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  1. Fulltext A case of trauma related Acanthamoeba keratitis
    Kamel AG, Faridah H, Yusof S, Norazah A, Nakisah MA
    Trop Biomed, 2004 Dec;21(2):135-8.
    PMID: 16493405 MyJurnal
    Acanthamoeba is an uncommon cause of keratitis but one of the most severe because of the prolonged and painful course of the disease and poor visual outcome. Although contact lens use is the principal risk factor, about 10% of cases occur following trauma and exposure to contaminated soil or water. Two cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis involving women contact lens wearers have previously been reported in Malaysia but this is the first time, a non contact lens related Acanthamoeba keratitis is reported. The case involved a 28 year old Indonesian male construction worker who had a trauma of the right eye during work. His eye was struck by sand and dust particles after which he quickly washed with water from an open tank at the construction site. He experienced pain, redness, glaring and blurring of vision of the right eye three days later. The diagnosis was missed at initial presentation but culture of the corneal scraping had proven Acanthamoeba as the aetiological agent. The history and clinical findings of this trauma related Acanthamoeba keratitis are briefly discussed.
  2. Fulltext Isolation of Acanthamoeba sp. from conjunctival sac of healthy individuals using swab
    Anisah N, Amal H, Kamel AG, Yusof S, Noraina AR, Norhayati M
    Trop Biomed, 2005 Jun;22(1):11-4.
    PMID: 16880749 MyJurnal
    Is Acanthamoeba sp. normally found in the eyes? A study was carried out to establish the possibility of Acanthamoeba sp. as a part of the normal conjunctival flora. Conjunctiva swabbing were carried out in 286 healthy Orang Asli school children using sterile cotton swab. The swab was then inoculated onto non-nutrient agar (NN-A). Heat killed Escherichia coli that was used as food source for the growth of the amoebae was pipetted onto and away from the smear. The plates were incubated at 30 degrees C and examined daily using an inverted microscope for 14 days. Morphology of the trophozoites and cysts of the amoebae were used as the taxonomic criteria for identification. Positive-controls and negative-controls were done to check for the consistency of the technique used and monitoring of contamination respectively. None of the conjunctiva swab cultured was positive for Acanthamoeba sp. This finding may indicate that Acanthamoeba sp. is not part of normal conjunctival flora or conjunctiva swab is an insensitive technique to isolate the organism. However, a more extensive research is needed to investigate these possibilities.
  3. Fulltext Interactions between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in Southeast Asia
    Omeyer LCM, Duncan EM, Abreo NAS, Acebes JMV, AngSinco-Jimenez LA, Anuar ST, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 May 20;874:162502.
    PMID: 36868274 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162502
    Southeast (SE) Asia is a highly biodiverse region, yet it is also estimated to cumulatively contribute a third of the total global marine plastic pollution. This threat is known to have adverse impacts on marine megafauna, however, understanding of its impacts has recently been highlighted as a priority for research in the region. To address this knowledge gap, a structured literature review was conducted for species of cartilaginous fishes, marine mammals, marine reptiles, and seabirds present in SE Asia, collating cases on a global scale to allow for comparison, coupled with a regional expert elicitation to gather additional published and grey literature cases which would have been omitted during the structured literature review. Of the 380 marine megafauna species present in SE Asia, but also studied elsewhere, we found that 9.1 % and 4.5 % of all publications documenting plastic entanglement (n = 55) and ingestion (n = 291) were conducted in SE Asian countries. At the species level, published cases of entanglement from SE Asian countries were available for 10 % or less of species within each taxonomic group. Additionally, published ingestion cases were available primarily for marine mammals and were lacking entirely for seabirds in the region. The regional expert elicitation led to entanglement and ingestion cases from SE Asian countries being documented in 10 and 15 additional species respectively, highlighting the utility of a broader approach to data synthesis. While the scale of the plastic pollution in SE Asia is of particular concern for marine ecosystems, knowledge of its interactions and impacts on marine megafauna lags behind other areas of the world, even after the inclusion of a regional expert elicitation. Additional funding to help collate baseline data are critically needed to inform policy and solutions towards limiting the interactions of marine megafauna and plastic pollution in SE Asia.
  4. A study on the use of abbreviations among doctors and nurses in the medical department of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia
    Koh KC, Lau KM, Yusof SA, Mohamad AI, Shahabuddin FS, Ahmat NH, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2015 Dec;70(6):334-40.
