Penuaan ovari telah dikaitkan dengan tekanan oksidatif dan kehilangan fungsi ovari. Tokotrienol telah dibuktikan dapat memberi kesan yang baik terhadap sistem pembiakan wanita. Walau bagaimanapun, peranan tokotrienol ke atas metabolisma ovari dan seterusnya peningkatan kualiti oosit dalam mencit tua masih tidak diketahui. Oleh itu, hubungan antara perubahan aktiviti metabolik dalam ovari dan kualiti oosit dalam mencit tua selepas suplementasi fraksi kaya tokotrienol (TRF) telah dikaji. Mencit betina berusia enam minggu digunakan sebagai kumpulan Muda. Mencit betina berusia enam bulan dibahagikan kepada empat kumpulan iaitu kumpulan pertama yang diberikan minyak jagung-bebas tokoferol (kawalan) manakala tiga kumpulan yang lain diberi suplimen TRF pada dos 90, 120, dan 150 mg/kg. Rawatan diberikan secara oral selama dua bulan. Pada akhir rawatan, mencit dari semua kumpulan disuperovulasi dan kemudian dikorbankan. Kualiti oosit dinilai dan analisis metabolomik secara tidak disasarkan, pada tisu ovari dijalankan dengan menggunakan 'liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of quadrupole time-of-flight' (LC-MS Q-TOF). Peratusan oosit normal adalah lebih tinggi (p
Introduction: Knowledge, attitude as well as adoption of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice among the pharmacists and physicians in Malaysia have not been reported. This cross-sectional study explores various facets of the two professions as related to pharmacogenomics to determine the need and preferred method to improve education among them. This study also aims to identify the current state of pharmacogenomics practice in Malaysia to help identify barrier and solution to reap advantages from pharmacogenomics practices. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 38 questions in five parts was adopted and validated. It explores the respondents’ characteristics, attitude, knowledge, adoption and education. It was distributed online to 1500 pharmacists and physicians over five months. Results: Pharmacists differed from the physicians in terms of attitude, knowledge, adoption and education. Overall, adoption rate of pharmacogenomics was found to be low but its anticipation for future adoption is high, and benefits were reported by healthcare professionals who have used the test in a clinical setting. Majority of respondents had poor to fair knowledge and nearly half have had no prior formal teaching on pharmacogenomics. Interest in the education is very high, and most of them preferred to learn pharmacogenomics via continuous professional education programs. Conclusion: Pharmacogenomics is a field that promises many benefits, but to reap these benefits require its implementation in clinical setting. Pharmacists and physicians need to be equipped with adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards pharmacogenomics.
Beta (β)- thalassaemia is a public health problem in Malaysia. The carrier rate is estimated to be 4.5% by micro-mapping studies particularly among Malays who comprise 53.5% of the population in Malaysia. The common diagnostic method in Malaysia for mutation detection is by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). It allows single mutation detection in each reaction but is labour intensive and time consuming when many mutations need to be identified. The purpose of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool for effective mutation detection of beta thalassaemia in Malay patients and compare its efficacy with ARMS-PCR, the current method in use. Methods: Reverse dot blot hybridization (RDBH) technique was incorporated in the development of two strip assays [RDBH-Strip M(6) and RDBH-Strip C(6)] to identify common beta thalassaemia mutations in the Malays. The panels of selected mutations were based on the mutation frequencies in Malaysia reported in previous studies. RDBH-Strip M(6) was applied as step 1 and RDBH-Strip C(6) was applied as step 2 for unidentified mutations. The strips were validated with the gold standard method, ARMS- PCR. Results: One hundred and thirty seven Malay patients with 274 alleles were studied. In Step 1 mutation detection, 238 alleles (86.9%) were identified in 119 of patients by RDBH-Strip M(6). Step 2 resulted in a further detection of 20 alleles in another 10 patients by RDBH-Strip C(6). The combination of both strips resulted in the identification of 258 alleles in 129 (94.6%) of 137 Malay patients. The strip assays were 100% sensitive and specific when compared with ARMS-PCR method. Conclusion: Two strip assays utilising the RDBH technique were developed to identify common β-thalassaemia mutations in Malays. The RDBH Strip M(6) identified 86.9% of the mutations and the RDBH-Strip C (6) detected further 7.3% alleles. This two step strategy was found to be rapid and cost effective for the direct diagnosis of β-thalassaemia mutations in the Malays. The remaining unidentified mutations would require DNA sequencing. It can serve as a specific molecular diagnostic tool for effective diagnosis of
β-thalassaemia mutations in this ethnic group.
Background: The rate of obesity is consistently increasing in Malaysia, especially among women, which exposes the population to various metabolic and other mortality diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness programmes on metabolic diseases indicators for obese young and middle-age women. Methods: Eighty previously sedentary obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) women (age 20-59 years old) were randomized to either a 12-week Aqua Zumba® regimen (AZ, n=40) or control group (C, n=40). Experiment group were involved in 12-weeks of Aqua Zumba® Fitness programmes, 3 times per week, 60 minutes per session, with an intensity of 50-75% of maximum heart rate. Body fat percentage (BF%), visceral fat (VF), waist circumference (WC), resting blood pressure (RBP), blood glucose (BG), and blood lipids (HDL and TG) were measured at baseline (week-0) and post-exercise intervention (week-13). Result: A significant difference (p