CHILLI

Chilli;   Capsicum 

The plant is herb/shrub, up to 2m tall. Its flowers are white with a purple tinge & grouped in the forks of leaves. The fruits are conical or elliptical. They are orange, red or yellow at maturity & contain numerous seeds. There are many species of chillies, ranging from large to small & vary in hotness from mild to incendiary-like potency. Chewing of chillies may cause a burning sensation of the tongue & mouth but is normally harmless. For all eye exposures, just rinse with water for 15 minutes, followed by medical help.

Chilli can contain as much as six times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange. They also contain high amounts of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which supports the cardiovascular system & as well as helps maintain the health of the eyes & skin, and immune system. Green chillies also contain vitamins B & E and are a good source of iron & potassium. 

The study by the researchers at the University of Tasmania (published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2006) reported that the regular consumption of chillies can help our body control insulin levels (by up to about 60%).

Health & Medical Benefits:

1.   Capsaicin (contains a neuropeptide) – anti-inflammatory agent.

2.    Eating chili is good to sinus congestion, sinus pain & headaches and provides pain relief for migraines/cluster headaches.

3.   Study (Cancer Research, March 2006) concluded that capsaicin could stop the spread of prostate cancer.

4.   A Berkley neurobiology research reported that capsaicin/chilli consumption to be ‘protective against stomach cancer’.

5.   Eating chilli could also lower the cholesterol level.

6.   Studies have shown that eating chilli kills 80% of prostrate cancer cells & can even prevent them forming.

7.   Eating chilli can ease the pain caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), because it contains a pain-killing neuropeptide.

8.   When applied topically, capsaicin provides pain relief from osteoarthritis & may help ease pain from diabetic neuropathy.

9.   Eating chilli can prevent blood clotting.

My Great Mother (1935-2012)

   My great, inspiring & caring mother, Putieh binti Ibrahim has been called by the Al-Mighty Allah at about 5.00 a.m. on 5th March 2012, about 5 months after my father Idris bin Hussain passed away.

   I received a phone call from my big brother at about 10.30 p.m. on 4th March, telling that my mother was in dying condition. Due to very heavy sleepiness, I decided to have some sleep then. I set my hp to give an alarm on 2.00 a.m. 5th March. Exactly at 2.00 a.m., I woke up. After telling my beloved wife about the news, we prepared ourselves, leaving for my hometown. We left our home at 3.00 in the morning. On our way, I received 2 sms from my siblings, saying that our beloved mom has passed away at 5.00 a.m. With strong will, I just kept driving to Bukit Kuang so that we could arrive on time. We arrived safely at 8.00 a.m. I rushed then to give a last warm kiss to my late mother. She was in smile looking face. The body of our beloved caring mother was finally laid to rest in peace at Bukit Kuang Muslim cemetery at about 12.30 p.m.

   She was so humble & hard working mother. She was also very friendly to her children, friends & neighbours. She always had very wise advice & great vision. She was a very strict mother when it comes to educational & religious matters.

   Stay calm over there, mother. We, your children are going to miss you. We will surely remember your wisdom advices. We will be together, no matter what would happen.

Ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim. Please do accept Putieh binti Ibrahim with Your Unlimited Mercy and shower her with Your Utmost Blessings & Forgiveness.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

   When the month of Rabiul Awal comes, every Muslim around the globe is busy with the celebration of Maulidur Rasul (birthday of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.). Every occasion is filled with story telling a life of Prophet, marhaban, berzanji, salawat & some food feast. A special parade for this occasion has also normally been organised.

   Not wrong to organise such activities but is it truly enough for us to just remember Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. once in a year while the rest of the year we just forget it? We as the Muslims should remember Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. every second of our life. We also have to practise whatever the teachings brought by him s.a.w. in our daily life. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was not only a great leader but he was also a super icon that we should follow.

“And We have not sent you (Muhammad s.a.w.) but as a mercy to the worlds”. [Al-Quran, Al-Anbia 107]

My 1st Oral Presentation at National Seminar

VOLUME ESTIMATION USING SPECT TECHNIQUE 

¹Abdullah Waidi Idris, ¹Arihasliza Ariffin, ²Ahmad Zakaria

 

¹School of Health Sciences, USM, Kelantan. 

²Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Oncology, School of Medical Sciences, USM, Kelantan.

 National Seminar on Medical Physics;

27^th & 28^th August 2005; De Rhu Beach Resort, Kuantan, Pahang

Jointly Organised by: International Islamic University Malaysia

 & Malaysian Association of Medical Physics (MAMP)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the volume of organ of different sizes using the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) technique. This method was chosen due to the 3-dimensional data imaging compared to the 2-dimensional data planar imaging.

