Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Benbelgacem, Farah Fadwa, Bellag, Oualid Abdelkader, Soroodi, Fatemeh, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, Hamzah Mohd Salleh, Noorbatcha, Ibrahim Ali
    MyJurnal
    Biocatalyst should have sufficient and efficient activity for the intended
    biotechnological application. In the quest for novel biocatalyst, there is a need to have a
    genetic diversity either by finding it within the astronomically large number of possible
    candidates or to obtain it by bioengineering an existing gene supported by various
    bioinformatic and molecular engineering tools. Nowadays, it is well-known that a huge
    number of microorganisms is unculturable and poses great challenges to access biocatalysts
    from these microbes. Metagenomics is one of the methods widely applied to reach out
    maximum possible variants to “bioprospect” biocatalysts. On the other hand, other approaches
    are available to bioengineer enzymes by modifying the DNA sequence precisely based on the
    structure and the function information of the protein in the case of rational design, or by a
    brave creation of anarchic mutations of the DNA sequence with directed evolution method. In
    this regard, both approaches, whether to bioprospect or to bioengineer biocatalysts have
    advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed in this paper.KEY WORDS: Sugar
    industry wastewater; aluminium sulphate; primary treatment, ferric chloride; polyaluminium
    chloride
    MeSH terms: Alum Compounds; Biotechnology; Chlorides; DNA; Ferric Compounds; Mutation; Genetic Variation; Computational Biology; Metagenomics; Bioengineering; Waste Water
  2. Willmott AGB, Hayes M, James CA, Gibson OR, Maxwell NS
    Temperature (Austin), 2019 Sep 19;7(2):178-190.
    PMID: 33015245 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2019.1664370
    Athletes exercising in heat stress experience increased perceived fatigue acutely, however it is unknown whether heat acclimation (HA) reduces the magnitude of this perceptual response and whether different HA protocols influence the response. This study investigated sensations of fatigue following; acute exercise-heat stress; short- (5-sessions) and medium-term (10-sessions) HA; and between once- (ODHA) and twice-daily HA (TDHA) protocols. Twenty male participants (peak oxygen uptake: 3.75 ± 0.47 L·min-1) completed 10 sessions (60-min cycling at ~2 W·kg-1, 45°C/20% relative humidity) of ODHA (n = 10) or non-consecutive TDHA (n = 10). Sensations of fatigue (General, Physical, Emotional, Mental, Vigor and Total Fatigue) were assessed using the multi-dimensional fatigue scale inventory-short form pre and post session 1, 5 and 10. Heat adaptation was induced following ODHA and TDHA, with reductions in resting rectal temperature and heart rate, and increased plasma volume and sweat rate (P 
    MeSH terms: Physical Exertion; Fatigue; Heart Rate; Humans; Humidity; Male; Plasma Volume; Sodium; Sweat; Sweating; Temperature; Exercise; Interleukin-6; Heat-Shock Response; Heat Stress Disorders; Athletes; Thermotolerance
  3. Thompson AM, Smit HGJ, Witte JC, Stauffer RM, Johnson BJ, Morris G, et al.
    Bull Am Meteorol Soc, 2019 Jan;100(1):155-171.
    PMID: 33005057 DOI: 10.1175/bams-d-17-0311.1
    The ozonesonde is a small balloon-borne instrument that is attached to a standard radiosonde to measure profiles of ozone from the surface to 35 km with ~100-m vertical resolution. Ozonesonde data constitute a mainstay of satellite calibration and are used for climatologies and analysis of trends, especially in the lower stratosphere where satellites are most uncertain. The electrochemical-concentration cell (ECC) ozonesonde has been deployed at ~100 stations worldwide since the 1960s, with changes over time in manufacture and procedures, including details of the cell chemical solution and data processing. As a consequence, there are biases among different stations and discontinuities in profile time-series from individual site records. For 22 years the Jülich [Germany] Ozone Sonde Intercomparison Experiment (JOSIE) has periodically tested ozonesondes in a simulation chamber designated the World Calibration Centre for Ozonesondes (WCCOS) by WMO. In October-November 2017 a JOSIE campaign evaluated the sondes and procedures used in SHADOZ (Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes), a 14-station sonde network operating in the tropics and subtropics. A distinctive feature of the 2017 JOSIE was that the tests were conducted by operators from eight SHADOZ stations. Experimental protocols for the SHADOZ sonde configurations, which represent most of those in use today, are described, along with preliminary results. SHADOZ stations that follow WMO-recommended protocols record total ozone within 3% of the JOSIE reference instrument. These results and prior JOSIEs demonstrate that regular testing is essential to maintain best practices in ozonesonde operations and to ensure high-quality data for the satellite and ozone assessment communities.
  4. Di Simone E, Di Muzio M, Dionisi S, Giannetta N, Di Muzio F, De Gennaro L, et al.
    Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2019 Jun;23(12):5522-5529.
    PMID: 31298407 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18224
    INTRODUCTION: Western world health care systems have been trying to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in order to respond properly to population aging and non-communicable diseases epidemic. Treatment of the elderly population is becoming complex due to the high number of prescribed drugs because of multimorbidity. Errors in drugs administration in different health care related settings are an actual important issue due to different causes. Aim of this observational study is to measure the online interest in seeking medication errors information related to risk management and shift work.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated Google Trends® for popular search relating to medication errors, risk management and shift work. Relative search volumes (RSVs) were evaluated from 2008 to 2018. A comparison between RSV curves related to medication errors, risk management and shift work was carried out. Then, we compared the world to Italian search.

    RESULTS: RSVs were persistently higher for risk management than for medication errors (mean RSVs 069 vs. 48%) and RSVs were stably higher for medication errors than shift work (mean RSVs 48 vs. 22%). In Italy, RSVs were much lower compared to the rest of the world, and RSVs for medication errors during the study period were negligible. Mean RSVs for risk management and shift work were 3 and 25%, respectively. RSVs related to medication errors and clinical risk management were correlated (r=0.520, p<0.0001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Google Trends® search query volumes related to medication errors, risk management and shift work are different. RSVs for risk management are higher, and they are correlated with medication errors. Also, shift work search appears to be lower. These results should be interpreted in order to correctly evaluate how to decrease the number of medication errors in different health care related setting.

    MeSH terms: Australia; Canada; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Great Britain; Humans; Italy; Malaysia; Medication Errors/prevention & control; Medication Errors/statistics & numerical data*; Risk Management/methods; Risk Management/trends; Risk Management/statistics & numerical data*; United States; Zimbabwe; Patient-Centered Care/organization & administration; Patient-Centered Care/trends; Internet/trends; Internet/statistics & numerical data*; Information Seeking Behavior*
  5. Yeoh C, Teo A, Azhar AMN, Suann ST, Thum Y, Wong KD, et al.
    J Acute Med, 2019 Sep 01;9(3):128-144.
    PMID: 32995241 DOI: 10.6705/j.jacme.201909_9(3).0005
    Background: Balanced fluids are preferred in initial resuscitation of septic patients based on several recent studies. The Stewart's concept on acid-base balance predicts that high strong ion difference (SID) fluid thus will increase the pH level. To date, the impact of high SID fluid in septic patient with metabolic acidosis remains uncertain. We conducted single center, randomized, double-blind trial to compare the effect of high SID fluid vs. Hartmann's solution on acid-base status in selected sepsis patients in the Emergency Department.

    Methods: Septic patient with hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis were randomized to receive either high SID fl uid or Hartmann's solution during initial fl uid resuscitation. The primary outcome measures the pH and bicarbonate levels difference pre- and post- resuscitation.

    Results: One hundred and sixty-two patients underwent randomization, 81 were assigned each to receive high SID fluid or Hartmann's solution. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics. High SID group received 23.5 mL/kg and the Hartmann's group received 22.7 mL/kg (p = 0.360). High SID fluid increased the mean (± SD) pH by 0.107 (± 0.09) vs. Hartmann's solution by 0.014 (± 0.12), p ≤ 0.001. Mean bicarbonate level increased signifi cantly in high SID group compared to Hartmann's (4.30 ± 3.76 vs. 1.25 ± 3.33, p ≤ 0.001). High SID group had higher post resuscitation lactate clearance than Hartmann's group (25.4 ± 28.3% vs. 12.0 ± 34.1%, p = 0.009). Shorter hospital stay was observed in highSID group 8.04 ± 5.96 days vs. Hartmann's group 12.18 ± 12.41 days (p = 0.048). Both groups showed no difference in incidence of pulmonary oedema, acute kidney injury and mortality.

    Conclusions: Initial resuscitation using high SID fluid in selected septic patient improves pH and bicarbonate levels. The high SID group had better post resuscitation lactate clearance and shorter hospital stay.

    MeSH terms: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Acidosis; Bicarbonates; Double-Blind Method; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Length of Stay; Pulmonary Edema; Random Allocation; Resuscitation; Incidence; Sepsis; Lactic Acid; Acute Kidney Injury; Hyperlactatemia
  6. Selvarajah, G.T., Khairani-Bejo, S.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(2):23-27.
    MyJurnal
    Bacteriological isolation and identification were performed on 60 cloacal swabs and 15 aquarium water samples of pet red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) obtained from aquarium shops in the Klang Valley, Central Peninsula Malaysia. The most common bacteria isolated was Aeromonas spp., which was present in both cloacal swabs (70%) and aquarium water (86.7%). Klebsiella spp. (50%), Escherichia coli (33.3%), Yersinia spp. (16.7%) and Salmonella spp. (15%) obtained form cloacal swabs were identified as pathogenic to both humans and animals. Salmonella spp. were isolated from both cloacal swabs and aquarium water. The Salmonella serotypes identified were S. tennessee, S. typhimurium, S. brezany, S. pomona, S. corvallis and S. schwarzengrund. Bacterial infections in humans associated with handling exotic pets directly or indirectly in contact with aquarium water have been described regularly, hence the zoonotic significance of owning a turtle infected with Salmonella spp. or any pathogenic bacteria therefore cannot be ignored.
    MeSH terms: Animals, Exotic; Aeromonas; Animals; Bacterial Infections; Escherichia coli; Humans; Klebsiella; Malaysia; Salmonella; Tennessee; Turtles; Water; Yersinia; Serogroup
  7. Rajendren, S. K., Krishnan, K., Ganesh, T. N., Roslan, N. S., Hashim, N. A., Mohamad, M. A.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(2):19-22.
    MyJurnal
    A 5-year-old Mongrel was brought presented with the complaint of having serosanguineous discharge from penis for a month since adoption. Physical examination revealed cauliflower-like mass at the bulbus glandis. Presence of numerous anisokaryotic and anisocytotic round to oval histiocytes with multivacuolated cytoplasm from cytology, an evidence of canine transmissibale venereal tumour (CTVT). The mass was successfully surgically resected using electrocautery and was in remission for 12 months (since January 2019).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Brassica; Child, Preschool; Cytodiagnosis; Cytoplasm; Dogs; Electrocoagulation; Histiocytes; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Patient Discharge; Penis; Physical Examination; Venereal Tumors, Veterinary
  8. Hoong, L.W., Yasmin, A.R., Mummoorthy, K., Arshad, S.S., Omar, A.R., Anand, P., et al.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(2):13-18.
