Biomedical subjects

H Suhaimi

Publications and source records attributed to H Suhaimi.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Liquid crystals and microemulsions formed by mixtures of a non-ionic surfactant with palm oil and its derivatives.

The phase behaviour of palm olein (PO) and its derivative oils (palm oil methyl esters and medium chain triglycerides) with Imbentin coco 6.9EO, an ethoxylated C12-14 alcohol, in water has been investigated to identify compositions where microemulsions occur. The techniques used were the optical microscope phase penetration scan and small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS). Mixed surfactant/oil samples were prepared at wt. ratios of 0.1:1, 0.25:1, 0.5:1 and 1:1 for the phase penetration scan. For SAXS analysis, the initial concentration of surfactant in water (W) was fixed at 38% (w/w), which forms a hexagonal mesophase (H1). Palm oil methyl esters (POME) and medium chain triglycerides (MCT) were added to this at 0.04:1 (or 0.05:1 for MCT), 0.1:1, 0.2:1 (or 0.25:1 for MCT), 0.5:1 and 1:1 ratios of oil to surfactant. Schematic phase diagrams were constructed to document the changes of phase structures using both bulk samples and phase penetration scans techniques. The extent of microemulsion formation (or solubilisation) decreases in the sequence POME > MCT > PO, and increases substantially with temperature, particularly for POME and MCT. All of the oils destabilize the hexagonal phase; for POME and MCT there is an increase in the surfactant cloud point temperature by ca. 10 degrees C or more, but the temperature for the onset of the lamellar (Lalpha) phase dispersion region (W + Lalpha) is hardly affected. There was a pronounced tendency for the lamellar phase formed in the presence of high oil concentrations and low water levels to have a reduced melting point. With the highest MCT levels a bicontinuous cubic phase (probably V2) is present at 25 degrees C, although this phase is not present in the binary surfactant/water system. The X-ray diffraction results show that the average area per head group (ao) at the micelle surface is decreased by the addition of the oils, consistent with the observation of a V2 phase. Possible molecular mechanisms for this observation are discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

A study of knowledge and attitudes towards contraception among health care staff in Kelantan (Malaysia).

OBJECTIVE: To study the knowledge, attitudes and practices on various contraceptive methods among all government health clinic staff in the state of Kelantan. DESIGN: Questionnaire-based study. SETTING: All government health clinics in the state of Kelantan which are health facilities located outside the general hospital and seven district hospitals. SUBJECTS: All 711 nursing staff employed in government health clinics in Kelantan state (sisters, staff nurses, assistant nurses and midwives). METHOD: Pretested, prestructured proforma was sent out to all the nursing staff employed in all peripheral health centres to be completed by them and returned the same day via the medical officer in charge of that district. RESULTS: Most of the respondents were more than 30 years of age, married, multiparous and working for more than 5 years. Eighty to ninety percent practised contraception, with the majority of midwives preferring pills and the majority of staff nurses preferring condoms. Thirty to forty percent from all groups felt that folk methods are effective, and should be encouraged. Only about 50% of staff nurses are well informed on all contraceptive methods, but among assistant nurses and midwives, this figure is only 33%. A high proportion felt that the nursing curriculum deals inadequately with this subject. CONCLUSION: The first step towards achieving success in our family planning programme lies in imparting more information to this target group of health workers, by incorporating more lectures during training and sending them for courses.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The effects of Cicletanine, a new antihypertensive agent on insulin release in rat isolated pancreas by the perfusion technique.

Treatment of hypertension has reduced the incidence of stroke, heart failure and renal failure. However, the incidence of coronary heart disease is not reduced to the same degree. Many of the drugs advocated as first-line drugs in the step-wise therapy have been shown to cause carbohydrate intolerance and it is an independent risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. It is thus important to identify the antihypertensive drugs that may cause deterioration in glucose tolerance. Cicletanine, the first derivative of the furopyridines, is a new class of antihypertensive agents. It acts directly on vascular endothelium cells by increasing prostacyclin synthesis. It also decreases intracytosolic calcium levels in smooth muscles. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Cicletanine on insulin release in rat isolated pancreas by the perfusion technique adapted from Loubatieres and co-workers (1972). Doses used were based on therapeutic peak plasma concentration. Diazoxide was used as a positive control ie a known insulin suppressant. Cicletanine at 1/10 and equivalent therapeutic concentrations (0.5 microgram/mL and 5.0 micrograms/mL) did not suppress insulin release. However, at concentration exceeding 10X its therapeutic levels (50 micrograms/mL) it begins to suppress insulin release. In conclusion, Cicletanine did not inhibit insulin release at concentrations within the therapeutic range.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Curcumin in a model skin lotion formulation.

A lamellar liquid crystalline region was identified in a typical skin lotion formulation system composed of a mixture of isostearic acid and triethanolamine (TEA) at 65:35 (w/w), decane, and water (the temperature was controlled at 30 degrees C). The interlayer spacings were determined by a small-angle X-ray diffraction technique. Incorporation of a natural dye, curcumin, resulted in lower interlayer spacings and higher penetration of water into the layered structure. However, the higher penetration of water was not apparent at all compositions of isostearic acid:TEA, decane, and water.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