IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia (IMJM)
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Histological changes of uterus after comparative treatment of female rats by Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds and combined oral contraceptive pills
Get PDFIntroduction: This study evaluates the histological changes of uterine tissue in the female Sprague Dawley rats after administration of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds in comparison to combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs). Methods: Twenty four female Sprague Dawley strain rats of 8 weeks old were divided into A, B, and C groups. Group A was the control and B was administrated with 0.05 mg/kg body weight of COCPs for 15 days. Group C was treated with 750 mg/kg body weight of fenugreek seed aqueous (FSA) extract for 15 days. The uterine tissues were isolated and studied histologically. Results: The uterine weight in the FSA extract treated group was normal, while in the COCPs treated group it was insignificantly increased. The endometrial thickness and endometrial gland density were normal in the FSA extract treated group, while in the COCPs treated group it was atrophied. Decidual-like cells were observed in the COCPs treated group only. Conclusions: Endometrial atrophy and decidual-like cells were noted after COCPs treatment while in the FSA extract and control groups they were absent. The findings suggest that fenugreek seeds could be used as an alternative natural and safe contraceptive product
Methodology and reliability of corneo-pterygium total area measurements utilizing image analysis method
Get PDF Introduction: To propose an objective method of quantifying pterygium total area utilizing image analysis method. Methods: 68 primary pterygium participants were selected from patients who visited an ophthalmology clinic. We adopted image analysis software in calculating the size of invading pterygium to the cornea. The marking of calculated area was done manually and the total area size was measured in pixel. The calculated area is defined as the area from the apex of pterygium to the limbal-corneal border. Then, from pixel it was transformed into a percentage (%), which represents the corneo-pterygium total area relative to the total corneal surface area. Intra-observer reliability testing was performed by the tracing process was repeated twice with a different sequence of images at least one (1) month apart. Inter-observer reliability were also examined by having two observers. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and scatter plot were used to describe the reliability of measurement. Results: The overall mean (N = 68) of corneo-pterygium total area was 44.36 ± 12.31% (CI: 41.38 – 47.34). Reliability for ROI demarcation of corneo-pterygium total area were excellent with intra and inter-agreement of 0.999 (95%CI, 0.998– 0.999; P <0.001) and 0.998 (95%CI, 0.997–0.999; P <0.001) respectively. Conclusions: The image analysis method is useful, reliable and practical in a clinical setting to objectively quantify corneo-pterygium total area regardless of the size and shapes. By having a standardized measurement of corneo-pterygium total area, the actual effects of the pterygium progression on changes of corneal curvature can be investigated
Utilization of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) enhanced high resolution corneal (EHRC) software in measuring Pterygium thickness
Get PDFIntroduction: To propose an objective method of quantifying pterygium thickness using AS-OCT. Methods: Anterior segment imaging was performed using Enhanced High Resolution Corneal (EHRC) of Visante™ OCT in 68 primary pterygium eyes. Prior to imaging, corneal topography assessment was performed on each pterygium eye in order to identify its topographic location. Based on topography mapping, three meridians (in degrees) were selected as close as possible to the pterygium border, which signify the demarcation of pterygium from the cornea. Reliability testing between intra and inter-observer on OCT imaging modality was examined using Intraclass correlation (ICC) and scatter plot. Results: The overall (n = 68) mean and SD of pterygium thickness via OCT modality were 0.48 ± 0.10 mm (CI: 0.45 – 0.50). OCT imaging also showed excellent intra and intergrader reliability in measuring pterygium thickness with ICC of 0.997 (CI: 0.994 – 0.998). Conclusions: We have described and demonstrated the use of EHRC as an objective measurement for pterygium thickness. This tool proved could eliminate the variability of human inter-graders in assessing thickness of pterygium with its promising ICC. This study had proved that anterior segment OCT imaging is a better choice in assessing pterygium compared to traditional slit-lamp biomicroscopy. We suggest that this tool is applicable for future work such as to understand the role thickness in pterygium morphology and its progression. Better understanding of pterygium morphology is important for future clinical decision, especially on prediction of induced corneal astigmatism and visual impairment due to pterygium
Reliability and construct validity of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical doctors on smoking cessation guidelines
