Habitat and Morphological Characteristics of Halophila Ovalis in Malaysia

An assessment on habitat, environment and morphological characteristics of Halophila ovalis are described for the 11 locations. Halophila ovalis grew in variable habitats encompassing inter-tidal degraded coral reef platform (Teluk Kemang), sub-tidal shoal (Merambong, Tanjung Adang Laut, Tanjung Adang Darat of Johore), off-shore island (Pulau Tinggi), Inter-tidal lagoon (Merchang), sub-tidal degraded coral reef (Pulau Gaya, Pulau Bakkungan, Pulau Selingan of Sabah), sub-tidal estuary (Teluk Sepinong of Sabah) and inter-tidal beach front (Punang of Sarawak). Amongst these habitats, Merambong was visited at regular basis to obtain habitat characteristics and environmental factors. Halophila ovalis are found occurring at the depth ranging from 1.0 to 2.7 m MSL in shallow water. They grew on substrate; sand covered coral e.g. Teluk Kemang, calcareous muddy sand e.g. Merambong, Tanjung Adang Laut, Tanjung Adang Darat, fine sand e.g. Pulau Tinggi, muddy sand e.g. Merchang, Punang, corraline sand e.g Pulau Gaya, Pulau Bakkungan, Pulau Selingan, An assessment on habitat, environment and morphological characteristics of Halophila ovalis are described for the 11 locations. Halophila ovalis grew in variable habitats encompassing inter-tidal degraded coral reef platform (Teluk Kemang), sub-tidal shoal (Merambong, Tanjung Adang Laut, Tanjung Adang Darat of Johore), off-shore island (Pulau Tinggi), Inter-tidal lagoon (Merchang), sub-tidal degraded coral reef (Pulau Gaya, Pulau Bakkungan, Pulau Selingan of Sabah), sub-tidal estuary (Teluk Sepinong of Sabah) and inter-tidal beach front (Punang of Sarawak). Amongst these habitats, Merambong was visited at regular basis to obtain habitat characteristics and environmental factors. Halophila ovalis are found occurring at the depth ranging from 1.0 to 2.7 m MSL in shallow water. They grew on substrate; sand covered coral e.g. Teluk Kemang, calcareous muddy sand e.g. Merambong, Tanjung Adang Laut, Tanjung Adang Darat, fine sand e.g. Pulau Tinggi, muddy sand e.g. Merchang, Punang, corraline sand e.g Pulau Gaya, Pulau Bakkungan, Pulau Selingan, seagrass such as H. ovalis. Cultured H. ovalis from different locations also showed variation in morphology. Halophila ovalis has a wide range of variability in vegetative structure dimensions particularly the shapes of leaves and paired of cross veins counts and this variability explains their ecological adaptation to different habitats and environmental conditions

Morphology of Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook. f. from Peninsular and East Malaysia

Halophila ovalis plants were collected from six locations with different habitat characteristics; Merambong, lohore ofPeninsular Malaysia (sub-tidal shoal), Teluk Sepinong of Sabah (sub-tidal estuary), Pulau Gaya, Sabah (subtidal degraded coral), Merchang, Terengganu (inter-tidal lagoon), Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan (inter-tidal degraded coral platform) and Punang, Sarawak (inter-tidal beach front). Based on the leaf dimensions (length and width) and number of paired cross-veins, three Halophila ovalis variants can be distinguished; big, intermediate and small-leaved. The big-leaved H. ovalis are found at sub-tidal areas e.g. Merambong, Teluk Sepinong, while intermediate- and small-leaved variants are from inter-tidal areas that are exposed to air for 3 to 4 hours during low tides e.g. Punang, Merchang, Teluk Kemang and Pulau Gaya. The salinity and depth in a particular habitat contribute to the variability in shapes and dimension of leaf sizes. Halophila ovahs leaves showed diverse shapes from ovate, obovate, oblong to spathulate. At deeper depths, turbid water and muddy substrate, leaves of H. ovalis are elongated in shape and with longer petiole length. Halophila ovalis in Malaysia exhibit morphological variability particularly in the leaves in response to the different environmental factors in the various habitats

Gene–diet interactions on metabolic disease-related outcomes in Southeast Asian populations: a systematic review

Diabetes and obesity are chronic diseases that are a burden to low- and middle-income countries. We conducted this systematic review to understand gene–diet interactions affecting the Southeast Asian population’s risk of obesity and diabetes. The literature search was performed on Google Scholar and MEDLINE (PubMed) search engines independently by four reviewers who evaluated the eligibility of articles based on inclusion criteria. Out of 19,031 articles, 20 articles examining gene–diet interactions on obesity and/or diabetes-related traits met the inclusion criteria. Three (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore) out of eleven Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have conducted studies on gene–diet interactions on obesity and diabetes. From the 20 selected articles, the most common interactions were observed between macronutrients and genetic risk score (GRS) on metabolic disease-related traits in the Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnicities. Overall, we identified 29 significant gene–diet interactions in the Southeast Asian population. The results of this systematic review demonstrate ethnic-specific gene–nutrient interactions on metabolic-disease-related traits in the Southeast Asian population. This is the first systematic review to explore gene–diet interactions on obesity and diabetes in the Southeast Asian population and further research using larger sample sizes is required for better understanding and framing nutrigenetic approaches for personalized nutrition

The development and pilot testing of a fall prevention education intervention for older persons at high risk of falls in a Malaysian primary care setting / Annaletchumy Loganathan

The aim of this study was to develop and pilot test a fall prevention education intervention for older persons with a high risk of falls in a primary care setting. There were three phases in this study. In the needs assessment study, the needs of community-dwelling older persons with a high risk of falls and healthcare professionals (HCPs) who managed falls were explored using qualitative interviews. The study was conducted at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur from July 2012 to April 2013. Semi-structured topical guides were developed to facilitate the interviews. The transcribed interview data were analysed thematically using Weft QDA. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of FPEIs. The intervention was developed based on the evidence from the findings of the needs assessment, systematic review, theories and clinical practice guidelines. The Multifaceted Fall Education by Interprofessional Team (MuFE_IT) intervention consists of presentations by inter-professional team and a fall prevention education booklet. The MuFE_IT was then pilot-tested in three group sessions and revised based on the feedback from the participants. The study participants’ knowledge and behavioural changes were evaluated using questionnaires and focus-group discussions immediately, one-month, and three-month post-intervention. The data were analysed using SPSS and Weft QDA. In the needs assessment study, both the HCPs and older persons highlighted the need for educational materials on fall prevention. HCPs perceived their roles as the iv coordinator of care and provider of advice on fall prevention to older persons. HCPs were aware that they needed to consider older persons’ views, beliefs and behaviours when offering fall prevention advice. A systematic literature review of 21 RCTs found that FPEIs which involved HCPs in providing fall advice, educational pamphlets, small group sessions, video and multimedia presentations were effective. In the qualitative evaluation of the MuFE_IT, four themes emerged: change of attitude towards fall prevention, actions taken related to fall prevention, barriers in MuFE_IT implementation, and reasons to take action to prevent falls. The participants were more ‘careful’, ‘compliant’ and ‘motivated’ to prevent falls. The participants found the following components of the MUFE_IT intervention useful: professional advice from the presentation on proper shoe wear, medication review and home interior modification; information from the education booklet on fall prevention activities such as exercises; small discussion groups that eased interaction and allowed information to be shared among the participants. However, a few participants perceived that the advice given at the MuFE_IT intervention was ‘common sense’ and ‘not practical’, as these participants were already practising fall prevention activities. In addition, there was no improvement in their knowledge after attending the MuFE_IT intervention sessions. This study confirms the feasibility of developing an FPEI for older persons based on needs, evidence and theories using mixed research methods. The MuFE_IT warrants further study to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing falls in the Malaysian primary care setting

Implementation of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics Research and Training Activities for Developing Precision Nutrition Strategies in Malaysia

Nutritional epidemiological studies show a triple burden of malnutrition with disparate prevalence across the coexisting ethnicities in Malaysia. To tackle malnutrition and related conditions in Malaysia, research in the new and evolving field of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics is essential. As part of the Gene-Nutrient Interactions (GeNuIne) Collaboration, the Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics Research and Training Unit (N2RTU) aims to solve the malnutrition paradox. This review discusses and presents a conceptual framework that shows the pathway to implementing and strengthening precision nutrition strategies in Malaysia. The framework is divided into: (1) Research and (2) Training and Resource Development. The first arm collects data from genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, gut microbiome, and phenotypic and lifestyle factors to conduct nutrigenetic, nutrigenomic, and nutri-epigenetic studies. The second arm is focused on training and resource development to improve the capacity of the stakeholders (academia, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the food industry) to utilise the findings generated by research in their respective fields. Finally, the N2RTU framework foresees its applications in artificial intelligence and the implementation of precision nutrition through the action of stakeholders