The Influence Of Muslims’ Involvement With Traveling To Islamic Destinations On Malaysia’s Islamic Brand Equity

Pertambahan bilangan pelancong Muslim di dunia menjadikan pasaran ini antara salah satu topik yang menarik di dalam kajian pelancongan. Hal ini menarik destinasi-destinasi pelancongan untuk lebih menerima konsep pelancongan berasaskan Islam dan halal. The growing number of Muslim tourists in the world made this market as one of the most interesting topics in tourism studies. It has urged many destinations to step forward to embrace the concepts such as Islamic tourism and halal tourism

Assessing the Community Capacity for Environmental Stewardship (in Langkawi Malaysia)

The structure of tourism has the potential to create numerous opportunities, beneficial effects and conservation incentives for island communities. However, its negative impacts can gradually destroy the resources upon which it depends. Hence, it is essential for the local community to take responsibility, address problems, act effectively and lead the roles to protect their living area while exploiting tourism industry. The main purpose of this study is to assess the level of community capacity for environmental stewardship from tourism negative impacts in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. This study employed a quantitative method. The outcomes provide the current level of community capacity for environmental stewardship as well as general characteristics of Langkawi local community. The results may give a better insight toward achieving systematic change in local communities regarding conserving and protecting natural environment from tourism environmental costs. It may also help to obtain further tourism development while minimizing negative environmental impacts

Influence of sexually transmitted infections on the cervical cytological abnormalities among Iranian women: A cross-sectional study

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the world’s most severe health challenges. The existence of STIs such as human papillomavirus (HPV) might cause cervical cell changes leading to cervical cancer. Objective: This study aims to assess the association of STIs with cervical cytological abnormalities and genital warts among women in northeastern Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 190 women referred to the central laboratory of Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research, Mashhad, Iran from March to July 2022. The presence of genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Herpes simplex viruses (1 and 2) were assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. HPV genital infection was detected based on the principles of reverse hybridization, and cellular changes in the cervix were examined by the liquid-based cytology technique. Results: The mean age of participants was 35.33 ± 8.9 yr. 34 different HPV genotypes were detected in all HPV-positive cases, and the most common genotype was low-risk HPV6. No significant association was found between STIs and cervical cytology abnormalities. The prevalence rates of sexually transmitted pathogens among HPV-positive and HPV-negative individuals were 10.9 and 1.6%, respectively. The frequency of genital warts was significantly higher in cases with multiple infections of high- and low-risk HPV genotypes. Conclusion: High percentages of the participants with non-HPV STIs and HPV infection had normal cervical cytology. It is advised to use STIs and HPV diagnostic tests along with cytology examinations for cervical cancer screening. Key words: Sexually transmitted infections, Human papillomavirus, Cervical cancer, Genital wart, Genotypes

COVID-19 Infection and Seropositivity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Guilan in 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. COVID-19 has presented a significant challenge to the care providers of patients with MS. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of COVID-19 infection and its seropositivity in MS patients in Guilan, Iran, in 2021. Materials & Methods: In this analytical-cross-sectional study, all patients with relapsing-remitting MS registered in the Guilan MS Association with an expanded disability status scale of less than 5 who were referred for evaluation participated in the study. Information related to the clinical and serological symptoms of COVID-19 infection, changes in drug use, and the occurrence of new attacks were collected. Serological results of COVID-19 (IgG) among them were registered. Results: In total, 260 patients with MS (78.8% women, and 21.2% men) with a Mean±SD age of 38.7±9.9 years, and a Mean±SD duration of MS of 8.9±4.9 years were investigated. The most commonly used drugs were Dimethyl fumarate, Interferon, and Rituximab, respectively. Thirty-three patients (12.6%) had a clinical COVID-19 infection, of which 32 people had a mild and only one had a critical infection. Eight patients (1.3%) had positive COVID-19 IgG tests. No significant relationship was found between the COVID-19 infection with the type of medication, medication change, clinical attack of MS, and co-morbidities (P>0.05). Conclusion: A few patients had positive COVID-19 IgG tests and clinical COVID-19 infection. The vast majority had mild disease, and the clinical attack was not related to COVID-19 infection