Get PDFIntroduction: Prevalence of active smokers in Malaysia is increasing despite availability of stop smoking clinics. Thus, practice of the healthcare professionals in providing smoking cessation intervention needs to be assessed. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical doctors on national smoking cessation guidelines and factors contributing to the score. Methods: The 26 items consists of mixture of true/false questions; strongly-agree/agree/don’tknow/disagree/strongly-disagree response; and always/frequent/seldom/never response were created based on domain of 5A’s (ask, assess, advice, assist, arrange) and 5R’s (relevant, risks, rewards, roadblocks, repetitions). The questionnaires were distributed to 141 medical doctors. Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency while construct validity was assessed using factor analysis. Results: A high degree of internal consistency was observed for this 26 items (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.824). Subsequently, 2 items with poor inter-item correlations were removed. Factor analysis extracted 7 meaningful components from this remaining 24 items, in which 3 components with least items were deleted due to overlapping subscale with other components, leaving 4 meaningful components of (1st) practice ask, advice, assess and practice 5R’s, (2nd) practice of assist and arrange for those willing to quit, (3rd) knowledge and (4th) attitude. These final 17 items still demonstrate high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.832. Conclusions: This study indicates that this questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice on stop smoking guidelines. Improvement can be made for attitude items in the future
Correlation between schroeder-phase effect and distortion product otoacoustic emission findings
Get PDFIntroduction: Schroeder-phase masking has been proven to be more sensitive than pure tone audiometry in detecting changes in cochlear function. Schroeder harmonic complexes with different phases have been observed to excite basilar membranes differently and give different masking abilities (‘phase effect’) when used as maskers. Previous theory suggested that phase effect was contributed by cochlear non-linearity of outer hair cells (OHC); however the theory was derived from behavioral observation alone. Therefore, this study aims to further investigate the cochlear non-linearity involvement in phase effect mechanism by measuring the Schroeder phase effect together with another electrophysiological test that measures the cochlear non-linearity function, i.e. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE). Methods: Twelve normal hearing and four sensorineural hearing loss subjects were recruited. Schroeder phase masking test was conducted and phase effect (using 75 dB A masker) at 1kHz and 2 kHz was measured. DPOAE was recorded at multiple intensities (45-75 dB SPL) for 1 kHz and 2 kHz, and slope of DPOAE input output function was measured. Correlation analysis was performed to find correlation between phase effect and slope of DPOAE input output function. Results: Result showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between phase effect and slope of DPOAE input output function. Conclusions: This findings suggest that Schroeder-phase effect may not be/ may not only be contributed by OHC’s cochlear non-linearity. This finding opens the possibility of other auditory functions’ involvement in phase effect mechanism, and contribute to better understanding towards auditory perceptions
Applying ‘case method’ in the teaching of basic medical sciences in a medical curriculum
Get PDFIntroduction: Case method (CM) as a teaching methodology to promote active learning of students has been successfully employed in a number of fields. In the Medical Programme of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) we examined the application of CM in the teaching of basic medical sciences by integrating knowledge in these disciplines into the clinical sciences in a large group of students. Methods: This study involved Phase I preclinical medical students (Years 1 and 2). Thirteen CM modules were developed. A content-expert facilitator led a two-hour session for each of the modules which involved a class of about 130 students. Following such an implementation, the perception of students towards CM was studied through a self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussion. Results: More than 70% of these students agreed that CM sessions made efficient use of time. The structure promoted learning and helped develop problemsolving skills. CM sessions also provided opportunities for tutor participation and feedback. About 80% of Year 1 students and 60% of Year 2 students preferred to have both Problembased Learning and CM incorporated into the medical curriculum of IIUM. Findings of the focus group discussion are discussed. Conclusions: CM has a role in the teaching of the applied aspects of various disciplines of basic medical sciences
Analytical Method Validation (AMV) of Paracetamol Honey Suspension