    MyJurnal
    Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection is a very common in cat population. FCoV is further classified into two biotypes namely feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and mutated feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), in which FIPV causes a fatal immune complex disease by changing the tropism from enterocytes to monocytes. Previous studies on molecular detection of FCoV in cats were carried out in catteries but limited study investigate the presence of FCoV antigen in local pet cats. By considering this fact, this study aims to detect FCoV antigen via RT-PCR assay in local pet cats and to compare the similarity of the identified FCoV strain with previous related virus by phylogenetic analysis. By using convenience sampling, rectal swabs and buffy coat were collected from 16 clinically ill pet cats and 5 healthy pet cats. Viral RNA was extracted and subjected to one-step RT-PCR, targeting polymerase gene. Only one out of 21 fecal samples was positive for FCoV and none from buffy coat samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the identified positive sample was highly homologous, up to 95%, to FCoV strain from Netherlands and South Korea on partial sequence of polymerase gene. In conclusion, this study detected FCoV antigen in local pet cats from fecal samples while negative detection from fecal and buffy coat samples could not completely rule out the possibilities of FCoV infection due to the complexity of the virus diagnosis that require multiple series of analysis.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cats; Feces; Immune Complex Diseases; Monocytes; Netherlands; Phylogeny; RNA, Viral; Coronavirus, Feline; Feline Infectious Peritonitis; Coronavirus Infections; Tropism; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Enterocytes; Felis; Republic of Korea
  9. Aslam, M.W.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(2):1-12.
    MyJurnal
    In recent years, Rhodococcus equi has emerged as pathogen of importance in respiratory and non-respiratory infectious diseases of animals and humans. Its distribution is worldwide and incidence of disease is increasing in nonequine species like cats and humans. Sporadic infection in human and cat is hypothesized to infect immunocompromised cases largely. While predominantly in foals, infection is quite endemic/epidemic in nature depending on virulence of strain, and incidence is 10 – 20% since birth till weaning. Mode of acquisition is quite variable in humans, cats and foals and depends on the route of exposure. Pathogenesis is well understood in natural host but in cats and humans it is still in its infancy because of the manifestation of unusual cases with low to no exposure to contaminated elements. Clinical signs depend on the site of infection but respiratory manifestations are quite common in foals and human cases. In cats extra-pulmonary disorders are hypothesized as more common presentation. Definitive diagnosis is based on the microbiological culture and cytology from tracheobronchial aspirate for respiratory cases and site of sample for non-respiratory lesions. White blood cells and fibrinogen have some correlation in degree of diagnosis in foals but not in cats and humans. Macrolides especially clarithromycin along with rifampin are considered best combination at the moment and recently resistance is being reported against erythromycin and rifampin. In foals, consensus statements by ACVIM published detailed control and preventions but in humans and cats so far hygiene and isolation of infected patients are for the time being the methods to control nosocomial spread.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cats; Cross Infection; Erythromycin; Fibrinogen; Horses; Humans; Infant; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes; Rifampin; Virulence; Weaning; Incidence; Rhodococcus equi; Clarithromycin; Macrolides; Consensus; Felis
  10. Norhayati, Z., Wan Zahari, M., Shanmugavelu, S., Dzulfazly, A.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):43-44.
    MyJurnal
    This study was conducted to evaluate the meat quality of Dorper sheep weaned at different ages. 3 cuts of sirloin from 3 animals in each treatment groups were used in this study. 9 lambs were grouped into 3 different weaning groups (G1,G2, G3) of 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. G3 was served as control group based on current practice. When the animals reached the age of 270 days, 3 out of 9 lambs from each of the treated groups were slaughtered for meat quality analysis. Results from this study shows no significant (P
    MeSH terms: Animals; Meat; Sheep; Weaning; Sheep, Domestic; Control Groups
  11. Joanne, T.S.Y., Lim, M.L., Asnawi, O., Shamsul, M.A.H., Khor, K.H.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):38-42.
    MyJurnal
    An 8-year-old spayed female Shih Tzu was referred to University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) with history of chronic coughing for more than a year duration. Dry, hacking cough was heard and bilateral wheezing lung sound was noted upon physical examination. Auscultation of heart revealed left apical systolic heart murmur Grade III/VI. A soft, intermittent swelling was observed at ventral neck, cranial to thoracic inlet (protruded upon expiration and collapsed upon inspiration). Thoracic radiography taken showed presence of apical radiolucency at cervical region and bronchial pattern at caudodorsal lungs with left atrium enlargement and right-sided heart enlargement. Echocardiographic examination revealed myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with mild regurgitation. Based on diagnostic imaging, this case was diagnosed as dynamic lung lobe herniation secondary to chronic coughing concurrent with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Other differential diagnosis that may lead to chronic cough such as of tracheal collapsed and bronchiectasis was not rule out.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Auscultation; Cough; Diagnosis, Differential; Echocardiography; Female; Heart Atria; Cardiomegaly; Heart Murmurs; Hospitals, Animal; Mitral Valve; Respiratory Sounds; Radiography, Thoracic; Universities; Bays
  12. Omar, S., Mohd Zainudin, N.A.I., Azman, N., Jessie-Bay, J.X.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):34-37.
