Understanding mental fatigue and its detection: a comparative analysis of assessments and tools.

Mental fatigue has shown to be one of the root causes of decreased productivity and overall cognitive performance, by decreasing an individual's ability to inhibit responses, process information and concentrate. The effects of mental fatigue have led to occupational errors and motorway accidents. Early detection of mental fatigue can prevent the escalation of symptoms that may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and other disorders.

Training Induced Oxidative Stress-Derived DNA and Muscle Damage in Triathletes.

Objective: Regular moderate-intensity exercise has beneficial health effects, whereas regular strenuous exercise increases the production of oxidants that may lead to DNA, skeletal, and cardiac muscle damages. Triathletes experience strenuous muscular activity both during competition and training, being at risk of developing these tissue damages. The objective of the present study was to estimate DNA, skeletal, and cardiac muscle damages using blood biomarkers, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) among young triathletes.

Effect of gender specific anthropometric characteristics on lung function in young competitive triathletes from Malaysia.

Background: Anthropometric and lung function characteristics of triathletes are important for the implementation of individual specific training and recovery recommendations. However, limited data are available for these parameters in triathletes. Hence, the aim of this study was to characterize and examine the gender differences of lung function and anthropometry parameters in competitive triathletes from Malaysia.

Dysregulation of Glucose Homeostasis Following Chronic Exogenous Administration of Leptin in Healthy Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Introduction: Impaired glucose utilization is seen in chronic hyperleptinaemia associated conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is unclear if this impaired glucose utilization is due to the effect of persistent hyperleptinaemia on insulin secretion from the beta cells of pancreas.

Aim: To examine the effects of chronic leptin administration on plasma glucose regulation in rats.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on glucose homeostasis and adiponectin levels in healthy adult males.

Background: Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes during the fasting phase of the fast-fed cycle. Ramadan fasting involves prolonged fasting for up to twelve hours and thus could lead to increased secretion of adiponectin by adipocytes. However, studies on the role of adiponectin on glucose and body weight homeostasis during Ramadan fasting is still a matter of controversy.

Common misconceptions and future intention to smoke among secondary school students in Malaysia.

Background: The prevalence of smoking among secondary school children continues to remain unchanged over the last 3 decades even though awareness regarding the health effects of smoking is increasing. Common misconceptions about smoking and parental influence could be factors influencing future intentions to smoke among these students. Hence, we looked at the common misconceptions as well as student perceptions about their future intention to smoke among Form 4 students in Shah Alam, Malaysia.

Exercise prevents leptin-induced increase in blood pressure in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Although leptin has been shown to increase blood pressure (BP), it is however unclear if this increase can be prevented by exercise. This study therefore investigated the effect of leptin treatment with concurrent exercise on blood pressure (BP), sodium output, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in normotensive rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-270 g were divided into four groups consisting of a control group (n = 6), leptin-treated (n = 8), non-leptin-treated exercise group (n = 8), and a leptin-treated exercise group (n = 8).

Prediction equations for lung function in healthy, life time never-smoking Malaysian population.

Several equations have been used to predict lung function standard results for different populations. It is important lung function evaluations use appropriate standards for the study population. The objective of this study was to develop a prediction equation for lung function test results for the Malaysian population.

Threonine requirements of healthy Indian men, measured by a 24-h indicator amino acid oxidation and balance technique.

Background: We previously questioned the validity of the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU upper requirement value for threonine (7 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and proposed a tentative mean requirement of 15 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1).

Objective: In this study we used a 24-h indicator amino acid oxidation and balance technique, with [1-(13)C]leucine as the indicator amino acid, to assess threonine adequacy at 6 test intakes (7, 11, 15, 19, 22, and 27 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) with a 6-d dietary adaptation phase in healthy, well-nourished Indian men.

Design: Sixteen men were randomly allocated to 3 of 6 test intakes and were studied after 6 d of adaptation to the experimental diets.