MTHFR C677T polymorphism as a risk factor of neural tube defects in Malay_a case control study

Major congenital malformations occur in about 3% of newborn. Several studies have suggested that homozygosity for the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variant is a potential risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). It has been hypothesized that the maternal folic acid supplementation prevents NTDs by partially correcting reduced MTHFR activity associated with the variant form of the enzyme. This association has not been found in some ethnic groups. In this study, we attempted to assess the association between NTDs and MTHFR C677T in Malaysian Malay population. Results show that MTHFR 677TT genotype was absent in both patient and control groups

Uji Perlakuan Irisan Daun Mimba (Azadirachta indica) Terhadap Penyusutan Luka Ikan Zebra (Danio rerio) (Kajian Eksperimen Biologi)

Mimba adalah tanaman yang sangat berpotensial untuk dikembangkan pada saat ini, disebabkan mimba memiliki potensi besar untuk pengendalian hama, perlindungan terhadap lingkungan dan dalam bidang pengobatan. Azadirachta indica merupakan tanaman yang bernilai ekonomis tinggi karena dapat digunakan sebagai obat – obatan. Dalam beberapa tahun yang lalu ikan zebra sering digunakan sebagai organisme model percobaan dalam ilmu bidang biomedis, hal ini karena ikan zebra memiliki anatomi dan proses fisiologis yang sama dengan vertebrata yang lainnya. Berdasarkan penelitian sebelumnya mimba mengandung senyawa yaitu flavonoid, tanin, saponin, terpenoid, alkaloid, asam lemak, steroid dan triterpenoid. Tujuan dari penelian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pemberian daun mimba (Azadirachta indica) terhadap penyembuhan luka zebrafish (Danio rerio). Jumlah hewan uji adalah 28 ekor ikan zebra dibagi menjadi 4 kelompok.. Kelompok 1 sebagai kontrol, kelompok 2, 3 dan 4 sebagai perlakuan. Daun mimba di iris kemudian di taburkan ke dalam aquarium yang telah berisi ikan zebra yang terluka. Dilihat perubahan luka selama 7 hari. Dihitung dan di analisis rata – rata perubahan luka ikan zebra, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji ANOVA menggunakan JAMOVI. Hasil dari penelitian ini penyusutan luka ikan zebra (Danio rerio) dengan rata – rata penyusutan luka sebanyak 0,0486 cm pada perlakuan kontrol, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada perlakuan P1 sebanyak 0,1429 cm, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada perlakuan P2 sebanyak 0,1571 cm, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada  perlakuan P3 sebanayak 0,1714 cm, memiliki nilai yang beda nyata. Sehingga IDM dapat memberikan pengaruh terhadap penyusutan luka ikan zebra.Mimba adalah tanaman yang sangat berpotensial untuk dikembangkan pada saat ini, disebabkan mimba memiliki potensi besar untuk pengendalian hama, perlindungan terhadap lingkungan dan dalam bidang pengobatan. Azadirachta indica merupakan tanaman yang bernilai ekonomis tinggi karena dapat digunakan sebagai obat – obatan. Dalam beberapa tahun yang lalu ikan zebra sering digunakan sebagai organisme model percobaan dalam ilmu bidang biomedis, hal ini karena ikan zebra memiliki anatomi dan proses fisiologis yang sama dengan vertebrata yang lainnya. Berdasarkan penelitian sebelumnya mimba mengandung senyawa yaitu flavonoid, tanin, saponin, terpenoid, alkaloid, asam lemak, steroid dan triterpenoid. Tujuan dari penelian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pemberian daun mimba (Azadirachta indica) terhadap penyembuhan luka zebrafish (Danio rerio). Jumlah hewan uji adalah 28 ekor ikan zebra dibagi menjadi 4 kelompok.. Kelompok 1 sebagai kontrol, kelompok 2, 3 dan 4 sebagai perlakuan. Daun mimba di iris kemudian di taburkan ke dalam aquarium yang telah berisi ikan zebra yang terluka. Dilihat perubahan luka selama 7 hari. Dihitung dan di analisis rata – rata perubahan luka ikan zebra, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji ANOVA menggunakan JAMOVI. Hasil dari penelitian ini penyusutan luka ikan zebra (Danio rerio) dengan rata – rata penyusutan luka sebanyak 0,0486 cm pada perlakuan kontrol, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada perlakuan P1 sebanyak 0,1429 cm, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada perlakuan P2 sebanyak 0,1571 cm, rata – rata penyusutan ukuran luka pada  perlakuan P3 sebanayak 0,1714 cm, memiliki nilai yang beda nyata. Sehingga IDM dapat memberikan pengaruh terhadap penyusutan luka ikan zebra

Proximate composition, sugar profiles, minerals and carotenoids content and antioxidant capacity of momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng or Gac (Vietnam) or Teruah (Malaysia) fruit fractions (peel, pulp, and aril)

