Teikyo Medical Journal

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Teikyo Medical Journal

Journal ID : TMJ-26-08-2021-10601

Total View : 433

Title : Association Between Knowledge, Awareness on Low Vision Services and Years of Experience among Retail Optometrists in Malaysia

Abstract :

With the estimated increase in the number of low vision patients, the need for optometrists with expertise in low vision rehabilitation services will increase especially among retail optometrist. The knowledge and awareness of low vision services among optometrists are needed to improve low vision rehabilitation services. This study intends to investigate the association between awareness, knowledge and years of experience among retail optometrists in Malaysia. A total of 344 registered retail optometrists across Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional web-based survey. A standardised questionnaire was generated using the Google Form, and the link was shared through social media-WhatsApp and Telegram from April to June 2021. From their responses, knowledge and awareness level on low vision services were assessed. Pearson chi-square tests for independence were used for knowledge and awareness on low vision services with years of experience comparisons. The knowledge and awareness of low vision services among retail optometrists in Malaysia was inadequate (1.78 ± 0.543 and 1.76 ± 0.545), respectively. Based on the results, no significant association between knowledge (χ2 = 11.517, p = 0.074) and awareness (χ2 =9.837, p = 0.132) on low vision services with years of experience of the respondents. These findings indicate that there is lack of knowledge and awareness on low vision services among retail optometrists in Malaysia despite the years of experience. More research is needed to enhance knowledge while also raising awareness among optometrists working in retail about the need of managing low vision patients, despite their years of experience.

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Journal ID : TMJ-26-08-2021-10600

Total View : 442

Title : The Heavy Metals and Microbial Profile of Organic Vegetables in Malaysian Retail

Abstract :

Organic foods including organic vegetables become more popular among the consumer because of the perception that the production of organic food is safer, healthier and environmental friendly. There is limited scientific study to understand the food safety aspect of organic vegetables in Malaysia. Therefore, this paper aimed to provide insights on organic food safety by focusing on three comparative scientific studies conducted on vegetables in Malaysian retail. All the vegetable samples analyzed did not detect lead concentration. There was a significant difference between the mean concentrations of zinc in organic and conventional vegetables (p=0.01) while there was no significant difference between mean concentrations of cadmium in organic and conventional vegetables (p=0.11). Zinc concentration in leafy and fruit-like vegetables was significant (p=0.00). As for local and imported organic vegetables, only copper was detected and only tomato shows significant difference between the origins of the vegetables (p=0.02). This study also revealed 13.9% (E. coli) and 90.3% (Staphylococcus aureus) did not meet the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) guidelines for microbiological quality. In overall, no substantial trend was shown in the difference in crop farming system (organic or conventional) or type of origin in organic vegetables (local or imported) to pose greater heavy metal risks however difference in organic certification influenced microbiological quality status. This study has profiled a reference point for organic vegetables from Malaysian retail to further understand the farming and its produce.

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Journal ID : TMJ-26-08-2021-10599

Total View : 422

Title : Cardioprotective role of Empagliflozin in experimentally induced non diabetic different cardiac dysfunction models in rats

Abstract :

Cardiomyopathy specifically affects the structure and function of the heart muscle. It is the leading cause of death. Our aim was to elucidate role and therapeutic mechanisms of empagliﬂozin on cardiac dysfunction induced experimentally in non-diabetic rats by three different models for 13 weeks. 64 male Albino rats were divided in 8 groups (n=8). 1A received 1ml saline daily by oral gavage for 8 weeks. 2A, 3A were subjected to High Salt and Fat diet for 8,7 weeks respectively, 4A were injected with Doxorubicin intraperitoneally at weekly doses of 5 mg/kg for 5 weeks then treated with Empagliflozin daily from 8th week at a dose of (10 mg/kg) daily by oral gavage for 5 weeks in groups 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B. Body weight (BW), Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Electrocardiograph (ECG), Echocardiography were recorded at the start, 8th week and at the end of the experiment. At the end of the study, Heart /Body weight (HW/BW) ratio was measured, blood samples for estimation of serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and (BNP) levels, while heart homogenate for (TNFα) and (MDA) estimation. Empagliflozin lowered BW (except increased in DOX), blood pressure, HW/BW ratio in all groups. Improved ECG ischemic changes (HFD), QT prolongation in (DOX), Systolic and diastolic function in ECHO. Biochemically, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels were decreased in (HFD) in addition to reduced serum BNP, TNF and MDA of heart homogenate in all groups. Empagliflozin had a cardio protective that may be related to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect.

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Journal ID : TMJ-25-08-2021-10598

Total View : 433

Title : Chromatin Maturity and Integrity of Spermatozoa in Male with Infertility

Abstract :

Infertility is divided into primary, secondary and idiopathic infertility. Idiopathic infertility is infertility that the underlying factors cannot be explained. This study aimed to find alternative support for the examination of undetermined male infertility tests (idiopathic) by analyzing the status of sperm chromatin and the quality of sperm. This study was an observational study with a total sample of 121 consisting of 93 male infertility patients and 28 samples as normal controls. Data collections of patients and sperm samples were conducted at RSIA Gunung Sawo and Hermina Pandanaran Hospital Semarang Indonesia. Sperm analysis was done by macroscopic and microscopic examination. Chromatin spermatozoa examinations were performed by Aniline Blue staining for chromatin maturation and Toluidine Blue staining for chromatin integrity. The ratio of immature chromatin in asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia samples were higher than normozoospermia samples. Mann-Whitney test result showed a significant difference between the ratio of immature chromatin asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia compared to normozoospermia from fertile men (p < 0,05). There was a significant difference in the level of poor sperm chromatin integrity between the infertile samples (asthenozoospermia and oligoasthnenozoospermia categories) compared to the fertile men with normozoospermia category (p <0.001). The level of integrity of sperm chromatin has a positive correlation with infertility in men (p < 0.001, r = 0.454). Sperm chromatin maturity and integrity in infertile patients with asthenozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic condition was lower significant than fertile men with normozoospermic caterogory.

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Journal ID : TMJ-23-08-2021-10596

Total View : 533

Title : Organ donation and gender differences: A qualitative study of female donor experiences

Abstract :

Living organ donation is an important contributor to the total organ transplant activity carried out in the world. However, there is a clear gender imbalance in the donation activity with more female donors compared to male donors. The present study researched into causes for this phenomenon observed worldover. A total of 26 female donors and their relatives participated in the study wherein interviews were conducted with each to understand the factors that influenced the decision of organ donation. In this qualitaive study it was found that there is a deep influence of the family on the decision to be an organ donor and often such a decision was taken by the family. It is possible that the female donors find it difficult to refute such a group decision. These decisions are also influenced by cultural norms, traditional gender roles of homemaker and bread earner. The decision to donate is also influenced by relation with the recipient and simultaneously with related socio-economic influence. The decision when the donation is within the family, has a positive influence on the mental as well as social status of the female donor and such a benefit could be a factor influencing the decision. The study emphasizes again on the willingness of the female gender to risk life to save or reduce the suffering of a fellow human being. It was observed that while all potential live donors have been apprised of the possible risks of surgery, the data itself is unreliable as there is not much follow up being done of the health status of the donors. This is especially true in India. There is a necessity to keep a regular update on the health status of the live organ donors so that more reliable data in this regard is generated. None of the donors had received any compensation for the organ they had donated but a few expressed that a compensation in the form of regular health checkup after surgery would be welcome.

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