Quranic Circles Attendance: A tool for stress relief among Malaysian medical students?

Medical students may attend Quranic Circles (QC) to cope with stress. Study objectives were to determine its prevalence and investigate its relationship with students' perception of stress and quality of life (QoL). 339 students responded. 78.8% were female and median age was 22. 118 (34.8%) students reported higher stressor levels. 73% attended QC at least a few times a month. They had high spirituality/religiosity (S/R) scores (mean Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) score = 22.43 + 3.23). They have lower stressor levels, higher S/R scores, and better QoL. Clinical year students recorded a better QoL than the pre-clinical year students. Keywords: Malaysia, Medical students, Quranic Circles, Stress  eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. 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 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 & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI4.291

Determinants for Healthy Lifestyle of Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia

Lifestyle modification is a pivotal intervention for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH). This study aims to describe the lifestyles (physical activity and healthy diet) and their associations with sociodemography, illness characteristics, psychological elements, family support and level of barrier. 100 participants were given Pro forma questionnaires to assess sociodemography and illness characteristics. The lifestyles, psychological elements, family support and level of barrier were assessed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour questionnaire. The determinants of healthy lifestyles include the status of receiving treatment, level of barrier and intention for behavioural change. The findings may inform the strategy for lifestyle modification of FH patients.Keywords: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia; lifestyle; physical activity; healthy diet.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 BY-NC-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 & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.233

Determining Predictors of Depression and Anxiety for Prevention of Common Mental Illness among Staff of an Academic Institution in Malaysia

The Adopt-A-Park Programme has Information on depression, anxiety and predictors for these mental illnesses among the staff of the academic institution is sparse. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of these mental illnesses and investigate possible predictors. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-item and pro forma questionnaires were used to assess the presence of depression, anxiety, sociodemographic, personal and job-related factors. Of 278 participants, 27.7% had depression, and 26.7% had anxiety. Predictors for depression include inadequate workplace facilities, low-tier job category, working in urban campus and low income. Predictors for clinical anxiety were high workplace responsibility and low-tier job category. Keywords: Depression; Anxiety; Academic Institution; Staff 2398-4279 © 2019 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 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 & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ajqol.v4i17.19

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia: An Updated Overall Management

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), the commonest and serious but potentially treatable form of inherited dyslipidaemias, is characterised by severely elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level, which subsequently leads to premature coronary artery disease (pCAD). Effectiveness of FH early detection and treatment is supported by the outcome of several international cohort studies. Optimal FH management relies on prescription of statins either alone or together with other lipid-lowering therapies (LLT). Intensive lifestyle intervention is required in parallel with LLT, which should be commenced at diagnosis in adults and childhood. Treatment with high intensity statin should be started as soon as possible. Combination with ezetimibe and/or bile acid sequestrants is indicated if target LDL-C is not achieved. For FH patients in the very-high risk category, if their LDL-C targets are not achieved, despite being on maximally tolerated statin dose and ezetimibe, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type1 inhibitor (PCSK9i) is recommended. In statin intolerance, ezetimibe alone, or in combination with PCSK9i may be considered. Clinical evaluation of response to treatment and safety are recommended to be done about 4-6 weeks following initiation of treatment. Homozygous FH (HoFH) patients should be treated with maximally tolerated intensive LLT and, when available, with lipoprotein apheresis. This review highlights the overall management, and optimal treatment combinations in FH in adults and children, newer LLT including PCSK9i, microsomal transfer protein inhibitor, allele-specific oligonucleotide to ApoB100 and PCSK9 mRNA. Family cascade screening and/or screening of high-risk individuals, is the most cost-effective way of identifying FH cases and initiating early and adequate LLT

Saff-Chol Juice: Your Healthy Drink

Atherosclerosis has been established to be an indolent inflammatory disease of the arteries which can gives rise to coronary artery disease (CAD), one of the most prevalent causes of death in developed and developing countries. Saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices, is collected from dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. Saffron exhibits favourable effects in the prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases including dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Our previous in-vitro work showed that Saffron downregulates gene and protein expressions of inflammation, endothelial activation and upregulate the gene of oxidative stress and inhibit monocyte- endothelial interactions which are the key events in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, we have translated our research finding into saffron formulated drink; Saff-Chol Juice. It can be used as daily healthy drink to combat many atherosclerosis complications such as heart attack, stroke and renal failure. It is safe and easy to consume. This product may benefit patients with heart problem, hypertension and renal failure. It is also useful for smokers who is at risk to develop atherosclerosis

Preventive effects of tocotrienol-enriched mixed fraction on plaque formation and stability in early and established atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the underlying pathology for cardiovascular disease. The preventive effects of tocotrienol-enriched mixed fraction (TEMF) on atherogenesis remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the preventive effects of TEMF supplementation on early and established atherosclerosis. Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into TEMF (n=10) and placebo (n=10) groups. Treatments were given by oral gavage for 8 weeks followed by a 1% high cholesterol diet (HCD) for another two (to induce early atherosclerosis) or eight weeks (established atherosclerosis). At the end of the study, the aorta was dissected, stained with Sudan IV, and qualitatively analyzed for the atherosclerotic lesion. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CRP, nuclear factor kappa beta, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM- 1), vascular cell adhesion protein-1 (VCAM-1), smooth muscle actin (SMA), and matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12). Results: In both early and established atherosclerosis groups, there was a significant reduction of atherosclerotic lesions in TEMF compared to placebo. Atherogenic biomarkers; IL-6, CRP, E-selectin, SMA, and MMP-12 were reduced with TEMF supplementation in established atherosclerosis (p<0.05). Neutral effects were seen in the early atherosclerosis group. Conclusion: TEMF supplementation in the preventive setting decreased atherosclerosis formation and reduces endothelial inflammation in established atherosclerosis lesions while increasing plaque stability

Inflammation and Vascular Calcification Causing Effects of Oxidized HDL are Attenuated by Adiponectin in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The role of oxidized high- density lipoprotein (oxHDL) and the protective effects of adiponectin in terms of vascular calcification is not well-established. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oxHDL with regard to inflammation and vascular calcification and to determine the protective role of adiponectin in attenuating the detrimental effects of oxHDL. Cell viability, mineralization, and calcification assays were conducted to optimize the concentration of oxHDL. Then, human vascular smooth muscle cells (HAoVSMCs) were incubated with β-glycerophosphate, HDL, oxHDL, adiponectin, or the combination of oxHDL with adiponectin for 24 h. Protein expression of IL-6, TNF-α, osterix, RUNX2, ALP, type 1 collagen, osteopontin, osteocalcin, WNT-5a, NF-ĸβ(p65), cAMP and STAT-3 were measured by ELISA kits. OxHDL induced vascular calcification by promoting the formation of mineralization nodules and calcium deposits in HAoVSMCs. This was accompanied by an increased secretion of IL-6, osterix, WNT-5a and NF-ĸβ (p65). Interestingly, these detrimental effects of oxHDL were suppressed by adiponectin. Besides, incubation of adiponectin alone on HAoVSMCs showed a reduction of inflammatory cytokines, osteoblastic markers (RUNX2, osterix and osteopontin), WNT-5a and NF-ĸβ (p65). This study exhibits the ability of oxHDL in inducing inflammation and vascular calcification and these detrimental effects of oxHDL can be attenuated by adiponectin

HDL and its subpopulation (HDL2 and HDL3) promote cholesterol transporters expression and attenuate inflammation in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Obesity activates inflammation causing dysfunction of adipocytes. Increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in obesity may be beneficial in overcoming this effect. However, not much data is available on the effects of HDL and its subpopulations in inflamed adipocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of total HDL (tHDL) and the comparison between its subpopulations (HDL2 & HDL3) on protein and gene expression of cholesterol transporters, inflammation, and adipokines in TNF-α stimulated 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. TNFα alone had lower adiponectin and higher protein and gene expression of IL-6 and NF-ĸβ (p65) compared to unstimulated adipocytes and these effects were attenuated by HDLs especially HDL3 (in most of the biomarkers). HDL and its subpopulation had higher cholesterol transporters expression in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes induced by TNF-α compared to unstimulated cells. Increment of cholesterol transporters expression by HDL leads to reduce secretion of inflammatory markers [IL-6 & NF-kB (p65)] and visfatin and increases adiponectin secretion in the inflamed mature adipocytes. HDL exhibits beyond its reverse cholesterol transporter property by exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects thru the deactivation of NF-ĸβ (p65). This may contribute to reducing the progression of obesity-related complications