Mental health mobile apps during Covid-19 Pandemic to evaluate stress level in Selangor

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on public mental health. As a result, monitoring the level of the population mental health is a priority during crises. This study aims to measure stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor. Cross-sectional study was done using SELANGKAH apps, where users are Selangor citizens. Data was collected from September 2021 until March 2022. This app was initially used as contact tracing and mental health modules (SEHAT) were added, consisting of a validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire. Out of 42072 SEHAT users, 6411 people had completed the questionnaire. Majority were female (53.6%), Muslims (79.6%), had formal education up to secondary (49.0%), low income (89.9%), and young and middle- aged adults (59.7%). Majority have a moderate stress (66.8%), while 23.3% and 9.9% are low and high levels, respectively. High stress is significantly associated with females, high education, younger age groups, and low monthly income. Several factors could have contributed to this throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, such as online learning, uncertainty on study duration, financial constraints and limited social interactions. Moreover, as an effect of prolonged pandemic and MCO, a surge in the number of job terminations has also affected the source of income, which contributed to high levels of stress among the general population. The level of stress in Selangor was high during the pandemic as an effect of MCO

Flaxseed (linum usitatissimum) ethanolic extract affects WNT signalling pathway-associated molecules; β-catenin and DKK1 expressions, during osteoblast differentiation of SHED

WNT signalling is important in regulating developmental process including bone development. Additionally, WNT signalling also involves in lineage differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), including osteogenic differentiation, through canonical WNT pathway. Flaxseed (linum usitatissimum) is a plant with many health benefits including promoting bone health. Our previous study demonstrated that Flaxseed ethanolic extract (FEE) reduced the osteoblast differentiation potential of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), a type of MSC. Hence, we aimed to analyse the effect of FEE on WNT signalling pathway-associated molecules; β-catenin, and DKK1 expressions, during the osteoblast differentiation of SHED. SHED cultured in osteoblast induction media (OIM) was treated with FEE at 4 mg/ml. RNA extracted from cells cultured at day 7, 14 and 21 was subjected to reverse-transcriptase PCR for β-catenin, and DKK1 gene expression analysis. FEE at 4 mg/ml significantly reduced β-catenin and DKK1 expression of SHED at day 7 (0.5293 ± 0.01, 1.0792 ± 0.02 respectively, p < 0.01) but induced their expression at day 14 (0.7675 ± 0.05, 1.7176 ± 0.07 respectively, p < 0.01). The expression was later reduced at day 21 (0.2592 ± 0.01, 1.0653 ± 0.04 respectively, p < 0.01). Changes in the β-catenin, and DKK1 expressions levels at different time frame might explain how FEE reduced the osteoblast differentiation potential of SHED. Overall, FEE modulates the expressions of WNT signalling pathway-associated molecules: β-catenin, and DKK1, during the process of osteoblast differentiation of SHED which could possibly interrupt the process of osteogenesis in the current environment

Physical Activity, Wellness and Health: Challenges, Benefits and Strategies

Regular physical activity (PA) is both a preventive measure and a cure for non-communicable diseases. Moreover, PA improves mental health, quality of life, and well-being. Conversely, physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles have negative impacts on individuals, families, and society, as evidenced in particular by the spread of the obesity epidemic. PA has proven to be a low-cost alternative for the treatment and prevention of disease. Therefore, interventions to prevent avoidable diseases by increasing the proportion of physically active people are fundamental. The Special Issue “Physical Activity, Wellness and Health: Challenges, Benefits and Strategies” was collected research articles on anthropometric determinants of health and performance, PA and healthy habits, exercise and diet, exercise and body composition, interventions to promote PA for people of all ages, strategies for the implementation of an active life, and the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolic syndrome. A total of 20 articles were published, falling mainly into the following three areas: anthropometry, health, and sport; health benefits of exercise; population studies and strategies for an active life. All of the studies support strategies to promote PA and reduce sedentary behavior among adolescents, adults and the elderly. There is no doubt that regular exercise is beneficial to health, but the general population should be encouraged to engage in more of it