This study was conducted to assess the protective and treatment effects of Cassia alata aqueous extract against acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity. 25 Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 5 groups; (1) Healthy rats (negative control); (2) Rats induced with acetaminophen toxicity (3000 mg/kg) as the positive pathological control; (3) Rats treated with Cassia alata (200 mg/kg, 21 days) and subsequently induced with acetaminophen toxicity (3000 mg/kg); (4) Rats induced with acetaminophen toxicity and subsequently treated with Cassia alata (200 mg/kg, 21 days); and (5) Rats supplemented with Cassia alata only for 21 days. Following completion of the treatment protocol, rats were sacrificed to harvest kidney organs. Kidney ho-mogenate was subjected to oxidative stress biochemical parameters; malondialdehyde (MDA) content, catalase (CAT) enzyme activity and 1-1-di-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. MDA content in groups treated with Cassia alata were all lower compared to the acetaminophen-induced group. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between acetaminophen-induced rats pre-treated with Cassia alata and Cassia alata supplementation only compared to positive control. CAT activity for all other Cassia alata treatment groups were comparable to healthy rats (p>0.05). Total antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging activity was also lowest in the acetaminophen-induced group compared to healthy rats and all Cassia alata treatment groups although the results were insignificant (p>0.05). Findings of this study suggest that Cassia alata aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) possess moderate protective and treatment effects against renal oxidative stress induced by acetaminophen-toxicity. � 2018 Pharmascope Publications. All rights reserved.

Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) refers to the condition of neurocognitive decline following surgery in a cognitive and sensory manner. There are several risk factors, which may be life-threatening for this condition. Neuropsychological assessment of this condition is very im-portant. In the present review, we discuss the association of apolipoprotein epsilon 4 (APOE ?4) and few miRNAs with POCD, and highlight the clinical importance for prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of POCD. Microarray is a genome analysis that can be used to determine DNA abnormalities. This current technique is rapid, efficient and high-throughout. Microarray techniques are widely used to di-agnose diseases, particularly in genetic disorder, chromosomal abnormalities, mutations, infectious diseases and disease-relevant biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are widely found distributed in eukaryotes. Few miRNAs influence the nervous system development, and nerve damage repair. Microarray approach can be utilized to understand the miRNAs involved and their pathways in POCD development, unleashing their potential to be considered as a diagnostic marker for POCD. This paper summarizes and identifies the studies that use microarray based approaches for POCD analysis. Since the application of microarray in POCD is expanding, there is a need to review the current knowledge of this approach. 2020 Bentham Science Publishers.

This study targeted two candidate genes from the best known regulator of blood pressure; the rennin angiotensin system; the ACE gene lID polymorphism and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism. The study aimed to determine the genotypes trend between two different populations; the primary hypertensive patients, and the normal populations. 126 subjects were involved in this study (86 primary hypertensive patients and 40 normal individuals). All demographic factors were considered and analyzed. Insertion1deletion polymorphisms of the ACE gene were determined by an assay based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polymorphism analysis using PCR-RFLP procedure was used to identify the missense mutation M235T of the AGT gene. All significant data was collected using standardized case report form. The association of the different genotypes and the subjects' condition was analyzed using the chi squared and odds ratio analyses. In the pooled analysis of both groups, it was shown that the polymorphisms in these genes were significantly associated with the incidence of primary hypertension, p>O.O5. Results also showed that the D allele of the ACE gene may be associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p>O.O5, OR: 3.0 [CI: 1.25 - 5.35]). The angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism also showed a significant result; the T allele is associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p>O.O5, OR: 2.56[C.I: 1.55 -5.28]). This knowledge of the candidate genes of rennin angiotensin system has rendered it possible to show that gene polymorphism in symphony leads to the individual risk of primary hypertension.

The workers and employees in various institutions are subjected to different shifts and work schedules. The employees work not only at daytime but also during odd hours at night. The biological clock of an individual is often altered during night shifts. This affects the psychosocial well-being and circadian nutritional intake of the worker. Disturbance in circadian rhythm results in the development of metabolic disorders such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, and abdominal obesity. In the present review, we discuss the nature of shift work, sleep/wake cycle of an individual, chrononutrition, dietary habits, and meal changes with regard to timing and frequency, related to shift work. We also discuss the relationship between nutritional intake and psychosocial well-being among shift workers. The review may be beneficial for prevention of metabolic disorders and maintaining sound psychological condition in shift workers. � 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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 (BMI), 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.

