Kesalahan Bahasa Melayu di Kalangan Mahasiswa Fakulti Pengajian Pendidikan Universiti Pertanian Malaysia

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan data tentang kesalahan bahasa Melayu (BM) yang dilakukan oleh pelajar yang mengikuti enam kursus Bacelor Pendidikan (BP) di Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM). Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengenal pasti jenis-jenis kesalahan bahasa dan kekerapan kesalahan yang dilakukan oleh subjek kajian berdasarkan pemboleh-pemboleh ubah seperti program, jantina, status sosio-ekonomi (SSE), pencapaian BM SPM dan kekerapan usaha meningkatkan penguasaan BM. Data kajian dikumpul dengan menggunakan dua kaedah, iaitu melalui penulisan karangan dan soal selidik. Kesalahan bahasa dalam aspek perkataan, ayat dan ejaan didapati daripada karangan pelajar manakala maklumat tentang pembelajaran BM pelajar didapati daripada borang soal selidik. Sebanyak 235 buah karangan pelajar dimarkahi dan daripada jumlah ini, pelajar melakukan sebanyak 1,245 kesalahan dalam aspek perkataan, ayat dan ejaan. Min kesalahan bagi setiap pelajar ialah 5.3, yakni 3.6 kali kesalahan dalam aspek perkataan, min 1.9 dalam aspek ejaan dan min sebanyak 0.8 dalam kesalahan struktur ayat. Hasil ujian statistik ANOVA bagi pemboleh ubah program menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan antara pelajar dari enam kumpulan program BP yang dikaji. Pelajar dari kumpulan BP (Sains Pertanian) didapati paling banyak melakukan kesalahan BM dengan min sebanyak 7.6, berbanding dengan kumpulan BP (Pengajaran BM sebagai Bahasa Pertama) yang mempunyai min sebanyak 3.9. Dari segi jantina, hasil perkiraan ujian-T menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan antara jantina bagi kesalahan perkataan dan ejaan. Bagi aspek ayat pula, perbezaan yang didapati adalah tidak signifikan. Pelajar lelaki (56.6%) pula didapati lebihm banyak membuat kesalahan bahasa berbanding dengan pelajar perempuan (43.4%). Bagi pemboleh ubah pencapaian BM SPM, pelajar terbahagi kepada tiga kumpulan, iaitu kumpulan berpencapaian tinggi, kumpulan berpencapaian sederhana dan kumpu lan berpencapaian rendah. Analisis keputusan menunjukkan terdapatnya perbezaan yang signifikan antara kesemua kumpulan kajian. Seterusnya, pemboleh ubah SSE juga dibahagikan kepada tiga kumpulan iaitu, kumpulan SSE tinggi, kumpulan SSE sederhana dan kumpulan SSE rendah. Ujian statistik menunjukkan terdapatnya perbezaan yang signifikan antara kumpulan SSE tinggi dan kumpulan SSE rendah. Dari segi kekerapan pembelajaran BM pula, pelajar didapati paling kerap mendengar berita diikuti oleh kekerapan membaca akhbar dan mendengar syarahan BM. Pelajar paling kurang menulis artikel untuk siaran akhbar, majalah atau pertandingan sebagai usaha meningkatkan penguasaan BM. Ujian korelasi Pearson menunjukkan hubungan yang lemah dari segi perkaitan antara kekerapan usaha meningkatkan penguasaan BM dengan kekerapan kesalahan bahasa. Keputusan kajian membuktikan kelemahan pelajar dalam penguasaan BM. Ini mempunyai implikasi terhadap pengajaran dan pembelajaran BM pada peringkat institusi pengajian tinggi umumnya, dan Fakulti Pengajian Bahasa Moden dan Fakulti Pengajian Pendidikan

