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An antiplasmodial screening of Phyllanthus debilis and Phyllanthus urinaria was carried out. The medicinal plants were extracted and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against D10 (chloroquine-sensitive, CQS) and Gombak A (chloroquine-resistant, CQR) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The methanolic crudes from the soxhlet extraction were active against both strains however, P. urinaria (IC50 8.9 μg/ml with CQR strain) exhibited better anti-malarial activity compared to P. debilis (IC50 12.2 μg/ml with CQR strain). Furthermore, the methanolic crude of P. urinaria obtained by the cold extraction has good anti-malarial activity towards CQS (IC50 4.1 μg/ml). The concentration of macronutrients (calcium and magnesium) and trace metals (copper, manganese, iron and zinc) from three Phyllanthus species i.e. P. debilis Klein ex Wild., Phyllanthus niruri L., P. urinaria L. and Alpinia conchigera Griff. were determined using microwave digestion method and analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Standard Reference Material 1547 (peach leaves) was used to validate the method throughout this study. The recovery values were in the range of 80% to 120% which were in very good agreement with the certified values. The three Phyllanthus species and leaves of A. conchigera showed the highest concentration of calcium compared to other metals and macronutrients studied. The significant presence of all the important macronutrients and trace metals which are essential for human health and well-being substantiate their use medicinally in traditional practices.

AbstractMicroRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Differential expression of miRNAs can potentially be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prediction for outcomes. Failure in validation of miRNA profiles is often caused by variations in experimental parameters. In this study, the performance of five extraction kits and three RT-qPCR systems were evaluated using BioMark high-throughput platform and the effects of different experimental parameters on circulating miRNA levels were determined. Differences in the performance of extraction kits as well as varying accuracy, sensitivity and reproducibility in qPCR systems were observed. Normalisation of RT-qPCR data to spike-in controls can reduce extraction bias. However, the extent of correlation for different qPCR systems varies in different assays. At different time points, there was no significant fold change in eight of the plasma miRNAs that we evaluated. Higher level of miRNAs was detected in plasma as compared to serum of the same cohort. In summary, we demonstrated that high-throughput RT-qPCR with pre-amplification step had increased sensitivity and can be achieved with accuracy and high reproducibility through stringent experimental controls. The information provided here is useful for planning biomarker validation studies involving circulating miRNAs.

Background: The detection and analysis of microsatellites is very important for the mapping of genetic diseases because they are commonly used as genetic markers. Microsatellite marker D19S884 has been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common reproductive endocrine disease of women in their childbearing years. It is responsible for an estimated 70% of cases of anovulatory infertility. In this work, we detected microsatellites in DNA extracted from the blood of PCOS patients. Methods: DNA microsatellites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of specific primers tagged with fluorescence to yield products of 160–200 base pairs in length. Alleles were separated on 4% low-melting agarose gels; stained with a safe gel staining, GelRed™, which is an alternative to ethidium bromide; and visualised by ultraviolet illumination. Results: Bands were observed, but their base-pairs differences were difficult to distinguish. To identify each allele clearly, the PCR products were also analysed using capillary gel electrophoresis for fragment analysis where it was possible to discriminate even in case of difference between two pairs of bases between the alleles. Conclusion: In this article, we present a protocol that combines the use of gel electrophoresis and fragment analysis in the identification of genetic biomarkers for PCOS.

Introduction: Recurrent pregnancy with close child spacing can result from early resumption of sexual intercourse during the postpartum period. This would expose mothers to complications such as unsafe abortion, postpartum depression and premature birth. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postpartum Iban mothers. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in Sri Aman Division, Sarawak between 1st July and 31st August 2006. A total of 265 Iban mothers agreed to participate in this study. They were interviewed face-to-face using structured questionnaire. Any postpartum sexual intercourse at 6 weeks or less is considered an early resumption of sexual intercourse. Results: Univariable analyses showed significant association between early sexual intercourse and use of contraceptive; mothers’ and husbands’ income; mothers who believed their husbands were sexually abstinent during their confinement period; mothers who stayed with their spouse after delivery; and those with high libido. Multivariable analysis showed only mothers’ and husbands’ income, use of contraceptive and those who believed their husbands practiced sexual abstinence during their confinement period were significantly associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse. Conclusions: Counselling on postpartum resumption of sexual intercourse among Iban mothers should focus on these determinants to ensure a more effective counselling outcome among Iban mothers.

Background: The effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for weight loss on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese individuals in the community setting remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 6-month weight loss lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese women and the sustainability of the changes in those markers at 12-month follow-up, comparing an intervention group with a control group. Methods: A total of 243 participants from MyBFF@home were included in this study. Fasting blood samples at baseline, 6- and 12-month were assessed for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides. The effect of the intervention on cardiometabolic risk markers were investigated within and between study groups using t-test and general linear model (GLM) repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Results from repeated measures ANOVA showed intervention effect only in TC where significant reduction was found in the intervention group (− 0.26 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.47 to − 0.06], p < 0.01) compared to the control group (− 0.06 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.28 to 0.17]) at 12 months. At 6 months, TC was reduced significantly in both groups but only intervention group retained the reduction in maintenance phase while, the level increased significantly in the control group (0.22 mmol/L [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.38]). This attributed to significant increase in TC/HDL-C ratio in the control group during maintenance phase (0.32 [95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50], p < 0.001). The intervention group also showed trend of reduction in FPG at 6 months and further decreased during maintenance phase (− 0.19 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0. 32 to − 0.06], p < 0.01). At 6 months HDL-C was maintained in the intervention group but reduced significantly in the control group (− 0.05 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.10 to − 0.01], p < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in both markers when compared between groups. Conclusions: In the context of low socio-economic communities, this study supports that weight loss related lifestyle modifications over a 6-month period could improve selected cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly fasting glucose, TC and HDL-C in overweight and obese women with favourable sustainability over a 12-month period.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned pregnancy is a major public health concern globally. Numerous studies found various factors that can predict or determine unplanned pregnancy. However, there were no studies that reported this problem in Malaysia. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy in Malaysia and the associated factors. METHODS: This nationwide cross-sectional study targeted to women at postpartum period at government primary health care clinics throughout Malaysia. Structured questionnaire with face-to-face interview was used for data collection. The factors studied included mothers’ age, husband’s age, ethnicity, religion, marital status, education, occupation, household income, polygamous marriage, family support, contraception used, and disagreement of husband on contraception, smoking and alcohol consumption. History of emotional, physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 5727 Malaysian postpartum mothers were involved in this survey. The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 42.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 47.4). The multivariate logistic regression revealed that older mothers aged 45-49 years old (aOR: 8.010; 95%CI: 1.909, 33.013) and Muslim mothers (aOR: 2.465; 95%CI: 1.432-4.241) were significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy. In terms of household income, mothers with less than RM1000 per month were 1.712 (95% CI: 1.080, 2.713) times more likely to have unplanned pregnancy. The other significant associated factor was history of emotional intimate partner violence; aOR [1.720 (95% CI: 1.011, 2.925)]. CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned pregnancies were observed to be higher among older Muslim women from low income family. A possibility of unmet need for family planning should be considered and appropriate intervention strategies planned for these at-risk population.

Background: Diabetes and obesity are established risk factors for stroke. The current study aimed to assess risk factors of ischemic stroke recurrence in diabetic patients based on their body mass index (BMI). Methods: A total of 4005 diabetic patients who had a history of ischemic stroke were identified in a retrospective cross-sectional dataset from the Malaysian National Neurology Registry. Patients were classified based on BMI, and multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and recurrent ischemic stroke. Results: Among obese patients, those with ischemic heart disease (aOR, 1.873; 95% CI, 1.131–3.103), received formal education (aOR, 2.236; 95% CI, 1.306–3.830), and received anti-diabetic medication (aOR, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.180–2.708) had a higher stroke recurrence risk, while receiving angiotensin receptors blockers (aOR, 0.261; 95% CI, 0.126–0.543) lowered the odds of recurrence. Overweight patients with hypertension (aOR, 1.011; 95% CI, 1.002–1.019) for over 10 years (aOR, 3.385; 95% CI, 1.088–10.532) and diabetes prior to the first stroke (aOR, 1.823; 95% CI, 1.020–3.259) as well as those received formal education (aOR, 2.403; 95% CI, 1.126–5.129) had higher odds of stroke recurrence, while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (aOR, 0.244; 95% CI, 0.111–0.538) lowered the recurrence risk. Normal weight East Malaysians (aOR, 0.351; 95% CI, 0.164–0.750) receiving beta-blockers (aOR, 0.410; 95% CI, 0.174–0.966) had lower odds of stroke recurrence. Conclusions: Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, receiving anti-hypertensive agents, and educational level were independent predictors of recurrent stroke in obese patients. Managing the modifiable risk factors can decrease the odds of stroke recurrence.

Ruminants continue to be important in their traditional role in agricultural research and teaching. They are now also extensively used for studies in molecular biology; genetic engineering; and biotechnology for basic science, agricultural and clinical applications. Concern and interest for the welfare for these species and improved understanding of their biology and behavior have continued and are reflected in changing husbandry and management systems. This chapter addresses at high levels basic biology, husbandry, and the more common or important diseases of the three ruminant species used most commonly in the laboratory, namely sheep, goats and cattle.