Breast cancer and dietary fat quality indices in Iranian women: A case–control study

BackgroundThe association between breast cancer (BC) and different indices of dietary fats has not been well-studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between BC and dietary fat quality (DFQ) indices in Iranian women.MethodsThis case–control study was conducted on 120 women with breast cancer and 240 healthy women in Tehran, Iran. Food Frequency Questionnaire and nutritionist IV software were used to assess the intake of dietary fats and to calculate the DFQ indices.ResultsThe patients with BC had a higher total fat (TF) (P < 0.01) and a lower ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) omega-3 to PUFAs omega-6 (ω-3/ω-6) compared with the controls (P < 0.001). TF had a significant association with BC risk (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01–1.33, P < 0.001). No significant association was found between BC and PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratio or the ω-3/ω-6 ratio.ConclusionThe patients with BC had a lower ω-3/ω-6 ratio and a higher total dietary fat intake than the healthy women. Total dietary fat intake was also directly associated with the risk of BC. Thus, low-fat diets may have beneficial effects for BC prevention. Further longitudinal studies are warranted

Malaysia’s branding as an Islamic tourism hub: an assessment

Malaysia is attempting to be a popular Islamic tourist destination in the world owing to its Islamic environment. It is already noted as an Islamic country serious in establishing a halal hub for financial products as well as services. As a further step forward it is embracing novel concepts such as Islamic and halal tourism in recent years. While the country does have the potentials of advancing Islamic tourism and hospitality industry with respect to the arts, heritage and unique culture of the Malay Muslims, the evaluation of such strategic branding efforts has rarely been attempted. This study outlines Malaysia’s marketing efforts in branding itself as an Islamic tourism hub. A SWOT analysis was conducted to summarize the country’s internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) issues in branding itself as an Islamic destination

Investigation of fnBP and clf genes prevalence among Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and assessment of the effects of host factors and clinical specimens on their distribution

Background & Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of nosocomial infections that has several specific adhesion molecules factors which can be bound to a variety of host matrix extracellular proteins and replaced by host tissues. This binding is mediated by a family of proteins known as microbial surface components known as adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) which includes fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP) and fibrinogen binding protein (Clf). Comprehensive studies regarding the genetic abilities of S. aureus isolates especially MRSA which have binding mediators seem essential. Materials & Methods: In this study 74572 clinical samples of blood, urine, sputum and other clinical samples of patients who were admitted to Tehran Milad Hospital were collected. 180 Staphylococcus aureus strains were identified after diagnostic tests. In order to determine MRSA isolates Cefoxitin disc diffusion method was used. The presence and frequency of fnbA, fnbB and clf genes was determined by PCR. Results: From 180 Staphylococcus aureus strains 159 strains (88%) had fnbA gene,47 strains (26%) had fnbB gene and 36 strains (20%) had clf gene. The simultaneous frequency of fnbA and fnbB was 42 (23%), fnbA and Clf was 32 (18%) and fnbB and Clf was 9 (5%). The presence of all three genes together was 9 (5%). Conclusion: The results showed that there was no significant relationship between fnbA, fnbB and clf genes and clinical sample type, gender and age of patients and MRSA and MSSA isolates

Neurochemical Insights Into COVID-19-related Anosmia: A Commentary Study

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, anosmia, the loss of the sense of smell, has emerged as a curious and widespread symptom. While the sense of smell in many individuals has eventually recovered, some grapple with anosmia for extended periods. In our recent study entitled "Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings of Brain Olfactory Areas in Patients With COVID-19-Related Anosmia," we embarked on a journey to explore the neurochemical underpinnings of anosmia in COVID-19 patients. This commentary extends our original research, providing insights into the evolving landscape of COVID-19-related anosmia and its implications