10 research outputs found
The Cholesterol Lowering Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Root Extract in Male Rats
No full textBackground: To investigate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract on serum lipids in rats. Methods: Twenty-six mature male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. A group of 18 rats were fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, after which their lipid profile was compared to the control group, who were kept on a normal diet. The rats were then further divided into three groups, the Cf group that continued to feed on a high fat and cholesterol diet only, and group A and group B who continued on a high fat diet with the addition of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract respectively for 4 weeks. After the 4 week period, the rat's lipid profiles were analysed again. Results: Group A and B showed significant total cholesterol reduction when compared to the Cf group, 140 ± 7.23, 139.63 ± 7.95, 192.14 ± 8.96 mg/dL respectively (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol/HDL ratio in group A was 5 however there was a sharp increase in group B to a high-risk level of 9.2 indicating a significant drop in HDL levels. The LDL level increased significantly in both group A and B compared to the Cf group. Conclusions: Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract is effective in lowering total cholesterol, however the dose needs to be adjusted to prevent an excessive decrease in HDL levels
Psychological Distress and Sources of Stressors amongst Medical and Science Undergraduate Students in Malaysia
No full textBackground: This study aims to compare the prevalence of psychological distress between medical and science undergraduate students and to assess the sources of stressors that are attributing to it. Methods: A sample of 697 undergraduate students participated in this study, in which 501 were medical students and the remaining 196 were Science students. Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The students were given a list of possible sources of stress which were chosen depending on previous studies. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 32.6%. Science students showed a significantly higher rate and mean score of psychological distress than medical students, and the mean score was significantly higher during the clinical phase rather than the pre-clinical phase in medical students. Overall, female students had a significantly higher mean score than males, however although the mean score was higher in females it was only significant in the pre-clinical phase. In addition to academic and psychological stressors, factors such as reduced holidays, lack of time for relaxation, and limitation of leisure/entertainment time were among the top ten stressors reported by the students. Conclusions: Psychological distress is common among university students, and it is higher among science students than medical students. Academic and psychological factors can be considered as sources of stressors which may precipitate psychological distress among college students
Stressors and Their Association with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Dental Students
No full textBackground: Dental students are exposed to varying levels of stress that may affect their mental and physical health, academic performance and quality of life. This study aim was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress (DAS), and the relationships between DAS symptoms and stressors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 257 dental students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The prevalence and severity of DAS symptoms was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). The stressors were self-reported by students from a list, and the relationships with the DAS symptoms were assessed. Results: The overall prevalence of DAS symptoms for depression, anxiety, and stress were 47.5%, 67.3% and 42.8%, respectively. Clinically significant depression was experienced by 9.3% of the students, anxiety by 28.8% and stress by 10.1%. Anxiety was significantly more frequent in women than in men, and anxiety scores were significantly increased in young students. The top five stressors were time management problems, fear of failing, examination and low grades; feeling of incompetence and study pressure. Conclusions: DAS symptoms occurred in dental students. Academic and personal factors produced stress that precipitated psychological distress
Internet addiction among pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia
No full textInternet addiction occurs due to excessive and uncontrolled use of the internet. It may hinder academic achievement and lead to reduction in quality of life of the students. This study aims to assess the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) among pharmacy students.A sample of 223 students from Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia participated in this study.Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) was used to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction. The prevalence of IA among pharmacy students was 26.9% while 13.5% were at higher risk for addiction. Although the mean score was higher among male students but it was not statistically significant (P>0.05). IA is significantly higher among students who are spending more than 40 hours per week online. Students with poor social interaction had higher mean CIAS score than those who were socially active, however the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) In conclusion, Internet addiction need to be addressed early to prevent its effects on physical and mental wellbeing. Students need to be educated about controlling and managing time spent online to avoid progression into internet addiction
Development of anti-ballistic board from ramie fiber
No full textA laminate of a composite was developed from Kevlar 29-ramie fiber reinforced by polyester resin for hard body armor. The focused given to the ballistic limit, maximum energy absorption, composite failure mode, lifetime rupture, target geometry and environmental effects. The results indicated that the maximum ballistic limit at impact speed is 623.97 m/s for a 15-mm target thickness and 837 m/s for a target thickness of 25 mm. The targets were improved in terms of the impact response with increasing relative humidity in the range of 50% ± 20% but were relatively decreased in terms of resistance with increasing temperature
Assessment of peripartum psychological disturbances in relation to modes of delivery
