Diagnosing the Problem of Traditional Model of Teaching and Learning Medical Science Subjects in a Nursing Program of UKM

AbstractTeaching and learning of medical sciences in nursing was identified as the cause of anxiety among students, teachers and the organizations. The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties faced by nursing students in those modules. An action research was conducted on 1st and 2nd year of Bachelor of Nursing students. Results showed that, relationship between CGPA, students’ guide book (p= 0.021, 0.018), lectures timetable (p =0.032), lectures (p=0.034, 0.043) and learning package (p=0.008, 0.016) of physiology and biochemistry influenced the teaching and learning of medical science subjects

The effects of the fractions of Piper sarmentosum leaves on inhibition of adipogenesis of 3T3 L1 preadipocytes

Piper sarmentosum Roxb. was reported to have anti-obesity, hypoglycaemic and anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this study was to identify the fractions of P. sarmentosum leaf extract in inhibiting adipogenesis of 3T3L1 preadipocytes. The crude extract of the P. sarmentosum leaves was fractionated to produce hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and aqueous fractions. Various dilutions of the fractions; hexane (0.1 - 1 μg/mL), dichloromethane (9.76 - 97.6 μg/mL), methanol (3.6 - 36 mg/mL), and aqueous (1 - 10 mg/mL), were treated onto the 3T3L1 preadipocytes from 3rd to 15th day of culture. The crude extract (1 - 10 mg/mL) and glycyrrhizic acid (GCA) (0.24 - 2.4 mg/mL) were used as positive controls. The viability of the adipocytes was measured by MTT assay at the 15th day of culture. The content of each fraction was quantified with reference standards of naringin, naringenin, pellitorine, sarmentosine and β-sitosterol by using HPLC. The results showed that 49.1% of the crude extract contained aqueous fraction, 0.12% in hexane fraction, 9.7% in dichloromethane fraction and 36% in methanol fraction. The aqueous fraction and crude extract at the dose of 7 mg/mL and GCA at the dose of 1.92 mg/mL showed potent inhibitory effects on the adipogenesis. However, none of the reference standards were identified from the fractions using HPLC analysis. In conclusion, the aqueous fraction was the main fraction in the crude extract of the P. sarmentosum and contributed a significant role in inhibiting adipogenesis of the 3T3L1 preadipocytes

Effects of metabolic syndrome on bone mineral density, histomorphometry and remodelling markers in male rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) induced by high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet on bone mineral density (BMD), histomorphometry and remodelling markers in male rats. Twelve male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks old were randomized into two groups. The normal group was given standard rat chow while the HCHF group was given HCHF diet to induce MetS. Abdominal circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile were measured for the confirmation of MetS. Bone mineral density, histomorphometry and remodelling markers were evaluated for the confirmation of bone loss. The HCHF diet caused central obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia in male rats. No significant difference was observed in whole body bone mineral content and BMD between the normal and HCHF rats (p>0.05). For bone histomorphometric parameters, HCHF diet-fed animals had significantly lower osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, osteoid volume, and significantly higher eroded surface; resulting in a reduction in trabecular bone volume (p0.05). In conclusion, HCHF diet-induced MetS causes imbalance in bone remodelling, leading to the deterioration of trabecular bone structure

Vitamin E As a Potential Interventional Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies

A constellation of medical conditions inclusive of central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia is known as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The safest option in curtailing the progression of MetS is through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which by itself, is a long-term commitment entailing much determination. A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach, as well as lifestyle modification is a more holistic alternative in the management of MetS. Vitamin E has been revealed to possess anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive and anti-hypercholesterolemic properties. The pathways regulated by vitamin E are critical in the development of MetS and its components. Therefore, we postulate that vitamin E may exert some health benefits on MetS patients. This review intends to summarize the evidence in animal and human studies on the effects of vitamin E and articulate the contrasting potential of tocopherol (TF) and tocotrienol (T3) in preventing the medical conditions associated with MetS. As a conclusion, this review suggests that vitamin E may be a promising agent for attenuating MetS

The Effects of Vitamin E from Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) in a Rat Model of Bone Loss Due to Metabolic Syndrome

The beneficial effects of vitamin E in improving components of MetS or bone loss have been established. This study aimed to investigate the potential of palm vitamin E (PVE) as a single agent, targeting MetS and bone loss concurrently, using a MetS animal model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The baseline group was sacrificed upon arrival. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The remaining three groups were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 60 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PVE. At the end of the study, the rats were evaluated for MetS parameters and bone density. After euthanasia, blood and femurs were harvested for the evaluation of lipid profile, bone histomorphometric analysis, and remodeling markers. PVE improved blood pressure, glycemic status, and lipid profile; increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, bone volume, and trabecular thickness, as well as decreased eroded surface and single-labeled surface. Administration of PVE also significantly reduced leptin level in the HCHF rats. PVE is a potential agent in concurrently preventing MetS and protecting bone loss. This may be, in part, achieved by reducing the leptin level and modulating the bone remodeling activity in male rats

The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Osteoporosis: A Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoporosis are two major healthcare problems worldwide. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions consisting of central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, in which each acts on bone tissue in different ways. The growing prevalence of MetS and osteoporosis in the population along with the controversial findings on the relationship between both conditions suggest the importance for further investigation and discussion on this topic. This review aims to assess the available evidence on the effects of each component of MetS on bone metabolism from the conventional to the contemporary. Previous studies suggested that the two conditions shared some common underlying pathways, which include regulation of calcium homeostasis, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of the NF-κB (RANK)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways. In conclusion, we suggest that MetS may have a potential role in developing osteoporosis and more studies are necessary to further prove this hypothesis

Evaluation of static bone histomorphometric parameters in the two experimental groups.

<p>(A) Representative micrographic photos of decalcified trabecular bone in the normal and HCHF rats stained with haematoxylin and eosin (200X magnification). (B) The static indices included Ob.S/BS, Oc.S/BS, ES/BS, OS/BS, and OV/BV. The data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Letter ‘<i>a</i>’ indicated significant difference (p<0.05) compared to the normal group. Abbreviations: ES = eroded surface; Ob = osteoblast; Oc = osteoclast; Os = osteoid.</p

The composition of standard diet and HCHF diet used in this study.

<p>The composition of standard diet and HCHF diet used in this study.</p

Evaluation of structural bone histomorphometric parameters in the two experimental groups.

<p>(A) Sections of distal femur in the normal and HCHF rats stained with von Kossa staining (4X magnification). (B) The structural indices included BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp. The data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Letter ‘<i>a</i>’ indicated significant difference (p<0.05) compared to the normal group.</p

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.

<p>(A) Positioning of a rat during a whole body scan by DXA. Rat was positioned in ventral recumbency on the scan table. (B) Image for total body scan of a rat from DXA scan.</p