Issue: IeJSME 2012 6(Suppl 1)

Author: Stephen Ambu

ABSTRACT

Climate change is a product of human actions. The extreme events such as flash floods, droughts, heat waves, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and tsunamis seen in the world today are the result of indiscriminate human intrusion into the environment. Vulnerable countries and populations are the most affected by these climatic events. This places a burden on the resources of these countries. The Kyoto Protocol is a milestone in environmental management and the impetus created by it must be maintained by carrying out the much needed research into appropriate mitigating measures that will alleviate the climate change impact globally. A paradigm shift is needed in addressing the associated risks on human health to assess socioeconomic determinants and the related impacts on disease burden. Some wealthy nations emphasize economic benefits and downplay sustainability goals, health and equality. However the rising cost of energy is beginning to influence their outlook towards this issue. The implications on economics, human health and wellbeing are implicit. In order to strike a balance between disadvantaged and privileged nations, many international agencies are spearheading various research agenda to improve adaptation programmes on effects of changing climatic conditions on health. Malaysia too has such programmes initiated under its 5-year development plans.

Keywords: Climate change, environment, human health.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S2-S11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S2

Author: Peter Michael Barling

ABSTRACT

This review explores the digestibility of lactose by Malaysians, and the value of milk and other milk-derived products as sources of appropriate nutrition for Malaysians. Increased calcium intake through consumption of milk is an effective mechanism for increasing calcium uptake from the diet and thereby minimising the risk of development of osteoporosis in later life. Detailed information about rates of lactose intolerance, and adaptation to dietary lactose and its consequences for Malaysians, will help in the formulation of dietary advice, and improve commerial food manufaturing practice and Government policy directed to the minimization of rates of osteoporosis, which presents a substantial morbidity risk to elderly female Asians in particular.

Keywords: lactose, lactose non-persistence, breath hydrogen test, gastrointestinal symptoms, milk and dairy products.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S12-S23

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S12

Author: Wan-Loy Chu

ABSTRACT

Microalgae are important biological resources that have a wide range of biotechnological applications. Due to their high nutritional value, microalgae such as Spirulina and Chlorella are being mass cultured for health food. A variety of high-value products including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), pigments such as carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, and bioactive compounds are useful as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, as well as for industrial applications. In terms of environmental biotechnology, microalgae are useful for bioremediation of agro-industrial wastewater, and as a biological tool for assessment and monitoring of environmental toxicants such as heavy metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, microalgae have attracted much interest due to their potential use as feedstock for biodiesel production. In Malaysia, there has been active research on microalgal biotechnology for the past 30 years, tapping into the potential of our rich microalgal resources for high-value products and applications in wastewater treatment and assessment of environmental toxicants. A culture collection of microalgae has been established, and this serves as an important resource for microalgal biotechnology research. Microalgal biotechnology should continue to be regarded as a priority area of research in this country.

Keywords: Bioactive compounds; bioremediation; biotechnology; Chlorella; Dunaliella; microalgae; Spriulina.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S24-S37

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S24

Author: Hla-Yee-Yee

ABSTRACT

This paper traces the evolution of PBL in the International Medical University over a period of twenty years; since its inception in 1992 till 2012. It is a record of the reasons for the evolution, the people involved and the strategies adopted. The PBL in IMU has metamorphosed over the years from a paper-based complete case history into its present form of staggered release of information, paper-based or otherwise (videos, web-based, newspaper cuttings, debates). Strategies to improve student and facilitator buy-in, strengthening of facilitator training, adoption of PBL templates, innovations to improve student participation are discussed.

Keywords: IMU, twenty-year history, PBL, innovations.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S38-S47

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S38

Author: John Paul Judson

ABSTRACT

The relationship between anatomy and surgery has been historic and epic, spanning many centuries, complementing each other in medical education and being independent as well as interdependent in many ways. However, curricular changes that have happened globally in recent years with the introduction of several contemporary styles of medical teaching have subtly downplayed the importance of anatomy in medicine, allowing young doctors with poor knowledge of anatomy to become surgeons. With a whimsical introduction that metaphorically hints at the strained relationship that exists between anatomy and surgery, the article attempts to explore the ‘anatomy’ of anatomy itself, examining its origins in recorded ancient history, evolution along the centuries in tandem with surgery and its current status in medical education.

Keywords: Anatomy, surgery, medical education, curriculum, history of medicine.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S48-52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S48

Author: Siang-Tong Kew

ABSTRACT

Melanosis coli denotes brownish discoloration of the colonic mucosa found on endoscopy or histopathologic examination. The condition has no specific symptom on its own. It is a fairly frequent incidental finding of colonic biopsies and resection specimens. The pigmentation is caused by apoptotic cells which are ingested by macrophages and subsequently transported into the lamina propria, where lysosomes use them to produce lipofuscin pigment, not melanin as the name suggests. Melanosis coli develops in over 70% of persons who use anthraquinone laxatives (eg cascara sagrada, aloe, senna, rhubarb, and frangula), often within 4 months of use. Long-term use is generally believed to be necessary to cause melanosis coli. The condition is widely regarded as benign and reversible, and disappearance of the pigment generally occurs within a year of stopping laxatives. Although often due to prolonged use of anthraquinone, melanosis can probably result from other factors or exposure to other laxatives. It has been reported as a consequence of longstanding inflammatory bowel disease. Some investigators suggested that increase in apoptosis of colonic mucosa by anthraquinone laxatives increased the risk of colonic cancer. Recent data, including those from large-scale retrospective, prospective and experimental studies, did not show any increased cancer risk.

Keywords: melanosis coli, anthraquinone, lipofuscin, colorectal adenoma/carcinoma risk, complementary and alternative medicine.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S53-60

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S53

Author: Geok-Lin Khor

ABSTRACT

It is estimated that more than 1.1 billion adults and 115 million children worldwide are overweight. In Malaysia, the second and third National Health and Morbidity Surveys in 1996 and 2006 respectively reported a three-fold increase in obesity prevalence among adults, surging from 4.4% to 14% over the 10-year period. Evidence of rising childhood obesity has also emerged. The aim of this article is to gather evidence from food availability data for an insight into population shifts in dietary patterns that may help explain the rising obesity in this country. The nutrition transition was delineated in conjunction with the epidemiologic transition in order to explain the convergence of dietary practices, and the high prevalence of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases worldwide. The Food Balance Sheets for Malaysia from 1967 to 2007 were used to provide estimates and trends for the availability of foods and calories. Evidence is generated that indicate at least two major upward shifts in the dietary patterns in Malaysia in the past 4 decades. These shifts have led to the rising availability of calories from animal products, and from sugar and sweeteners. These major dietary shifts, together with increased sedentariness, constitute core public health challenges faced in addressing the country’s obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCD) conundrum.

Keywords: Obesity, nutrition transition, Food Balance Sheets, animal products, sugar and sweeteners.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S61-S68

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S61

Author: Pek-Hong Lim

ABSTRACT

Nurse education is undergoing a process of transition. Nurses worldwide are working towards achievement of higher levels of education and training through an improved education system. Current trends and innovations in nursing education are emerging to prepare more nurses and to deliver education to students across geographical boundaries while taking into consideration their work and family responsibilities. The current trends and innovations in nursing education range from full time face-to-face interactions to distance education programmes. Teaching approaches such as blended learning, online or e-Learning have provided nurses with an avenue for continuing education for development and progression in their career pathways. Every nurse aspires to reach her highest potential. While the current trends and innovations in nursing education provides the flexibility for nurses to continue learning and upgrade their professional qualifications, there are issues to be considered in catering to the needs of the bottom billion nurses. An exploration of related issues will include views from different perspectives, such as that of the institution/provider, instructor/facilitator and student/learner involved in the development and implementation of the related education programmes.

Keywords: Trends, Innovations, Issues, Nursing Education, Nurses.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S69-S74

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S69

Author: Victor Lim

ABSTRACT

The discovery of antibiotics had been one of the most significant events in the history of medicine. Antibiotics had saved countless number of lives and had contributed significantly to the health of mankind. The emergence of resistance is however a major threat to the continued usefulness of antibiotics. There are now strains of bacteria which are resistant to virtually all available antibiotics and these strains are increasingly being encountered in clinical practice. The development of new agents had not kept pace with resistance and it is unlikely that there will be major breakthroughs in the near future. The world needs to conserve and prolong the useful lives of the existing agents. This can only be achieved through good antibiotic stewardship programmes. As antibiotic resistance is a global threat all major stakeholders have to work together to meet this challenge.

Keywords: antibiotic, resistance, stewardship.

Citation: IeJSME 2012: 6 (Suppl 1): S75-S79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.6.Suppl1.S75