Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential of methanol extract of Tectona grandis flowers in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Tectona grandis (T. grandis) flowers (METGF) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats to supports its traditional use.MethodsAcute toxicity study of METGF was carried out in rat to determine its dose for the antidiabetic study. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to evaluate METGF effect on elevated blood glucose level. Diabetes was induced in rats by administration of STZ (60 mg/kg, ip.) and it was confirmed 72 h after induction. METGF was orally given to the diabetic rats up to 28 days and blood glucose level were estimated each week. On 28 day of the experiment, diabetic rats were sacrificed after the blood collection for the biochemical parameters analysis and liver, kidney was collected to determine antioxidants levels.ResultsIn acute toxicity, METGF did not show toxicity and death up to a dose 2 000 mg/kg in rats. Administration of METGF 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly (P<0.001) reduced blood glucose levels in OGTT and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Both doses of METGF treatment significantly (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.05) increased body weight, serum insulin, haemoglobin (Hb) and total protein levels in diabetic rats. Also, MEGTF treatment reduced elevated glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and other biochemical parameters levels significantly (P<0.001) in diabetic rats. Altered lipid profiles and antioxidants levels were reversed to near normal in diabetic rats treated with METGF.ConclusionsThese results concluded that METGF possesses antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity which supports its traditional use

Memorable ecotourism experiences in Taman Negara, Pahang

Memorable Ecotourism Experiences (MEEs) playa key role in obtaining tourists’ satisfaction and loyalty in sustaining the ecotourism destination. Although, MTEs has been recognised as a crucial area of tourism studies since 2010, but still there is a lack of study that explore all dimensions or constructs of MTEs. Most of the recent studies only tested eight significant constructs and ignored the remaining constructs. Therefore, this study aim to examine the dimensions that influences the memorable ecotourism experiences in Taman Negara, Pahang Malaysia. Subsequently, to propose a MEEs model. In order to fill the literature gap, a pilot test was conducted in April 2018 with a sample of 40 tourists to Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia. These preliminary results indicated that 15 out of 22 constructs (hedonism, knowledge, meaningfulness, local culture, novelty-familiarity, involvement, refreshing, destination attributes, service, participation, freeing, adverse feeling, socialization, nature and education awareness) were significantly influencing the MEEs in Taman Negara. The study recommends further studies to be conducted to explore all 22 proposed constructs in a variety of ecotourism sector

Exploring Academics’ Work-Life Balance and Stress Levels Using Flexible Working Arrangements

Flexible working arrangements (FWAs) provide academics a degree of freedom to control their working time, location and method. Academics need to be agile in managing their multiple work roles, but many universities are still not supportive. This research explores whether FWAs can affect academics’ work-life balance (WLB) and stress levels. Using a focus group discussion, eight academics were interviewed. Findings reveal that FWAs have a positive impact on WLB and reduce stress levels amongst Malaysian academics. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home (WFH) has become a new normal, paving the way for similar policies to be put in place. Keywords: Flexible working arrangements; academics; work-life balance; stress eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.2497

Anti-Atherogenic Activity of Ethanolic Fraction of Terminalia arjuna Bark on Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in medium and large arteries is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Terminalia arjuna is a herb of Combretaceae family which contains hypolipidemic compounds and flavonoids with high antioxidative properties. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ethanolic fraction of T. arjuna on blood lipids and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with high fat diet (HFD). Twenty New Zealand rabbits of either sex were randomly divided into five groups: the first two were normal diet group and HFD (21% fat) group and the remaining three groups received high cholesterol diet supplemented with standard drug (Atorvastatin 10 mg kg−1 body weight), T. arjuna ethanolic fraction (100 and 200 mg kg−1 body weight), respectively. The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was determined in rabbits at the start of the experiment, at the 14th, 30th days and at the end of the study. Anti-atherogenic index was calculated from the lipid profile of the rabbits before sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Results show that T. arjuna significantly decreases TC, LDL and TG levels and increases HDL and lessens atherosclerotic lesion in aorta (P < .05). Hence T. arjuna extract can effectively prevent the progress of atherosclerosis. This is likely due to the effect of T. arjuna on serum lipoproteins and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

A FlexiWork App – An Innovative Way to Measure and Monitor Productivity while WFH for Academicians

Academics need better workplace flexibility as their brains can never wholly switch off from work. Therefore, flexible working arrangements (FWA) are linked with enhanced productivity. This research proposes a self-monitoring tool using a mobile application. FlexiWork App is a self-monitoring application designed for an academic to self-measure the impact of workplace flexibility on productivity; and secondly, for the institution to monitor the academic's key performance indicator (KPI) achievement. Hence, this application will benefit both the academics and the university in monitoring the KPI of the staff. Keywords: Flexible Working, Productivity, Academic, Mobile Apps eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under the responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i21.371

Mediating Role of Autonomy on FWA and WLB among Malaysian Academics

Many organizations are increasingly providing flexible work arrangements (FWA) to fulfil employees’ work-life balance (WLB), needs of happiness, well-being and productivity. This further affects WLB via a high sense of work autonomy observed. This study examines whether autonomy mediates the relationship between FWA and WLB. Using purposive sampling procedure, 302 usable online survey data were collected from university academics. Data analyses were carried out using SPSS and Smart PLS software. Results revealed a significant indirect influence of FWA on WLB, integrating well-being, happiness, and productivity through autonomy. Implementing FWA increases autonomy, which then increases the respective WLB. Discussions are elaborated

A Novel Role for Connexin Hemichannel in Oxidative Stress and Smoking-Induced Cell Injury

Oxidative stress is linked to many pathological conditions, including ischemia, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. The molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress induced pathophysiology and cell death are currently poorly understood. Our present work demonstrates that oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species and cigarette smoke extract depolarize the cell membrane and open connexin hemichannels. Under oxidative stress, connexin expression and connexin silencing resulted in increased and reduced cell deaths, respectively. Morphological and live/dead assays indicate that cell death is likely through apoptosis. Our studies provide new insights into the mechanistic role of hemichannels in oxidative stress induced cell injury.</p

A Novel Role for Connexin Hemichannel in Oxidative Stress and Smoking-Induced Cell Injury

Oxidative stress is linked to many pathological conditions, including ischemia, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. The molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress induced pathophysiology and cell death are currently poorly understood. Our present work demonstrates that oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species and cigarette smoke extract depolarize the cell membrane and open connexin hemichannels. Under oxidative stress, connexin expression and connexin silencing resulted in increased and reduced cell deaths, respectively. Morphological and live/dead assays indicate that cell death is likely through apoptosis. Our studies provide new insights into the mechanistic role of hemichannels in oxidative stress induced cell injury

High-impedance fault detection in medium-voltage distribution network using computational intelligence-based classifiers

This paper presents the high-impedance fault (HIF) detection and identification in medium-voltage distribution network of 13.8 kV using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and intelligence classifiers such as adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM). The three-phase feeder network is modelled in MATLAB/Simulink to obtain the fault current signal of the feeder. The acquired fault current signal for various types of faults such as three-phase fault, line to line, line to ground, double line to ground and HIF is sampled using 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th level of detailed coefficients and approximated by DWT analysis to extract the feature, namely standard deviation (SD) values, considering the time-varying fault impedance. The SD values drawn by DWT technique have been used to train the computational intelligence-based classifiers such as fuzzy, Bayes, multi-layer perceptron neural network, ANFIS and SVM. The performance indices such as mean absolute error, root mean square error, kappa statistic, success rate and discrimination rate are compared for various classifiers presented. The results showed that the proffered ANFIS and SVM classifiers are more effective and their performance is substantially superior than other classifiers