The purpose of this review is to provide the overview of available systems and potential future systems for communication during disaster in Malaysia. Electronic searches in major subject loci databases such as MEDLINE (via PUBMED), Ovid, Science Direct, Scopus, IEEE Xplore digital library and Springer are used in conducting the reviews. The major challenge is to integrate between readily available communications systems at pre-disaster, during disaster and post-disaster. Therefore, this review will further provide information for the policy makers, responsible personnel as well as researchers on the vulnerability of the communication systems during disaster and the future direction of effective communication system in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Subclinical changes that occur in the heart at an early age may provide valuable information to outline prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects regulation of autonomic balance, heart, and vascular tone, which are the determinants of blood pressure. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the difference in heart rate variability (HRV) of Malay male young adult with their BMI and adiposity level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 201 Malay male young adult aged between 19 to 24 years old were screened and their BMI and adiposity level were measured. Three non -invasive tests; Valsalva Manoeuvre, orthostatic response and 30/15 ratio of heart rate were performed. Short term HRV time and frequency domains were recorded. RESULTS: Despite few significant differences in HRV parameters of overweight/obese subjects, the result is inconclusive to conclude any reduced variability. However, those with high adiposity regardless of their BMI reported significantly lower mean of R -R SD in time domain and lower mean of LF/HF ratio in frequency domain. The orthostatic reflex results revealed that high adiposity subjects had significantly lower mean of LF and HF. A decrement of -0.28 ms(2) HF/LF during Valsalva manoeuvre, -0.35 LF ms(2) in orthostatic reflex and 0.33 ms(2) in orthostatic reflex per 1% of body fat percentage were observed. CONCLUSION: HRV parameters were inversely proportional to the adiposity level which was suggestive of modulation of sympathetic function can occur at an early age.

Background and Objectives: Nutrition and physical activity interventions is beneficial in reversing obesity. However far too little attention has been paid to the effect of these interventions on breast tissues. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effect of a home-based dietary and physical activity intervention (the Her Shape Program) on metabolic parameters, blood biomarkers and adiposity at the breast. Methods and Study Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted on obese women with high breast adiposity (<0.1 Sm-1), aged 40-60 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Subjects were assigned to intervention (n=16) and control group (n=15). Intervention group received a home based health education package with close monitoring weekly, personal diet consultation and physical training in group. Assessment was ascertained at three time points; baseline, weeks 8 and 16. Outcome measures were the energy intake, physical activity, body composition, blood tests, blood biomarkers and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) quantitative values. Analyses were done using 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results and Conclusions: All subjects completed the program without any drop-out. The HSI group had 100% compliance towards the intervention program; their energy intake was reduced for approximately 35% and their activity score was increased for approximately 11%. A significant interaction effect was found in body weight, body mass index (EMI), total cholesterol/HDL, vitamin C intake and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) (p<0.05). Interestingly, their EIT extremum values were also significantly increased indicating a reduction of breast adiposity. The intervention program was successful in improving body composition, physical activities, MMP9 and breast adipose tissue composition.

This study aims to determine the type of physical activity that best predicts risk of adiposity amongst Malay female university students residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 316 female youth aged 18 to 25 years old were recruited for this study. Their physical activities were assessed using Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH). Body fat percentage was measured via InBody 270 Body Impedance analyzer machine. Bivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between physical activities and body fat percentage. Result from this study highlighted that total time per week of commuting (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.18-7.31, p < 0.05) and the activity score of leisure time activities (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.37-5.34, p < 0.05) are able to predict the risk of adiposity amongst Malay female youth.

This study focuses on identifying the best site for placement of pulse oximeter probe for accurate measuring of oxygen saturation. Twenty-three healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 40 years old were recruited in this study. Cold pressor test was done to stimulate vasoactivity and 460 measurements of SpO(2) level were obtained throughout the study. The results were analyzed using ANOVA with p < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Bias between sites are determined using Bland-Altman plot whilst the internal consistency of each measurement sites are identified via Cronbach-Alpha (alpha). Results showed that the best site for cutaneous oxygen saturation measurement is at the earlobe using the ear sensor. Portable finger pulse oximeter oxygen saturation estimation is accurate and reliable at specific fingers (thumb, right middle and right ring fingers) regardless of stimulation on peripheral vasoactivity.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a potential supplement for mammogram screening. This study aimed to evaluate and feasibility of EIT as opposed to mammography and to determine pain perception with both imaging methods. Women undergoing screening mammography at the Radiology Department of National University of Malaysia Medical Centre were randomly selected for EIT imaging. All women were requested to give a pain score after each imaging session. Two independent raters were chosen to define the image findings of EIT. A total of 164 women in the age range from 40 to 65-year-old participated and were divided into two groups; normal and abnormal. EIT sensitivity and specificity for rater 1 were 69.4% and 63.3, whereas for rater 2 they were 55.3% and 57.0% respectively. The reliability for each rater ranged between good to very good (p < 0.05). Quantitative values of EIT showed there were significant differences in all values between groups (ANCOVA, p < 0.05). Interestingly, EIT scored a median pain score of 1.51 +/- 0.75 whereas mammography scored 4.15 +/- 0.87 ( Mann Whitney U test, p < 0.05). From these quantitative values, EIT has the potential as a health discriminating index. Its ability to replace image findings from mammography needs further investigation.