          In this study, the acrylic phantom (with various sizes of cylindrical insert of known volume simulating the ‘hot’ lesion) had been used. This phantom was filled with 20 mCi of ^99mTc. The data was then acquired using gamma camera and SPECT system using LEHR collimator, 64 x 64 matrix size and 64 views of projection (30 seconds per projection). Subsequently, the acquired data were  reconstructed using the filtered back-projection technique: Ramp and Butterworth filter: order = 5, cut-off frequency = 0.35 Nyquist.

          The radius of each cylinder was measured and the volumes were  calculated by  this formula ; V = πr² Х pixel size Х total number of slice. Then, a regression analysis was made for true and calculated volumes of each cylinder.

          The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.988 with a different percentage of less than 20%. As conclusion, this SPECT technique can be applied to  estimate a size of any lesion in a clinical study.

           

TEA

Tea; Camellia sinensis

   Tea is the most important & a popular non-alcoholic drinks in the world. The word of tea was originated from “kia” in Chinese & then was evolved into "cha" in the 6th century A.D. Then this term became té upon its arrival in the West, which is still been used in many countries (with spelling difference). 

   Tea plant is usually small with a height of 50-200 cm but cultivated plants are kept pruned to a normal human’s reachable height. Its leaves are glossy green & 5-13 cm in length. Tea plants can yield for about 25-50 years.

   Tea is prepared from leaves, leaf buds & tender stalks of different varieties of camellia sinensis. The 4 most important classes (based on types of processing) are:

1.      Black tea (leaves - fermented).

2.      Green tea (leaves - unfermented, rapidly steamed).

3.      Oolong tea (leaves - partially fermented).

4.      White tea (the most delicate of all teas. The new leaf buds are plucked, withered  slowly at low temperatures).

   The caffeine is a natural component of tea leaves. The  alkaloids, caffeine & oils give the characteristic flavour of tea. 

Health & Medical Benefits:

    Tea leaves contain chemical compounds called polyphenols. The caffeine extracted from tea is added to some pain-killer medicines. Tea also has fluoride (which is vital for  teeth) & has  no calories. Recent research shows that any tea derived from camellia sinensis has cancer-fighting properties. 

Polyphenols in tea have been known to:

protect cells from physiological process known as "oxidative stress". neutralize enzymes that aid in the growth of tumors. deactivate cancer promoters. stimulate the immune system. reduce cholesterol levels.

   Besides polyphenols, tea also contains theanine (an amino acid, unique to tea), vitamins [vitamin A, B, C, D, E & K (specifically green tea)], minerals & methylxanthines. These components are vital in:

• fighting against mutagenic agents.
• delaying aging process.
• fighting high blood pressure.
• combating against viral & bacterial infection.
• improving the functions of the digestive & excretory systems.

Sakinatul Aisyah

   We as the parents to Sakinatul Aisyah were very happy, at least for this moment. Our eldest child, Sakinatul Aisyah has been chosen by USM to pursue study at Malaysian Dental Training College in Penang. This programme is actually run by Ministry of Health Malaysia but USM has been allocated five slots for this. There were only five have been selected out of 21 candidates been interviewed by USM (in the morning of 4th Jan.). These five USM  sponsored trainees will be working with USM after their graduation. They will be placed in HUSM Dental Clinic in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

   Our Sakinatul Aisyah has first reluctant to go & still wanted to finish her Form Six. After had some soft talk with her caring mother, she finally agreed to it.

   On Sunday morning (8th Jan.), we left for Penang as the registration was on Monday, 9th Jan. As the USM fully sponsored trainee, our daughter will receive allowances directly from HUSM. This was the first time ever that our eldest child would be staying away from us.

   Best of Luck! Grab this stepping stone opportunity to build your excellent future, my Dear.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate;  Punica granatum
 

Pomegranate tree  can reach a height of 4-8 meters. Its leaves are glossy, narrow oblong, 3–7 cm long & 2 cm broad.  The fruit has a leathery skin & usually deep pink/red in colour. The inside of the fruit has white spongy tissue that creates spaces filled with sacs/tart pulp & seed.The edible fruit is 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape. The exact number of seeds in a pomegranate varies from 200-1400 seeds, (contrary to some beliefs that all pomegranates have exactly the same number of seeds). Each seed is ranging in colour from white to deep red. The seeds are embedded in a white, spongy & astringent  pulp.

Health & Medical Benefits:

Pomegranates is one of the fruit mentioned in the Holy Al-Quran, contain a rich supply of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium & vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, & C). Pomegranate juice is a good source of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), potassium & polyphenols such as tannins and flavenoids. 

1. Pomegranates may support the body's normal defense in the prevention of certain cancers due to high levels of antioxidant called ‘flavenoids’.

2. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks & strokes. Due to its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps the formation of bad cholesterol.

 3. It may reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis & diabetes.

4. Pomegranate extract & juice  are thought by some women to help in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause.

It is He who sends down water (rain) from the sky and with it, We bring forth vegetation of all kinds and out of it, We bring forth green stalks from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes and the olive and the pomegranate, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [Al-Quran, Al-An’aam :99]