Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dillenia suffruticosa (Family: Dilleniaceae) locally known as Simpoh air has been reported to be used traditionally to treat cancerous growth. Therefore, the present study was attempted to investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of different parts (root, flower, fruit and leaf) of D. suffruticosa extracts. Methods and materials: In this study, direct solvent extraction (aqueous and methanol) from different parts of D. suffruticosa (root, flower, fruit and leaf) were carried out. Antioxidant activities of D. suffruticosa extract were determined by using DPPH, ABTS FRAP and beta-carotene bleaching assays. Cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest of the active extract were determined using MTT assay and flow cytometer, respectively. Sequential solvent extraction (hexane, DCM, EtOAc, and MeOH) were also carried out in root of D. suffruticosa to further evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the different solvent extracts. Results: Methanol (MeOH) root extract showed the highest TPC, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities (especially towards HeLa) compared to others (P < 0.05). Based on the results, sequential solvent extraction (hexane, DCM, EtOAc and MeOH) was carried out in the roots of D. suffruticosa. MeOH extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activities among others and significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with TPC, suggesting the important contribution of phenolic compounds to its antioxidant activity. On the other hand, the DCM and EtOAc exhibited higher cytotoxic activity to selected cancer cells (HeLa, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, A549 and HT29) compared to others. In short, there is no established correlation between antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of D. suffruticosa extracts indicating that an agent with high antioxidant activities will not necessarily possesses good cytotoxic activities in return. Qualitative phytochemical screening of D. suffruticosa extracts suggested the presence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols, and polyphenolic compounds which are believed to contribute to the cytotoxic activities. Conclusion: It is suggested that the cytotoxicity of the active extracts in HeLa was due to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The link performance prediction is important to ensure sufficient customer link margin and transmission availability. In this paper, a link budget prediction tool for analyzing and comparing predicted and measured C/N and E-b/N-0 using a typical link margin and transmission availability been developed using Matlab. A study was conducted in ASTRO's uplink station facility in Cyberjaya on 13.2 m and 0.6 m downlink antenna. It was shown that the C/N and E-b/N-0 measured value for both antennas were about +/- 3 dB as compared to predicted values. The link margin for both values was found sufficient in the worst case condition due to signal attenuation. For 13.2 m antenna, C/N's link margin is 12 dB and E-b/N-0's link margin is 8.1 dB while for 0.6 m, C/N's link margin is 3.5 dB and E-b/N-0's link margin is 5.8 dB. The total transmission availability conforms to the standard which was promised to their customer with more than 99.7% availability.

Purpose This paper aims to explore the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism in Malaysia and Turkey. It also investigates the extent to which non-Muslim tourists are willing to purchase certain types of halal products and services. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were collected by conducting 35 semi-structured interviews with non-Muslim tourists in Malaysia and another 25 in Turkey. Findings Six major aspects are identified that describe the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism. This paper also provides some suggestions for destination marketers on how best to cater for Western tourists and increase international arrivals. Originality/value This paper explores the perceptions of non-Muslim tourists towards halal tourism which is totally new research in destination marketing. It provides some original insights into the interactions between the religion of Islam and non-Muslim tourists. The insight should be of value to authorities, the industry and academics in both the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds.