Examining the Policy Agenda on Food Security: A Question of Food Availability in Malaysia

( Mohamed,Ahmad Martadha ),( Damin,Zahrul Akmal ),( Kim,Pan Suk ) 한국외국어대학교 동남아연구소 2015 東南亞硏究 Vol.25 No.1

Food security implies the ability of the country to ensure a stable supply for domestic consumption. To achieve that, the Malaysian Federal Government has to allocate a certain percentage of the national budget for food production. Within this framework, this article attempts to examine policies regarding food security in Malaysia. Since the Malaysian government initiated agricultural policies to provide sustainable food production, the percentage of budgetary allocation for food has varied substantially over the years. Prior to the establishment of the industrial policy, the budgetary allocation for food related policies was quite high. However, the influence of global warming as well as a series of catastrophic events in food producing nations such as Thailand and Australia has forced Malaysia to relook at its food security agenda. Using a content analysis method, based on the documents of the Malaysia economic development plans, this paper first explores government policies on food and agriculture. Then, the paper examines how these policies affect the balance of trade in regards to food availability in terms of three major commodities (rice, fruit, and vegetables). Finally, the researchers analyze the future direction of Malaysia in regards to the food security agenda focusing on food availability. It is hopeful that the recommendations will help policymakers formulate agricultural policies which can help the country to sustain its food production and at the same time protect the country from any unforeseen circumstances relating to food security issues.

Effect of acute pentylenetetrazol injection induced epileptic seizures on rat dentate gyrus at different postnatal ages

Heba K,Mohamed1,Sohair A,Eltony 대한해부학회 2020 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.53 No.1

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, its prevalence approximately from 0.5% to 2% of the general population. Generalized seizures could lead to several morphological changes in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the morphological effects of a single convulsive dose of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on rat dentate gyrus at different postnatal ages. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used at the following postnatal ages: P10, P21, and P90 (12 rats per each age). The animals in each age were equally divided into two groups: group I, control and group II, treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (55 mg/kg). After confirmation of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, specimens from the right dentate gyrus were processed for light and electron microscopy. In PTZ-treated groups, the number of granule cells significantly decreased. Dark granule cells appeared in the deep layers of the granule cells in P10 and with the progress of age, they significantly increased in number and extended into the superficial layers of the granule cells. The dendritic spines diminished. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and caspase-3 expression increased. Ultrastructurally, granule cells showed irregular shaped nucleus, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae, mitochondria with damaged cristae, large vacuoles, lysosomes, and lipofuscin granules. Dark granule cells characterized by electron-dense nucleus and cytoplasm containing disorganized Golgi bodies, swollen mitochondria with damaged cristae, numerous free ribosomes and few long strands of RER. Astrocytes had hypertrophied cell body. Acute treatment with PTZ-induced epileptic seizures caused toxic effect on the structure of rat dentate gyrus at different postnatal ages.

A modified trans-anconeus approach to facilitate fixation of a posterior radial head fracture: a cadaveric feasibility study

Ahmed Mohamed Desouky(Ahmed Mohamed Desouky ),Ahmed Naeem Atiyya(Ahmed Naeem Atiyya ),Mohamed Elbishbishi(Mohamed Elbishbishi ),Marwa Mohamed El Sawy(Marwa Mohamed El Sawy ) 대한해부학회 2023 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.56 No.1

Fixation of radial head fracture with minimally invasive posterior approach remains a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of trans-anconeus posterior elbow approach and to observe lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) in extended elbows. This cadaveric study was performed in twenty upper limbs of fresh fixed adult male cadavers. An oblique incision was made in the middle segment of anconeus until the lateral ligament complex and the joint capsule had been revealed. A deep dissection was explored to observe the anatomical relationship of the LUCL to the anconeus. Measurements of the LUCL were recorded while the elbow was fully extended. The mean distance between the edge of the radial head and the proximal insertion of the LUCL was 13.3 mm (11.5–16.2 mm); the mean distance between the edge of the radial head and the distal insertion of the LUCL was 20.9 mm (19.2–23.4 mm); the distance between the edge of the radial head and the distal edge of the annular ligament was 11.2 mm (8.22–11.7 mm). By estimate correlation of the previous measurements, the direct and accessible way to expose the posterolateral articular capsule of the elbow joint was through a window in medial 2/3 of the middle segment of anconeus muscle. These trans-anconeus approach is useful. It provides good visualization, facilitates applying the implants, and lessens the risk of radial nerve injury. Awareness of the anatomy is mandatory to avoid injury of LUCL.

The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises in Achieving Economic Goals of the Vision of Saudi Arabia 2030

Mohammed Ali Mohamed Ahmed ALI(Mohammed Ali Mohamed Ahmed ALI ),Ahmed Saied Rahama ABDALLAH(Ahmed Saied Rahama ABDALLAH ),SalimAhmed Mohamed AlSHEHRI(SalimAhmed Mohamed AlSHEHRI ) 한국유통과학회 2023 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.10 No.2

This research aims to identify the role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can play in achieving the economic goals of the vision of Saudi Arabia 2030. The study relied on descriptive analysis, designing a standard model, and analyzing it using the Eviews9 program. The study also adopted the questionnaire as a tool for data collection. The study area covered Alkharj and Hawtat Bani Tamim governorates. The sample size of the study was 142 participants. The study’s results confirmed the existence of a significant impact of changes in independent variables (X1, X2, X3, X4), which are (GDP, non-oil exports, number of employees, and public revenues), respectively. The dependent variable (Y) represents the number of small and medium-sized businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it was found that 61.3% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the governorates of Al-Kharj and Hawtat Bani Tamim operate in the commercial sector. Most study participants concur that SMEs significantly lowered the unemployment rate and helped boost the GDP rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The obstacles and difficulties facing the establishment of these enterprises were financial problems, marketing problems, and corporate monopoly. Furthermore, most of the small and medium l enterprises faced financing problems.

Butyrate regulates leptin expression through different signaling pathways in adipocytes

Mohamed Mohamed Soliman,Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed,Alaa-eldin Salah-eldin,Abeer Abdel-Alim Abdel-Aal 대한수의학회 2011 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.12 No.4

Leptin is an adipocytokine that regulates body weight, and maintains energy homeostasis by promoting reduced food intake and increasing energy expenditure. Leptin expression and secretion is regulated by various factors including hormones and fatty acids. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that acts as source of energy in humans. We determined whether this fatty acid can play a role in leptin expression in fully differentiated human adipocytes. Mature differentiated adipocytes were incubated with or without increasing concentrations of butyrate. RNA was extracted and leptin mRNA expression was examined by Northern blot analysis. Moreover, the cells were incubated with regulators that may affect signals which may alter leptin expression and analyzed with Northern blotting. Butyrate stimulated leptin expression, and stimulated mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospho-CREB signaling in a time-dependent manner. Prior treatment of the cells with signal transduction inhibitors as pertusis toxin, Gi protein antagonist, PD98059 (a MAPK inhibitor), and wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) abolished leptin mRNA expression. These results suggest that butyrate can regulate leptin expression in humans at the transcriptional level. This is accomplished by: 1) Gi protein-coupled receptors specific for short-chain fatty acids, and 2) MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways.

Feasibility and efficacy of erector spinae plane block versus transversus abdominis plane block in laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a randomized comparative trial

Elshazly Mohamed,EL-Halafawy Yasser Mohamed,Mohamed Dina Zakaria,Wahab Khaled Abd El,Mohamed Tamer Mohamed Kheir 대한마취통증의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.75 No.6

Background: Overweight and obesity are growing public health concerns worldwide. Bariatric surgery is a modality of weight reduction; however, postoperative pain can increase the length of hospital stay, with all the associated consequences. While regional anesthesia is an available option, the feasibility of performing abdominal wall blocks on patients with obesity is questionable. Methods: Sixty adult patients with a body mass index of 40–50 kg/m2 undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery were randomly assigned to receive either an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) or erector spinae plane (ESP) block. The primary outcome was the analgesic effect in the first 24 h postoperatively, assessed using the mean visual analog scale (VAS) score. Secondary outcomes were the time required for a successful block, incidence of complications, time to first rescue analgesia, time to flatus or stool passage, and total opioid consumption. Results: The mean VAS score during the first 24 h was higher with the TAP block than with the ESP block (2.78 ± 0.34 vs. 2.32 ± 0.12, P < 0.001). Additionally, the time to first rescue analgesia was greater with the ESP block (P = 0.001) and the time required for a successful block was higher with the TAP block (P = 0.001). However, the incidence of complications, total opioid consumption, and other secondary outcomes was similar between the groups. Conclusions: Compared with the TAP block, the bilateral ESP block is a more feasible and effective method for intra- and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Original Article: Food Science/Microbiology : Optimization of Medium Composition and Cultivation Parameters for Fructosyltransferase Production by Penicillium aurantiogriseum AUMC 5605

( Mohamed Abdel Fattah Mohamed Farid ),( Zinat Kamel ),( Elsayed Ahmed Elsayed ),( Azza Mohamed Noor El Deen ) 한국응용생명화학회 2015 Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry (J. Appl. Vol.58 No.3

Fructooligosaccharides have been mainly produced by microbial fructosyltransferases (FTase) enzymes. The present work focuses on the optimization of medium composition and cultivation parameters affecting FTase produced by Penicillium aurantiogriseum AUMC 5605 in shake flask cultivation. FTase production was optimized in two steps using DeMeo’s fractional factorial design. A 1.46-fold increase in FTase production (105.4 U/mL) was achieved using the optimized culture medium consisting of (g/L): sucrose, 600; yeast extract, 10; K2HPO4, 5; MgSO4·7H2O, 0.5; (NH4) 2SO4, 1.0 and KCl, 0.5. The obtained results showed that the maximum FTase enzyme activity was produced at initial cultivation pH values ranging from 6.0-6.5, at agitation speed of 200 rpm and using vegetative fungal cells as inoculum. Moreover, results showed that optimization of medium composition and some cultivation parameters resulted in an increase of about 93.7% in the enzyme activity than the nonoptimized cultivation conditions after 96 h of cultivation. Additionally, maximum production and specific production rates recorded 2340 U/L/h and 102 U/L/h/g cells, respectively.

Role of protease inhibitors and acylation stimulating protein in the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Mohamed Mohamed Soliman,Yakut Abdel-Fattah El-Senosi,Maysara Mahmoud Salem,Omniya Mahmoud Abdel Hamid,Kimura Kazuhiro 대한수의학회 2009 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.10 No.3

Treatment of AIDS (HIV) and hepatitis C virus needs protease inhibitors (PI) to prevent viral replication. Uses of PI in therapy are usually associated with a decrease in body weight and dyslipidemia. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is a protein synthesized in adipocytes to increase triglycerides biosynthesis, for that the relation of PI and ASP to adipogenesis is tested in this work. ASP expression was increased during 3T3-L1 differentiation and reached a peak at day 8 with cell maturation. Addition of PI during adipocytes differentiation dose dependently and significantly (p < 0.5) inhibited the degree of triglycerides (TG) accumulation. Moreover, presence of ASP (450 ng/mL) in media significantly (p < 0.5) stimulated the degree of TG accumulation and there was additive stimulation for ASP when added with insulin (10 μg/mL). Finally, when ASP in different doses (Low, 16.7; Medium, 45 and High, 450 ng/mL) incubated with a dose of ×150 PI, ASP partially inhibited the PI-inhibited adipogenesis and TG accumulation. The results in this study show that PI inhibit lipids accumulation and confirm role of ASP in TG biosynthesis and adipogenesis.

Anthocyanins Extracted from Grapes as Green Corrosion Inhibitors for Tin Metal in Citric Acid Solution

Mohamed, Mervate Mohamed,Alsaiari, Raiedhah,Al-Qadri, Fatima A.,Shedaiwa, Iman Mohammad,Alsaiari, Mabkhoot,Musa, Esraa Mohamed,Alkorbi, Faeza,Alkorbi, Ali S. The Corrosion Science Society of Korea 2022 Corrosion Science and Technology Vol.21 No.5

Cyclic Voltammetry and weight loss measurements were used to investigate corrosion prevention of tin in a 0.5M citric acid solution containing Anthocyanins extracted from grapes at various concentrations and temperatures. Results showed that the investigated chemicals, Anthocyanins extracted from grapes, performed well as tin corrosion inhibitors in 0.5M citric acid. Increasing the concentration of Anthocyanins increased their corrosion inhibition efficiencies. When the temperature dropped, their inhibition efficiencies, increased indicating that higher temperature tin dissolution predominated the adsorption of Anthocyanins at the surface of tin metal. When inhibitor concentrations were increased, their inhibition efficiencies were also increased. These results revealed that corrosion of tin metal was inhibited by a mixed type of adsorption on the metal surface. The adsorption isotherm of Langmuir governed the adsorption of Anthocyanins. Thermodynamic parameters such as the enthalpy of adsorption, the entropy of adsorption, and Gibbs free energy and kinetic parameters such as activation energy, enthalpy of activation, and entropy of activation were computed and discussed in this study.

Malaysian pharmacy students’ perspectives on the virtual objective structured clinical examination during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Mohamed Hassan Elnaem,Muhammad Eid Akkawi,Nor Ilyani Mohamed Nazar,Norny Syafinaz Ab Rahman,Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2021 보건의료교육평가 Vol.18 No.-

Purpose: This study investigated pharmacy students’ perceptions of various aspects of virtual objective structured clinical examinations (vOSCEs) conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved third- and fourth-year pharmacy students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. A validated self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students who had taken a vOSCE a week before. Results: Out of the 253 students who were approached, 231 (91.3%) completed the questionnaire. More than 75% of the participants agreed that the instructions and preparations were clear and helpful in familiarizing them with the vOSCE flow. It was found that 53.2% of the respondents were satisfied with the flow and conduct of the vOSCE. However, only approximately one-third of the respondents believed that the tasks provided in the vOSCE were more convenient, less stressful, and easier to perform than those in the conventional OSCE. Furthermore, 49.7% of the students favored not having a vOSCE in the future when conducting a conventional OSCE becomes feasible again. Internet connection was reported as a problem hindering the performance of the vOSCE by 51.9% of the participants. Students who were interested in clinical pharmacy courses were more satisfied than other students with the preparation and operation of the vOSCE, the faculty support, and the allocated time. Conclusion: Students were satisfied with the organization and operation of the vOSCE. However, they still preferred the conventional OSCE over the vOSCE. These findings might indicate a further need to expose students to telehealthcare models.