118 research outputs found
The Misuse of 1 Malaysia Book Voucher among Undergraduates: A Case Study in Universiti Sains Malaysia
This study discusses the misuse of 1 Malaysia Book Voucher (BB1M) among undergraduates in Universiti Sains Malaysia. The theoretical framework explains the empirical specification of this study. The Logit regression model was used and conducted in this study to estimate the likelihood of misusing the book voucher among undergraduates. The results indicated several methods on misusing BB1M. Among the methods used by undergraduates with regards to misusing the book voucher include exchange BB1M into cash, purchase goods other than books, purchase goods using BB1M for the purpose of resale, exchange BB1M to bookstore vouchers and transfer BB1M to other parties. Additionally, this research also investigates how respondents maximize their utility level by using the BB1M and hence the result of misusing BB1M can be identified from the respondents’ responses. The findings of this study showed the variables women, young people and those who use all the BB1M are significant
Langkawi's Ecological and Economic Renaissance: A Study of Blue and Green Opportunities
This article delves into the potential of the blue and green sectors situated in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. With its abundant marine and terrestrial resources, the island needs to strike a balance between its economic growth and environmental preservation imperatives. By leveraging the potential of green and blue sectors such as tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, agriculture, and forestry, Langkawi Island can serve as a model for responsible development, all while preserving its innate natural beauty and biodiversity. A survey was conducted involving 104 local respondents at various attraction points across Langkawi Island to assess the progress of these sectors. Overall, the respondents were predominantly in agreement regarding the impacts of development stemming from both the blue and green economies, coupled with the positive spill-over effects witnessed on the island. The descriptive findings indicate that the potential for growth within these blue and green economies is promising, buoyed by anticipation from both governmental and private sectors. As such, it becomes imperative for policymakers to formulate a comprehensive development plan that can adequately bolster the expansion of these sectors. This preparation will be crucial in ensuring the sustainable growth of Langkawi Island's blue and green economies, ultimately fostering a harmonious coexistence between economic progress and environmental conservation.Artikel ini mengulas potensi sektor biru dan hijau yang berlokasi di Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia. Dengan sumber daya laut dan darat yang melimpah, pulau ini perlu menemukan keseimbangan antara pertumbuhan ekonomi dan keharusan pelestarian lingkungan. Dengan memanfaatkan potensi sektor hijau dan biru seperti pariwisata, perikanan, energi terbarukan, pertanian, dan kehutanan, Pulau Langkawi dapat menjadi contoh pengembangan yang bertanggung jawab, sekaligus menjaga keindahan alam dan keanekaragaman hayatinya yang asli. Untuk menilai perkembangan sektor-sektor ini, dilakukan survei yang melibatkan 104 responden lokal di berbagai titik atraksi di Pulau Langkawi. Secara keseluruhan, responden sebagian besar sepakat mengenai dampak pembangunan yang berasal dari kedua sektor ekonomi biru dan hijau, serta efek positif yang terlihat di pulau ini. Temuan deskriptif menunjukkan bahwa potensi pertumbuhan dalam sektor ekonomi biru dan hijau ini sangat menjanjikan, didukung oleh antisipasi dari sektor pemerintah dan swasta. Oleh karena itu, menjadi sangat penting bagi pembuat kebijakan untuk merumuskan rencana pembangunan yang komprehensif yang dapat memadai memperkuat perluasan sektor-sektor ini. Persiapan ini akan menjadi kunci untuk memastikan pertumbuhan berkelanjutan dari ekonomi biru dan hijau Pulau Langkawi, akhirnya mendorong keberadaan harmonis antara kemajuan ekonomi dan pelestarian lingkungan
Transcriptomic convergence despite genomic divergence drive field cancerization in synchronous squamous tumors
IntroductionField cancerization is suggested to arise from imbalanced differentiation in individual basal progenitor cells leading to clonal expansion of mutant cells that eventually replace the epithelium, although without evidence.MethodsWe performed deep sequencing analyses to characterize the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of field change in two patients with synchronous aerodigestive tract tumors.ResultsOur data support the emergence of numerous genetic alterations in cancer-associated genes but refutes the hypothesis that founder mutation(s) underpin this phenomenon. Mutational signature analysis identified defective homologous recombination as a common underlying mutational process unique to synchronous tumors.DiscussionOur analyses suggest a common etiologic factor defined by mutational signatures and/or transcriptomic convergence, which could provide a therapeutic opportunity
Mindful gratitude journaling: psychological distress, quality of life and suffering in advanced cancer: a randomised controlled trial
Context Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Objective Our study aimed to examine the effect of mindful gratitude journaling on suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.
Methods We conducted a parallel-group, blinded, randomised controlled trial at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Ninety-two adult patients with advanced cancer, and an overall suffering score ≥4/10 based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either a mindful gratitude journaling group (N=49) or a routine journaling group (N=43).
Results After 1 week, there were significant reductions in the overall suffering score from the baseline in both the intervention group (mean difference in overall suffering score=−2.0, 95% CI=−2.7 to −1.4, t=−6.125, p=0.000) and the control group (mean difference in overall suffering score=−1.6, 95% CI=−2.3 to −0.8, t=−4.106, p=0.037). There were also significant improvements in the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (mean difference=−3.4, 95% CI=−5.3 to −1.5, t=−3.525, p=0.000) and the total Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being score (mean difference=7.3, 95% CI=1.5 to 13.1, t=2.460, p=0.014) in the intervention group after 7 days, but not in the control group.
Conclusion The results provide evidence that 7 days of mindful gratitude journaling could positively affect the state of suffering, psychological distress and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer
Fine-mapping of prostate cancer susceptibility loci in a large meta-analysis identifies candidate causal variants
Prostate cancer is a polygenic disease with a large heritable component. A number of common, low-penetrance prostate cancer risk loci have been identified through GWAS. Here we apply the Bayesian multivariate variable selection algorithm JAM to fine-map 84 prostate cancer susceptibility loci, using summary data from a large European ancestry meta-analysis. We observe evidence for multiple independent signals at 12 regions and 99 risk signals overall. Only 15 original GWAS tag SNPs remain among the catalogue of candidate variants identified; the remainder are replaced by more likely candidates. Biological annotation of our credible set of variants indicates significant enrichment within promoter and enhancer elements, and transcription factor-binding sites, including AR, ERG and FOXA1. In 40 regions at least one variant is colocalised with an eQTL in prostate cancer tissue. The refined set of candidate variants substantially increase the proportion of familial relative risk explained by these known susceptibility regions, which highlights the importance of fine-mapping studies and has implications for clinical risk profiling. © 2018 The Author(s).Prostate cancer is a polygenic disease with a large heritable component. A number of common, low-penetrance prostate cancer risk loci have been identified through GWAS. Here we apply the Bayesian multivariate variable selection algorithm JAM to fine-map 84 prostate cancer susceptibility loci, using summary data from a large European ancestry meta-analysis. We observe evidence for multiple independent signals at 12 regions and 99 risk signals overall. Only 15 original GWAS tag SNPs remain among the catalogue of candidate variants identified; the remainder are replaced by more likely candidates. Biological annotation of our credible set of variants indicates significant enrichment within promoter and enhancer elements, and transcription factor-binding sites, including AR, ERG and FOXA1. In 40 regions at least one variant is colocalised with an eQTL in prostate cancer tissue. The refined set of candidate variants substantially increase the proportion of familial relative risk explained by these known susceptibility regions, which highlights the importance of fine-mapping studies and has implications for clinical risk profiling. © 2018 The Author(s).Peer reviewe
New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.
Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms
Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning