Asthma and Metabolic Syndrome - Where is the Link?

Asthma is a major burden on global health care system which is encumbering all regions in the world. Several risk factors can induce and exacerbate asthma. Recent compelling evidences have associated metabolic syndrome with the incidence of asthma. The abdominal obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance are metabolic syndrome criteria which are substantially involved in inducing and exacerbating asthma. Several mechanisms are involved in the association between metabolic syndrome and asthma. It could be due to mechanical reason, genetic factors, inflammatory effect, hormonal effect, insulin resistance and the effect of other co-morbidities associated with obesity

Outcome of interim multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in Yemen

Purpose: To assess the interim therapy outcomes of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Yemen. Methods: This study was performed in four major tuberculosis (TB) centers in Yemen, namely, Alhodidah, Taiz, Sana’a, and Aden. Data were collected between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016, and consistent methods were adopted to obtain data from MDR-TB patients. The standardized WHO method of calculating and reporting the interim therapy outcomes patients enrolled in the study was applied, and the relation between dependent and independent variables was obtained by logistic regression. Results: A total of 85 MDR-TB cases were reported between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. Of these cases, 62 reported available interim results. Among the 62 MDR-TB cases, only 40 (64.5 %) were categorized into successful interim therapy outcome group. This study found a baseline weight ≤ 40 kg, comorbidity, and first-line drug (FLD) resistance (> 3) as risk factors influencing unsuccessful interim therapy outcomes. Conclusion: This cohort study reports an alarmingly high rate of unsuccessful interim therapy outcomes among Yemeni MDR-TB patients. Enhancement of the clinical management of patients with a baseline weight ≤ 40 kg, comorbidity, and FLD resistance (>3) may improve TB therapy outcomes

Acyclovir Induced Acute Kidney Injury In Acute Meningitis Patient: A Case Report Highlights the Concurrence Of AKI Risk Factors And The Neutropenic Effect Of Ticlopidine

Nephrotoxicity is one of the challenging side effects of acyclovir use in clinical practice. The Concomitant use of other nephrotoxic antibiotics, in addition to patient's risk factors, can trigger acyclovir induced acute kidney injury (AKI). We described a case of acute meningitis in 68 year old female patient with underlying history of ischemic heart disease managed by ticlopidine. The gram stain, culture and PCR of the CSF did not show any positive growth of bacterial infection or HSV. However, the negative CSF gram stain and culture caused a confusion of the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with viral meningitis. The patient had AKI induced by the treatment with acyclovir for 16 consecutive days and possibly triggered by other AKI risk factors. Hemodialysis and hydration did not reverse the kidney function to normal. However, it was reversed to its normal status only after the discontinuation of acyclovir. The neutropenic effect of ticlopidine can be a risk to the patient that could lead to fatal infection. In this case report we reviewed the literature on the nephrotoxicity of acyclovir, the neutropenia of ticlopidine and a proposed role of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)

ESG Strategy Through the Integrated Business Model in Congruence with Circular Economy: Does Independent Board Members Matter?

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the integrated Business Model disclosures on the financial performance of the top 30 Malaysian PLCs, moderated by a 50% presence of Independent Board of Directors as proposed by the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance 2017 (MCCG 2017). The paper’s design will adhere to the purposive sampling methodology, utilizing descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and quantitative content analysis derived from the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)’s Integrated Report, along with previous studies. This approach aims to analyze the annual reports and integrated reports, aiming to explore the Integrated Business Model disclosures within the top 30 Malaysian PLCs. The originality of this paper lies in the design of the new Independent Board of Directors Scoring Index, which aims to identify the best disclosures among the top 30 Malaysian PLCs. This scoring index could prove beneficial to both academicians and practitioners, extending its utility beyond the Top 30 PLCs. The study serves as a systematic review of recent research developments in Integrated Business Model disclosures within the Integrated Report and the Annual Reports of the top 30 Malaysian PLCs. Keywords: ESG, Circular Economy, Governance, Integrated Report, Business Model, Independent Board of Director

Digital citizenship skills among undergraduate students in Malaysia: A preliminary study

The purpose of the study was to examine level of digital citizenship skills among undergraduate students at the Sultan Idris Education University, Perak, Malaysia. The study focused on three sub-variables of digital citizenship skills; online wellbeing, online learning and online safety. The paper present report from a questionnaire conducted on 1000 students from nine different faculties. Items for each variable were constructed based on literature highlights related to digital citizenship framework and through experts’ validation. A descriptive statistic was used in determined the level of digital citizenship skills among the undergraduate students. The findings of the study showed that the level of digital citizenship skills of students is at a high level. This study expected to help stakeholders to further emphasize the study of digital citizenship and digital citizenship education in Malaysia in more detail

Analysis on tool life and surface characteristic in milling Stavax Supreme material

Stavax Supreme material is classified as difficult-to-machine material. The difficulty does not preclude the use of this material, especially in the mold industry. In this experiment, high speed end milling of Stavax Supreme (52 HRC) was investigated using five different types of tool. Performance of the cutting tools was compared with respect to tool life and surface roughness of the workpiece. Machining process was conducted in two parameters where each parameter used different rotation spindle speed and feed rate but same chip per tooth removal rate. The best cutting performance was obtained with TiN and TiCN. TiAlN tool also proved to be suitable for high speed end milling of Stavax Supreme but for finishing process only because fast tool wear in high spindle speed. The Xceed coated tool is more suitable for roughing process only in high spindle speed

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy based metabolomics to identify novel biomarkers of alcohol-dependence

Alcohol misuse is a ravaging public health and social problem. Its harm can affect the drinkers and the whole society. Alcohol-dependence is a phase of alcohol misuse in which the drinker consumes excessive amounts of alcohol and has a continuous urge to consume alcohol. Current methods of alcohol dependence diagnoses are questionnaires and some biomarkers. However, both methods lack specificity and sensitivity. Metabolomics is a scientific field which deals with the identification and the quantification of the metabolites present in the metabolome using spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Metabolomics helps to indicate the perturbation in the levels of metabolites in cells and tissues due to diseases or ingestion of any substances. NMR is one of the most widely used spectroscopic techniques in metabolomics because of its reproducibility and speed. Some recent metabolomics studies were conducted on alcohol consumption and alcohol misuse in animals and humans. However, few focused on identifying alcohol dependence novel biomarkers. A sensitive and specific technique such as NMR based metabolomics applied to find novel biomarkers in plasma and urine can be useful to diagnose alcohol-dependence

Boat-shaped coffin dalam Gua Kain Hitam (Painted Cave) Niah, Sarawak

Artikel ini membincangkan artifak boat-shaped coffin atau keranda berbentuk perahu yang terdapat di dalam Gua Kain Hitam (Painted Cave) Niah, Sarawak. Artifak berbentuk perahu ini dipercayai digunakan sebagai keranda pada suatu ketika dahulu. Keranda ini dipercayai dihasilkan oleh masyarakat neolitik yang menghuni sekitar Gua Kain Hitam pada ketika itu. Upacara kematian yang diamalkan ini bersifat primary burial. Mayat disimpan di dalam keranda perahu sehingga reput sepenuhnya. Kemudian, baki tulang tersebut ditanam di tapak pengebumian lain yang terletak di Gua Kain Hitam II. Penyelidikan ini menekankan kaedah pemerhatian secara langsung di lapangan. Subjek penyelidikan difoto dan direkodkan secara terperinci melalui fotografi dan buku lakaran. Hasil penyelidikan ini menjelaskan reka bentuk dan fungsi serta kegunaan boat-shaped coffin pada suatu ketika dahulu. Hasil analisis kandungan terhadap hubung kait keranda dan lukisan gua prasejarah yang ditemui menunjukkan ruangan Gua Kain Hitam berfungsi sebagai death chamber. Justeru, penyelidikan ini dapat mendokumentasi dan memelihara artifak secara kolektif untuk tatapan masyarakat akan datang

Development and validation of Malaysian communication style instrument

The Malaysian Malay Communication Style (MMCS) formulated by Che Su and Hassan (2010) was developed to measure specific Malay communication characteristics in the workplace.We extended this work by using structural equation modelling to determine the factor structure of the 60-item version of the MMCS.Based on a sample of 320 employees, we found eight stable dimensions which measure communication style among Malay employees in Malaysian contexts. Moreover, scores on the scale developed to measure the MMCS criteria yielded excellent validity and reliability estimates.This study provided and presented insights and further understanding of communication style from the indigenous perspective, which allows practitioners to gain in-depth knowledge about the implementation of organizational communication in an organization.The implications of this research were discussed

Butik Citranggun Sdn. Bhd. / Nur Azwa Ibrahim ... [et al.]

Butik Citra Anggun Sdn. Bhd is set up with its main activity to provide tailoring service to the customers. This business is fit in our environment as the tailoring industry is always expanded. People need cloth in their daily life. They will ask for a tailor to make specified sized clothes, especially for special occasions or events. In addition, the world of fashion is always changing, and therefore both men and women will seek for a new fashion. Butik Citra Anggun will be located at No 28 Jalan Tiga Belas, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Selangor. Our premise is at the centre of Puchong town. It is near TESCO Hypermarket, IOI Mall and Giant Hypermarket and also surrounded by many residential areas. Moreover we sure this is strategic place to our business as there are not many tailoring service that are set up commercially. We choose the tailoring service because the industry will never fade away by time and there will always demand for it. Although there is a big market and supply for ready made clothes, the tastes and preferences for everybody is different. With the existence of Butik Citra Anggun, our customers can fulfill their needs and wants by subscribing our tailoring service. Besides, we also provide ready made traditional clothes which are sew by our tailors as the additional choice for the customers. Our target market is the employed woman of Pusat Bandar Puchong