RESUMEN
Efficacy of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf (MLE) and fruit extracts (MFE) in inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was determined in vitro. The result of the study showed that the highest inhibition on the LPL activity was exhibited by MLE (66%+/- 2.1%), which is significantly higher than that demonstrated by MFE (54.5%+/- 2.5%), green tea extract (GTE) (54.5%+/- 2.6%), and catechin (43.6%+/- 6.1%). Percent of LPL inhibition increase with concentration of the extracts. Quantitative analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of high levels of (+)-catechin at 63.5 +/- 17 and 53.7 +/- 5.7 mg/g in MLE and MFE, respectively, although not as high as that found in GTE (530.6 +/- 42 mg/g). Appreciable amount of epicatechin was found in all extracts tested, while rutin was only found in MLE and MFE. The study suggested that both leaf and fruit of M. citrifolia may be used as antiobesity agents in body weight management.
Asunto(s)
Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Frutas/química , Lipoproteína Lipasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Morinda/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Hojas de la Planta/química , Flavonoides/análisis , Cinética , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
The Singapore Armed Forces has, since 1986, established a comprehensive smoking control programme which combines health education, counselling and administrative measures aimed at discouraging non-smokers from smoking, and encouraging smokers to quit the habit. The prevalence of regular smoking decreased from 28.6% in 1987 to 20.7% in 1993. The latest, 1993 survey as in past surveys covered 3,545 respondents, made up of regulars (32.0%), NSF (62.2%) and NUSAF (5.6%). The 1993 survey revealed that the majority of smokers (88.9%) in the SAF who consist primarily of 18 to 20-year-olds, had started smoking before enlistment. Most acquired the habit on their own (49.8%) or through influences outside the SAF (40.3%). Very few smokers became smokers through the influence of fellow soldiers (4.9%). The majority (87.7%) of smokers readily agreed that smoking is harmful, but this is not translated into practice. Health education efforts need to focus more on bringing about positive attitudinal and behavioural changes, rather than merely give information and advice. The young age of smoking onset (mean age of 14.3 years) In the SAF population surveyed points to the need to focus preventive efforts further upstream than hitherto emphasised.
Asunto(s)
Personal Militar , Fumar/epidemiología , Humanos , Prevalencia , Singapur/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Between 1987 and 1994, twenty-three cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection (melioidosis) were diagnosed in persons serving in the Singapore Armed Forces. There were four deaths resulting from complications of the infection. Unlike the situation in the general population, where the affected are mainly the elderly with underlying illness, the majority of cases in the Singapore Armed Forces were otherwise fit and healthy young servicemen. Serological surveys have shown the prevalence of the infection in Singapore to be 0.2% in the military as well as civilian population. As physical contact with soil is an unavoidable part of military training, military personnel continue to be at risk of exposure to this soil-related disease.
Asunto(s)
Burkholderia pseudomallei/aislamiento & purificación , Melioidosis/epidemiología , Personal Militar/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Melioidosis/diagnóstico , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Pruebas Serológicas , Distribución por Sexo , Singapur/epidemiología , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
A seroepidemiological study on the prevalence of rubella antibodies in a cohort of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recruits was conducted in 1994, twelve years after rubella immunisation was routinely given to primary 6 school boys in 1982. The results showed a high level of immunity (97.1% seropositive) in the study cohort. The implication of this finding is that it may no longer be necessary to routinely immunise recruits on entry into the SAF against rubella; the latter can be limited to those with no evidence of prior rubella immunisation.