FLUCONAZOLE NANOGEL: FABRICATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and in vitro evaluation of prepared fluconazole nanogel for seborrheic dermatitis Methods: Fluconazole nanogel was formulated to act against seborrheic dermatitis. The fluconazole nanoparticles were prepared by a simplified evaporation method and evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, and percent in vitro drug release. The nanogel was also characterized based on parameters like particle size, percent entrapment efficiency, shape surface morphology, rheological properties, in vitro release R² = 0.9046, and release kinetics. Results: The nanoparticle with a combination of Eudragit RS and Tween 80 showed the best result with particle size in the range of 119.0 nm to 149.5 nm, with a cumulative percent drug release of 95 % up to 18 h. The formulated nanogel with optimum concentration of HPMC authenticate with particle size 149.50±0.5 with maximum drug release (92.13±0.32) %. Conclusion: Different percentages of polymers (ethyl-cellulose, eudragit, and tween 80) are used as variable components in the formulation of nanogel. The optimized batch showed good physical properties (flow index, spreadability, and viscosity) along with rapid drug release. Therefore, it can be concluded that nanogel containing fluconazole has potential application in topical delivery

Taste Masked Microspheres of Ofloxacin: Formulation and Evaluation of Orodispersible Tablets

Ofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic antibiotic used for treatment of a variety of bacterial infections, but therapy suffers from low patients’ compliance due to its unpleasant taste. This study was aimed to develop taste masked microspheres of ofloxacin using Eudragit and to prepare orodispersible tablets of the formulated microspheres using natural superdisintegrant. Taste masking Eudragit E100 microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation technique with an entrapment efficiency ranging from 69.54 ± 1.98 to 86.52 ± 2.25%. DSC revealed no interaction between the drug and polymer. Microspheres prepared at a drug/polymer ratio of 1:4 and 1:5 revealed sufficient flow properties and better taste masking as compared to other ratios. Drug loaded microspheres were formulated as orodispersible tablets using locust bean gum as a natural superdisintegrant offering the advatages of biocompatibility and biodegrad-ability. The wetting time, water absorption ratio and in-vitro disintegration time of the tablets were found to range between 19 ± 2 to 10 ± 3 seconds, 59.11 ± 0.65 to 85.76 ± 0.96 and 22 ± 2 to 10 ± 2 seconds, respectively. The in-vitro ofloxacin release was about 97.25% within 2h. The results obtained from the study suggested the use of eudragit polymer for preparing ofloxacin loaded microspheres with an aim to mask the bitter taste of the drug and furthermore orodispersible tablets could be formulated using locust bean gum as a natural superdisintegrant

Assessment of Suspending Properties of Katira Gum: Formulation and Evaluation of Nimesulide Suspension

There are several hydrophilic polymers that have been employed as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspensions due to their ability to form colloidal gel in aqueous medium. In the present study, katira gum obtained from the bark of Cochlospermum religiosum has been evaluated as suspending agent in nimesulide suspension and compared with acacia gum at concentration of 1-5%. Sedimentation volume, rheology, particle size, degree of flocculation and in-vitro drug release were employed as assessment parameters. The result showed that at all concentrations, katira gum higher suspending capability compared acacia gum. The sedimentation volume was found to increase from 0.36 to 1 (A1-A3) and 0.26 to 0.56 (B1-B3). The viscosity of suspensions (A1 and A2) containing gum katira as suspending agent was found to be 1.35 and 2.4 centipoise and 0.63- 1.05 centipoise (B1- B3). Plots between shear stress and rate of shear were plotted using different concentrations indicates the obedience to newtonian behaviour. Degree of flocculation of gum katira and gum acacia suspension was established to be 1.69 and 1.05 respectively

Starch-silicon dioxide coprecipitate as superdisintegrant: formulation and evaluation of fast disintegrating tablets

The objective of the present investigation is to synthesize and characterize starch-silica coprecipitate and evaluate as tablet superdisintegrant. The starch-silica coprecipitate was synthesized by coprecipitation of silica on the surface of starch particles as reported by Rashid et al. The coprecipitate was characterized in terms of compressibility characteristics, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transformed Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Fast dissolving tablets were then formulated by direct compression method using the different concentration of coprecipitate, crosscarmellose sodium (CCS) and crosspovidone (CP) as superdisintegrant. The tablets were evaluated for the disintegration time, hardness, friability, tensile strength, weight variation and in vitro release studies. The starch-silica coprecipitate showed better disintegration and compressibility characteristics as compared to the known superdisintegrants. FTIR indicated the absence of any chemical reaction between the two species (starch and silica) during the process of coprecipitation. DSC studies showed there is no interaction between the drug and coprecipitate. Hausner’s ratio & Carr’s index value of (1.17 and 14.7 respectively) of coprecipitate suggested excellent flowability. The coprecipitate was found to be effective at all the concentrations tested in the fast dissolving tablet formulation. Disintegration time (DT) of less than 30 seconds was observed in case of coprecipitate whereas higher DT values was observed with CCS and CP as superdisintegrants. Starch-silica coprecipitate can be utilized as a superdisintegrant in the pharmaceutical applications owing to better compressibility and release characteristics

