, bulldozers, concrete mixer
and piling machines. Previous studies indicated that the piling and concrete work were
recorded as the main source that contributed to the highest level of noise among
others. Therefore, the aim of this study is to obtain the level of noise exposure during
piling process and to determine the awareness of workers against noise pollution at
the construction site. Initially, the reading of noise level was obtained at construction
site by using a digital sound level meter (SLM) and noise exposure to the workers was
mapped. Readings were taken from four different distances; 5, 10, 15 and 20 meters
from the piling machine. Furthermore, a set of questionnaire was also distributed to
assess the knowledge of regarding noise pollution at the construction site. The result
showed that the mean noise level at 5 meters distance was more than 90 dB, which
exceeded the recommended level. Although the level of awareness of regarding the
effect of noise pollution is satisfactory but majority of workers (90%) still did not wear
ear muffs during working periods. Therefore, the safety module guidelines related to
noise pollution controls should be implemented to provide a safe working environment
and prevent initial occupational hearing loss.
This study investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the direct cytotoxic effect of Lignosus rhinocerotis fractions, especially the polysaccharide fraction, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. L. rhinocerotis crude extract was obtained through hot water extraction. The precipitate saturated with 30% ammonium sulfate was purified with ion-exchanged chromatography. Gel permeation chromatography multiangle laser light scattering analysis equipped with light scattering and UV signals revealed two district groups of polymers. A total of four peaks were observed in the total carbohydrate test. Fraction C, which was the second region of the second peak eluted with 0.3 M NaOH, showed the highest integrated molecular weight, whereas fraction E had the lowest integrated molecular weight of 19,790 Da. Fraction A contained the highest β-D-glucan content. Enzymatic analysis showed that most of the polysaccharide fractions contained β-1-3 and β-1-6 skeletal backbones. The peak eluted with 0.6 M NaOH was separated in fraction D (flask 89-92) and fraction E (93-96). The results showed that fraction E expressed higher antioxidant activities than fraction D whereas fraction D expressed higher chelating activity than fraction E. The extract saturated with 30% ammonium sulfate exhibited higher reducing power than the extract saturated with 100% ammonium sulfate. Fractions D and E significantly inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. There was no apparent difference in the viability of cells exposed or unexposed to L. rhinocerotis fractions.