Widely used as antipyretics to reduce fever and relieve pain, paracetamol has also been consumed excessively as a means to commit suicide and the incidence is alarming. Paracetamol toxicity as a result of overdose may result in hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Cassia alata leaf aqueous extract on protecting and improving kidney morphology of rats exposed to an overdose of paracetamol. 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into five groups: (i) negative control group with standard diet; (ii) positive control group induced with paracetamol toxicity at a dose of 3000 mg/kg rat body weight; (iii) paracetamol-induced (3000 mg/kg) followed by Cassia alata (200 mg/kg) treatment for 21 days; (iv) 21 days treatment of Cassia alata (200 g/kg) followed by paracetamol-induced (3000 mg/kg); and (v) 21 days supplementation of Cassia alata extract only. The rats were sacrificed after treatment is completed to harvest the kidney organ for histological examination via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The kidney of positive control rats induced with overdosage of paracetamol demonstrated damaged glomeruli, dilated tubules and endothelial rupture in a capsule. All groups treated with Cassia alata showed improvement in the histological features of kidney morphology, the size of the glomerulus, and the ratio of normal versus damaged glomerulus compared to paracetamol-induced rats. This study concluded that Cassia alata aqueous extract with a dosage of 200 mg/kg are capable to improve kidney morphology damaged by exposure to paracetamol overdose toxicity. � 2018 Pharmascope Publications. All rights reserved.

This study aims to examine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of adolescents towards sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), together with the associated factors that determine their KAP. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that consisted of sociodemographic, the KAP for the SSB questionnaire, and the Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ). The respondents’ heights, weights, waist circumferences and body fat percentages were measured. This study involved 439 adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years old, in public secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia. The results reveal that 35% of the adolescents were overweight, 26% had a high waist circumference, and 45% had a high body fat percentage. Caffeinated drinks and full cream milk were the most frequently consumed SSBs. The KAP score revealed a good attitude (88.4%), a moderate knowledge (51.8%) and a poor practice (40.5%). Those with a higher body fat percentage showed significantly good attitude scores (p < 0.05). Low household income groups, females, adolescents aged 16–17 years old and being from an urban area demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) positive determinant towards the KAP score. In conclusion, high awareness of negative health outcomes associated with SSBs among adolescents was not in accordance with the level of their lifestyle choices. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The study evaluates the prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and practices of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adult Orang Asli and Malay ethnicity in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involving 634 respondents aged 18 years and above of Orang Asli (51.3%) and Malays (48.7%) from the rural villages. Structured interview questionnaire for disease history and KAP level conducted. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels then measured. Prevalence of NCDs was higher among Malays compared to Orang Asli with hypertension (35.0% vs 14.8%), hypercholesterolemia (31.1% vs 5.2%), and diabetes mellitus (16.2% vs 4.3%), respectively. Malays also had a higher percentage of being abdominal obese (70.6% vs 59.7%) and increased blood pressure (54.4% vs 29.8%). Multivariate analysis indicates hypercholesterolemia [OR=6.035 (95%CI: 3.150,11.561)], abdominal obesity [aOR= 1.807 (95%CI: 1.065, 3.067)], and increased in blood pressure [aOR= 2.359 (95%C1: 1.619,3.437)] have a significant relation with Malay ethnicity. For Orang Asli, 51.7% had poor knowledge, 72.3% had a good attitude, and 16.0% had a good practice. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly less among Orang Asli with no significant difference for practice compared to the Malays. The prevalence of NCDs among the Malays is alarmingly high, with an increasing trend among Orang Asli, which needs immediate attention. The NCDs and obesity were significant among Malays but also showed a worrying trend in the Orang Asli as the good practice on a healthy life-style was low in both ethnicities. Thus, proper education and promotion regarding NCDs needed for diseases screening and prevention. 2020. All rights reserved.

Archery involves repetitive isometric contraction of muscles, however, there is a paucity in scientific evidence that describes the muscle strength in those receiving archery training. This study aimed to determine the differences in maximum force in selected groups of muscles between healthy youth with regular archery training and those without any background of resistance training. A case-control study design was adopted to compare between youth with archery training as subjects (n = 40) and youth without any background of resistance training as control (n = 78). Both groups were matched based on age, race, education level, income, time spent for weekly physical activities, and body composition. Muscle strength was assessed via JTech Commander PowerTrack MMT and the forces were recorded in Pound-force (lbf). Subjects with archery training showed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher mean of muscle strength’s maximal force as compared to the control group in shoulder motions such as higher abduction strength (11%), adduction strength (15%), flexion and extension strength (19%). Elbow motion showed significantly higher extension strength by 17%. Similarly, higher lower body muscle strength was also found in subjects with archery training as compared to subjects in the control group in their hip motions for abduction (16%) and adduction (21%) and knee motion for extension (25%). Training in archery has a significant impact on muscle strength of both upper and lower body as shown in these youths. Therefore, serious attention should be given archery and be further promoted as a physical activity in the enhancement of health. © 2020, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and optic neuropathy, both hallmarks of glaucoma, have been shown to involve N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitotoxicity. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Philanthotoxin (PhTX)-343 in NMDAinduced retinal injury to alleviate ensuing visual impairments. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three; Group I was intravitreally injected with phosphate buffer saline as the control, Group II was injected with NMDA (160 nM) to induce retinal excitotoxic injury, while Group III was injected with PhTX-343 (160 nM) 24 h prior to excitotoxicity induction with NMDA. Rats were subjected to visual behaviour tests seven days post-treatment and subsequently euthanized. Rat retinas and optic nerves were subjected to H&E and toluidine blue staining, respectively. Histological assessments showed that NMDA exposure resulted in significant loss of retinal cell nuclei and thinning of ganglion cell layer (GCL). PhTX-343 pre-treatment prevented NMDA-induced changes where the RGC layer morphology is similar to the control. The numbers of nuclei in the NMDA group were markedly lower compared to the control (p<0.05). PhTX-343 group had significantly higher numbers of nuclei within 100 ?m length and 100 ?m2 area of GCL (2.9- and 1.7-fold, respectively) compared to NMDA group (p<0.05). PhTX-343 group also displayed lesser optic nerve fibres degeneration compared to NMDA group which showed vacuolation in all sections. In the visual behaviour test, the NMDA group recorded higher total distance travelled, and lower total immobile time and episodes compared to the control and PhTX-343 groups (p<0.05). Object recognition tests showed that the rats in PhTX-343 group could recognize objects better, whereas the same objects were identified as novel by NMDA rats despite multiple exposures (p<0.05). Visual performances in the PhTX-343 group were all comparable with the control (p>0.05). These findings suggested that PhTX-343 inhibit retinal cell loss, optic nerve damage, and visual impairments in NMDA-induced rats. Copyright � 2020 Fazel et al.

Mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at a higher risk of postpartum depression (PPD). Risk factors of PPD include environmental factors, psychological factors and biological factors. In this review, the aim was to identify the prevalence of PPD and its associated risk factors among mothers with infants in NICU. The relationship between dietary intake in relation to traditional postpartum practices with PPD is also discussed. Findings showed that PPD among mothers with infants in NICU was prevalent, ranging between 12.1% and 68%. Factors such as preterm birth, long hospitalisation and maternal role alteration were the most associated risk factors contributing to PPD. Consumption of food based on traditional practices was found to influence maternal mental health. Therefore, a rational approach in addressing mental health issues and adhering traditional food practices is needed in order to promote a postpartum mother's safe and healthy well-being. � 2020 Neonatal Nurses Association

At high altitude, low oxygen partial pressure predisposes human body to hypobaric hypoxia that may lead to high-altitude illness. Currently, singing had been used for rehabilitation of patients with lung diseases but its role in high-altitude low oxygen environment is still scarce. This study aims to examine the effect of singing in improving oxygen saturation at different levels of high altitudes in a hypobaric chamber. Eight healthy volunteers were assigned to three interventions at three simulated altitudes (sea level, 3000 m and 5000 m). The oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured via pulse oximetry under three conditions: no singing (NS), singing aloud (SA), and singing silently (SS). The “birthday song” was used as the standard song for 4 minutes. At sea level, mean NS SpO2 was 97.75% ± 1.04%. With SS, the level increased to 98.25% ± 1.04%. Mean SA SpO2 increased to 98.38% ± 0.92% (P < 0.05). At 3000 m, mean NS SpO2 was 92.75% ± 3.73% and rose to 94.50% ± 2.51% and 94.63% ± 2.00% respectively with SA and SS (P < 0.05). At 5000 m, NS level of 79.88P ± 3.60% increased to 82.13 ± 5.87 and 82.88% ± 7.12% with SA and SS respectively (P < 0.05). The repeated measure ANOVA showed significant difference for altitude (P < 0.001) and intervention (P = 0.05). In conclusion, singing both either “aloud” or “silently” significantly increased the level of SpO2 in simulated high altitude at 3000 m and above. The study suggests that singing as a potential intervention to improve oxygen saturation at high altitudes. Study with larger sample in hypobaric chamber as well as in real environment is recommended. © 2020 The Voice Foundation

At present, there is a paucity of Malaysian policy on paediatric first aid training for childcare providers. Thus, this study has developed a first aid module called FAT4CP© for childcare providers and aim to determine the acceptance level of the module and validate an instrument that evaluates the competency of their knowledge, attitude and confidence (KAC) in conducting first aid. Focusing on the content, graphics and design, evaluation of acceptance for the module involved 15 childcare providers with at least one year of experience in handling children at childcare centres and 15 healthcare professionals. Together with the module, an assessment tool was developed, with content and face validity assessed by content experts. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 70 childcare providers to measure their first aid KAC. Construct validity of the questionnaire was examined using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with principal component methods and varimax rotation. Cronbach's α values were used to estimate the reliability of the questionnaire. This study revealed that the module was well accepted with a majority of the childcare providers (93.3%, n=14) indicated that they understood the information contained in the module. The first aid assessment tool was also found to be reliable in measuring knowledge, attitude and confidence among childcare providers with Cronbach's alpha of 0.56, 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. For content validity, the questionnaires were critically reviewed in terms of relevance, clarity, simplicity, and ambiguity. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrated that the module was well received, and the assessment tool is valid and reliable in measuring first aid KAC among childcare providers