Liver, an important organ of metabolism, is damaged when exposed to chemicals, toxins, infectious agents, drugs and food additives. Arachis hypogaea (peanut) being organic may have free radical scavenging activity, which could protect the liver from damage. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Arachis hypogaea on liver marker enzymes such as serum AST(aspertate transaminase) and
ALT(alanine transaminase) and histology of liver in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Twenty healthy Wistar albino male rats (120 – 150 grams, 90 – 120 days old) were acclimatized for 14 days and divided equally into control group (n = 10) and experimental group (n = 10). Control group received standard pellet for 21 consecutive days. The experimental group received peanut powder 500mg/kg body weight/day; orally) mixed with food for the same period. All the animals were killed on 22nd day. Blood and liver samples were collected. Levels of serum AST, ALT and bilirubin were estimated and the liver was processed for histology. Results were statistically analyzed by
2 sample t-test. Results: Final body weights were significantly (p
Foot shape significantly varies with age, sex and ethnicity. Information on gender and racial differences in foot shape is also useful to forensic scientists identifying isolated remains. Literature survey revealed that there are not enough studies on correlation of foot shape with changes in body weight. Hence this cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out to evaluate the correlation of foot shape with changes in body weight within same race and ethnicity. A total number of 110 male medical students of 3rd and 4th year of Bengali ethnicity were chosen through purposive sampling. Foot index was calculated by dividing the foot length with the foot width. On the basis of foot index, foot shapes were classified into slender, standard and broad. Correlation of the foot shape with the body weight was assessed. Both right and left foot indices showed significant negative correlations with the body weight (r = −0.214, p = .033 and r = −0.282, p = 0.005 respectively). This approach of categorization will help in making best fit footwear for males. It will also serve as a baseline data for forensic investigators.
The huge population of persuadable, active, healthy and young students is the potential as blood donors to meet safe blood donation. This study focused on the existing level of knowledge regarding voluntary blood donation among medical (Faculty of Medicine and Health Science) and nonmedical students with science background (Faculty of Engineering) at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Four hundred and fifty-five students consisting of medical (231) and nonmedical (224) were selected through stratified random sampling to participate in the study. Data was collected using validated structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by structural equation modelling using SPSS AMOS Graphics version 22 and SPSS version16. The results showed a significant (pp
The main objective of this study was to obtain information regarding the effects of educational and socio-economic status of the patients on the prescribing pattern of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by the qualified medical personnel in the outpatient departments (OPDs) of two selected polyclinics in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 200 selected patients (100 from each polyclinic) attending the OPDs were interviewed using a questionnaire. Again data were collected, photocopied and later analyzed. Educated and higher income group of patients mostly attended in a Private Polyclinic (PPC) whereas less educated and lower income group of patients generally attended UMS Polyclinic (UPC). This was reported as a probable reason for the wide variations in the prescribing pattern with respect to pharmacological subclasses of NSAIDs in the OPDs of two polyclinics. The present results strongly support that probable reason. The number of patients taking NSAIDs before coming to hospital was more in PPC compared to UPC. They were influenced by pharmacists, friends and doctor’s advice given previously. In conclusion, it may be mentioned that overall prescribing pattern of NSAIDs among two polyclinics is rational.
The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can be reduced by preventing transmission with rapid and precise case detection and early treatment. The Gene-Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a useful tool for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) with rifampicin resistance within approximately two hours by using a nucleic acid amplification technique. This study was designed to reduce the underdiagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary TB and to assess the clinical and radiological characteristics of PTB patients. This cross-sectional study included 235 participants who went to the Luyang primary health care clinic from September 2016 to June 2017. The demographic data were analyzed to investigate the association of patient gender, age group, and ethnicity by chi-square test. To assess the efficacy of the diagnostic test, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. The area under the curve for sputum for both AFB and gene-Xpert was analyzed to compare their accuracy in diagnosing TB. In this study, TB was more common in males than in females. The majority (50.71%) of the cases belonged to the 25-44-year-old age group and the Bajau ethnicity (57.74%). Out of 50 pulmonary TB cases (smear-positive with AFB staining), 49 samples were positive according to the Gene-Xpert MTB/RIF assay and was confirmed by MTB culture. However, out of 185 smear-negative presumptive cases, 21 cases were positive by Gene-Xpert MTB/RIF assay in that a sample showed drug resistance, and these results were confirmed by MTB culture, showing resistance to isoniazid. In comparison to sputum for AFB, Gene-Xpert showed more sensitivity and specificity with almost complete accuracy. The additional 21 PTB cases detection from the presumptive cases by GeneXpert had significant impact compared to initial observation by the routine tests which overcame the diagnostic challenges and ambiguities.
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE
AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected; Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: The use of medicinal plants as a remedy and prevention of diseases based on practical skills, knowledge and therapies was passed down from one generation to the next. It was reported by WHO that, approximately a quarter of the modern drugs were derivatives of plants or herbs, used as traditional medicines. It has contributed greatly in the health care management as the main source of medicine for many of the rural population in Sabah. This preliminary study was carried out to observe the use of medicinal plants in different villages of Kudat and to know about the knowledge of the villagers related to possible side effects of these plants.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study which was carried out in different villages of Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia between August and September 2018. The data were obtained through interviewing the people in different villages by using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data.
Results: Among the 87 participants, 37.9% were male and 62.1% were female. Their mean age was 45.87 (±14.03) and they were mostly from Kadazan-Dusun (50.6%) and Rungus (42.5%). The highest level of education among the participants was SPM (20.7%). Roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of 49 plant species were reported in the treatment of more than 30 types of health conditions. Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, joint pain, hypercholesterolaemia, fever, asthma, malaria, vomiting and few acute illnesses are mentionable. Majority (71%) of the participants did not have any knowledge about possible side effects of the orally ingested or tropically applied medicinal plants.
Conclusion: There should be thorough research on dosage, mechanism of action and possible side effects of the medicinal plants and the results of these researches should reach the users of these plants.
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected; Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Since January 2010, the UMS Polyclinic, situated at Riverside Plaza, Kingfisher Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, provided general medical consultation as well as specialist consultations comprising of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology (Diabetes and related problems), Dermatology, Rheumatology, Cardiology including ECG and ECHO services, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry. The purpose of this study was to look into the Dermatology consultations provided by the UMS Polyclinic in order to improve health care services, by reporting on the demographic characteristics of the patients with reference to the provisional diagnosis and management offered, as well as referrals to tertiary health care centers for further managements. Methods: It was a retrospective, descriptive study which included 76 patients who visited the Dermatology Specialist Clinic at UMS Polyclinic from January to December 2018.
Results: The 76 patients comprised of 50 males and 26 female patients with the age ranged from 2 years to 86 years, with 5 children (under the age of 12 years).The catchment population of the patients were mainly from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kingfisher, and also from wide areas of Kota Kinabalu with a few from Kudat,Tamparuli, Telipok, Keningau, Kinarut and Beaufort, etc. The consultations comprised of 19 varieties of dermatological problems to which were given appropraite management. The period of the year 2018 under study showed highest attendance in February with 21 patients (27.6%) followed by 13 patients (17.1%) in October with December showing 11 patients (14.5% ).
Conclusion: A total of 32 varieties of Dermatological problems were found among the 76 patients consulted. Acne Vulgaris was found to be the highest variant with 12 cases(15.7%) with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis seen as 5 cases (6.5%) followed by 4 cases (5.2%) each of Contact Dermatitis, Allergy/Hypersensitivity, Photosensitive Dermatitis, and Vitiligo. Certain patients had to be referred to Dermatology Department at Hospital Queen Elizabeth for further management, like for skin biopsy, and also for Electro-cautery machine, Phototherapy, and Laser, as we are still waiting for few equipments.