Get PDFIntroduction: Paracetamol (PCM) suspension that is available in the market is formulated with high sugar content and more than 7 excipients to stabilize and to mask the bitter taste of PCM suspension. This oral suspension is indicated to alleviate minor ailments and fever, especially in a paediatric patient and elderly patient which having difficulty in swallowing. However, the high sugar content of PCM suspension may lead to a lot of health problems and make it PCM suspension no longer suitable is for the long term. Therefore, the formulated PCM honey suspension could be treated as an alternative approach instead of existing commercial one. Methods: The usage of honey for replacing the sucrose and sorbitol in PCM suspension is the main concern of this study. Results: In these contexts, the accurate and specific instrument which is High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) can be used to validate PCM honey suspension based on the requirement stated under ICH Q2 (R1). Conclusions: Thus, it could be concluded that the proposed analytical method could be a precise and specific one to be used in accordance with the purpose of validation of PCM honey suspension
Clinical performance on dental mannequin and perceived clinical learning experience of left handed students at Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia
Get PDFIntroduction: Dental equipments are ergonomically designed for the right handed people. Hence left handed students have to adapt to use their right hands with their body position while treating the patients. Methods: It was a cross sectional comparative study. Ten left handed students and ten right handed students were invited for this study. The participants were randomly divided into 4 groups. They were assigned to do class I cavity preparation with the buccal extension and amalgam filling on the artificial tooth 36 on the dental mannequin. Group (1) the right handed students who worked from the right side of the mannequin with the right hand (n=10), group (2) the left handed students who worked from the right side of the mannequin with the right hand (n=10), group (3) the left handed students who worked from the right side of the mannequin with the left hand (n=10) and group (4) the left handed students who worked from the left side of the mannequin with the left hand (n=10). The quality of the cavity and amalgam filling were scored by the expert who had been blinded. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test. The perceived clinical learning experience of left handed students was also evaluated by self administered questionnaires by using likert scales. Results: Mean score of clinical performance on the dental mannequins showed highest in group (4), P value =0.004. Conclusions: Left handed students should be allowed to work up to their hand preference and positio
Protein profiling of chicken breast muscles from different slaughter houses in relation to meat quality
Get PDFIntroduction: Chicken meat is a source of protein in the human diet. Protein content and values define the quality of chicken meat. This research aimed to analyze variations of protein profiles in chicken breast muscles from different slaughtering houses by using proteomic strategies. Methods: Total proteins of chicken breast muscles from three different slaughtering houses (Sample A, Sample B and Sample C) were extracted and quantified by using Bradford assay. Then, the proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE to monitor the quality of extracted proteins. Protein profiles in different samples were compared by 2D-GE analysis. Results: The most highly expressed protein band was located between the molecular size of 37-50 kD in all samples and it was expected to be betaactin. While resolved in 2D-PAGE, differences in protein expression were observed between samples. There were three spots expressed with highest intensity in Sample B compared to others. The protein spot detected at pH 5.28 and the size range between 50- 75 kD was predicted to be NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), at pH 6.45 and molecular weight between 37-50 kD was expected to be creatine kinase M-type (M-CK) while at pH 6.78 and molecular size nearly 25 kD was expected to be αB-crystallin. Conclusions: It can be mentioned that these proteins could play a vital role in mechanisms that contribute to the poor quality of chicken meat
Anti-fertility potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum in comparison to oral contraceptive pills
Get PDFIntroduction: This study examines the anti-fertility effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds extract in the reproductive system of female rats in comparison to combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs). Methods: Thirty two female Sprague Dawley rats of 8 weeks old were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D). All female rats were allowed to mate with male rats. Group A is a positive control and not given any treatment. Group B is a negative control group. Group C and D were treated with 0.05 mg/kg body weight of COCPs and 750 mg/kg body weight of fenugreek seed aqueous (FSA) extract for 15 days respectively. Blood samples were subsequently taken on the proestrous phase to evaluate the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). The embryo implantation rate was studied in all groups. Results: Administration of 750 mg/kg FSA extract and COCPs both resulted in decreased FSH serum levels, to 25.62 ng/ml and 71.56 ng/ml respectively (p<0.01). The embryo implantation rate was zero in both FSA extract and COCPs treated groups. Conclusions: Anti-fertility effects of FSA extract and COCPs are potentially similar in terms of their ability to reduce FSH serum levels and inhibit implantation