OVERVIEW OF MUCOADHESIVE BIOPOLYMERS FOR BUCCAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Mucoadhesive dosage forms may be intended for facilitation of prolonged retention time at the application site hence providing drug release in a controlled rate for enhanced improvement of therapeutic activity and its outcome. The buccal mucosa has been investigated for systemic drug delivery and local drug treatment or therapy that is subjected to first pass metabolism. The applicability of bio-adhesion approach in buccal drug delivery proved great therapeutic potential to overcome the limitation of conventional buccal drug delivery. The delivery via buccal route using mucoadhesive biopolymers such as various natural gums e.g. carrageenans, gum karaya, gum arabic, locust bean gum, khaya gum, gum ghatti, albizia gum, guar gum, starch, cellulose, larch gum and pectin etc. and various thiolated and carboxymethylated polymers has been the subject of interest since the early 20th century. The present article is focused mainly on the oral mucosa, mechanism of drug permeation, and characteristics of the desired polymers, the manuscript then proceeds to cover the theories behind the adhesion of bioadhesive polymers to the mucosal epithelium followed by the factors affecting mucoadhesion. Further the author has also discussed on the new generation of mucoadhesive polymers and their properties, recent mucoadhesive formulations for enhanced buccal drug delivery, various marketed products and patent literature. Various online search engines and scientific journals were employed for the collection of literature and scientific data and information related to the topic using keywords like mucoadhesive polymers, buccal drug delivery, buccal patches, tablets, films, gels, powder from the year 2002 and above

Preparation and characterization of biocomposite films of carrageenan/locust bean gum/montmorrillonite for transdermal delivery of curcumin

Introduction: Skin can be used as a site for local and systemic drug administration. Diffusion of drugs through the skin has led to the development of different transdermal drug delivery systems. Curcumin is a wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin was incorporated into biocomposite films of carrageenan (κC)/locust bean gum (LBG)/ montmorillonite (MMT) prepared by a solvent casting method. Methods: Film-forming solutions were prepared by adding and 2.5% v/v of propylene glycol and MMT (30% w/w). The curcumin loaded polymer composite transdermal films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and extensibility were studied. Films were also evaluated for moisture content, moisture uptake, thickness, folding endurance, swelling ratio and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Results: κC and κC/L40 showed the highest percent cumulative release of 80.42±1.61% and 69.38±1.26% among all of the polymer composite transdermal films in 8 hours and 24 hours respectively. Conclusion: In vitro release profiles showed that increasing concentration of LBG and MMT sustained the release of the drug from the polymer composite transdermal films. Decreased percent cumulative release as the concentration of LBG and MMT increases in polymer composite transdermal film

Izrada i karakterizacija IPN alginatnih i želatinskih mikrogelova s tramadolom: Optimiranje pomoću metode odzivnih površina

Tramadol-loaded interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) alginate-gelatin (AG) microgels (MG) were prepared by the chemical cross-linking technique with glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent and were optimized using response surfaces. A central composite design for 2 factors, at 3 levels each, was employed to evaluate the effect of critical formulation variables, namely the amount of gelatin (X1) and glutaraldehyde (X2) on geometric mean diameter, encapsulation efficiency, diffusion coefficient (D), amount of mucin adsorbed per unit mass (Qe) and 50 % drug release time (t50). Microgels with average particle size in the range of 44.31102.41 m were obtained. Drug encapsulation up to 86.5 % was achieved. MGs were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy to assess formation of the IPN structure and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to understand the nature of drug dispersion after encapsulation into IPN microgels. Both equilibrium and dynamic swelling studies were performed in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Diffusion coefficients and exponents for water transport were determined using an empirical equation. The mucoadhesive properties of MGs were evaluated in aqueous solution by measuring the mucin adsorbed on MGs. Adsorption isotherms were constructed and fitted with Freundlich and Langmuir equations. In vitro release studies indicated the dependence of drug release on the extent of crosslinking and amount of gelatin used in preparing IPNs. The release rates were fitted to power law equation and Higuchi’s model to compute the various drug transport parameters, n value ranged from 0.4055 to 0.5754, suggesting that release may vary from Fickian to quasi-Fickian depending upon variation in the formulation composition.Interpenetrirajući umreženi polimerni (IPN) alginatno-želatinski (AG) mikrogelovi (MG) tramadola pripravljeni su metodom umrežavanja koristeći glutaraldehid kao sredstvo za umrežavanje. Pripravci su optimirani pomoću odzivnih površina. Kompozitini dizajn s dva faktora na tri nivoa upotrijebljen je za procjenu kritičnih formulacijskih varijabli: praćen je utjecaj količine želatine (X1) i glutaraldehida (X2) na prosječnu veličinu čestica, sposobnost kapsuliranja, koeficijent difuzije (D), količinu adsorbiranog mucina po jedinici mase (Qe) i vrijeme potrebno za oslobađanje 50 % lijeka (t50). Dobiveni su mikrogelovi prosječne veličine čestica od 44,31 do 102,41 m, a maksimalno postignuto vezanje lijeka bilo je 86,5 %. Mikrogelovi su karakterizirani FT-IR spektroskopijom i diferencijalnom pretražnom kalorimetrijom (DSC). Ravnotežne i dinamičke studije bubrenja provedene su u fosfatnom puferu pH 7,4. Koeficijenti difuzije i eksponenti za transport vode određeni su pomoću empirijske jednadžbe. Mukoadhezivna svojstva MGs evaluirana su u vodenoj otopini mjerenjem adsorpcije mucina na mikrogelove. Konstruirane su adsorpcijske izoterme i uspoređene s Freudlichovim i Langmuirovim jednadžbama. Pokusi in vitro pokazuju da oslobađanje ljekovite tvari ovisi o stupnju umreženja i količini želatine upotrijebljene u pripravi IPN. Vrijednosti oslobađanja uvrštene su u jednadžbu zakona potencije i u Higuchijev model kako bi se izračunali razni parametri prijenosa lijeka; n vrijednosti bile su između 0,4055 i 0,5754, što ukazuje na to da oslobađanje varira od Fickovog do kvazi-Fickovog, ovisno o sastavu pripravka

MRI-targeted or standard biopsy for prostate-cancer diagnosis

Background Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with or without targeted biopsy, is an alternative to standard transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy for prostate-cancer detection in men with a raised prostate-specific antigen level who have not undergone biopsy. However, comparative evidence is limited. Methods In a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial, we assigned men with a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer who had not undergone biopsy previously to undergo MRI, with or without targeted biopsy, or standard transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy. Men in the MRI-targeted biopsy group underwent a targeted biopsy (without standard biopsy cores) if the MRI was suggestive of prostate cancer; men whose MRI results were not suggestive of prostate cancer were not offered biopsy. Standard biopsy was a 10-to-12-core, transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy. The primary outcome was the proportion of men who received a diagnosis of clinically significant cancer. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of men who received a diagnosis of clinically insignificant cancer. Results A total of 500 men underwent randomization. In the MRI-targeted biopsy group, 71 of 252 men (28%) had MRI results that were not suggestive of prostate cancer, so they did not undergo biopsy. Clinically significant cancer was detected in 95 men (38%) in the MRI-targeted biopsy group, as compared with 64 of 248 (26%) in the standard-biopsy group (adjusted difference, 12 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4 to 20; P=0.005). MRI, with or without targeted biopsy, was noninferior to standard biopsy, and the 95% confidence interval indicated the superiority of this strategy over standard biopsy. Fewer men in the MRI-targeted biopsy group than in the standard-biopsy group received a diagnosis of clinically insignificant cancer (adjusted difference, -13 percentage points; 95% CI, -19 to -7; P<0.001). Conclusions The use of risk assessment with MRI before biopsy and MRI-targeted biopsy was superior to standard transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy in men at clinical risk for prostate cancer who had not undergone biopsy previously. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research and the European Association of Urology Research Foundation; PRECISION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02380027 .)