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Pnpla3 variants, physiological parameters, inflammatory markers, and quality of life in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) patients in Pakistan
No full textMetabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is characterised by liver fat accumulation associated with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or other metabolic dysfunctions, leading to poor quality of life. Adiponutrin is crucial for lipid regulation, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of its gene PNPLA3 is associated with MAFLD in various populations, but no study has been reported among Pakistani population. The present study therefore aimed to investigate PNPLA3 variants (rs738408 and rs738409), physiological parameters, inflammatory markers and quality of life among MAFLD patients in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aziz Fatimah Hospital and Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Pakistan after obtaining ethical approval. Using purposive sampling, 158 participants were enrolled, comprising 81 patients in MAFLD group and 77 healthy subjects in Control group. Demographic, anthropometric, PNPLA3 genotyping, physiological parameters (blood pressure, fasting blood sugar [FBS], liver enzymes and lipid profile) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and quality of life (QOL) parameters were determined. PNPLA3 genotyping was performed using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and triglyceride were quantified by colorimetric assays while CRP and IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. For rs738408, CT genotype was significantly more frequent in MAFLD group compared to Control group (30.90% vs. 16.90%, respectively), with 2.48-fold and 5.17-fold increased risks of MAFLD with CT and TT genotypes, respectively. Moreover, CT carriers had a 2.83-fold risk of moderate fatty liver while TT carriers had a 15.50-fold risk of severe disease. For rs738409, GG genotype was significantly more frequent in MAFLD patients compared to controls (13.60% vs. 3.90%, respectively) with a 4.57-fold risk of MAFLD and a 5.08-fold risk of moderate fatty liver. Among MAFLD group, 55.60% were hypertensive, 49.40% were diabetes and 76.50% were obese. Body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), FBS, CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher in MAFLD group compared to Control group. Concerning quality of life, physical summary score and mental summary scores were significantly poor in MAFLD group. In conclusion, PNPLA3 variants rs738408 (CT genotype) and rs738409 (GG genotype), BMI, SBP, FBS, inflammation and poor QOL were significantly higher among MAFLD patients in Pakistan. These genotypes were associated with MAFLD susceptibility and disease severity. Hence, genetic screening for PNPLA3 variants together with physiological and inflammatory markers may facilitate early identification of high-risk individuals enabling timely interventions to halt disease progression and poor QO
Oral hygiene practices, treatment needs and barriers to dental care among adolescents attending special education schools in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
No full textAdolescents with special healthcare needs have been reported to have poor oral health in compared to normal adolescents due to various factors, include sociodemographic backgrounds, oral hygiene practices and perceived barriers. This study aimed to evaluate the oral hygiene practices, oral health status, dental treatment needs, and barriers to dental care of adolescents with special healthcare needs attending special education schools in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, while also evaluating the association between these barriers and their dental treatment needs. Shah Alam, an urban area in Selangor, Malaysia, was chosen for this study due to the high enrollment of special needs adolescents in special schools in Selangor compared to other states in Malaysia. Conducting the study in Selangor ensures that the findings will be representative of adolescents with special healthcare needs attending special schools across Malaysia. A total of 131 adolescents with different types of special healthcare needs aged 13-18 years old, who fulfilled the criteria, participated in this study. All information on sociodemographic, oral hygiene practices and possible barriers to the dental care of the participant was supplied by the parents as a proxy through an online survey form. The oral examination on Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT), Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHIS) and treatment needs was carried out in the school with teachers in attendance. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data was analyzed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 29.0. Over 60% of participants demonstrated good oral hygiene with a mean DMFT and OHIs scores of 0.79 ± 1.49 and 0.73 ± 0.4, respectively. Most participants, (59.5%), brushed their teeth more than once a day, and about 93.9% used fluoridated toothpaste. The barriers perceived by the parents or caregivers where time constrains to bring their child to dental clinic and child dental anxiety. Most of them required oral prophylaxis and restorative treatment. The present study shows no association between barriers to dental care and dental treatment needs. Adolescents with special healthcare needs in the present study generally have a satisfying oral health status. However, improvements in oral hygiene practices are needed and unmet treatment needs remain high. This study also provides a valid picture of barriers to dental care among adolescents with special needs. This study was conducted in an urban area in Selangor, Malaysia and considering that these adolescents had a new set of teeth, therefore, no association was observed between barriers to dental care and dental treatment needs. A multi-centre study area with a larger sample size is recommended for the future studie
PPKBSM, Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan dan Sumber Mineral (2025) EBB440-4 - APPLIED METALLURGY - NOVEMBER 2008.
No full textPPKBSM, Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan dan Sumber Mineral (2025) EBP317 Advanced Polymer Composites SEM 1 SA 2024.2025. [Teaching Resource] (Submitted)
No full textPPKBSM, Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Bahan dan Sumber Mineral (2025) EBP207 Transport Phenomena In Polymers SEM 2 SA 2022.2023
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The effects of scorodocarpus borneensis against drug-induced nephrotoxicity
No full textDiabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by insufficient insulin
production or impaired insulin utilisation, leading to persistent hyperglycaemia. If left
unmanaged, it can result in severe complications, including diabetic nephropathy, a
progressive kidney disorder commonly associated with long-term diabetes. While
metformin is a standard treatment for controlling blood glucose levels, its side effects,
such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and lactic acidosis, have raised concerns, emphasizing the
need for safer alternatives. Therefore, the aim of the study the effects of Kulim fruit
aqueous extracts against diabetic nephropathy-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect
of Kulim fruit extract was studied on Vero cells and the diabetic nephropathy- induced
Sprague -Dawley rats. The proliferation assay result of Kulim fruit extract obtained
shown not significant percentage of cell viability when compared to metformin (p>0.05),
might be due to lab technical settings. In this study, the induction of the type 2 diabetes
was carried out using high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks followed by injection of 55mg/kg
of STZ for one week. The animals were divided into 4 groups with sample size of n=3,
which were normal control, diabetic control, metformin-treated (150mg/kg) and Kulim
fruit extract- treated (1000mg/kg) group. The effects of the Kulim fruit extract on serum
creatine level shown significant different between treated and untreated group (p<0.05).
