Faktor risiko dan pengurusan kesihatan warga emas yang mengalami malpemakanan di hospital

Bilangan warga emas di Malaysia akan meningkat daripada 7% pada tahun 2007 kepada 15% pada tahun 2035. Pertambahan dua kali ganda ini menyebabkan aspek pengurusan kesihatan perlu diberi perhatian oleh kerajaan dan masyarakat. Malpemakanan dalam kalangan warga emas semakin bertambah ekoran daripada peningkatan pelbagai penyakit kronik yang muncul. Objektif kertas kerja ini akan membincangkan faktor penyebab kepada kewujudan malpemakanan dan pengurusan kesihatan yang boleh diaplikasi oleh ahli profesional kesihatan. Faktor penyebab risiko malpemakanan terdiri daripada faktor individu dan organisasi. Faktor individu boleh dipengaruhi oleh fisiologi, patologi, sosiologi dan psikologi. Manakala antara faktor organisasi yang boleh dikaitkan adalah kekurangan staf di hospital,kurang kesedaran tentang keperluan merawat malpemakanan dan tiada ilmu untuk mendiagnos malpemakanan. Pembentukan Alat Penyaringan Risiko Malpemakanan di Hospital (MRST-H) dapat membantu ahli profesional kesihatan dalam menguruskan malpemakanan warga emas di hospital. MRST-H ini boleh mengenalpasti individu yang berisiko terhadap malpemakanan dan layak untuk mendapat intervensi pemakanan dengan segera. Sebagai kesimpulannya, ahli profesional kesihatan, kerajaan dan masyarakat perlu sedar akan kepentingan kesihatan warga emas untuk kesejahteraan mereka.Hal ini dapat membantu ekonomi negara dalam mengurangkan kos perubatan dan menjamin kualiti hidup masyarakat yang sempurna

Ginger Extract (Zingiber Officinale) has Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Ethionine-Induced Hepatoma Rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ginger extract on the expression of NF&#954;B and TNF-&#945; in liver cancer-induced rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups based on diet: i) control (given normal rat chow), ii) olive oil, iii) ginger extract (100mg/kg body weight), iv) choline-deficient diet + 0.1% ethionine to induce liver cancer and v) choline-deficient diet + ginger extract (100mg/kg body weight). Tissue samples obtained at eight weeks were fixed with formalin and embedded in paraffin wax, followed by immunohistochemistry staining for NF&#954;B and TNF-&#945;. RESULTS: The expression of NF&#954;B was detected in the choline-deficient diet group, with 88.3 ± 1.83% of samples showing positive staining, while in the choline-deficient diet supplemented with ginger group, the expression of NF&#954;B was significantly reduced, to 32.35 ± 1.34% (p<0.05). In the choline-deficient diet group, 83.3 ± 4.52% of samples showed positive staining of TNF-&#945;, which was significantly reduced to 7.94 ± 1.32% (p<0.05) when treated with ginger. There was a significant correlation demonstrated between NF&#954;B and TNF-&#945; in the choline-deficient diet group but not in the choline-deficient diet treated with ginger extract group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ginger extract significantly reduced the elevated expression of NF&#954;B and TNF-&#945; in rats with liver cancer. Ginger may act as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent by inactivating NF&#954;B through the suppression of the pro-inflammatory TNF-&#945;

Factors influencing the adoption of E-Payment: An empirical study in Malaysia / Intan Syafinaz Mat Shafie ... [et al.]

This study examines the antecedents of the factors that influence customers to adopt the electronic payment system while making payments. Payment is the one of the element to complete the transaction while making payment. Due to the development of E-commerce, e-payment systems have been introducing. So, the use of electronic payment systems is being increasing day by day for people to complete their task quickly ineffective way. The result of the study shows that there is a relationship between dependent variables (effort expectancy and social influence) and independent variable (Adopton of e-payment). However, other variables (culture, perceived security and performance expectancy) were not significant with adoption of e-payment. Therefore, the study approves effort expectancy and social influence has a significant relationship with adoption of e-payment. Therefore, companies today that do business using electronic payment system as the medium to complete the transaction must focus more on this two variable to increase the number of people use this payment system. The increasing the number of people use this payment system will contribute to excellent result for e-commerce because e-payment system is one of the factor e-commerce becomes successful and it will give good impact to our nation’s economy

An examination on the appointment and jurisdiction of women judges in the Selangor syariah court / Noor Hardiani Azhari …[et al.]