    PMID: 26988205 MyJurnal
    INTRODUCTION: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare professionals has been reported to compromise patient safety. This study was done to determine the prevalence of abbreviations usage among medical doctors and nurses and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.

    METHODS: Seventy-seven medical doctors and eighty nurses answered a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data and information regarding abbreviation use in medical practice. Comparisons were made between doctors and nurses with regards to frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of medical errors due to misinterpretation of abbreviations; and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations.

    RESULTS: The use of abbreviations was highly prevalent among doctors and nurses. Time saving, avoidance of writing sentences in full and convenience, were the main reasons for using abbreviations. Doctors learned abbreviations from fellow doctors while nurses learned from fellow nurses and doctors. More doctors than nurses reported encountering abbreviations. Both groups reported no difficulties in interpreting abbreviations although nurses reported often resorting to guesswork. Both groups felt abbreviations were necessary and an acceptable part of work. Doctors outperformed nurses in correctly interpreting commonly used standard and non-standard abbreviations.

    CONCLUSION: The use of standard and non-standard abbreviation in clinical practice by doctors and nurses was highly prevalent. Significant variability in interpretation of abbreviations exists between doctors and nurses.

  5. Fulltext Coronary heart disease mortality in peninsular Malaysia
    Yusof SM, Margetts BM
    Med J Malaysia, 1995 Jun;50(2):194-6.
    PMID: 7565197
  6. Fulltext Intestinal parasitic infections in man: a review
    Norhayati M, Fatmah MS, Yusof S, Edariah AB
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Jun;58(2):296-305; quiz 306.
    PMID: 14569755
    Intestinal parasites of importance to man are Enterobius vermicularis, the soil-transmitted helminthes (STH)--Ascaris lumbricoides Tricburis trichiura, bookworms (Necator americans/Ancylostoma duodenale) and Strongyloides stercoralis and the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis. Other protozoa such as Cryptosporidium sp. and Isopora sp. are becoming important in causing prolonged diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that almost 1 billion, 500 million and 900 million people worldwide are infected by the major nematode species--A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms respectively. Most of the infections are endemic and widely distributed throughout poor and socio-economically deprived communities in the tropics and subtropics. Environmental, socio-economic, demographic and health-related behavior is known to influence the transmission and distribution of these infections. In giardiasis, one study indicates that age < or = 12 years and the presence of family members infected with Giardia were risk factors for infection. Most of the infections occur in children and both genders are equally affected. Epidemiological studies of STH infections have shown that the prevalence and intensity of infection are highest among children 4-15 years of age. The frequency of distribution of STH infections is over-dispersed and highly aggregated. areas reinfection can occur as early as 2 months post-treatment, and by 4 months, almost half of the population treated become reinfected. By 6 months the intensity of infection was similar to pretreatment level.
  7. Fulltext Epidemiological screening of lymphatic filariasis among immigrants using dipstick colloidal dye immunoassay
    Wan Omar A, Sulaiman O, Yusof S, Ismail G, Fatmah MS, Rahmah N, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2001 Jul;8(2):19-24.
    PMID: 22893756
    We have recently reported that a dipstick colloidal dye immunoassay (DIA) that detect parasite antigens in human serum is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of active infection of lymphatic filariasis. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies (RbBmCAg) labelled with a commercial dye, palanil navy blue was used to detect filarial antigenemia among Indonesian and Bangladeshi immigrant workers (N= 630) at oil palm estates at Hulu Trengganu District, Peninsular Malaysia. Microfilaremia with Brugia malayi were detected in 51 (8.10 %) individuals, of which 42 (6.67 %) were among the Indonesians and 9 (1.98 %) among the Bangladeshis. Microfilaremia with Wuchereria bancrofti were detected in 33 (5.24 %) individuals of which 15 (2.38 %) were among the Indonesians and 18 (2.86 %) among the Bangladeshis workers. The DIA detected 96 (15.24 %) antigenemic cases which comprise of all the microfilaremic cases and 15 (2.38 %) amicrofilaremic cases. The amicrofilaremic cases with filarial antigenemia consisted of 9 (1. 43 %) Indonesians and 6 (0.95%) Bangladeshis. We have used 6 ul of the RbBmCAg and diluted (1:10) patients' sera per dipstick which make the DIA reagent conservative. The DIA is a rapid test and can be read in approximate 2 hours.. Additionally, coloured dots developed in the DIA can be qualitatively assessed visually for intensity. The DIA does not require sophisticated equipment or radioactivity, and therefore suitable for field application.
  8. Fulltext Marine polychaete Namalycastis sp. extracts enhance proliferation and regeneration of mice 3T3 fibroblast and MCR-5 human fibroblast cells
    Ghazaly MM, Lee GE, Shaipulah NFM, Ibrahim YS, Mohammed A
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2024 Jan;31(1):103883.
    PMID: 38125737 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103883
    The Nereidid worm is a marine polychaete commonly found near the Nipa palm (Nypa fructicans) along the mangrove estuary. Recently, many usages have been documented for this polychaete family. Nevertheless, the true potentials of these marine worms, especially Namalycastis sp., from the medical perspective are still unknown. The current study investigated the cytotoxicity effect of Namalycastis sp. crude extracts on mice 3T3 fibroblast cells and human lung MRC-5 fibroblast cells. Thirteen concentrations (2, 4, 8, 16, 31, 63 µg/mL and 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 mg/mL) of the extracts were used as a treatment for 24 h, and cell viability was measured via the MTT assay. None of the 13 concentrations of Namalycastis sp. crude extracts showed cytotoxicity effects on the cell types investigated. However, based on the live images captured by the IncuCyte™ imaging system, the cells treated with Namalycastis sp. crude extracts showed an increased proliferation and growth rate in less than 10 h Furthermore, the extract concentration of 8 µg/mL induced the highest cell proliferation rate whereas 8 mg/mL led to the lowest cell proliferation rate following the treatment. Overall, Namalycastis sp. crude extracts were non-toxic on mice and human cells within the tested concentrations set. Still, it increased cell viability and proliferation compared with the control. This finding could pave the way for an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat debilitating disorders such as ageing, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  9. Potential immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory activities of Malaysian medicinal plants characterized by reduced cell surface expression of cell adhesion molecules
    Tanaka S, Yoichi S, Ao L, Matumoto M, Morimoto K, Akimoto N, et al.
    Phytother Res, 2001 Dec;15(8):681-6.
    PMID: 11746860
    In the search for agents effective against immune-mediated disorders and inflammation, we have screened Malaysian medicinal plants for the ability to inhibit the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of murine endothelial cells (F-2), and mouse myeloid leukaemia cells (M1), respectively. Of 41 kinds (29 species, 24 genera, 16 families) of Malaysian plants tested, 10 and 19 plant samples significantly downregulated the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, respectively. Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract prepared from the bark of Goniothalamus andersonii showed that its ingredients, goniothalamin (1) and goniodiol (2) inhibited the cell surface expression of both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The present results suggest that Malaysian medicinal plants may be abundant natural resources for immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory substances.
  10. Solid-phase microextraction for determining twelve orange flavour compounds in a model beverage emulsion
    Mirhosseini H, Tan CP, Yusof S, Hamid NS
    Phytochem Anal, 2008 Sep-Oct;19(5):429-37.
    PMID: 18435528 DOI: 10.1002/pca.1068
    Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography has been applied for the headspace analysis (HS) of 12 target flavour compounds in a model orange beverage emulsion. The main volatile flavour compounds studied were: acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, alpha-pinene, ethyl butyrate, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, octanal, decanal, linalool and citral (neral plus geranial). After screening the fibre type, the effect of other HS-SPME variables such as adsorption temperature (25-55 degrees C), extraction time (10-40 min), sample concentration (1-100% w/w), sample amount (5-10 g) and salt amount (0-30% w/w) were determined using a two-level fractional factorial design (2(5-2)) that was expanded further to a central composite design. It was found that an extraction process using a carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fibre coating at 15 masculineC for 50 min with 5 g of diluted emulsion 1% (w/w) and 30% (w/w) of sodium chloride under stirring mode resulted in the highest HS extraction efficiency. For all volatile flavour compounds, the linearity values were accurate in the concentration ranges studied (r(2) > 0.97). Average recoveries that ranged from 90.3 to 124.8% showed a good accuracy for the optimised method. The relative standard deviation for six replicates of all volatile flavour compounds was found to be less than 15%. For all volatile flavour compounds, the limit of detection ranged from 0.20 to 1.69 mg/L.
  11. A method based on impedance spectroscopy to determine transport properties of polymer electrolytes
    Arof AK, Amirudin S, Yusof SZ, Noor IM
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2014 Feb 7;16(5):1856-67.
