Digital Commons Network^™

Antioxidant And Cytotoxic Investigations Of Beta Vulgaris L / Jaime Stella A/P Moses Richardson, Jaime Stella Moses Richardson

Student Works (2010-2019)

Beta vulgaris has been commonly consumed and traditionally used for various medicinal purposes. The present study scientifically evaluates the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of the plant using various bioassays. The root part of Beta vulgaris was collected and extracted using methanol and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The fresh root of Beta vulgaris was juiced and then subjected to evaporation under reduced pressure to form an extract. Chemical investigations were then directed to the ethyl acetate fraction and juice extract; fraction ET1, ET2 and ET3 were obtained from ethyl acetate fraction by isolation using high performance liquid …

Discovery Of Immune Responsive Proteins In Ihhnv-Infected And Non-Infected Macrobrachium Rosenbergii / Tahereh Alinejad, Tahereh Alinejad

Student Works (2010-2019)

The major problem in the prawn industry worldwide is acute epizootic diseases that are closely associated with explosive death among prawns which leads to economic losses in commercial aquaculture and posing threats to the indigenous wild stocks. Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) was listed by OIE (Office of International Epizootics of World Organization for Animal Health) to be shown to have international significance in aquaculture. The study was conducted to understand the molecular responses of crustacean hemocytes to IHHNV infection. 2D-proteomic approach was used to investigate the differential expression proteins in hemocytes of infected and non-infected M.rosenbergi .Viral …

Production Of Caprine And Bovine In Vitro-Fertilised As Well As Parthenogenetic Embryos And An Attempt To Vitrify In Vivo- And In Vitro-Derived Embryos / Tan Wei Lun, Wei Lun Tan

Student Works (2010-2019)

The main objective of this research was to determine the effects of oocyte grading and insemination duration on cleavage rate of embryos obtained from in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in bovine and caprine species. In addition, the effects of oocyte grading in bovine and caprine on production of parthenogenetic embryos as well as an attempt to cryopreserve embryos using vitrification technique were also evaluated. Bovine oocytes were obtained from abattoir while caprine oocytes were retrieved through laparoscopic oocyte pick-up (LOPU) or abattoir source. For laparoscopic oocyte pick-up goats, gonadotrophin injections were involved prior to surgery, which were Estrumate (125 μg), Pregnant …

Preparation Of Β-Cyclodextrin Based Adsorbents And Their Behaviour Towards Chromium(Vi)-Diphenylcarbazide Complex Removal From Aqueous Solution / Nurul Huda Mohd Yusof, Nurul Huda Mohd Yusof

Student Works (2010-2019)

The adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution by β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) based polymer as an adsorbent was studied in a batch adsorptions experiments. Three types of adsorbent were synthesized, namely, β-CDCP-HMDI, β-CDCP-TDI and Si-TDI-βCD. The method was based on the complex reaction of Cr(VI) with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) in acidic solution loaded on β-CDCP-HMDI and β-CDCP-TDI and Si-TDI-βCD. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of the three adsorbent were studied. Equilibrium isotherm was analyzed according to classic Langmuir and Freundlich model. It shows that the Langmuir isotherm is better in describing the adsorption process for adsorbent β-CDCP-HMDI, while Freundlich isotherm is better …

Study On The Supramolecular Interaction Of Inclision Complex Of Β - Cyclodextrin With Dithizone And Dithizone-Zinc And Its Analytical Application / Siti Nurur Raihan Mohd Kamal, Mohd Kamal Siti Nurur Raihan

Student Works (2010-2019)

The non-covalent interaction of beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), dithizone (H2Dz) and dithizone-zinc (H2Dz-Zn) complex was studied in detail. Solid samples were studied using solid state 13C Cross Polarization and Magic Angle Spinning spectroscopy (13C CP/MAS NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) to investigate the formation of the inclusion complex. Spectrophotometric technique was also used to assess the formation of inclusion complex in liquid form. The characterization results supported the formation of inclusion complex. The results showed that β-CD formed a complex with H2Dz in a …

Antioxidant Activity In Selected Local Vegetables / Sumathi A/P Murti, Sumathi Murti

Student Works (2010-2019)

A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell and its damage is closely associated with oxidative damage. Oxidative damage by free radicals in the human body plays an important causative role in disease initiation and progression. Antioxidants provide a measure of protection that slows the process of oxidative damage. In this study, crude petroleum benzene, chloroform, methanol and water extracts of Allium tuberosum (garlic chives), Apium graveolens (L.) (celery), Ipomoea batatas (L.) (sweet potato leaves), Murraya koenigii (L.) (curry leaves), Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean), and Sauropus androgynus (sweet leaves) were …

Screening And Partial Purification Of Protease Inhibitors From Senna Surattensis Leaves / Ahmad Firdhaus Arham, Ahmad Firdhaus Arham

Student Works (2010-2019)

This study was done to determine the inhibitory activity that were exhibited by different parts of the local plants in Malaysia selected from the 4 families which are Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The screening methods used in this study are Bradford Assay and Trypsin Inhibitory Assay. Both these assays revealed that Senna surattensis leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity of 83 % compared to other 41 plant samples studied in this study. SDS-PAGE and Tricine SDS on this sample extract showed the presence of this protease inhibitor through the formation of band. From these band also, the molecular weight …

Isolation And Purification Of Glutathione S-Transferases From Donax Sp / Norfarhan Mohd Assa’Ad, Norfarhan Mohd Assa’Ad

Student Works (2010-2019)

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are among the enzymes involved in the phase II detoxification metabolism of wide range exogenous and endogenous compounds in living cells. Bivalves GSTs often proposed as biomarker for marine pollution detection for several reasons; filter feeder, sessile, wide range distribution, and not affected by some biotic factors. In this study, GSTs from remis Donax sp. was purified by using two affinity column; GSTrapTMHP and GSH-agarose (C3). The total recovery of CDNB-active GSTs was 12% and 3% for GSTrapTMHP and GSH-agarose (C3), respectively. SDS-PAGE of GSTrapTMHP purified extract revealed two subunits with apparent molecular masses (MW) of 29 …

Pelaksanaan Pemantauan Dan Penguatkuasaan Undang-Undang Produk Halal Di Malaysia : Kajian Terhadap Penyalahgunaan Logo Halal / Zulzaidi Bin Mahmod, Zulzaidi Mahmod

Student Works (2010-2019)

Isu pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan produk halal di Malaysia termasuklah berkenaan dengan penyalahgunaan, penyelewengan dan pemalsuan logo halal menarik perhatian masyarakat Malaysia. Isu perundangan halal dan bidang kuasa penguatkuasaan turut timbul setelah diuar-uarkan tentang agensi berkaitan seperti Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) yang hanya mempunyai kuasa terhad dalam pemantauan pensijilan halal sedangkan agensi itulah yang diberi kuasa untuk mengeluarkan pensijilan halal. Justeru, kajian ini dilaksanakan bagi menghuraikan keberkesanan pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan yang dilakukan oleh JAKIM, Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri (JAIN) dan Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK). Usaha itu dilakukan dengan cara meneliti undangundang dan peraturan berkaitan pengurusan penguatkuasaan …

Konsep Kosher Dalam Agama Yahudi : Analisis Menurut Perspektif Pemikiran Hukum Islam / Muhamad Nordin Bin Kasmon, Muhamad Nordin Kasmon

Student Works (2010-2019)

Persoalan halal dan haram pada masa kini amat meluas dibincangkan memandangkan Malaysia bakal menjadi pusat hub makanan halal dunia. Fenomena ini menunjukkan satu perubahan yang positif kerana kesedaran penguna Muslim khususnya di Malaysia untuk memilih produk makanan yang benar-benar halal telah mulai difahami, diutamakan dan diamalkan. Namun pengguna Muslim perlu prihatin terhadap produk berlogo Kosher dari negara Barat terutamanya dari Amerika Syarikat dan Eropah yang diwar-warkan mempunyai prinsip yang sama dengan maksud halal Islam. Secara umumnya, makanan Kosher merupakan makanan yang dibenarkan dalam agama Yahudi, dan dalam agama Islam, disebut sebagai makanan halal. Justeru, objektif kajian ini akan membincangkan aspek …

The Impact Of Corporate Rebranding On Organisation's Market Value : Malaysian Perspective / Ee Mei Chin., Mei Chin Ee

Student Works (2010-2019)

No abstract provided.

Determination Of The Effects Of Ficus Deltoidea Fractions With Antioxidative And Anticancer Properties On The Proteome Profile Of Selected Cancer Cell Lines / Yew Han Choi., Han Choi Yew

Student Works (2010-2019)

No abstract provided.

