Adequate consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids are essential during pregnancy because they play an important role in the development offetal brain and retina. The rate of growth remains high during the first year of life. Omega-3 is converted inside the body into longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and EPA are primarily derived from fish and algae. DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. DHA is also required for the maintenance of normal brain function in adults. The inclusion of adequate amount of DHA in the diet improved learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. DHA is readily taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is generally realized. The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA. However, health professionals and the general public in Malaysia may not be aware about the importance, sources or the quantities required for these essential fat components in foods. This review discusses the benefits of omega-3 consumption with particular emphasis during pregnancy and the first year of life. This review will also attempt to discuss sources of omega-3 fatty acids in Malaysia with the aim to achieve the recommended nutrient intakes foromega-3 fatty acids.
Keywords: Omega 3 fatty acids, Lactation in Pregnancy, Sources of Omega-3 FA
An estimated 13 million people in the Oriental Region have brugian filariasis. The filarial parasites that cause this disease exist in periodic and sub-periodic forms and are transmitted by four genera of mosquito: Anopheles, Mansonia and, less frequently, Coquillettidia and Ochlerotatus. In most endemic countries, control of the disease has been entirely based on chemotherapy, although house-spraying and use of insecticide-treated bednets can be quite effective against the vectors of nocturnally periodic Brugia malayi and B. timori. The vector-control methods that may be applied against the Mansonia mosquitoes that transmit the parasites causing sub-periodic brugian filariasis are reviewed here. Most of the conventional methods for controlling the immature, aquatic stages of mosquitoes have proved unsatisfactory against Mansonia. The reason is that, unlike the those of other genera, the larvae and pupae of Mansonia spp. are relatively immobile and obtain air not at the water surface but from the underwater roots, stems and leaves of floating plants to which the larvae and pupae attach. Removal of host plants can be very effective in reducing Mansonia productivity, whereas large-scale use of herbicides is restricted by the potential adverse effects on the ecosystem. Environmental management in water-development projects remains the best option.
Contrasting beliefs often make cooperation between folk healers and modern doctors seem impossible. In the field of mental health, where communication is of such central importance, better mutual understanding is especially desirable. After reviewing the complexities involved, the author makes some suggestions on how the two kinds of practitioner could help each other.
Diagnosis and management of orofacial pain of non-odontogenic origin has always been a challenge to dentists. Inaccurate diagnosis would result in delay of treatment and in cases of orofacial pain, affects patient’s quality of life. Temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome is the most common temporomandibular disorder that presents to dental clinics. Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as ticdouloureux is a relatively rare condition that causes electric shock-like pain when the trigger zone is stimulated by triggering factor. Case report: A case of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome in a 52 years old Indian lady that was managed as trigeminal neuralgia for 7 years is presented. Conclusion: The aim of this case report is to make dentists aware of the signs and symptoms of different orofacial pain, so that early and accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment instituted.
In this paper the incidence of inhaled foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree at the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia, is reviewed. Children are the usual victims. Food·related substance (peanut) is the most common foreign body, Successful removal of foreign body by bronchoscopy is achieved in the great majority of cases (86%), Prevention can be achieved by educating the parents not to give nuts to children below the age of 3 years.
A survey was conducted in six selected rural villages to obtain baseline data on socioeconomic status, nutrition, environmental sanitation and behavioural aspects in relation to diarrhoeal diseases, using a standard questionnaire. Subsequent to this, children 0-4 years of age were followed weekly for six months for diarrhoeal disease. Eleven variables representing socioeconomic status, nutritional status, housing condition, environmental sanitation, mother's knowledge and beliefs were investigated using stepwise logistic regression to determine significant predictors of diarrhoeal disease. Children who were below two years of age, living in conditions of poor sanitation and poor quality water supply, whose houses were prone to flooding and who had mothers whose sanitary habits were not influenced by their religious beliefs, were at significantly greater risk of diarrhoeal disease.
This study was done to determine the effects of different thermal drying methods (sun drying, microwave drying and hot air oven drying) on the total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content and the antioxidant properties of Vitex negundo (VN) tea. Significant decline (P < 0.05) in antioxidant properties of hot air oven drying shows that this method is not the best method to preserve antioxidant compounds in VN tea. As a conclusion, microwave drying has been found to be a good method for maintain the TPC, anthocyanin content and AEAC in dried sample of VN tea.