    PMID: 24326909 DOI: 10.1039/c3cp53830c
    In this work, we introduce a method based on impedance spectroscopy and the equations developed to evaluate, with a good degree of accuracy, the number density, mobility and diffusion coefficient of mobile ions. Nyquist plots of electrolytes based on poly(acrylonitrile) or PAN and methyl cellulose (MC) incorporated with lithium bis(oxalato)borate have been established from impedance measurements. Equivalent circuits based on a resistor and "leaky capacitor(s)" have been determined and the relevant impedance equations derived. The values of the parameters required in the equation are obtained from the Nyquist plots and the parameters that cannot be obtained from the respective plots have been obtained by trial and error in order to fit the Nyquist plots. The transport parameters are calculated using the developed equations and the results have been compared with those obtained from the broadband dielectric response (BDR) method. Finally, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to verify the results obtained from the two approaches at room and elevated temperatures.
  12. Fulltext Molecular detection of bacterial endosymbionts in acanthamoeba spp.: a preliminary study
    Faizah, M. H., Anisah, N., Yusof, S., Noraina, A. R., Adibah, M. R.
    Medicine & Health, 2017;12(2):286-292.
    MyJurnal
    Acanthamoeba spp. merupakan ameba hidup bebas yang biasa ditemui
    di persekitaran. Ia merupakan agen penyebab keratitis Acanthamoeba (AK)
    dan ensefalitis ameba bergranuloma (GAE). Ameba ini juga mampu menjadi
    perumah kepada pelbagai bakteria termasuklah yang bersifat patogenik seperti
    Mycobacterium, Legionella dan Staphylococcus aureus rintang metisilin (MRSA).
    Berdasarkan maklumat ini, satu kajian dijalankan untuk mengesan kehadiran tiga
    bakteria endosimbion berkepentingan perubatan di dalam Acanthamoeba spp. yang
    telah dipencilkan dari bolong penghawa dingin yang terdapat di wad and dewan
    bedah di Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Kehadiran bakteria
    endosimbion ini disaring menggunakan pasangan primer khusus bagi setiap genus
    menggunakan reaksi rantai polimerase (PCR) konvensional dan disahkan dengan
    analisis penjujukan. Dua puluh sembilan (80.56%) pencilan Acanthamoeba spp.
    didapati mengandungi bakteria endosimbion patogenik yang disasarkan dengan
    sekurang-kurangnya satu genus bakteria bagi setiap pencilan. Mycobacterium
    (82.76 %) adalah bakteria yang paling banyak dikesan, diikuti dengan Legionella sp.
    (65.52 %) dan Pseudomonas spp. (62.07 %). Tiada bakteria MRSA dikesan daripada
    mana-mana pencilan dalam kajian ini. Dua endosimbion Mycobacterium yang
    dikenalpasti telah dikelompokkan ke dalam strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
    Kami membuat kesimpulan bahawa, kebanyakan Acanthamoeba berpotensi untuk
    menjadi perumah bagi pelbagai bakteria patogenik, namun implikasi interaksi ini
    terhadap patogenisiti kedua-dua organisma masih kurang jelas dan memerlukan
    penyelidikan yang lebih lanjut.
  13. Effect of glyphosate-based herbicide on early life stages of Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus): a potential tropical test fish
    Yusof S, Ismail A, Alias MS
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2014 Aug 30;85(2):494-8.
    PMID: 24731878 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.022
    Glyphosate is globally a widely used herbicide, yet there is little information on their toxicity to marine fishes. Java medaka, a small tropical fish native to coastal areas in several Southeast Asian countries, is viewed as a suitable candidate for toxicity test and thus was used for this study. Java medaka adults were cultured in the laboratory and the fertilized eggs of the F2 generation were exposed to different concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) until they hatched. The survival and hatching rates of the embryos, changes in the heart rate and morphological impairments were recorded. Generally, survival and hatching percentage decreased as glyphosate concentration increased. Absence of pectoral fin(s) and cornea, permanently bent tail, irregular shaped abdomen, and cell disruption in the fin, head and abdomen are among the common teratogenic effects observed. Furthermore, risk factor also increased with the increased in glyphosate concentrations.
  14. Effect of mercury and cadmium on early life stages of Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus): a potential tropical test fish
    Ismail A, Yusof S
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2011;63(5-12):347-9.