Diversity Of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Associated With Slope Grass Axonopus Compressus / Alazhar Hassin, Hassin Alazhar

Student Works (2010-2019)

Vegetation cover, especially grasses, is proven to have a significant contribution for slope stabilization. Nitrogen fixing bacteria supply some amounts of nitrogen (N) required by slope grasses for proper growth and development. In this study, three slopes were chosen based on their soil strengths namely slope A (130-140 kPa), B (80-100 kPa) and C (50-70 kPa). This study showed that the more stable slopes will also have a lower soil saturation level. There was a positive relationship between sizes of bacterial populations with soil saturation level (r2 = 0.60, p<0.05). Similar correlations were also observed between soil shear strength with soil saturation levels ( r2 = 0.58, p<0.05) as well. Culturable nitrogen-free living bacteria were isolated and enumerated from roots of Axonopus compressus, a slope grass using Burk’s nitrogen-free medium. The diversity of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria was initially determined by the REPPCR and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting method. Results indicated that REP-PCR give better variable. Hence, the method was used throughout the study. Dendograms were constructed from REP-PCR profiles of a total of 31 strains. The cluster analysis indicated that the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the grass roots was quite high and closely related among the population. The information about the presence of nitrogen-free fixing bacteria will greatly assist future management of vegetation to stabilise slopes.

Biological Activities Of Penicilliopsis Sp. / Nadia Iryani Binti Najri, Najri Nadia Iryani

Student Works (2010-2019)

This study was carried out to evaluate the biological activities of Penicilliopsis sp. (KUM60280). The methanol and dichloromethane crude extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) activities. The amounts of total phenolic compound in the extracts were also evaluated. The antibacterial capacity was screened against Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguis) as well as Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas auruginosa and P. vulgaris). Antifungal potentials on the other hand, were evaluated against Candida albicans, C. parasilopsis and Saccharomyces pombe by the disc diffusion method. The …

Hukum Pengambilan Makanan Segera : Kajian Di Kentucky Fried Chicken (Kfc) / Zainal Abidin Bin Yahaya, Zainal Abidin Yahaya

Student Works (2010-2019)

Amalan pengambilan makanan segera telah menjadi budaya di kalangan masyarakat Malaysia. Kini masyarakat telah mula menyedari kepentingan memilih makanan yang halal lagi baik (halalan tayyiban) dan implikasinya terhadap kehidupan duniawi dan ukhrawi. Antara isu-isu yang sering dibincangkan ialah tentang status halal produk makanan segera dari sudut bahan yang digunakan, sistem penternakan, pembiakan dan pemprosesan. Justeru, kajian ini dilakukan oleh penulis untuk mengkaji hukum pengambilan makanan segera. Ini adalah bertujuan untuk menjawab isu-isu yang dibangkitkan dengan menjadikan Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) sebagai medan kajian lapangan. Metodologi penyelidikan yang digunakan di dalam kajian ini adalah berteraskan kajian perpustakaan, observasi serta temubual bersama …

Isolation And Purification Of A Bioactive Protein From Indigenous Basidiomycete Ganoderma Australe (Fr.) Pat / Nurulaina Binti Saidin, Nurulaina Saidin

Student Works (2010-2019)

The present study attempted to purify bioactive protein from mycelia of Ganoderma culture using organic extraction method (dichloromethane and 50% ethanol) and selection of chromatographic techniques. By using crude ethanolic extract, four strains of indigenous Ganoderma australe and one from Ganoderma tsugae were assessed for their antagonistic activity against human pathogenic bacteria and yeast. All Ganoderma strains tested exhibited different levels of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The ethanolic extract from G. australe strain KUM60813 was selected for further protein purification on the basis of intense antibacterial activity compared to proteins from other strains tested. The protein …

The Effects Of Tamarind (Tamarindus Indica) And Avocado (Persea Americana) Seeds On Lipid And Carbohydrate Metabolism In Rats / Uzukwu Emmanuel Uchenna, Uchenna Uzukwu Emmanuel

Student Works (2010-2019)

Tamarind (T) or avocado (A) seed was included in diets offered to rats. Its effects on growth performance, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and glycogen in liver of rats were studied in three different experiments involving two species of rats (Sprague Dawley (SD) and out bred of Wistar-Kyoto rats-SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rats). Basal diet (BD) and high sucrose diet (HSD) containing ground dried of T or A at the following inclusion 2, 4 or 8% were offered to SD rats in experiments 1 (n=28) and 2 (n=28) respectively, while SHR received BD in experiment 3 (n=28). Feed intake, fecal output …

Not Of Woman Born: A Scientific Fantasy, Jennifer S. Hendricks

Publications

This Article explores the legal implications of a scientific fantasy: building artificial wombs that could gestate a human child from conception to birth. Because claims about the technological possibility of artificial wombs in the foreseeable future are likely overstated, the focus of the Article is the effect that the fantasy of artificial gestation has on the legal discourse about pregnancy and reproduction today.

The Article first places the fantasy of artificial gestation in the context of theories about reproduction that western science has propounded. The history of scientific theorizing about reproduction is a history of scientists emphasizing the male contribution …

Review Of Indigenous Male Health, Neil Thomson, Richard Midford, Olivier Debuyst, Andrea Macrae

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Nutritional Learning Outcomes Within A Simulation And Pervasive Game-Based Strategy [Conference Paper], Mark Mcmahon, Shane Henderson

Research outputs 2011

Games are often seen as a means of enhancing motivation in learning. Despite the rhetoric, however, games that provide quality experiences for learners are hard to find. One reasoning is the focus on the game medium without a clear understanding of the strategy behind it. This paper outlines a game designed to raise primary school-aged children’s awareness of nutritional issues using simulation and pervasive gaming strategies. Nute implements ubiquitous mobile technology and QR Code scanning to allow players to engage in virtual shopping. The effects of their dietary choices are manifest in a simulated character, Nute, who has similar dietary …

Long-Term Effects Of A Protein-Enriched Diet On Blood Pressure In Older Women, Jonathon Hodgson, Kun Zhu, Joshua Lewis, Deborah Kerr, Xingqiong Meng, Vicky Solah, Amanda Devine, Colin Binns, Richard Woodman, Richard Prince

Research outputs 2011

Short-term randomised, controlled trials have found that dietary protein relative to carbohydrate can reduce blood pressure. Our objective was to investigate the effects on blood pressure of an increase in protein intake from whey over 2 years in women aged over 70 years. From the general population, 219 women aged between 70 and 80 years were recruited to a 2-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-design trial: 181 women completed the trial to the end of year 2. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a daily whey protein-based beverage (protein) or an energy-matched low-protein high-carbohydrate beverage (control). Blood pressure measurements were performed …

Plants As Objects: Challenges For An Aesthetics Of Flora, John Charles Ryan

Research outputs 2011

This paper presents the conceptual challenges to an aesthetic model of living plants based in embodied interaction with flora through smell, taste, touch, sound and sight. I argue that the science of aesthetics is deterministically visual. Drawing from theories of landscape aesthetics put forth by Carlson and Berleant, I outline four primary obstacles to an embodied aesthetics: plants as objects of sight, plants as objects of art, plants as objects of disinterestedness and plants as objects of scientific discourse. A multi-sensorial aesthetics of flora requires auto-centric proximity and degrees of intersubjectivity between the appreciator and the appreciated plant that raise …

Circadian Rhythms In Exercise Performance: Implications For Hormonal And Muscular Adaptation, Weipeng Teo, Michael Newton, Michael Mcguigan

Research outputs 2011

Almost all physiological and biochemical processes within the human body follow a circadian rhythm (CR). In humans, the suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates sleep-wake cycle and other daily biorhythms in line with solar time. Due to such daily physiological fluctuations, several investigations on neuromuscular performance have reported a distinct CR during exercise. Generally, peak performances have been found to occur in the early evening, at approximately the peak of core body temperature. The increase in core body temperature has been found to increase energy metabolism, improve muscle compliance and facilitate actin-myosin crossbridging. In addition, steroidal hormones such as testosterone (T) and cortisol …

Evaluation Of A Resistance Training Program For Adults With Or At Risk Of Developing Diabetes: An Effectiveness Study In A Community Setting, Karl Minges, Glen Cormick, Edna Unglik, David Dunstan

Research outputs 2011

Background: To examine the effects of a community-based resistance training program (Lift for Life (R)) on waist circumference and functional measures in adults with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods: Lift for Life is a research-to-practice initiative designed to disseminate an evidence-based resistance training program for adults with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to existing health and fitness facilities in the Australian community. A retrospective assessment was undertaken on 86 participants who had accessed the program within 4 active providers in Melbourne, Australia. The primary goal of this longitudinal study was to assess the …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Whole Body Vibration Exposure On Markers Of Bone Turn-Over In Postmenopausal Women, Sarah Turner, Margaret Torode, Mike Climstein, Geraldine Naughton, David Greene, Michael Baker, Maria Fiatarone Singh

Research outputs 2011

Purpose. To examine the effects of two doses of low-frequency (12 Hz), low-magnitude (0.3 g), whole body vibration on markers of bone formation and resorption in postmenopausal women. Methods. Women were recruited and randomized into a sham vibration control group, one time per week vibration group (1×/week), or three times per week vibration group (3×/week). Vibration exposure consisted of 20 minutes of intermittent vibration for the 1×/week and 3×/week groups, and sham vibration (<0.1 g) for the control group for eight weeks. Double-blinded primary outcome measures were urine markers of bone resorption: N-telopeptide X normalised to creatinine (NTx/Cr) and bone formation: bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results. Forty-six women (59.8 ± 6.2 years, median 7.3 years since menopause) were enrolled. NTx/Cr was significantly reduced (34.6%) in the 3×/wk vibration group but not in the 1×/wk vibration group compared with sham control (P<.01) group. No effect of time or group allocation was observed on the bone formation marker ALP (P=.27). Conclusion. We have shown for the first time that low-frequency, low-magnitude vibration 3×/week for eight weeks in postmenopausal women results in a significant reduction in NTx/Cr, a marker of bone resorption, when compared with sham vibration exposure.

Inoculations With Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increase Vegetable Yields And Decrease Phoxim Concentrations In Carrot And Green Onion And Their Soils, Fa Yuan Wang, Rui Jian Tong, Zhao Yong Shi, Xiao Feng Xu, Xinhua He

Research outputs 2011

Background As one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides in vegetable production, phoxim (C12H15N2O3PS) is often found as residues in crops and soils and thus poses a potential threat to public health and environment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may make a contribution to the decrease of organophosphate residues in crops and/or the degradation in soils, but such effects remain unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings A greenhouse pot experiment studied the influence of AM fungi and phoxim application on the growth of carrot and green onion, and phoxim concentrations in the two vegetables and their soil media. Treatments included three AM fungal …

The Relationship Between Water, Health And Global Environmental Change, As Interpreted Through Five Key Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Meas), Pierre Horwitz, Lucilla Spini, Kathryn Campbell, R J Thomas, Jo Mulongoy

Research outputs 2011

For five Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), we have examined the way the relationship between water, health and global environmental change is expressed and how it has evolved recently. We recognize a distinction between an emphasis on water and reservoirs of water for health (for drinking water supplies, sanitation and hygiene), and a focus on places of water, where wetland ecosystems provide a service for human well-being which encompasses health. We also recognize a trend over time for the MEAs to increasingly address water, health and global change issues as a reaction to emerging infectious diseases and global pandemics. For both …

Review Of Indigenous Oral Health, Scott Williams, Lisa Jamieson, Andrea Macrae, A Gray

Research outputs 2011

Indigenous Australians1 have poorer oral health than other Australians [1, 2]. Indigenous people suffer from more caries, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss than non-Indigenous people [3]. Tooth decay among the Indigenous population more commonly goes untreated, leading to more extractions. This discrepancy is attributed in part to the fact that access to culturally appropriate and timely dental care is often not available to Indigenous people, especially in rural and remote areas. Other information on oral health such as culturally appropriate resources about maintaining healthy teeth and mouths, and nutritional guidance on how much sugar is contained in certain foods and …

Attitudes And Behaviour Predict Women's Intention To Drink Alcohol During Pregnancy: The Challenge For Health Professionals, Elizabeth Peadon, Janet Payne, Nadine R. Henley, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu, Colleen O'Leary, Carol Bower, Elizabeth Elliott

Research outputs 2011

Background: To explore women’s alcohol consumption in pregnancy, and potential predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy including: demographic characteristics; and women’s knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy and its effects on the fetus. Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional survey via computer assisted telephone interview of 1103 Australian women aged 18 to 45 years. Participants were randomly selected from the Electronic White Pages. Pregnant women were not eligible to participate. Quotas were set for age groups and a minimum of 100 participants per state to ensure a national sample reflecting the population. The questionnaire was based on a …

Review Of Volatile Substance Use Among Indigenous People, Richard Midford, Sarah Mclean, Michelle Catto, Neil Thomson, Olivier Debuyst

Research outputs 2011

The purpose of this review is to summarise key information from a number of substantial reports and other documents to make it more accessible to people involved in Indigenous health in Australia. The review draws heavily on the work undertaken in the preparation of Volatile substance misuse: a review of interventions. That very important report was authored by Peter d’Abbs and Sarah MacLean, the latter a co-author of this review. This review focuses on Australian Indigenous people, so no substantial attention is directed at the use of volatile substances among other indigenous peoples, or among other disadvantaged people in Australia …