This study aimed to assess the effects of fresh, thermal drying method (vacuum oven drying), and nonthermal drying method (freeze drying) on the antioxidant activities of leaves and berries of Cayratia trifolia using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) of the leaves and berries of C. trifolia were also measured. Based on the results obtained, the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of the leaves and berries were arranged in the following order: freeze-dried sample with methanol extraction > vacuum-dried sample with methanol extraction > freeze-dried sample with water extraction > vacuum-dried sample with water extraction > fresh sample with methanol extraction > fresh sample with water extraction. The results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the fresh and dried samples. In conclusion, freeze drying was found to be a good method for maintaining TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities by FRAP and DPPH methods in the leaves and berries of C. trifolia.
Introduction: Splenic pseudo-aneurysm is an uncommon complication following splenic injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Pseudo-aneurysm is usually treated with splenic arterial embolisation. Spontaneous thrombosis of a splenic pseudo-aneurysm can occur but it is rare. Method: We report a case of spontaneous thrombosis in a post-traumatic splenic pseudo-aneurysm. The patient was managed conservatively as he was haemodynamically stable with a repeat CT scan on the 7th day showing a tubular enhancing structure in the upper pole of the spleen demonstrating the same attenuation value .
Conclusion: This case illustrates a spontaneous resolution of splenic pseudo-aneurysm, which is a rare outcome of the condition.
Liberica coffee is the most important coffee species grown in Malaysia. However, there is little or no research at all conducted on coffee berries and green coffee beans since the plant itself is a low income crop in Malaysia. Therefore, research on Malaysian Liberica coffee can help to increase the knowledge of coffee farmers and coffee manufacturers in the processing and handling of the coffee. Physical properties of Liberica coffee berries and beans were investigated the current study. The properties investigated include the size, mass, density, coefficient of friction, angle of repose, fracture force and colour. In comparison to Arabica and Robusta coffee, Liberica coffee has the biggest size, mass, true density and fracture force values but were lower in bulk density in both berries and beans. The Liberica berries and beans were found to be orange-ish and yellowish colour respectively. Angle of repose was low and approximately similar in berries and beans while jute fibre gave the highest friction to both Liberica berries and beans.
The Rohingya is a group of refugees from Myanmar who have been residing in Malaysia since the 1980s. At present, there is no published information on health and nutritional status of refugee children
in Malaysia. This study was conducted to assess nutritional status of the Rohingya children aged
6 months to 12 years old (N=87) and to determine the associations between nutritional status with
socio-demographic, dietary diversity and health (birth weight, immunization and childhood illness)
variables. Children were measured for weight and height while their guardians were interviewed for
socio-demographic, dietary diversity and health information. About 27.5% of the Rohingya children
were underweight, 11.5% stunted, 16.1% thin and 12.6% at risk of overweight and overweight. The
percentage of children with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and no immunization was 17.8% and 11.5%,
respectively. Fever (67.8%) and flu (62.1%) were the most common childhood illnesses reported in
previous month with 44-75% of the children with these illnesses did not receive any medical treatment.
The mean dietary diversity score was 8.9+3.2 out of a possible 14, with a higher score indicating a
more diverse diet. There were significant correlations between frequency of immunization received
by the children with weight-for-age-z score (rs=0.27, p
Intussusception is a common cause of gastrointestinal emergency in the paediatric population and it is usually diagnosed through Barium enema radiography or ultrasound. The skill of using an ultrasound by a minimally trained medical officer in diagnosing this cases in the Emergency Department are very helpful and expedite the management. We present the case of a 7-month-old girl who presented to Emergency Department (ED) with the chief complaint of passing blood in stool. Clinically she was dehydrated, irritable and in compensated shock. There was generalised tenderness per abdomen but it was soft and not distended. There was no palpable mass and bowel sound normal. Immmediate fluid resuscitated commenced. Bedside abdominal ultrasound performed by ED medical officer showed a 1.8 cm x 2.5 cm mass of alternating hypo-echoic and hyper-echoic rings at the right lower quadrant, consistent with the ‘target’ sign of intussusception. Supine plain abdominal X-ray did not reveal any abnormality. The ultrasound finding of intussusception was later confirmed by the radiologist. She underwent immediate hydrostatic reduction and was discharged well.
Keywords: diagnosis, Emergency Department, intussusception, paediatric, ultrasound