    PMID: 21377175 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.014
    Several organisms have been used as indicators, bio-monitoring agents or test organisms in ecotoxicological studies. A close relative of the well established Japanese medaka, the Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus), has the potential to be a test organism. The fish is native to the estuaries of the Malaysian Peninsula, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. In this study, newly fertilised eggs were exposed to different concentrations of Cd and Hg. Observations were done on the development of the embryos. Exposure to low levels of Cd and Hg (0.01-0.05 ppm) resulted in several developmental disorders that led to death. Exposure to ≥1.0 ppm Cd resulted in immediate developmental arrest. The embryos of Java medaka showed tolerance to a certain extent when exposed to ≥1.0 ppm Hg compared to Cd. Based on the sensitivity of the embryos, Java medaka is a suitable test organism for ecotoxicology in the tropical region.
  15. Acute toxicity test of copper pyrithione on Javanese medaka and the behavioural stress symptoms
    Mohamat-Yusuff F, Sarah-Nabila AG, Zulkifli SZ, Azmai MNA, Ibrahim WNW, Yusof S, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Feb;127:150-153.
    PMID: 29475647 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.046
    This study was conducted to investigate the median lethal concentration (LC50) of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at 96-hr exposure on adult Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) in revealing toxicological effects of CuPT contamination in the tropical area. Wild stock fishes were acclimatized for 14-days prior analysis. Triplicate of test tanks for seven test concentrations were placed with ten fishes each, this includes two control tanks. The behaviour of the tested fishes was manually observed through a camera. The LC50 of CuPT at 96-h was found to be 16.58mg/L. Tested fishes swam slowly in vertical movement and swam fast towards food during feeding time as the sign of stress behaviour. Meanwhile, fishes in the two control groups swam actively in a horizontal manner and no excitement during feeding time. No mortality in control groups. Results indicate CuPT to be toxic to Javanese medaka at low concentration and caused behavioural stress.
  16. Fulltext Sensitivity of Acanthamoeba cyst to antimicrobial agents
    Noradilah, S. A., Mohamed Kamel, A. G., Anisah, N., Noraina, A. R., Yusof, S.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(1):111-117.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Acanthamoeba is an ubiquitous free-living protozoa which causes serious ocular problems. Acanthamoeba keratitis is becoming more prevalent amongst contact lens wearers. The disease can cause loss of vision and blindness if not treated properly. The objective of this research is to study the sensitivity of six Acanthamoeba spp. isolates, of which three were from the clinical isolates (HKL 95, HTH 40 and HS 6) and the remaining three from environmental isolates (TTT 9, TL 3 and SMAL 8) to antimicrobial agents. Methods: The antimicrobial agents chosen for this purpose were polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and chlorhexidine. Serial dilutions were perfomed for polyhexamethylene biguanide and chlorhexidine. Cyst suspensions from the chosen isolates were exposed to PHMB and chlorhexidine respectively. After 48 hours incubation time at 30°C, each mixture was filtered and filtration membrane was put onto non-nutrient agar laid with Escherichia coli. The agar plates were incubated for three days at 30°C and examined daily until day 14 to detect the presence of Acanthamoeba trophozoites under the inverted microscope. The presence of trophozoites indicated the ineffectiveness of the antimicrobial agents. Results: Both of the antimicrobial agents tested were found to be effective against Acanthamoeba cysts from all the test strains. Polyhexamethylene biguanide gave a minimum cysticidal concentration (MCC) mean value of 2.848 μg/mL while chlorhexidine showed
    MCC mean value at a concentration of 3.988 μg/mL. Conlusion: It can be concluded that the Acanthamoeba cysts were sensitive to polyhexamethylene biguanide and chlorhexidine.
  17. Fulltext The effectiveness of gentamicin against acanthamoeba cysts in vitro
    Noradilah, S.A., Mohamd Kamel, A.G., Anisah, N., Noraina, A.R., Yusof, S.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2012;8(2):51-54.
    MyJurnal
    Acanthamoeba is a free-living protozoa which causes serious ocular problem. Acanthamoeba keratitis is becoming more prevalent amongst contact lens wearers and it can cause loss of vision and blindness if not treated properly. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of gentamicin against six Acanthamoeba spp. isolates, of which three were clinical isolates (HS 6, HKL 95, HTH 73) and three environmental isolates (SMAL 7, SMAL 8, TTT 9). Cyst suspension from the chosen isolates were exposed to gentamicin. After 48 hours of incubation at temperature of 30°C and 37oC, each mixture was filtered and filtration membrane was put onto non-nutrient agar laid with Escherichia coli. The agar plates were incubated for three days at 30oC and 37oC and the plates were examined daily until day 14 to look for the presence of Acanthamoeba trophozoites under inverted microscope. The presence of trophozoites indicated the ineffectiveness of gentamicin. Gentamicin was found to be effective against Acanthamoeba cysts from all the test strains at both incubation temperatures. The minimum cysticidal concentration (MCC) mean value of gentamicin was 0.193 mg/mL at 30oC and 0.229 mg/mL at 37oC. So, we concluded that gentamicin has cysticidal potential towards Acanthamoeba.