The effects of Kulim fruit extract on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) shown significant
different between treated and untreated group (p<0.05). The histopathological study
shows promising effects in treating diabetic nephropathy when compared to untreated
diabetic nephropathy by assessing the morphology of the glomerulus, Bowman’s space
and tubules in kidney organ. The findings may provide valuable insights into Kulim fruit
extract as a natural therapeutic alternative for diabetic nephropathy, offering a safer complementary approach to conventional treatments. Hence, the long term-impact of
Kulim fruit extract in diabetic nephropathy model must be studied over a longer perio
Evaluation of the hemavision-28q fusion transcript for acute leukemia screening panel
No full textAcute leukemia is a hematopoietic cell malignancy characterized by excessive proliferation of immature blood cells, resulting in severe disruption of normal hematopoiesis. The accurate and timely discovery of genetic abnormalities, particularly chromosomal translocations, is crucial for effective acute leukemia diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy planning. This study compares the performance of the HemaVision-28Q kit, a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)-based assay, to the HemaVision-28N assay, which uses nested PCR to detect fusion gene transcripts associated with acute leukemia. The goal was to evaluate HemaVision-28Q's sensitivity, specificity, and clinical value as a diagnostic tool, as well as its capacity to detect both positive and negative fusion transcript cases. Archived RNA samples from the peripheral blood and bone marrow of acute leukemia patients were examined using the HemaVision-28Q and HemaVision-28N assays. The HemaVision-28Q performed admirably, detecting 28 clinically important fusion gene transcripts quickly and consistently, including t(9;22) [BCR-ABL1], t(15;17) [PML-RARA], and inv(16) [CBFB-MYH11]. The assay was found to be highly sensitive and specific, with a faster turnaround time than HemaVision-28N. Its workflow reduced the need for labor-intensive stages such as gel electrophoresis, lowering the danger of contamination and making it an affordable and viable option for regular clinical diagnostics. In contrast, the HemaVision-28N assay, which provided thorough exon-level analysis of fusion genes, was time-consuming and required more technical knowledge. The study's findings emphasize the HemaVision-28Q kit as a dependable diagnostic option for acute leukemia, especially in clinical settings where speed and efficiency are critica
Evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant & antimicrobial properties of cinnamomum verum extracts
No full textTraditional medicine has long relied on plant-based remedies to address various health issues, with cinnamon bark being widely recognized for its therapeutic properties. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of cinnamon extracts, emphasizing its potential as a natural therapeutic agent. Aqueous extract of C. verum (AECV) and ethanolic extract of C. verum (EECV) were analyzed for their bioactive compounds, revealing the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and terpenoids, while saponins were detected only in AECV. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and total phenolic content (TPC) assays. AECV demonstrated higher antioxidant potential (IC50 = 0.233 mg/mL) than EECV (IC50 = 0.418 mg/mL), although both exhibited lower activity compared to ascorbic acid (AA) (IC50 = 0.00673 mg/mL). TPC analysis revealed that EECV (0.1001 [0.236] mg GAE/g) showed higher phenolic content than AECV (0.0227 [0.036] mg GAE/g), indicating ethanol's effectiveness in extracting phenolics. Antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays, where AECV demonstrated limited antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC = 20 mg/mL), while EECV exhibited no significant effects. Neither extract inhibited E. coli, likely due to insufficient extract concentrations. These findings indicate that cinnamon bark showed potential as a natural source of antioxidant, while further investigation is needed to explore its antimicrobial potentia
Development and validation of spiritual care module for breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy
No full textNurses play a crucial role as caregivers for cancer patients, and providing spiritual care (SC) has become an integral part of their responsibilities. Despite this, the spiritual needs (SN) of cancer patients are often overlooked in clinical practice. Breast cancer (BC) women, regardless of the disease stage, have diverse and significant SN. This study aims to develop and validate a SC module for BC women undergoing chemotherapy. This study consisted of Phase 1, 2, and 3. Phase 1 was a cross-sectional design done in the Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital in China from December 2022 to April 2023. SN was assessed using the Spiritual Needs Scale (SNS). 173 BC chemotherapy women were recruited using purposive sampling included in this phase. SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analyses, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Phase 2 was designing and developing an e-module, the "Healing Light" based on the key SN of Phase 1 and the literature review. Phase 3 was the content validation using a Fuzzy Delphi method with eight experts from medical, nursing, educational, and SC. The results of Phase 1 showed a high level of SN among BC women undergoing chemotherapy (84.20 ± 12.86). Three main SN identified were "hope and peace", "meaning and purpose", and "acceptance of dying". For Phase 2, the developed SC e-module Healing Light consists of an introduction to BC and spirituality, cultivating hope and achieving inner peace, finding meaning and purpose in life, accepting the present and looking forward, and supportive information. Phase 3 results of the content validation showed that the content of Healing Light had gained expert consensus with a value above 75%, the threshold value (d) ≤ 0.2, and the fuzzy score (A) ≥ α – cut-off value = 0.5. In conclusion, this study developed and validated an SC e-module, Healing Light tailored to the Chinese cultural context. Healing Light will serve as a crucial reference and foundation for creating effective psychological interventions for BC women receiving chemotherapy. Additionally, it provides nurses with a valuable tool to deliver SC and empowers BC women to manage their spirituality, thus enhancing their spiritual health and quality of life (QoL)