Two syariah women judges were recently appointed in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The appointment of women as judges in Muslim countries remains a controversial issue, due to a general perception that such appointment might not be in conformity with the syariah. The purpose of this research is to enlighten one of the contemporary legal dilemmas in Islamic law namely, the appointment of women judges in Malaysia. The methodology employed is library based research. This research will examine on the appointment and jurisdiction of women judges in Malaysian Syariah Court especially in the State of Selangor. There are various views that have been put forward in this research with regards to this topic. The focus of this research is to determine the legal status of appointment of women judges in Syariah Court. It is argued that women judges can be appointed in Muslim countries and that the main reason for this is the fact that there is no explicit prohibition of it in the fundamental sources of Islamic Law. There are also various opinions given by jurists regarding the jurisdiction of this women judges and which one was adopted in Malaysia. The outcome of this research is to prove that no appointment of women judges is required in Selangor Syariah Court as stated in the fatwa issued by the Jabatan Mufti Selangor

Yeasts as the Novel Attractant of Pomacea canaliculata

Pomacea canaliculata (golden apple snail, GAS) has become a major pest, which threatens rice cultivation especially in Asia. To control this pest, many farmers use extensively synthetic molluscicides that are not only expensive but of broad spectrum, therefore affecting non-target organisms including human beings. This study aimed to explore new biological attractant that could be used to attract the snails as an essential aspect of integrated pest control. The novel potential of isolated yeasts, identified as Candida ethanolica and Pichia kudriavzevii based on the 18S rRNA identification, as microbial-based bait for attraction of GAS was elucidated. Both the male and female GAS showed the highest moving rates towards C. ethanolica strain M2 activated in 5% molasses. This is the first report on the potential of yeasts as bait or lure for GAS which can used in integrated pest management

Tocotrienol rich fraction supplementation improved lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vitamin E supplements containing tocotrienols are now being recommended for optimum health but its effects are scarcely known. The objective was to determine the effects of Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older individuals at a dose of 160 mg/day for 6 months.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two subjects were recruited from two age groups: 35-49 years (n = 31) and above 50 years (n = 31), and randomly assigned to receive either TRF or placebo capsules for six months. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3^rdand 6^thmonths.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HDL-cholesterol in the TRF-supplemented group was elevated after 6 months (p < 0.01). Protein carbonyl contents were markedly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas AGE levels were lowered in the > 50 year-old group (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of total vitamin E particularly tocopherols were significantly increased in the TRF-supplemented group after 3 months (p < 0.01). Plasma total tocotrienols were only increased in the > 50 year-old group after receiving 6 months of TRF supplementation. Changes in enzyme activities were only observed in the > 50 year-old group. SOD activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.05) months of TRF supplementation whereas CAT activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.05) months in the placebo group. GPx activity was increased at 6 months for both treatment and placebo groups (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The observed improvement of plasma cholesterol, AGE and antioxidant vitamin levels as well as the reduced protein damage may indicate a restoration of redox balance after TRF supplementation, particularly in individuals over 50 years of age.</p

Effect of vitamin E (Tri E®) on antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in rats following eight weeks exercise

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exercise is beneficial to health, but during exercise the body generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are known to result in oxidative stress. The present study analysed the effects of vitamin E (Tri E^®) on antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (Cat) activity and DNA damage in rats undergoing eight weeks exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty four <it>Sprague-Dawley </it>rats (weighing 320-370 gm) were divided into four groups; a control group of sedentary rats which were given a normal diet, second group of sedentary rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®, third group comprised of exercised rats on a normal diet, and the fourth group of exercised rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®. The exercising rats were trained on a treadmill for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after 8 weeks of the study to determine SOD, GPx, Cat activities and DNA damage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SOD activity decreased significantly in all the groups compared to baseline, however both exercised groups showed significant reduction in SOD activity as compared to the sedentary groups. Sedentary control groups showed significantly higher GPx and Cat activity compared to baseline and exercised groups. The supplemented groups, both exercised and non exercised groups, showed significant decrease in Cat activity as compared to their control groups with normal diet. DNA damage was significantly higher in exercising rats as compared to sedentary control. However in exercising groups, the DNA damage in supplemented group is significantly lower as compared to the non-supplemented group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, antioxidant enzymes activity were generally reduced in rats supplemented with Tri E^®probably due to its synergistic anti-oxidative defence, as evidenced by the decrease in DNA damage in Tri E^®supplemented exercise group.</p

Decolourisation of amaranth azo dye by bacterial consortium immobilized ontozeolite nax and surfactant modified zeolite nax

Three bacterial strains Citrohacter freundii strain A1, Enterococcus casseliflavus strain Cl, and Enterobacter cloacae strain L17 in consortium onto zeolite NaX were studied for their ability to decolourise the azo dye, Amaranth. Zeolite NaX, an inorganic nanoporous material as well as surfactant modified zeolite NaX (SMZ) were used as the solid support matrix for bacterial immobilization. All optimised parameters for instance inoculum size, dye, temperature and amount of zeolite previously determ ined were applied using the both types o f bacteria immobilized nanoporous support. Complete decolourisation of Amaranth was achieved anaerobically within 20 minutes by inoculating 10% (v/v) bacterial consortium of Al, Cl. and L17 at a 1:1:1 ratio with SMZ NaX, while 30 minutes for decolourisation of Amaranth by zeolite NaX. This was achieved in a 1/4 strength P5 medium ( pH7) containing 5 g/L of nutrient broth supplement, 2.5 g/L of glucose, incubated at 45°C under anaerobic condition. Presence of bacterial consortium immobilized onto inorganic nanoporous material was determined via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM micrographs confirm that the adsorption of the bacteria on the surface of the SMZ was better than zeolite NaX thus enhances decolourisation process

Adsorption of acetylsalicylic acid drug on surfactant synthetic zeolite A and Y

Synthetic zeolites NaA and NaY synthesized from rice husk ash were used as support system for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) drug by attaching the drug on zeolites via adsorption technique with the assistance of cationic surfactant. Two cationic surfactants quaternary ammoniums were used in this study namely hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC). The physicochemical properties of these zeolites related to their use as adsorbents were investigated and showed that zeolite A has higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) than zeolite Y. The unmodified zeolites do not have an affinity towards ASA since ASA was in the anionic forms due to the deprotonated condition of the ASA molecules in the suspension containing zeolites. Zeolites A and Y can adsorb ASA in the presence of cationic surfactants. The maximum uptake of ASA on zeolites is mainly depending on the types of surfactants, the initial concentration of surfactants and the experimental techniques used. The higher adsorption capacity of ASA on zeolites can be obtained by contacting zeolites with a mixture of ASA and surfactants rather than the adsorption of ASA on the surfactant modified zeolites. In order to uptake the maximum amount of ASA on zeolites, the initial concentrations of HDTMA and BKC should be 1.0 m M and 2.0 mM, respectively. The results from this study are beneficial towards the development of drug support system based on surfactant-synthetic zeolites complex

Effects of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on antioxidant status of hepatocarcinoma induced rats

Abstract Ginger or Zingiber officinale which is used in traditional medicine has been found to possess antioxidant effect that can control the generation of free radicals. Free radical level has been reported to be high in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of ginger extract on antioxidant status in rats induced with liver cancer. Twenty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: 2 control groups were fed with normal rat chow and olive oil respectively. Treatment groups consisted of rats fed with ginger extract at 100 mg/kg body weight (ginger group), rats induced with liver cancer by choline deficient diet plus ethionine in drinking water (CDE group) and rats with CDE diet plus ginger extract (CDE + ginger group) . Blood samples were taken from the orbital sinus at 0 and 8 weeks of experiment for the determination of antioxidant enzyme activities and MDA level. Comparison between the control group and the CDE group showed significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in SOD activity at 8 week of experiment, whereas no significant differences were observed in the activities of GPx, catalase and the MDA level. Antioxidant effect of ginger extract was observed by the significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in SOD activity and the level of MDA in CDE group after treatment with ginger when compared to CDE group alone and with the control group. Catalase activity increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in CDE group after supplementation with ginger at week 8 of experiment when compared to CDE group alone, while there were no significant changes observed for GPx. From this study, it can be concluded that free radicals are increased in liver carcinogenesis (as evidenced by an increase in SOD activity) and ginger extract exhibits anticancer effect by scavenging the free radicals (decrease in SOD activity)