Pain interference level and its effects on patients' quality of life and depression: a study on breast cancer survivors in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Introduction: Cancer pain is a complex experience and is one of the most common and distressing symptom of breast cancer which affects patients’ functioning in daily activities, their quality of life (QOL), and mood. Yet, there is a great lack of data on breast cancer and pain in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using the Breast Cancer Patient Version of Quality of Life (QOL) Instrument (translated into Malay) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) were conducted on 87 female breast cancer patients to investigate the impact of pain interference level on their quality of life and depressive level. Results: The patients were divided into 4 groups based on their rating of how pain and aches have been a problem to them (i.e not a problem [n=18 (20.7%)], mild[n=29 (33.3%)], moderate [n=18 (20.7%)] and severe [n=22(25.3%). Pain and aches ware reported to be the most severe interference problems in QOL physical domain by patients (mean=5.8, SD=2.8), followed by fatigue (mean=6.0, SD=3.1) and sleep changes (mean=6.2, SD=3.5). Patients who reported that pain and aches had severely affected them showed significantly lower score on many aspects of quality of life (Fs > 5, p < 0.005; p < 0.0001) and patients reported pain was not a problem at all demonstrated highest score on all aspects of QOL. Patients with most severe pain interference level showed highest depressive score [F (3, 84) =3, p < 0.05]. Conclusion: The study underscores the impact of pain interference on patients’ quality of life and depressive level. The pain assessment deserves significant attention and therefore a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of pain to rule out any related underlying issues is warranted in the management of breast cancer to ensure appropriate intervention given to the patients

Upsurge of Online Shopping in Malaysia during COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this study is to assess the factors, perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), subjective norms (SN), perceived risk (PR) and situational influences (SI)) that influence the consumers’ behavioral intention to use online shopping during the Coronavirus time. This research has adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as its theoretical base. This research is a quantitative research wherein data were collected through online questionnaire using convenience sampling method. A total of 203 valid samples were collected from Malaysian respondents from selected States. Then, single and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses. The results concluded that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and situational influences have significant influence on Malaysian consumers’ behavioral intention to adopt online shopping during pandemic times. However, subjective norms and perceived risk have showed an insignificant relationship with consumers’ behavioral intention. The findings have implications for Malaysian government and SME companies in Malaysia in promoting online business

Progesterone and estradiol profiles of co-administration of exogenous progesterone and estradiol benzoate during estrus synchronization in cows

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of estrous synchronization method in cow and to document the profile of progesterone and estradiol levels in three breed (Charolais, Brahman and local indigenous, Kedah-Kelantan) of cows. Twenty eight cycling cows received CIDR (controlled intravaginal drug release) insertion containing 1.38 g of progesterone with 10 mg estradiol benzoate (Day 0). The cows were given 2 mg i.m injection of estradiol benzoate (EB) 24 hours after CIDR removal (Day 8). A single insemination was carried out to each of the synchronized cow using rectovaginal method, 24 hours after EB injection (Day 9). Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out on day 60 post-insemination using rectal palpation. Blood samples were collected on day 0, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 14 after CIDR insertion. Collected blood samples were centrifuged at 2,000 r.p.m for 10 minutes and blood plasma was stored at -20 degrees C until assayed. Concentrations of progesterone and estradiol in blood plasma were assayed using RIA kits. Progesterone reached the highest level on day 3, 9.03 ng/ml (Brahman) and 27.16 ng/ml (Kedah-Kelantan). However, after CIDR removal on day 7, progesterone level continued to decrease and reached the lowest levels, 2.12 ng/ml (Charolais), 0.53 ng/ml (Brahman), and 0.47 ng/ml (Kedah-Kelantan). Insertion of CIDR (Day 0) caused a slight drop in estradiol levels in Charolais (0.00 pg/ml), Brahman (5.01 pg/ml) and Kedah-Kelantan (4.60 pg/ml) cows. Estradiol level reached the highest level, 77.26 pg/ml (Charolais), 34.20 pg/ml (Brahman) and 27.43 pg/ml (Kedah-Kelantan) after estradiol benzoate injection on day 8. It was concluded that synchronization method in the present study managed to give good percentage of pregnancy and similar pattern of progesterone and estradiol profiles regardless breed of the cows

MORPHOMETRIC VARIATIONS BETWEEN TRIPLOID AND DIPLOID Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Nekoliko znanstvenih metoda ranije je opisano za prepoznavanje triploidnih riba. Međutim, mnoge od tih metoda nisu primjenjive u svrhu rutinskog upravljanja radi njihove složenosti i troškova. U ovom radu istraživana je mogućnost korištenja morfoloških varijacija kao jeftine i jednostavne metode razlikovanja triploidnih i diploidnih afričkih somova Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Triploidski somovi su proizvedeni metodom hladnog šoka oplođenih jaja na 5°C tijekom 20 minuta (približno 3 min. nakon oplodnje). Ribe su bile inkubirane, izvaljene i uzgajane tijekom 3 mjeseca. Plodnost riba utvrđena je promatranjem oblika eritrocita. Triploidni eritrocit bio je elipsoidnog oblika dok je diploidi bio okrugli. Morfološka karakterizacija je provedena na 100 uzoraka triploidnih i na 100 uzoraka diploidnih afričkih somova. Iako su značajne razlike zabilježene u mnogim parametrima, glavna morfometrijska razlika između triploidnih i diploidnih afričkih somova nije se mogla jasno razlikovati. Stoga je zaključeno da morfološka svojstva nisu idealna za razlikovanje triploida i diploida afričkog soma. Upotreba eritrocitnih karakteristika i dalje je najjeftiniji i relativno učinkovit način za triploido i diploidno određivanje afričkih somova.Several scientific methods have been described in the identification of triploid fish. However, many of these methods are not applicable for routine management purposes due to their complexity and cost. In this study, the possibility of using morphological variation as a least cost and less complex method of distinguishing triploid and diploid African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was examined. Triploid catfish were produced by cold shock of fertilized eggs in 5°C for 20 mins (at approximately 3 mins after fertilization). The fish were incubated, hatched and raised for 3 months. Ploidy levels of the fish were then ascertained by observing the erythrocyte shape. Triploid erythrocyte was ellipsoidal in shape while diploid was round. Morphological characterization was then carried out on 100 samples each of triploid and diploid African catfish. Although significant differences were observed in many parameters, the principal morphometric difference between triploid and diploid African catfish could not be clearly distinguished. It was therefore concluded that morphological characteristics is not ideal for discriminating triploids and diploids of African catfish. The used of erythrocyte characteristics still remains the cheapest and relatively effective method for triploid and diploid determination in African catfish

Morphometric Variations Between Triploid and Diploid Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Several scientific methods have been described in the identification of triploid fish. However, many of these methods are not applicable for routine management purposes due to their complexity and cost. In this study, the possibility of using morphological variation as a least cost and less complex method of distinguishing triploid and diploid African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was examined. Triploid catfish were produced by cold shock of fertilized eggs in 5°C for 20 mins (at approximately 3 mins after fertilization). The fish were incubated, hatched and raised for 3 months. Ploidy levels of the fish were then ascertained by observing the erythrocyte shape. Triploid erythrocyte was ellipsoidal in shape while diploid was round. Morphological characterization was then carried out on 100 samples each of triploid and diploid African catfish. Although significant differences were observed in many parameters, the principal morphometric difference between triploid and diploid African catfish could not be clearly distinguished. It was therefore concluded that morphological characteristics is not ideal for discriminating triploids and diploids of African catfish. The used of erythrocyte characteristics still remains the cheapest and relatively effective method for triploid and diploid determination in African catfish

Carbon dioxide fixation method for electrosynthesis of benzoic acid from chlorobenzene

Carbon dioxide fixation technique was developed as an alternative dechlorination method of chlorobenzenes. Electrolysis of chlorobenzene was carried out in a one-compartment cell fitted with an aluminium anode and a platinum cathode. Electrolysis in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing 0.1 M of tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) at 0 °C, 100 ml/min of CO2 flow rate and 120 mA/cm2 of current density was found to be the optimum conditions of this electrocarboxylation, which gave 72% yield of benzoic acid from chlorobenzene. These conditions were then applied to 1,2-dichlorobenzene and 1,3-dichlorobenzene in order to convert them to their corresponding benzoic acids