Background: Stem cell research has been extensively explored worldwide to enhance human health in medical setting. Nevertheless, there is currently no full understanding of the stem cell knowledge and attitude levels among student nurses in Malaysia. This study aimed to assess the level of stem cell knowledge, attitude toward stem cell application in medicine, and its association with years of education, among Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional study (n = 88) was conducted using self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographic information, stem cells knowledge and attitude statements. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Software 20.0. Results: The majority of participants (92%) had moderate knowledge score about stem cells. Many students (33%) worried that stem cell application might cause a harm to humanity yet had a positive (76.1%) attitude towards its therapeutic potential (45.5%). Poor correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.08) indicated that acceptance towards stem cell is not solely based on the knowledge level but also on other factors including religion and culture. Conclusion: Therefore, this study suggests that various educational programs on stem cell should be implemented considering the religion, cultural, social, and behavioural determinants in the population to improve stem cell knowledge and encourage a more positive attitude towards stem cells in medicine among these nursing students.

Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban (Umbelliferae) which is also known as ‘pegaga’ is highly consumed and eaten raw as ‘ulam’ in Malaysia. C. asiatica is used in traditional medicines to treat various health conditions such as rheumatism, inflammation, syphilis, skin diseases and diarrhoea. Various reports exhibited that the crude extracts and isolated bioactive compounds of C. asiatica possessed a broad range of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and memory enhancing properties. The pharmacological validation on anti-microbial and immunomodulatory of C. asiatica is very limited and several existence review papers related for this plant had not been focused for both activities. This review therefore attempts to combine the existing literature to offer immense scope for researchers engaged in validation of the traditional claims and bioactivities of this plant related with anti-microbial and immunomodulatory potential.
Centella ; Complex Mixtures ; Inflammation ; Malaysia ; Memory ; Plants ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Syphilis, Cutaneous ; Wound Healing

Syzygium polyanthum is traditionally used as anti-hypertensive agent. However, the nephroprotective effects of S. polyanthum against hypertensive induced chronic kidney disease has yet to be elucidated. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant properties and nephroprotective effects of aqueous extract of S. polyanthum (AESP) in the spontaneous hypertensive rat model (SHR). The phytochemical constituent was identified using the phytochemical screening and HPLC methods. The in vitro antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Fifty male SHR were equally divided into 5 groups, (n=10/group); Untreated-SHR, 20 mg/kg Losartan-treated SHR, 1500 mg/kg AESP treated SHR, 1750 mg/kg AESP treated SHR and 2250 mg/kg AESP treated SHR, while 10 male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were used as control. Losartan and AESP were administered by oral gavage. Rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks of experiment. The phytochemicals include phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids were identified. AESP has high antioxidant activity as shown by antioxidant assays. AESP normalised systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and significantly improved renal function (p<0.05). AESP also significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the serum as compared to untreated-SHR group (p<0.05). Ultrastructure of renal damage improved by supplementation of AESP. Conclusively, S. polyanthum is potential to alleviate hypertensive induced chronic kidney disease through its antioxidant properties.

Sleep deprivation has been identified as a risk factor for various diseases. The number of patients suffering from sleep deprivation is increasing daily. Therefore, the risk to develop various diseases, including cardiovascular disease is increasing. However, there is a limitation to elucidate the pathophysiological changes following sleep deprivation in humans. Thus, the need arises for sleep deprivation models using animals, which will serve the purpose of understanding the disease in a better way. Several techniques have been developed to model sleep deprivation in animals, including inverted flowerpot and multiple platforms techniques. Genetic and environmental factors, costs, infrastructure and animal life spans are some of the factors that need to be considered when selecting a particular model. Furthermore, when studying sleep deprivation, tissue samples, such as peripheral blood, brain samples and aorta are used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of a particular disease. Currently, more than ninety percent of all laboratory animal experiments are performed in rats and mice. This review article focuses on models of sleep deprivation in Rodents, which are generally used in research laboratories. The article also tries to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each technique discussed, guides the sleep deprivation model and helps researchers to decide on a specific model for their purpose.