The proximates, sugar profiles, minerals, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng or Gac (Vietnam) or Teruah (Malaysia) fruits fractions (peel, pulp, and aril); were evaluated. Results showed Gac aril to contain the significant highest carbohydrate (55.6g/100g); compared to the pulp (30.9g/100g) and peel (19.3g/100g). Meanwhile, Gac peel contained the highest protein (6.2g/100g) and dietary fibre (56.9g to 58.1g/100g). Glucose and fructose are present in Gac fruit. Glucose was the main type of sugar in both Gac pulp and aril, with a significant value of 6.66 g/100 g and 7.55 g/100 g, respectively. Meanwhile, fructose also detected in Gac pulp and aril amounted to 5.84 g/100 g and 6.45 g/100 g, respectively. Potassium was the most abundant mineral in the Gac peel (817.59 mg/100g), followed by pulp (658.20 mg/100g) and aril (228.79 mg/100g). Lycopene was the main carotenoid found in Gac aril (31.7 – 103.7 mg/g) followed by β-carotene (2.9 – 9.6 mg/g); astaxanthin, (1.54 – 4.91 mg/g); lutein, (0.16 – 1.35 mg/g) and zeaxanthin (0.35 – 1.49 mg/g) in the pulp. Antioxidant activities of Gac were found between 22.61% – 58.76%, 37.63% – 41.64% and 2.46% –19.66% in the gac peel, pulp, and aril, respectively, using the DPPH assay. In conclusion, Gac pulp and aril contained good sources of carbohydrates, minerals, lycopene, and β-carotene

Ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and carboxymethyl cellulose microstructures prepared using electrohydrodynamics and green solvents

Cellulose derivatives are an attractive sustainable material used frequently in biomaterials, however their solubility in safe, green solvents is not widely exploited. In this work three cellulose derivatives; ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and carboxymethyl cellulose were subjected to electrohydrodynamic processing. All were processed with safe, environmentally friendly solvents; ethanol, acetone and water. Ethyl cellulose was electrospun and an interesting transitional region was identified. The morphological changes from particles with tails to thick fibres were charted from 17 to 25 wt% solutions. The concentration and solvent composition of cellulose acetate (CA) solutions were then changed; increasing the concentration also increased fibre size. At 10 wt% CA, with acetone only, fibres with heavy beading were produced. In an attempt to incorporate water in the binary solvent system to reduce the acetone content, 80:20 acetone/water solvent system was used. It was noted that for the same concentration of CA (10 wt%), the beading was reduced. Finally, carboxymethyl cellulose was electrospun with poly(ethylene oxide), with the molecular weight and polymer compositions changed and the morphology observed

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Diplomasi Pertahanan Malaysia di Laut China Selatan: Konsep dan Praktek

The concept of defense diplomacy does not have a universally recognized definition; therefore, each country tends to have its definition, which is then included in its defense white paper. The concept of diplomacy for Malaysia itself is defined as creating stable international relations with other countries. Malaysia has a defense diplomacy strategy known as quiet diplomacy. One of the problems that threaten Malaysia's maritime economy and sovereignty that continues to this day is the South China Sea conflict. This conflict occurred because of a unilateral claim made by the Chinese government with theissuance of a map that later contained a nine-dash line. In dealing with this problem,Malaysia then implemented the concept of defense diplomacy in the multilateral realm,namely through official forums, namely the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus). This report was prepared using a descriptive-narrative method obtained through interviews with resource persons and a literature study. The purpose of this report is to serve as a theoretical reference for the concepts and practices of Malaysian defense diplomacy

Pengenalan dan Pemanfaatan Tanaman Sebagai Obat Kepada Masyarakat Gampong Limpok Kabupaten Aceh Besar

The use of medicinal plants in society has existed since ancient times as a method of traditional medicine. The general public often lacks adequate education and information about the correct and safe use of medicinal plants. This can result in incorrect use and higher health risks. The aim of this research is to carry out more in-depth scientific research, implement strict regulations, provide education to the public, and promote sustainable and responsible practices of using medicinal plants. This research was conducted in July, 2023 in Gampong (Village) Limpok, Aceh Besar District. Research using descriptive qualitative method. Community data collection by interview, observation and documentation methods. The results of the study can be concluded that there are 32 plant species from the inventory that have long been used by the Gampong Limpok community as medicinal plants. Despite the potential benefits, there are also challenges and barriers that can arise in the community use of medicinal plants.Penggunaan tumbuhan obat di masyarakat telah ada sejak zaman kuno sebagai salah satu metode pengobatan tradisional. Masyarakat umum sering kali kurang mendapatkan pendidikan dan informasi yang cukup tentang penggunaan yang benar dan aman dari tumbuhan obat. Hal ini bisa mengakibatkan penggunaan yang salah dan risiko kesehatan yang lebih tinggi. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Juli, Tahun 2023 di Gampong (Desa) Limpok, Kabupaten Aceh Besar. Penelitian menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat 32 jenis tumbuhan hasil inventarisasi yang telah lama digunakan oleh masyarakat Gampong Limpok sebagai tanaman obat. Meskipun memiliki manfaat potensial, ada juga tantangan dan hambatan yang dapat muncul dalam penggunaan tumbuhan obat bagi masyarakat