Quantification of total phenolics in different parts of Pluchea indica (Less) ethanolic and water extracts

One of the compounds present in Pluchea indica extracts is antioxidant which plays an important role in inhibiting free radicals and thus protects humans against infections and degenerative diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, and ageing process. The main objective of this study was to investigate and determine the total phenolic compounds of Pluchea indica in different concentrations of ethanolic extracts. This species was chosen because of its high phytonutrient compounds with potential medicinal properties. There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the total phenolic among the different parts of the tested plant. 50% of the ethanolic extract produced the highest total phenolic compounds (1775.00±86.00 to 658.95±5.00 µmol/g), followed by water extract (759.79±1.53 µmol/g) and 100% ethanol extract (352.72±22.30 to 249.29±5.37 µmol/g), respectively. In terms of the plant parts, the leaves contained the highest phenolic compounds (1775.00±86.00 µmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 759.79±1.53 µmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 352.72±22.30 µmol/g in 100% ethanol extract), followed by the stems (990.22±24.00 µmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 990.22±24.59 µmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 293.48±0.00 µmol/g in 100% ethanol extract). Meanwhile, lower total phenolic compounds were detected in the flowers (727.71±11.00 µmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 603.81±8.46 µmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 249.29±5.37 µmol/g in 100% ethanol extract) and roots (658.95±5.00 µmol/g in 50% ethanol extract, 450.00±10.76 µmol/g in 100% aqueous extract and 272.28±0.53 µmol/g in 100% ethanol extract). Based on these findings, Pluchea indica has potential medicinal properties that can be further developed to produce neutraceutical products, diet supplements or cosmetic products. However, further research should first be conducted on the effects of these compounds on laboratory animals

Psychiatric disorders among young male adult prisoners: a cross sectional study in a Malaysian prison

Introduction: In recent years there has been an increase in the number of young people in prison. This study is the firstto look at the proportion of psychiatric disorders among young adultprisoners. Objective: The main objective is to determine the percentage of psychiatric disorders among young adult male prisoners. Method: A cross sectional study of young adult male prisoners, with ages ranged between 18 and 21 years old, was conducted between September and December, 2008 at the Kajang Prison. A total of 225 inmates participated in the study which used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as its instrument. Results: The percentage of psychiatric disorders was 60.0%. Alcohol and substance related disorders had the highest prevalence at 50.2%, followed by Major Depressive Disorders and Dysthymia at 16.9%. About 39.6% were observed to have antisocial personality disordet Psychiatric disorders were found to have significant differences (p<O.05) in connection with parental marriage and recidivism. Conclusion: This study shows that the percentage of psychiatric disorders, especially substance related disorders, is high among young male adult prisoners. It highlights the urgent need for early intervention for this group of young people

CASE REPORT The Use of Aripiprazole in Early Onset Schizophrenia: Safety and Efficacy

The use of atypical antipsychotic agents in early onset schizophrenia is rising despite its limited data on efficacy, safety and tolerability. Early onset schizophrenia warrants effective pharmacological treatment that is safe and well tolerated by children and adolescent population. Existing atypical agents are not completely free of side effects. Aripiprazole has unique properties that differ from other atypical antipsychotics and fill up the missing gaps, as it is associated with minimal metabolic complications and extrapyramidal side effects that are more commonly seen in other atypical agents. It offers a better option for this population and may possibly be considered as first line treatment in future. This case report demonstrates the efficacy and safety of Aripiprazole in children and adolescent population

Comparison of neck muscle electromyography activity in response to external force between static and dynamic loading

Understanding the behavior of neck muscles is essential to accurately simulate the human head-neck segment movement especially for low-speed motor vehicle crash situation. Some head-neck mathematical models were designed using neck muscle activation behavior in isometric contraction (static loading) as the properties of neck muscle activation. However, neck muscle activation pattern and strength capability may vary between static and dynamic loading. This study aimed to determine the differences between neck muscle activation level under static and dynamic loading. A neck strength test involving 22 human volunteers was conducted with two different tasks in extension and flexion direction with three different loads. The neck muscle activation level is determined through measuring the electromyography (EMG) responses of selected flexor and extensor muscles using surface bilateral electrode and recorded. The findings showed that neck muscle activation level was significantly greater in dynamic loading than static loading (p<0.000). These implied that more efforts from neck muscles were required to resist against dynamic loading than static loading. Nonetheless, the differences in EMG activities between these two loading conditions progressively decreased when more loads were applied. This study has established an empirical model to describe the relationship between neck muscle activation level and force output for both loading condition in flexion and extension