No full textBackground:Anxiety disorders are common during peripartum period.This study aimed to identify which mode of delivery was more prone to develop psychological disturbances.Methods:This prospective cohort study conducted among 541 pregnant women presented for spontaneous labour, induction or elective caesarean section in a Malaysian hospital. The severity of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms are assessed by using self-rated depression anxiety and stress scales in four different occasions; pre-labour/operation, 24 hours postnatal, 2 weeks,and at 6weeks.Results:In the prenatal period, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of depression between women coming for labour (4.17 ±5.28) and elective CS (4.21 ±5.87). During puerperium; at 24 hours postnatal, 2weeks and 6weeks assessments there was no significant difference in depression score among patients with different modes of delivery. The overall scores were (4.23 ±5.46, 3.26 ±4.85, 0.78 ±2.37, 0.18 ±0.93) for patients going through vaginal delivery, instrumentation, emergency or elective CS. The same trend was found when anxiety and stress were analysed. Conclusions:The most prominent peripartum psychological disturbances symptom is anxiety. Minority of patients will experience persistence anxiety by the end of 6 weeks postpartum. The caesarean section and induction of labour does not increase the psychological impact
The Cholesterol Lowering Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Root Extract in Male Rats
No full textBackground: To investigate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract on serum lipids in rats. Methods: Twenty-six mature male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. A group of 18 rats were fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, after which their lipid profile was compared to the control group, who were kept on a normal diet. The rats were then further divided into three groups, the Cf group that continued to feed on a high fat and cholesterol diet only, and group A and group B who continued on a high fat diet with the addition of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract respectively for 4 weeks. After the 4 week period, the rat's lipid profiles were analysed again. Results: Group A and B showed significant total cholesterol reduction when compared to the Cf group, 140 ± 7.23, 139.63 ± 7.95, 192.14 ± 8.96 mg/dL respectively (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol/HDL ratio in group A was 5 however there was a sharp increase in group B to a high-risk level of 9.2 indicating a significant drop in HDL levels. The LDL level increased significantly in both group A and B compared to the Cf group. Conclusions: Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract is effective in lowering total cholesterol, however the dose needs to be adjusted to prevent an excessive decrease in HDL levels
Psychological Distress and Sources of Stressors amongst Medical and Science Undergraduate Students in Malaysia
No full textBackground: This study aims to compare the prevalence of psychological distress between medical and science undergraduate students and to assess the sources of stressors that are attributing to it. Methods: A sample of 697 undergraduate students participated in this study, in which 501 were medical students and the remaining 196 were Science students. Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The students were given a list of possible sources of stress which were chosen depending on previous studies. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 32.6%. Science students showed a significantly higher rate and mean score of psychological distress than medical students, and the mean score was significantly higher during the clinical phase rather than the pre-clinical phase in medical students. Overall, female students had a significantly higher mean score than males, however although the mean score was higher in females it was only significant in the pre-clinical phase. In addition to academic and psychological stressors, factors such as reduced holidays, lack of time for relaxation, and limitation of leisure/entertainment time were among the top ten stressors reported by the students. Conclusions: Psychological distress is common among university students, and it is higher among science students than medical students. Academic and psychological factors can be considered as sources of stressors which may precipitate psychological distress among college students
Stressors and Their Association with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Dental Students
No full textBackground: Dental students are exposed to varying levels of stress that may affect their mental and physical health, academic performance and quality of life. This study aim was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress (DAS), and the relationships between DAS symptoms and stressors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 257 dental students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The prevalence and severity of DAS symptoms was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). The stressors were self-reported by students from a list, and the relationships with the DAS symptoms were assessed. Results: The overall prevalence of DAS symptoms for depression, anxiety, and stress were 47.5%, 67.3% and 42.8%, respectively. Clinically significant depression was experienced by 9.3% of the students, anxiety by 28.8% and stress by 10.1%. Anxiety was significantly more frequent in women than in men, and anxiety scores were significantly increased in young students. The top five stressors were time management problems, fear of failing, examination and low grades; feeling of incompetence and study pressure. Conclusions: DAS symptoms occurred in dental students. Academic and personal factors produced stress that precipitated psychological distress
Assessment of Peripartum Psychological Disturbances in Relation to Modes of Delivery
No full textBackground: Anxiety disorders are common during peripartum period. This study aimed to identify which mode of delivery was more prone to develop psychological disturbances. Methods: This prospective cohort study conducted among 541 pregnant women presented for spontaneous labour, induction or elective caesarean section in a Malaysian hospital. The severity of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms are assessed by using self-rated depression anxiety and stress scales in four different occasions; pre-labour/operation, 24 hours postnatal, 2 weeks, and at 6 weeks. Results: In the prenatal period, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of depression between women coming for labour (4.17±5.28) and elective CS (4.21±5.87). During puerperium; at 24 hours postnatal, 2 weeks and 6 weeks assessments there was no significant difference in depression score among patients with different modes of delivery. The overall scores were (4.23±5.46, 3.26±4.85, 0.78±2.37, 0.18±0.93) for patients going through vaginal delivery, instrumentation, emergency or elective CS. The same trend was found when anxiety and stress were analysed. Conclusions: The most prominent peripartum psychological disturbances symptom is anxiety. Minority of patients will experience persistence anxiety by the end of 6 weeks postpartum. The caesarean section and induction of labour does not increase the psychological impact
