Sea cucumbers, blind cylindrical marine invertebrates that live in the ocean intertidal beds have more than thousand species available of varying morphology and colours throughout the world. Sea cucumbers have long been exploited in traditional treatment as a source of natural medicinal compounds. Various nutritional and therapeutic values have been linked to this invertebrate. These creatures have been eaten since ancient times and purported as the most commonly consumed echinoderms. Some important biological activities of sea cucumbers including anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-asthmatic, anti-bacterial and wound healing. Thus, this short review comes with the principal aim to cover the profile, taxonomy, together with nutritional and medicinal properties of sea cucumbers.
In vivo stability of biomaterial-based bone scaffolds often present a significant drawback in the development of materials
for tissue engineering purpose. Previously developed nanobiocomposite bone scaffold using alginate and nano cockle shell
powder has shown ideal characteristics. However, it showed high degradation rate and reduced stability in an in vivo
setting. In this study, we aim to observe the effect of cross-linking glutaraldehyde (GA) in three different concentrations
of 0.5%, 1% and 2% during the fabrication process as a potential factor in increasing scaffold stability. Microstructure
observations of scaffolds using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed all scaffolds crossed linked with GA and
control had an ideal pore size ranging from 166.8-203.5 µm. Increase in porosity compared to the control scaffolds
was observed in scaffolds cross-linked with 2% GA which also presented better structural integrity as scored through
semi-quantitative methods. Tested pH values during the degradation period showed that scaffolds from all groups
remained within the range of 7.73-8.76. In vitro studies using osteoblast showed no significant changes in cell viability
but a significant increase in ALP enzyme levels in scaffold cross-linked with 2% GA. The calcium content released from
all scaffold showed significant differences within and between the groups. It can be concluded that the use of GA in the
preparation stage of the scaffold did not affect the growth and proliferation of osteoblast and use of 2% GA showed
improved scaffold structural integrity and porosity.
Motivation camp is one of the learning interventions to assist underperform students in improving their academic performances in term of GPA (Grade Point Average). An intervention study was carried out to know the effectiveness of a motivation camp in improving the academic performances among the biomedical science students at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Total of 44 respondents were involved in this study from year 2 and year 3 and had been categorized into control and intervention groups (n = 22 per group). The intervention group was given motivational talks followed by a group discussion and self-reflection. The students in the intervention group were also assigned with academicians to facilitate and guide them throughout the motivational camp. The students were interested in motivational talks activity the most. The average GPA showed a significant improvement after the motivation camp with 3.01 ± 0.30 (p < 0.05) for the intervention group. Yet, control group also displayed a significant increment in the average GPA, 3.24 ± 0.06 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, motivation camp is one of the many learning intervention tools that strategize to help students in improving their academic performances but it should be complemented with other intervention methods.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as an additive in food. Excess consumption of MSG was reported to cause oxidative stress on brain, liver and renal resulted in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aims to determine the biochemical and histological effects of low dose MSG on the liver of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals (n = 6 per group) were randomly divided into three groups with two treatment groups: 60 mg/kg (MSG60) and 120 mg/kg (MSG120), and one control group (distilled water). The substances were administered to the rats via force feeding for 28 consecutive days. On day 29, all rats were killed, and liver tissues were biopsied for the biochemical (total protein, liver enzymes, and the status of oxidative stress) and histological analysis. The total protein appeared significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) demonstrated a significant increased (p < 0.05) in the MSG120 treatment group as compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the antioxidant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increase (p < 0.05) in the MSG120 group as compared to the MSG60 and control groups. The histological findings revealed changes to normal liver architecture and accumulation of red blood cells in the central veins in both MSG groups. This study indicates that the MSG consumption at a dose of 120 mg/kg may ALTer the biochemical and histological parameters of the liver.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer commonly used in processed food to increase palatability. Several studies have reported that chronic exposure of MSG causes renal fibrosis via oxidative stress mechanism. However, till date, the effects of low dose of MSG on the oxidative stress status and its histopathological observation of renal are still unclear. A total of 18 male Sprague Dawley rats (170 – 200 g) were divided randomly into three groups consisted of the control (received distilled water = 1 ml/kg), MSG 60 (received 60 mg/kg MSG) and MSG 120 (received 120 mg/kg MSG) groups. All of the substances were given via force-feed oral for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, all rats were sacrificed and the renal were isolated for biochemical and histological evaluation. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and protein carbonyl (PC) level showed significantly increased (p < 0.05) in MSG 60 and MSG 120 group compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was found in glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in all treated groups. The histology observation showed glomerulus shrinkage in MSG 60 and MSG 120 groups. In conclusion, these findings confirmed low dose of MSG-induced oxidative stress and histopathological changes on the renal of male Sprague-dawley rats. Accordingly, care must be taken on the intake of MSG in our daily basis.
Background: The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommended that at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables be consumed daily. However, is there a relationship between daily fruit and vegetable intake and body mass index (BMI)? The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and BMI among postgraduate students in the health sciences. Methodogy: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 44 postgraduate students from the 2019/2020 batch of health sciences took partn in this study. Respondents were asked to complete three parts of the questionnaire: socio-demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and self-administered questions. Results: The majority of respondents are female (n=44, 77.3%), and they are mainly Malay (n=22, 50.0%). The average BMI of all respondents is 23.76±4.83. This study found that majority of respondents did not meet the recommended daily fruit (n=31, 70.5%) and vegetable intake (n=23, 52.3%). Discussion: The study discovered a significant relationship (p0.05) between gender, age, BMI, waist circumference, and daily fruit intake. Moreover, neither daily fruit nor vegetable intake predicted changes in BMI. Conclusion: This study found that the consumption of fruits and vegetables among postgraduate students was unsatisfactory and lower than recommended guidelines.
Background: Time management is one of the factors that may influence students’ academic performance in university. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the role of motivation camp programme towards time management among first-year undergraduate students of the Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) by using a questionnaire. Methods: A total of 32 students was categorized into group 1 and group 2 (n=16 per group), with group 1 is students who did not attend the motivational camp and group2 participated in the camp. Their academic performance in terms of Grade Point Average (GPA) was evaluated in semester 1 and 2 of the 2017/2018 session. A correlation test between total study hours and GPA in both semesters showed a weak correlation for group1 and group2. Independent T-test was also carried out to compare time management and GPA. Results: There is no significant difference between group1 and group2 in time planning; however, there is a significant difference (p