Comparison of Computer-Based Ishihara Test Versus Online D-15 Dichotomous Test in Colour Vision Screening

Most online colour vision tests have varying degrees of quality and are variations of classical Ishihara test. The choice of test depends on multiple factors, including the reason for assessment of the persons, however, it is necessary to choose quick and accurate screening test in clinical practice. Objective of this study is to compare the computer-based Ishihara test and online D-15 dichotomous test in colour vision screening. A total of 302 medical and nursing students aged between 17-25 years were screened by these two tests in a computer lab in University Malaysia Sarawak. The results showed 295 (97.7%) normal and 7 (2.3%) defects in Ishihara test; while 292 (96.7%) normal and 10 (3.3%) defects in the online dichotomous test. Of 70 males and 232 females, 7 (10.0%) males in the Ishihara test, 8 (11.4%) males, and 2 (0.9%) females in the online test were found to have defects. There was strong agreement between results of two tests (Kappa:0.82). In this study, Ishihara test screens the colour vision and dichotomous test shows the type and severity of the vision defect, which mainly occurs in male. This present study concludes that a standardised online colour vision test is equally comparable to the traditional Ishihara test, thus providing an alternate robust option for colour vision screening in healthcare practice. Nevertheless, any person identified as colour vision deficient by online screening tools will require to further consult with an eye care professional. Keywords: Colour vision, Accurate & robust, Screening test, Computer-based Ishihara test, Online D-15 dichotomous tes

Medical and nursing students’ knowledge of accurate blood pressure measurement procedure in University Malaysia Sarawak

Blood pressure measurement is a basic, frequently-used clinical procedure. Nowadays with increasing use of automatic devices, blood pressure measurement procedure is the most inaccurately performed by the healthcare professionals. The medical and nursing students need good knowledge of accurate measurement procedure for correct diagnosis of hypertension. Our study assessed the knowledge of blood pressure measurement procedure among medical and nursing students in Faculty of Medicine and Health Science of University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study. Data were collected from total 242 students (171 medical and 71 nursing programmes) with a pre-tested questionnaire including patient’s position, application of instruments, and measurement technique and blood pressure reading. Of 16 items tested, correct answers for 9 items were less than 70%: proper patient’s position (66.9%), choice of the arm (59.1%), appropriate cuff size(51.2%), chest piece (bell or diaphragm) of stethoscope used for listening of Korotkoff sound(11.6%), estimated inflation cuff pressure(66.1%), recommended deflation rate(65.3%), preference of last digit of blood pressure reading(60.7 %), awareness of the auscultatory gap (31.0 %), and habit of palpatory method (27.7%). 51.7% of total students (n= 242) had good knowledge scores. There was no significantly different between the medical and nursing students’ mean knowledge scores (p value=0.099). Our study found that the students need subsequent learning and practices to improve their knowledge for accurate blood pressure resul

The blood glucose lowering effect of Malaysian Tinospora crispa in rats

Diabetes is defined as a chronic hyperglycemia which should be countered by the effective, safe and readily available hypoglycemic agents. Herbal is among alternatives that has been used by society for years but lacks of documented evidences. Tinospora crispa (TC) is enriched by phytochemicals which potentially reduce blood glucose thus is useful for diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate the potency of TC inreducing blood sugar and body weight. It involved 30 healthy rats divided into 5 groups namely: normal control, normal fed with TC extract, diabetic, TC-treated diabetic (dose 500 mg/kg w/w), and vitamin E-traeted diabetic rats (60 IU). The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured each week for 1 month. The administration of TC extract 500 mg/kg (w/w) helps to maintain body weight in diabetic rats and reduce the fasting blood glucose. TC is highly potent as hypoglycemic agents therefore needed to be explored further

Emotional Intelligence Level of Year One and Two Medical Students of University Malaysia Sarawak: Association With Demographic Data

Emotional intelligence is the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s emotions, to discriminate among them, and to guide one’s thinking and actions. It is very important to assess as it helps to reason out our emotional responses. The objective of this study is to assess the emotional intelligence level of Year one and two medical students of UNIMAS. Majority has strength in all the domains except managing emotions domain where 51.5% need attention. No respondent fall into the development priority competency. There were no significant difference among all the domains between two groups but Year 1 students need more attention in managing emotions domain compared to Year 2 students. There was no significant association between demographic characteristics – age, residency, qualification and ethnicity – but there was a significant association (p value of 0.038) in male with empathy domain. Further study should be done on groups spanning from Year 1 to Year 5 as they have a greater difference in age as well as exposure to clinical practice which may have a significant impact on their emotional intelligence

Bioactive compounds screening, antimicrobial activities of leave extract from two palatable plants: Piper betle and Murraya koenigii (Curry leaves)

Introduction: Piper betle Linn is one of the most commonly used compounding plants for ethno-medical purposes, with its extract generally used in modern products to enrich their functional efficacy. The extraction methods always lead to differences in the antimicrobial efficacy of methanol extracts of bioactive compounds. Purpose: The study was conducted to screen for bioactive compounds and determine their antimicrobial efficacy in a methanol extract of Piper betle and Murraya koenigi leaves from five different regions. Methodology: The phytochemical screening done according to the procedure that is implied in from Patil, et.al, with minor modifications by the researchers of the current study. Antimicrobial activity was determined; efficacy was measured by disc diffusion analysis. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponin, tannin, terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids in the extracts. The methanolic extract of betel leaves from all the selected regions except from Bau exhibited antimicrobial activities. Among them, extract from Kuching and Simunjan have no effect on E. coli. The methanolic extract of curry leaves from Kuching, Balai ringai and Bau have antimicrobial activities against Staph aureus and those from Balai ringai is also active against E.coli. Conclusion: Although there were previous reports of phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities from the extract of these plants, there were still lack of research conducted on the specimens especially from our local community (Sarawak). The outcome of this study will help us to identify the bioactive compounds of the local samples and give us some pictures of their activities on how to ensure these plants can be brought forward based on the origin of the sample. KEYWORDS: Bioactive Compounds Screening, Antimicrobial Activities of Leave Extract, Palatable Plants, Piper betle and Murraya koenigii

Secure Image Encryption Based on Visual Cryptography

Information security is a major issue today for any company or individual who conducts business electronically. It is of utmost important that mechanisms are set up to ensure information and data security. Cryptography is one of the technological means to provide security to data being transmitted on information and communications systems. In this paper we consider a new type of cryptographic scheme; encryption is used to securely transmit data in open networks. The increasing use of digital techniques for transmitting and storing images, integrity as well as the authenticity of image has become a major concern. Visual cryptography is a cryptographic technique which allows visual information to be encrypted. Visual cryptography can be seen as a one-time pad system. Then, it cannot be reused. This system presents a 2 out of 2 schemes based on visual cryptography of image encryption. Visual cryptography is a powerful technique which combines the notions of perfect ciphers and secret sharing in cryptography. Visual cryptography can decode concealed images without any cryptographic computation

Secondary school girls’ knowledge and practice on human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Background: Cervical cancer becomes the second leading cancer in Malaysia and HPV infection is the main cause of this cancer. The availability of HPV vaccination can reduce down the risk of getting HPV infection thus will also reduce incidence of cervical cancer. However, due to little current information pertaining to the nature of HPV infection, cervical cancer and HPV vaccination themselves among the risky age, which is secondary school girls, therefore, a thorough understanding about knowledge on HPV, cervical cancer and HPV vaccination of secondary school girls and their practice on HPV vaccination is needed. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge of secondary school girls about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and their practices on HPV vaccination. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two secondary schools; SMK TengkuPanglimaPerang and SMK (P) Methodist, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The total numbers of 295 secondary school girls were studied, and the data were collected through the distribution of structured questionnaires. Data analysis involved descriptive statistic and chi square test by using SPSS version 20. Results: Results revealed that there was a high level of knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination, however low/poor practice on HPV vaccination among secondary school girls. Conclusion: Therefore, it is suggested that further study is required to focus the gap between knowledge, and practice, and examines the reasons of not receiving HPV vaccinations in the targeted group. Strategies for enhancing awareness to take HPV vaccination are also needed