Sweet potato leaves (SPL) have been used by malay rural folks as traditional topical medication for eczematous skin conditions especially psoriasis. Local Chinese consume green SPL as vegetable. SPL contains high amount of polyphenols, a proven antioxidant and free radical scavengers. Local green SPL was extracted for hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds using water, ethanol and hexane as solvents. Water extraction method gave the best yield per kg fresh weight. Total phenolic content was 4.48 mg GAE/g dw SPL, slightly lower of Japan's and USA's averages. HPLC analysis revealed significant amount of caffeic acid as one of its major phenolic components beside the dominant chlorogenic acid.

This study aimed to determine prevalence and to identify factors associated with Low Back Pain (LBP) among medical students in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia. This is cross sectional study among undergraduate medical students in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia, conducted from May until June 2019 using a universal sampling via online questionnaire. The prevalence of ever having LBP since studying in medical school was 64.5% while the prevalence of having LBP is the past 12 months was 54.0%. Having current LB is associated with body mass index (p=0.031) and there was no significant difference between gender, pre vs clinical years, average sitting and standing hours, ways of carrying daily items and perceived stress scale. The prevalence of LBP among medical students in this medical school is high with obesity as a significant risk factor. Early personal and environmental intervention will be of benefit to the students.

Inflammation is a fundamental response the body towards counteracting infections restoring damaged tissues. While inflammation good, excessive inflammation can cause effects including inflammatory bowel (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and colitis. Honey has been used since ancient various kinds of health disorders, many remain to be scientifically proven. Recent studies suggest that manuka honey has potential in the treatment of IBD. In the present the effect of Malaysian honey samples synthesis of the pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 by the intestinal epithelial cell line HT-29 was compared to that of manuka honey. The Malaysian honeys tested included one Tualang honey sample and four kelulut honey samples from different places in Peninsular Malaysia. The viability of HT-29 cells when treated with a series of doubling dilutions of honey in culture media (i.e. 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.5625, and 0.3906 mg/mL) was first assessed using MTS cell proliferation assay. Concentration honey at 1mg/mL was used to treat HT-29 cells in subsequent experiments. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as an inflammatory stimulant. Production of IL-8 by HT-29 cells when treated with the honey samples for 24 hours with or without LPS pre-stimulation was next quantified using ELISA. All honey samples were found to induce production of IL-8 by HT-29 cells at varying levels. While LPS stimulated IL-8 synthesis by HT-29 cells, the addition of honey further enhanced this effect. Further tests are needed to confirm if honey-induced stimulation of IL-8 from intestinal epithelial cells observed herein is partly related to the therapeutic effects of honey in IBD.

Background: In line with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's (USIM) tagline 'Exploring Islamic Science, Spearheading Knowledge', we embarked on a new paradigm of teaching by integrating naqli components into the microbiology and immunology curriculum. The main objective of this integration was to enhance students' appreciation towards Islam and Science, so that they would become good Muslim doctors. The naqli components were delivered through various teaching and learning techniques such as lectures, seminars, and online assignments. Methods: A total of eighty year 3 students from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, USIM were involved in this study. They were exposed to the new method of teaching for the whole academic year, session 2014/2015. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated through questionnaires, given at the end of academic session. Outcome: More than 90% students agreed that the integration were clearly delivered, relevant to the topics at hand and enhanced their knowledge. Most students (> 90%) preferred interactive lectures rather than students' initiated method such as seminar and speaker's corner. About two third of the students did not prefer online method. Moreover, 15.9% of them said the allotted time was insufficient and 46% agreed that there was inadequate resources in the library. Conclusions: The integration of naqli components into microbiology subject was favoured by students. However, it should be improved with allocation of more slots, upgrading of online system and increment of relevant library resources. Looking forward, we are convinced this is the way to go in producing holistic doctors equipped with necessary knowledge, both in aqli and naqli to further advance Medicine and Islam.

Background: In line with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's (USIM) tagline 'Exploring Islamic Science, Spearheading Knowledge', we embarked on a new paradigm of teaching by integrating naqli components into the microbiology and immunology curriculum. The main objective of this integration was to enhance students' appreciation towards Islam and Science, so that they would become good Muslim doctors. The naqli components were delivered through various teaching and learning techniques such as lectures, seminars, and online assignments. Methods: A total of eighty year 3 students from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, USIM were involved in this study. They were exposed to the new method of teaching for the whole academic year, session 2014/2015. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated through questionnaires, given at the end of academic session. Outcome: More than 90% students agreed that the integration were clearly delivered, relevant to the topics at hand and enhanced their knowledge. Most students (>90%) preferred interactive lectures rather than students' initiated method such as seminar and speaker's corner. About two third of the students did not prefer online method. Moreover, 15.9% of them said the allotted time was insufficient and 46% agreed that there was inadequate resources in the library. Conclusions: The integration of naqli components into microbiology subject was favoured by students. However, it should be improved with allocation of more slots, upgrading of online system and increment of relevant library resources. Looking forward, we are convinced this is the way to go in producing holistic doctors equipped with necessary knowledge, both in aqli and naqli to further advance Medicine and Islam.

Aim: This paper describes the surgical procedure for spleen auto transplantation in rats. Splenectomy is an important surgery protocol in research studies involving immunology and hematopoietic diseases. Spleen auto transplantation is an alternative method undertaken to preserve the splenic function as the absence of spleen (asplenia) is associated with lifelong risk for sepsis, especially by encapsulated bacteria. Method: Four six weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats, with range of weight from 248-281 grams, underwent spleen autotransplantation via midline laparotomy incision. In this procedure the spleen was completely removed (total splenectomy); it involved removing the spleen and re-transplanted in greater omentum. A piece of the spleen weighing approximately 0.34 grams was transplanted inside the greater omentum and held in place with an absorbable suture knot. The muscle layer and skin incision were then closed using absorbable suture. The surgery was conducted under deep sedation and the rat was monitored post-operatively until it fully recovered. Outcome: The post-operative recovery of the rat was uneventful. Six-weeks after the surgery, the rat underwent a re-look laparotomy and the auto-transplanted spleen was examined. There was a three-fold increase in the size and weight of the spleen. Conclusion: This spleen auto transplantation model, which utilized an omental pouch, was not only successful in preserving the spleen, but also allowed for spleen regeneration. This model provides future platform for further research in auto-transplanted spleen.