    MyJurnal
    This report documents a case of 5-month old intact male German Shepherd dog diagnosed with pythiosis on its left forelimb. This is the first ever reported case of pythiosis presented at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UVH), Universiti Putra Malaysia and may be the first ever reported incidence in Malaysia with a complaint of a chronic non-healing wound. The case became complicated as the dog was concurrently infected with a mixed bacterial infection and the identified bacteria were resistant towards a number of antibiotics tested. The antibiotic that was determined to be sensitive was only able to act on certain bacteria and not to the others. The journey of getting to the final diagnosis was almost impossible if we had not tried different media preparation: with and without Dermasel supplement; and through molecular approach using amplification at ITS region followed by DNA sequence analysis. The unwarranted lack during the diagnosis process of this incidence has made us more aware of the presence of Pythium insidiosum in Malaysia and plan for a more strategize ways of diagnosing the suspected fungus at laboratory setting in future. The objective of this paper is to share our experience and reflection on the diagnosis of the rare incidence of pythiosis present in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Dogs; Forelimb; Fungi; Hospitals, Animal; Malaysia; Male; Pythium; Universities; Incidence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Pythiosis
  13. Rajendren, S.K., Khairuddin, N.H., Sumita, S.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):28-33.
    MyJurnal
    Endurance horses continuously undergoing training. This will cause inflammation which leads to acute phase reaction with the production of acute phase protein, especially serum amyloid A (SAA). The purpose of this study was to establish concentration of SAA in normal endurance horses in the blood serum using two-site enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique. Horse sera were aliquoted from blood taken from jugular venipuncture. The highest concentration of SAA was observed in horses rested between 12 months and 24 months. The lowest concentration of SAA was noticed in horses rested more than 24 months. All the horses between 6 and 11 years old have high SAA concentration. When resting intervals were compared against gender of the horses, it was noted that all mares have high SAA concentration compared to gelding and stallion. Whereas SAA concentration in Thoroughbred horses were high compared to Arabian horses in all rest intervals. The SAA concentration in horses rested more than 24 months was low most probably because the horses recovered well from the inflammatory process happened during the endurance race.
    MeSH terms: Acute-Phase Proteins; Acute-Phase Reaction; Serum Amyloid A Protein; Animals; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Horses; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inflammation; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Rest; Phlebotomy; Serum
  14. Goh, S.H., Khor, K.H., Lau, S.F., Ismail, R., Khairani-Bejo, S., Radzi, R.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):17-27.
    MyJurnal
    Dogs could be reservoirs and carriers of Leptospira spp., hence, may play a potential role in disease transmission, exposing dog handlers to leptospirosis. This study evaluated the dog handlers’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards leptospirosis. Four working dog and four dog shelter organisations were approached. A total of 138 dog handlers were conveniently recruited and evaluated on their level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards leptospirosis using a validated structured questionnaire. Most of the dog handlers were male aged between 30 and 40 years with a wide range of working experience of 1 - 10 years and all of them have no formal training about leptospirosis. The majority of the dog handlers from the dog shelters had poor knowledge (90%, n=34/38) and attitude (100%, n=38/38) and moderate practice (53%, n=20/38) towards leptospirosis, whereas the working dog handlers had poor knowledge (58%, n=58/100) and attitude (75%, n=75/100) but a good level of practice (77%, n=77/100). The poor attitude towards leptospirosis in both groups is alarming as it may hinder implementation plans of control and preventive measures. Although there was good hand-washing practices among the dog handlers, there was a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) practice that may therefore expose both the dogs and dog handlers to leptospirosis. Information gained from this study could be used to implement intervention programmes and to suggest prevention measures to limit the risk of leptospirosis among the dog handlers.
    MeSH terms: Personal Protective Equipment; Animals; Dogs; Hand Disinfection; Leptospira; Leptospirosis; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires
  15. Mansor, R., Diauudin, N.S., Syed-Hussain, S.S., Khalid, S.F.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):12-16.
    MyJurnal
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major problem worldwide with significance public health impact in both animal and human populations. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogen in domestic livestock and Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a normal flora in the gut and these organisms are considered as effective indicators for AMR surveillance. Increased in antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria in veterinary medicine leads to difficulties in choosing effective antibiotics to treat diseases they caused. This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of S. aureus and E. coli isolated from dairy goats in selected farms located in Selangor, Malaysia against different antibiotics. Milk and faecal samples were collected from 36 dairy goats and samples were prepared for the isolation of S. aureus and E. coli isolates respectively. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test. All 11 (100%) E. coli isolates showed resistance to amoxicillin and penicillin while 3 (27%) of the 11 S. aureus isolates, showed resistance towards the same class of antibiotic. Both S. aureus and E. coli isolates showed high susceptibility to four antibiotics, namely trimethoprim-sulfamethazole, neomycin, tetracycline and enrofloxacin. This study provided information regarding the antibiotic resistance of S. aureus and E. coli in relation to the antimicrobial usage practice in selected dairy goat farms located in Selangor, Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Amoxicillin; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Escherichia coli; Humans; Malaysia; Milk; Neomycin; Penicillins; Public Health; Staphylococcus aureus; Trimethoprim; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Livestock; Farms
  16. Tyagita, H., Bahaman, A.R., Jasni, S., Ibrahim, T.A.T., Fuzina, N.H.
    Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 2019;31(1):1-11.
    MyJurnal
    A tourist was infected with a new strain of leptospires namely, Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Langkawi, when he was on vacation in Langkawi, Malaysia. The leptospiral strain was successfully isolated from the patient in the Netherland. In this study, the bacteria were retrieved from Holland and inoculated into fifteen guinea pigs in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to determine its pathogenicity. The main clinical symptoms in the guinea pigs were decreased appetite and jaundice. Blood profile showed high neutrophil, lymphocyte, PCV, RBC, haemoglobin, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. Besides that, enhancement of electrolytes such as sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and potassium (K) was also noted. Biochemical examination showed an increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and bilirubin levels. Albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea, total protein and creatinine were low values. Histopathological examination under haematoxylin and eosin staining showed evidence of haemorrhages, congestion and oedema in all organs, with inflammatory cell infiltration characterized by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages. Hydropic degeneration and cell necrosis were also common in the findings. Leptospires were detected from Day 2 p.i by silver staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rise in antibody titre was seen as early as Day 5 p.i and leptospiral DNA was detected by PCR in the kidneys and liver on Day 3 and Day 5, respectively. The findings were indicative of leptospirosis. This study demonstrated that guinea pigs are a suitable animal model to illustrate the clinical symptoms and pathological changes seen following infection with Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Langkawi. In general, the symptoms and changes seen in leptospirosis are similar to viral infections and the information and data from this present study would help differentiate infection due to leptospires from that of viral infection. Leptospiral infection has often been misdiagnosed to be viral infection such as influenza and dengue which have similar signs and symptoms as leptospirosis.
    MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Appetite; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Creatinine; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Guinea Pigs; Hematoxylin; Humans; Influenza, Human; Male; Netherlands; Neutrophils; Potassium; Sodium; Virulence; Silver Staining; Serogroup
  17. Ching YM, Viswanathan S, Mohamed Nor N, Shuib S, Kamarudin B, Mansor S, et al.
    Auto- immunity highlights, 2019 Dec;10(1):13.
    PMID: 32257069 DOI: 10.1186/s13317-019-0123-7
    Background: Multiple sclerosis is an immune mediated disease targeting the central nervous system. Association of non-human leukocyte antigen gene, CD58, with multiple sclerosis has been reported in several populations but is unclear among Southeast Asians. This pilot study was conducted to explore the association between CD58 polymorphism and multiple sclerosis among the Malay population in Malaysia.

    Methods: Blood samples were collected from 27 multiple sclerosis patients, and compared with 58 age- and gender matched healthy individuals. All patients were tested negative for anti-aquaporin 4. DNA was extracted from the blood and genotyped for 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms rs12044852, rs2300747 and rs1335532 of gene CD58 by real-time PCR.

    Results: The majority of multiple sclerosis patients were female (85.2%). The general mean age of onset was 30.5 years. Genotyping results showed that frequencies of the alleles were between 40 and 50% for MS patients and healthy individuals. Association (allelic model) between multiple sclerosis and CD58 gene polymorphism alleles rs12044852 (p = 0.410), rs2300747 (p = 0.881) and rs1335532 (p = 0.407) were indistinct.

    Conclusions: The impact of the CD58 gene polymorphism was not prominent in this pilot study, implying that genetic composition contributing to multiple sclerosis may be different between different populations, thus results in a heterogeneity of disease manifestation and distribution.

  18. Jefferelli, S.B., Sunthar, R., Trauth B., Bauder, K.
    MyJurnal
    Good reporting of medical drill is important to optimise learning and benefit from the activity. This article shares our opinion on what constitutes a good medical emergency drill report. A good medical emergency medical drill report should include medical drill background, observation, remarks on observation and details of observers and reporter.
    MeSH terms: Emergency Service, Hospital; Learning; Medical Records
  19. Shazrizil Zakaria, Desa Ahmad, Khalina Abdan, Mohd Rafee Baharudin
    MyJurnal
    Fire emergencies are threat to the occupants of a residential college. Some of the Malaysian residential colleges were built in the 1970s. Back then, the compliancy to Uniform Building By-law 1984 was not entirely practiced. This study aims to evaluate fire safety measures in selected residential colleges of a Malaysian University, which were built before 1984. This includes occupants’ level of awareness and knowledge of the occupants regarding fire safety measures. This study was conducted in selected residential colleges, built before 1984, which were named as A, B, C, and D Colleges. One new college building was selected to be the control variable, the E College. Survey questionnaires were given to 401 respondents to obtain information regarding the fire safety awareness and knowledge. Fire safety inspections were conducted to determine the level of fire safety protection systems in colleges and the documentation of emergency response plan were reviewed. From the study, the level of fire safety awareness among the occupants were higher compared to their fire safety knowledge. Fire safety inspection result indicated that overall buildings inspected complies with the local regulation while safety documentation reviews were satisfactorily adequate. Overall, the score for fire safety measures in all selected colleges were sufficient and in good condition. This study is significant for those in the field of safety and health practice pertaining to fire safety engineering and regulations, to plan for better and more efficient fire hazard and risk assessment.
    MeSH terms: Documentation; Emergencies; Fires; Protective Devices; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Risk Assessment
  20. Hussein Md Zan, Shapie, Sinatu Sadiah, Rahim Ishak, Md Saifuddin Yusop, Seri Rahayu Kama
    MyJurnal
    Precast concrete panel is one of the Industrial Building System (IBS) components currently used in modern construction industry, especially, in a highly populated urban area in Malaysia, owing to its cost and time efficiency in a project completion. However, the constraints lie in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) when IBS workers manually lift the concrete panel repeatedly. The aim of this study is to analyze the recommended weight limit (RWL), lifting index (LI) and physiological experience among workers while lifting precast concrete panel with 3300mm x 600mm size and compressive strength of 40MPa. The methods involved include a survey through the Nordic questionnaires, interview sessions, NIOSH lifting index calculation, recommended work limit calculation, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and video recording. The results yielded the MSDs problem. The guidelines of recommended weight limit and lifting index are produced. They benefit workers and increase their awareness on the MSDs issues.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Video Recording; Lifting; Compressive Strength; Upper Extremity; Construction Industry
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