  18. A novel technique of isolated gastrocnemius recession: A cadaveric comparison with Strayer procedure
    Kow RY, Che-Ahmad A, Ayeop MAS, Ahmad MW, Yusof S
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2021 11 11;29(3):23094990211043987.
    PMID: 34753329 DOI: 10.1177/23094990211043987
    BACKGROUND: Strayer's gastrocnemius recession is a common technique in treating ankle equinus of gastrocnemius origin. Nevertheless, this technique is associated with a few flaws. We aim to introduce a novel technique of isolated gastrocnemius recession and perform a cadaveric study to evaluate its safety and at the same time compare this novel technique with the existing Strayer procedure biomechanically.

    METHODS: Eight fresh cadaveric models of gastrocnemius tightness were established by isolated traction of the gastrocnemius muscles. Gastrocnemius recession was performed on all eight models with Strayer method and the novel method randomized equally. The safety of both the techniques was evaluated by identifying any iatrogenic injury to the surrounding structures. The lengthening and improvement of the ankle dorsiflexion was measured and compared between the two techniques.

    RESULTS: There was no iatrogenic sural nerve or saphenous vein injury in all eight models. There was no significant difference between the two techniques in terms of lengthening (24.25 mm vs 21.00 mm; p = 0.838) and improvement of ankle dorsiflexion (26.5° vs 26°; p = .829).

    CONCLUSIONS: Both Strayer technique and the novel technique of gastrocnemius recession lengthened the gastrocnemius and improved the ankle dorsiflexion in this cadaver trial. Both procedures were safe with proper techniques, and there was no significant difference in efficacy between them.

    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, randomized controlled trial.

  19. Effect of Irradiating Puparia of Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Adult Survival and Fecundity for Sterile Insect Technique and Quarantine Purposes
    Yusof S, Mohamad Dzomir AZ, Yaakop S
    J Econ Entomol, 2019 12 09;112(6):2808-2816.
    PMID: 31393572 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toz217
    The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on survivability (adult emergence, sex ratio, adult longevity), fecundity (eggs hatchability, number of eggs produced), and morphological differences in the size of the ovary and testes of unirradiated and irradiated adults of Oriental fruit fly [Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)]. A dose of 100 Gy was determined as the minimum needed for inhibitory effects against B. dorsalis that would not deter adult emergence, sex ratio (male:female), and adult longevity, with 82.6 ±7.02, 1:1.09, and 107 ± 24.5, respectively. Doses from 50 to 400 Gy range did not completely prevent the adult emergence; however, the emergence decreased by increasing the radiation dose. Adult survivability significantly decreased among all the treatment groups of B. dorsalis, except for the 50 Gy and unirradiated flies. At a dose of 50 Gy, fertile females showed a significant reduction in fecundity by not producing eggs after mating with the sterile males. Meanwhile, the number of eggs laid decreased with increasing dose and no fertile egg was hatched starting at 100 Gy of irradiation. Testes and ovaries of 20-d old flies irradiated as pupae were smaller than those of control flies. In this study, 100 Gy was concluded as the minimum effective dose for the disinfestation and sterilization of B. dorsalis puparia. Results represent new findings used as a basis for sterile insect technique and quarantine programs for managing B. dorsalis, particularly in Malaysia.
  20. Lactobacilli reduce recurrences of vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
    Ang XY, Chung FY, Lee BK, Azhar SNA, Sany S, Roslan NS, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2021 May 22.
    PMID: 34022103 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15158
    AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lactobacilli strains in preventing the recurrences of vaginal candidiasis (VC) in 78 pregnant women with VC (lactobacilli, n = 39; placebo, n = 39) and the potential benefits on quality of life.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: The lactobacilli putative probiotic (SynForU-HerCare; two capsules/day of 9·5 log CFU per capsule) or placebo was administered for 8-weeks in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were assessed for vaginal and gut health conditions at baseline, week-4 and week-8 via questionnaires. The vulvovaginal symptom questionnaire not only covered aspects pertaining to vulvovaginal symptoms but also the quality of life impacts such as emotional, social and sexual. The administration of lactobacilli reduced symptoms of irritation (P = 0·023) and discharge (P = 0·011) starting week-4 and continued after week-8 (P 

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