Antibiotic resistance is a major problem globally. Awareness of the impact and significance of antibiotic resistance is a first step in hindering its progression. We conducted this survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use in Malaysia. A total of 373 respondents were surveyed, 219 (58.1%) were female and 312 (83%) were Malay ethnicity. Eighty-four point two percent (314) had used antibiotics more than once (> 1) during the previous year. We found respondents who were less likely to take antibiotics (≤ 1) during the previous year were more likely to agree that antibiotic resistance was a serious public health issue compared to those that took antibiotic more than once during the previous year (p < 0.0001). A significantly greater number of patients (67.2%) who took antibiotics more than once during the previous year did not complete the full course than those who took antibiotics no more than once (55.9%) during the previous year (p < 0.01). We found the frequency of antibiotic use was related to knowledge about antibiotics among the study population. It is essential to develop educational interventions to correct the misuse and misunderstanding of antibiotics.
Study site: general public in Kuantan (Pahang) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage*; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Inappropriate Prescribing; Prescription Drug Misuse
The efficacy of chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) against fungus-growing termites is known to vary. In this study, 0.1% chlorfluazuron (CFZ) cellulose bait was tested against medium and large field colonies of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen). The termite mounds were dissected to determine the health of the colony. Individual termites (i.e., workers and larvae) and fungus combs were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to detect the presence of CFZ. In this study, 540.0 ± 25.8 g (or equivalent to 540.0 ± 25.8 mg active ingredient) and 680.0 ± 49.0 g (680.0 ± 49.0 mg active ingredient) of bait matrix were removed by the medium- and large-sized colonies, respectively, after baiting. All treated medium-sized colonies were moribund. The dead termites were scattered in the mound, larvae were absent, population size had decreased by 90%, and the queens appeared unhealthy. In contrast, no or limited effects were found in large-sized colonies. Only trace amounts of CFZ were detected in workers, larvae, and fungus combs, and the population of large-sized colonies had declined by only up to 40%. This might be owing to the presence of large amount of basidiomycete fungus and a drastic decrease of CFZ content per unit fungus comb (a main food source of larvae) in the large-sized colonies, and hence reduced the toxic effect and longer time is required to accumulate the lethal dose in larvae. Nevertheless, we do not deny the possibility of CSI bait eliminating or suppressing the higher termite if the test colonies could pick up adequate lethal dose by installing more bait stations and prolonging the baiting period.
MeSH terms: Animals; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pesticide Residues/analysis*; Phenylurea Compounds/administration & dosage*; Population Density; Pyridines/administration & dosage*; Isoptera*
The Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) has partial trisomy of mouse chromosome 16 (MMU16), which is syntenic to human chromosome 21 (HSA21). It develops various neuropathological features demonstrated by DS patients such as reduced cerebellar volume [1] and altered hippocampus-dependent learning and memory [2,3]. To understand the global gene expression effect of the partially triplicated MMU16 segment on mouse brain development, we performed the spatiotemporal transcriptome analysis of Ts1Cje and disomic control cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus harvested at four developmental time-points: postnatal day (P)1, P15, P30 and P84. Here, we provide a detailed description of the experimental and analysis procedures of the microarray dataset, which has been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE49050) database.
Paternal high fat diet (HFD) consumption triggers unique gene signatures, consistent with premature aging and chronic degenerative disorders, in both white adipose tissue (RpWAT) and pancreatic islets of daughters. In addition to published data in Nature, 2010, 467, 963-966 (GSE: 19877, islet) and FASEB J 2014, 28, 1830-1841 (GSE: 33551, RpWAT), we describe here additional details on systems-based approaches and analysis to develop our observations. Our data provides a resource for exploring the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie intergenerational transmission of obesity.
Noncovalent interactions are prevalent in crystal packing and supramolecular chemistry. Directional noncovalent interactions such as donor-acceptor bonds (e.g., hydrogen, chalcogen, and pnictogen bonds) as well as nondirectional forces (such as dispersion) come together to stabilize supramolecular assemblies by striking a delicate energetic balance. Typically, a two-pronged approach employing experimental X-ray structures and gas phase quantum chemical modeling has been used to understand and design supramolecular architectures. Drawing from recent advances in molecular crystal modeling with dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT), we propose in this article a combination of qualitative noncovalent index (NCI) analysis and periodic and gas phase DFT calculations on substitutional crystal analogues to unravel the dominant interactions in a particular crystal packing. We illustrate the possibilities of this approach by studying three crystal packings of epoxydihydroarsanthrene analogues that present a complex combination of donor-acceptor interactions including pnictogen-pnictogen, pnictogen-π, and pnictogen-chalcogen. We show that, in these crystals, the chalcogen-pnictogen interaction dominates over the pnictogen-pnictogen and pnictogen-π. In the latter, the role of donor and acceptor is reversed depending on the interacting moieties. Multiple chalcogen-pnictogen interactions necessitate larger donor atoms, such as sulfur. These observations explain and rationalize the experimentally observed crystal structures.
Individuals' expertise in human factors and ergonomics in Malaysia was studied with a view to aiding in gauging the confusion and conjectures of the expertise in this area. The choices and preferences of individuals in dealing with the current issues of human factors and ergonomics were examined. The authors suggest the ways to meet ethical challenges in their work and professions.
MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Human Engineering/manpower*; Malaysia