Comparing the effects of vitamin E tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation and α-tocopherol supplementation on gene expression in healthy older adults

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the differential gene expression resulting from tocotrienol-rich fraction and α-tocopherol supplementation in healthy older adults. METHODS: A total of 71 eligible subjects aged 50 to 55 years from Gombak and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were divided into three groups and supplemented with placebo (n=23), α-tocopherol (n=24) or tocotrienol-rich fraction (n=24). Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 3 and 6 months of supplementation for microarray analysis. RESULTS: The number of genes altered by α-tocopherol was higher after 6 months (1,410) than after 3 months (273) of supplementation. α-Tocopherol altered the expression of more genes in males (952) than in females (731). Similarly, tocotrienol-rich fraction modulated the expression of more genes after 6 months (1,084) than after 3 months (596) and affected more genes in males (899) than in females (781). α-Tocopherol supplementation modulated pathways involving the response to stress and stimuli, the immune response, the response to hypoxia and bacteria, the metabolism of toxins and xenobiotics, mitosis, and synaptic transmission as well as activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and complement pathways after 6 months. However, tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation affected pathways such as the signal transduction, apoptosis, nuclear factor kappa B kinase, cascade extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2, immune response, response to drug, cell adhesion, multicellular organismal development and G protein signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with either α-tocopherol or tocotrienol-rich fraction affected the immune and drug response and the cell adhesion and signal transduction pathways but modulated other pathways differently after 6 months of supplementation, with sex-specific responses

Effects of palm oil derived tocotrienol rich fraction and vitamin e isomers on biomarkers of early atherogenesis in stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF), α-TOC, and pure TCT isomers (α-. γ- & δ-TCT) on inflammation, endothelial activation, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and monocyte binding activity (MBA) in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with various concentrations of α-TOC, pure TCT isomers and TRF (0.3-10 μM) together with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for 16 h. Culture medium and cells were collected and measured for the protein and gene expression of IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, e-selectin, and eNOS. Monocyte binding activity (MBA) was measured by Rose Bengal staining. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed that TRF and pure TCT particularly γ- and δ- isomers, showed better inhibition of inflammation and endothelial activation, MBA and greater eNOS increment than α-TOC. These suggest that TRF and pure TCT isomers have potential as preventive anti-atherogenic agents by attenuating the release of early biomarkers of atherogenesis which is better than α-TOC in LPS-stimulated human endothelial cells

Effects of palm oil derived tocotrienol rich fraction and vitamin e isomers on biomarkers of early atherogenesis in stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF), α-TOC, and pure TCT isomers (α-. γ- & δ-TCT) on inflammation, endothelial activation, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and monocyte binding activity (MBA) in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with various concentrations of α-TOC, pure TCT isomers and TRF (0.3-10 μM) together with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for 16 h. Culture medium and cells were collected and measured for the protein and gene expression of IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, e-selectin, and eNOS. Monocyte binding activity (MBA) was measured by Rose Bengal staining. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed that TRF and pure TCT particularly γ- and δ- isomers, showed better inhibition of inflammation and endothelial activation, MBA and greater eNOS increment than α-TOC. These suggest that TRF and pure TCT isomers have potential as preventive anti-atherogenic agents by attenuating the release of early biomarkers of atherogenesis which is better than α-TOC in LPS-stimulated human endothelial cells

Hazards identification at bus interchanges in Kuala Lumpur

Bus is one of the main alternatives of mass public transportation in Kuala Lumpur as it is cheaper and has better coverage area than its counterparts such as Light Rapid Train (LRT) and commuter train. Thousands of people use the bus interchanges around Kuala Lumpur to reach their destinations. In this paper, hazards at these bus interchanges are identified to prevent or, at least to minimize the number of accidents that might occur as well as to reduce health problem. Five bus interchanges were selected for this research; the Hentian Puduraya, Klang Bus Stand, Hentian Putra, Mydin Bus Stand and Hentian Duta. The main objective of this research is to study the level of safety awareness among the management of the bus interchange and also the public. This research is conducted using several methods, which includes observation, checklist, questionnaire and interviews with safety personnel. From the result, it was found that most users of these bus interchanges are aware of safety aspects and this might be due to an increasing level of education. Hazards that might occur at these bus interchanges have also been identified and several suggestions to prevent or minimize these hazards have been made. © School of Engineering, Taylor's University College

Modeling of Engineering Student Satisfaction

The purpose of this study is first; to identify the antecedents to student satisfaction and the relationship between student satisfaction and promotion. Second; to develop a suitable student satisfaction model considering the antecedents of student satisfaction with student satisfaction and promotion for students of engineering in universities in Malaysia. A total of 500 engineering students from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University Putra Malaysia (UPM), University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), University Malaya (UM) and University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) were involved as respondents in this research. Approach: To examine these relationships, a model from past study on student satisfaction of Applied Sciences students in Austria was referred. Based on this model, a suitable model measuring student satisfaction of engineering students in Malaysia is constructed. Structural equation modeling is used as its capability in testing the combination of relationship between service performance, university performance, relationship, university standing, student satisfaction and promotion in higher education simultaneously. Results: Suitable model which is able to explain the factors linked to student satisfaction in engineering education is established. Conclusion: This study finds that the antecedent factors have a direct effect on student satisfaction and also student satisfaction has a significant effect on promotion

Measuring Leadership Values Based On Value-Based Total Performance Excellence Model (VBTPEM)

This paper discussed the core values of leadership and its indicators based on the Value-Based Total Performance Excellence Model (VBTPEM) in the context of Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) i.e. the university. The pilot study was conducted at the selected university and produced high reliability index of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.866). Multivariate technique i.e. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was deployed for the analysis and resulted the GFI = 0.966, CFI = 0.991, and TLI = 0.980 while RMSEA is 0.067 with p = 0.07 and the data fit the model of the single-order measurement of leadership values model. In conclusion, the instrument for measuring the leadership values is suitable to be administered as it was tailored to needs and applicability at the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in Malaysia

Value-based total performance excellence model an overview

Today, organizations are competing for the survival. They adopt various performance management systems that best suit their undertakings. There are many performance models which lean towards measuring tangible aspects such as Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award (MBNQA), European Quality Award (EQA), Deming Prize and Kanji’s Model. However, the measurements of intangible aspects are also important and should be heeded to optimize the organizational performance. This paper discusses the preliminary implementation of the Performance Measurement System (PMS) which showcases an overview of intangible aspects i.e. organizational core values through Value–Based Total Performance Excellence Model (VBTPEM) and identification of existing core values in Malaysian universities. This model will reveal overall standings and achievements of the public universities and indicate opportunities for further improvements based on the value–based indicators

EFFECTS OF PALM OIL DERIVED TOCOTRIENOL RICH FRACTION AND VITAMIN E ISOMERS ON BIOMARKERS OF EARLY ATHEROGENESIS IN STIMULATED HUMAN UMBILICAL VEIN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF), α-TOC, and pure TCT isomers (α-. γ- & δ-TCT) on inflammation, endothelial activation, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and monocyte binding activity (MBA) in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with various concentrations of α-TOC, pure TCT isomers and TRF (0.3-10 µM) together with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for 16 h. Culture medium and cells were collected and measured for the protein and gene expression of IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB, ICAM-1, VCAM1, e-selectin, and eNOS. Monocyte binding activity (MBA) was measured by Rose Bengal staining. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed that TRF and pure TCT particularly γ- and δ- isomers, showed better inhibition of inflammation and endothelial activation, MBA and greater eNOS increment than α-TOC. These suggest that TRF and pure TCT isomers have potential as preventive anti-atherogenic agents by attenuating the release of early biomarkers of atherogenesis which is better than α-TOC in LPS-stimulated human endothelial cells