AN OVERVIEW OF BUDU PRODUCTION IN KELANTAN FROM HALAL AND POLICY ASPECTS

Budu or fish sauce is a traditional food of the East Coast communities in Peninsular Malaysia that is produced through a fermentation process between 6 to 12 months in the covered containers known as unprocessed budu. Meanwhile, the processed budu is prepared by grounding coarsely unprocessed budu before mixing with tamarind paste, palm sugar, sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG), food colouring, and then boiled. Once the mixture is filtered, processed budu is cooled, bottled and marketed all over Malaysia. Most of the manufacturers (23) are located in Kelantan and Terengganu. However, based on the recent data, only one brand of budu is halal-certified as compared to other Malaysian fermented fish products, i.e., belacan (243), pekasam (14), and cencaluk (13). The study offers some important insights into the issues that arise in budu production from the halal and policy aspects that may hinder the manufacturers from applying halal certification. The use of qualitative studies is a well-established approach in this study. Five broad themes emerged from the analysis, the low quality of raw materials (anchovies) and lack of awareness and knowledge base in food safety and hygiene practices among the manufacturers and workers are identified as the main factors contributing to scare-mongering against halal certification. In addition, we found shortage of raw materials (anchovies), lack of incentive and specification standards for the quality of budu were the bottleneck of halal application among the budu entrepreneur. Therefore, more outstanding efforts are needed to ensure the involvement and cooperation from the government agencies and regulators and budu manufacturers to help them penetrate the international market. Indeed, a desire is needed to boost the exportation of budu globally following the market demand and opportunities.  &nbsp

Clutter analysis and simulation in forward scatter micro radar network

Over the past few years, numbers of research have been carried out to investigate the clutter characteristic especially for conventional monostatic and bistatic radar detection (mostly in maritime and airborne using Ultra Wide Band radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar) and not specifically on Forward Scatter Radar (FSR). FSR provides an efficient approach for detection of stealth target, the simplicity of the hardware design, increase the power budget and work in all weather operation. One of the limitations in forward scatter radar is the range resolution. Clutter mainly from the surrounding vegetation is picked up from a large area illuminated by transmitter and receiver which is located on the ground. Vegetation clutter is a significant factor that limits the performance of ground based Forward Scatter Radar. In this research, the analysis is focused on clutter on ground-based Forward Scatter Micro Radar system network where the clutter characteristics are studied for different environmental conditions such as different land sites, wind and weather conditions for different carrier frequencies. These comprehensive analyses are used eventually, to determine the clutter characteristics and are used for clutter modelling in order to create similar clutter-like signal that can be used to develop a synthetic environment for Forward Scatter Radar detection performance analysis in the future. Three main works have been done; 1) real measurements to determine the Clutter characteristic for FSR based on statistical analysis of a number of experiments; 2) modeling and simulation of clutter signal based on real signal characteristics and 3) the comparison of simulated and measured signals

MAPPING HALAL COSMETICS RESEARCH: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of research related to halal cosmetics. Data from 2006 to 2020 related to halal cosmetics were extracted from the Scopus database, providing a sample of 104 documents. The documents were then examined using the bibliographic network visualization instrument VOS viewer and R for text mining and the findings were presented in the form of a conceptual structure map and word clouds. We identified the most productive authors, journals, institutions, and countries. The results showed that Malaysia and Indonesia are the overall leaders in publications. The Journal of Islamic Marketing and International Journal of Supply Chain are the most influential journals in the field. These findings will provide scholars a comprehension of the halal cosmetics field and act as a guide for future research

The benefits of traditional Malay architecture in the traditional settlement

Traditional Malay Architecture is built based on different architectural typologies and the advantages that will be acquired by residents that have preserved the bulk of their architecture. A traditional village known as Kampung Pulau Sekati in Kuala Terengganu has been chosen as a research area due to its age and physical characteristics, which have been conserved despite the threat of urbanisation in this study. However, the benefits of traditional architecture conservation on the local community are less discussed due to a lack of understanding about protecting the importance of a traditional settlement. In order to achieve this goal, this study has outlined three main objectives that aim to identify the category of architectural uniqueness in Kampung Pulau Sekati and analyze the architectural uniqueness and the benefits produced to the residents of Kampung Pulau Sekati. This qualitative study employs observation and interviews with 24 people of Kampung Pulau Sekati who have lived there for at least 30 years. Observation, meantime, is conducted using a structured survey based on a checklist separated into building type, building environment, demarcation, accessibility, natural components, and social and cultural area. Seven architectural typologies have been recognised in Kampung Pulau Sekati, including residential dwellings, mosques, wooden bridges, community halls, jetties, dangau, and retail outlets. In the context of residential houses, this study identifies five categories of uniqueness, namely the use of wood as a building material, the construction of structures by the occupants, the variety of spatial functions, the presence of mature plants, and the ease of access to food and water sources. These findings have implications for architecture in traditional settlements and can establish a distinct identity for the village and a desire to conserve residential architecture for future generations

Characterization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolates from broilers in Selangor, Malaysia.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an emerging nosocomial pathogen in humans. The use of antibiotics in human therapy and in the production of food animals has been incriminated in the emergence of this organism. The present study describes the distribution of VRE species, the vancomycin-resistant genes detected, the vancomycin resistance pattern observed, and the genetic diversity of the isolates found in live broiler chickens in Malaysia. Overall 140 VRE were isolated with species comprising Enterococcus faecalis (48%), Enterococcus faecium (25.7%), Enterococcus gallinarum (12.1%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (1.4%) and other Enterococcus species (12.8%). Vancomycin resistance gene vanA and intrinsic genes vanC1 and vanC2/3 were detected in the study population. VanA was detected in 15 (63.9%) of E. faecium, 23 (22.4%) of E. faecalis and in 3 (17.6%) E. gallinarum isolates. E-test was conducted on randomly selected 41 of the isolates and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of vancomycin for five (11.9%) of tested isolates is more than 256µg/ml. Genotypic analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) showed genetic diversity within the Enterococcus species

Discrimination and authentication of lard blending with palm oil in cosmetic soap formulations

Background: The employment of Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for determination and quantification of lard in a binary blend with palm oil in a cosmetic soap formulations. Objective: To determine and quantify lard as an adulterant in a binary blend with palm oil in a cosmetic soap formulations by FT-IR and multivariate analysis. Methods: Fatty acids in lard, palm oil and binary blends were extracted via liquid–liquid extraction and were subjected to FTIR spectrometry, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) for the classification of lard in cosmetic soap formulations via two DA models: Model A (percentage of lard in cosmetic soap) and Model B (porcine and non-porcine cosmetic soap). Linear regression (MLR), partial least square regression (PLS-R) and principal components regression (PCR) were used to assess the degree of adulteration of lard in the cosmetic soap. Findings: The FTIR spectrum of palm oil slightly differed from that of lard at the wavenumber range of 1453 cm−1 and 1415 cm−1 in palm oil and lard, respectively, indicating the bending vibrations of CH2 and CH3 aliphatic groups and OH carboxyl group respectively. Both of the DA models could accurately classify 100% of cosmetic soap formulations. Nevertheless, less than 100% of verification value was obtained when it was further used to predict the unknown cosmetic soap sample suspected of containing lard or a different percentage of lard. The PCA for Model A and Model B explained a similar cumulative variability (CV) of 92.86% for the whole dataset. MLR and PCR showed the highest determination coefficient (R2) of 0.996, and the lowest relative standard error (RSE) and mean square error (MSE), indicating that both regression models were effective in quantifying the lard adulterant in cosmetic soap. Conclusion: FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics with DA, PCA and MLR or PCR can be used to analyse the presence of lard and quantify its percentage in cosmetic soap formulation

Twinkle Kids Land Sdn Bhd / Intan Zalina Zakaria ... [et. al]

The importance of early years learning to a child's academic and social development is undeniable. Pre- school years are an ideal time to begin building good foundation for lifelong learning. The skills that children gain in their pre-school years are often the building blocks for their future education and their life. Children who are enrolled in high quality education programmes show higher verbal and intellectual development during early childhood than those who do not. Prior to this, we agree to open a business which offers pre-school education for children from age 4 to 6 years old. Our curriculum recognizes the potential in each child and develops programmes and activities that promote their physical and emotional growth, academic achievement, social relationship and cognitive realms, thus developing the whole child. The curriculum at our child enrichment centre includes lessons in language arts, mathematics, problem solving activities and musics. Our language arts activities include reading aloud, beginning phonic activities, telling and retelling stories and writing. In addition to academic development, activities to develop social and interpersonal skills and emotional maturity are also part and parcel of what we offer to teach self-control, organization, respect, unselfishness and kindness to kids at young age.This is to ensure that children get a rounded education.This is call R.E.A.L ( Results Enhancing & Active Learning Education)

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

Effect of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves against paracetamol- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves (MEDL) using two models of liver injury in r ats. Rats (n = 6) received 10% DMSO(negative control), 200 mg/kg silymarin (positive control) or MEDL (50, 250, and 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days and 3 hours after the last adminis tration of the test solutions, they were subjected to the hepatotoxic induction either using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or paracetamol (PCM). The bloods and livers were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. From the data obtained, all doses of MEDL significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in CCl4-induced hepatotoxic rats while only the 500 mg/kg MEDL caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the level of both enzymes in the PCM-induced liver toxicity model. The histological results obtained were in line with the biochemical analysis. In conclusion, the MEDL-induced hepatoprotective activity is attributed partly to its free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities and high flav onoids content

Risk factors associated with low anterior resection syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Purpose Oncological outcomes following rectal cancer surgery have improved significantly over recent decades with lower recurrences and longer overall survival. However, many of the patients experienced low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). This study identified the prevalence and risk factors associated with the development of LARS. Methods This cross-sectional study involved patients who were diagnosed with rectal cancer and had undergone sphincter-preserving low anterior resection from January 2011 to December 2020. Upon clinic follow-up, patients were asked to complete an interviewed based questionnaire (LARS score) designed to assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Results Out of 76 patients, 25 patients (32.9%) had major LARS, 10 patients (13.2%) had minor LARS, and 41 patients (53.9%) had no LARS. The height of tumor from anal verge showed an association with the development of major LARS (P=0.039). Those patients with less than 8 cm tumor from anal verge had an increased risk of LARS by 3 times compared to those with 8 cm and above (adjusted odds ratio, 3.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–9.13). Conclusion Results from our study show that low tumor height was a significant risk factor that has a negative impact on bowel function after surgery. The high prevalence of LARS emphasizes the need for study regarding risk factors and the importance of understanding the pathophysiology of LARS, in order for us to improve patient bowel function and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery