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Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 2007 in total

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A new species of clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) from Peninsular Malaysia, exhibiting bee-like morphology and behaviour

Skowron MA, Munisamy B, Hamid SB, Węgrzyn G

Zootaxa, 2015;4032(4):426-34.
PMID: 26624378 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.4.7

A new species of Sesiidae, tribe Osminiini from Peninsular Malaysia, Heterosphecia pahangensis Skowron, displaying numerous bee-mimicking features, is described. DNA barcodes showed significant differences with related taxa. However, the paucity of Sesiidae barcodes from Southeast Asia prevents meaningful taxonomic comparisons. The closest match out of published data on Sesiidae barcodes is Heterosphecia bantanakai, Arita & Gorbunov (2000a) from the tribe Osminiini, which has 9.98% sequence divergence from Heterosphecia pahangensis. Photographs of the moth in its natural habitat are shown. Behavioural aspects, such as mud-puddling and mode of flight, are described and presented in a video.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
A needle in a haystack: the new genus Bernadottea (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae, Winnertziinae) with four new species in the Old World

Jaschhof M, Jaschhof C

Zootaxa, 2018 Feb 15;4379(4):529-538.
PMID: 29689964 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.4.5

A new genus of Winnertziini (Cecidomyiidae: Winnertziinae) named Bernadottea gen. nov. is introduced to absorb four new species from various different parts of the Old World: B. natalensis sp. nov. from South Africa, B. honshuensis sp. nov. from Japan, and B. pahangensis sp. nov. and B. selangorensis sp. nov. from Malaysia. Bernadottea are distinguished from previously known Winnertziini by the unusually complex genitalia of males, and from most members of this tribe by the absence of the fourth medial vein (M4). Another feature of Bernadottea is their rare occurrence in samples of Winnertziini taken by hand or by traps, a circumstance presumably expressing their scarcity in nature, at least at ground level. The new taxa are described based on the morphology of males, while females and larvae remain unknown.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
Traditional diets and meal patterns in South Africa

Labadarios D, Walker AR, Blaauw R, Walker BF

World Rev Nutr Diet, 1996;79:70-108.
PMID: 9111811
Matched MeSH terms: Population
Clinical and pathologic differences between BRCA1-, BRCA2-, and non-BRCA-associated breast cancers in a multiracial developing country

Yip CH, Taib NA, Choo WY, Rampal S, Thong MK, Teo SH

World J Surg, 2009 Oct;33(10):2077-81.
PMID: 19649760 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-009-0146-8

Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer an increased risk to breast and other cancers, but to date there have only been limited numbers of studies of BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated cancers among Asians. Malaysia is a multiracial country with three main races: Malays, Chinese, Indians. We determined whether tumor pathologic features and clinical features differ in patients with and without BRCA mutations in this Asian population.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Ulcerative colitis in a multiracial Asian country: racial differences and clinical presentation among Malaysian patients

Tan YM, Goh KL

World J Gastroenterol, 2005 Oct 07;11(37):5859-62.
PMID: 16270398

AIM: Inflammatory bowel disease appears to be uncommon among Asians. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Malaysian patients and to establish the spectrum of the disease seen in Malaysian patients. Three major Asian races: Malay, Chinese, and Indian co-exist in Malaysia and we sought to determine if there were any racial differences in the prevalence and presentation of disease. Racial differences for several other gastrointestinal diseases have previously been observed and found to be extremely interesting.
METHODS: Data were obtained retrospectively from a review of the medical records of in- and out-patients with a diagnosis of UC at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1985 and 1998.
RESULTS: There were 45 confirmed cases of UC of which 3 were foreigners, who were excluded from analysis. Thirty new cases of UC were diagnosed during the study period. Their mean age at presentation was 33.0+/-10.0 years. The highest prevalence of UC was 17.9/100 000 hospital admissions in the Indians, followed by 11.2/100 000 hospital admissions in the Chinese. The lowest prevalence was 3.7/100 000 hospital admissions in the Malays. The prevalence of UC was significantly higher in the Indians and the Chinese when compared with the Malays with an OR of 4.89 (CI = 2.02-12.24; chi2 = 15.45, P<0.001) and 3.06 (CI = 1.24-7.78; chi2 = 6.30; P = 0.012) respectively. The extent of colonic disease was similar in the Malay and Indian patients. In contrast, distal or left-sided colitis predominated in the Chinese with an OR of 8.17 (95%CI = 1.31-64.87; chi2 = 5.53, P = 0.02). Extraintestinal manifestations were uncommon (11.9%).
CONCLUSION: UC is an uncommon disease in Malaysia, but racial differences exist. The Indians had the highest prevalence of UC with the Chinese demonstrating the least extensive disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Fulltext Strategy for child immunization in Malaysian plantations

Sinniah D, Rajeswari B, Harun F, Maniam CR

World Health Forum, 1994;15(3):236-7.
PMID: 7945748

An outline is given of a simple cost-effective strategy aimed at the immunization of all children and pregnant women residing in the plantation sector of Malaysia. It is based on a partnership between government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector, and is supported by UNICEF.
PIP: A cost-effective strategy aimed at the immunization of all children and pregnant women residing in the plantation sector of Malaysia is outlined. It is based on a partnership between government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector, and is supported by UNICEF. Over a million people reside on the Malaysian plantation estates: only 17% of the estates have their own hospitals; immunization services exist on only 1.5%; 40% of the estates are at least 5 kilometers from the nearest government health facility; and 64% lack transport for workers and their dependents to seek care away from the plantations. Two nongovernmental organizations, the Malaysian Paediatric Association and the Malaysian Society of Health, initiated discussions with the United Planting Association of Malaysia. A pilot study was undertaken by the groups on 6 estates in Selangor State, which included all the children at their first birthday. Tuberculosis, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, poliomyelitis, and measles immunization coverages were 88%, 44%, 59%, and 66%, respectively. The association of plantations accepted the organizations' proposals for all estates to: register all births; provide free transportation to government health clinics for the immunization of all eligible children and pregnant women; and enforce immunization schedules and record-keeping. The Ministry of Health agreed to provide free immunization of children and pregnant women; send mobile teams to estates that could assemble 20 or more eligible people for immunization; provide the estates with educational materials dealing with immunization; arrange that the maintenance of the cold chain be supervised by local medical officers of health; consider the training of estate hospital assistants with the help of the nongovernmental organizations. The total immunization plan was launched in September 1990. A manual was distributed to the estate managers, hospital assistants on the estates, and the medical officers who would implement and monitor the program. It is expected that total child immunization will be achieved in the foreseeable future in the estate sector.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Health care in Sarawak's jungles

Chen PCY

World Health Forum, 1989;10(2):190-2.
PMID: 2610830

A primary health care system is being developed in Baram District, Sarawak, Malaysia, for the benefit of the Penans, who, until recently, were largely nomadic. Many of them are now attempting to adopt a settled mode of existence, and this in itself creates special health problems because the people lack the skills needed for living in one place. Substantial progress has already been achieved in mother and child care and in immunization coverage.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population*
Women--an endangered species

World Dev Forum, 1987 Nov 30;5(21):1-2.
PMID: 12269045

Throughout India and China, South Korea and Taiwan, Pakistan and Malaysia, the same sentiment recurs: "The birth of girl is an occasion for gloom, not cheer, for bitterness, not pleasure." In all these countries "patriarchal traditions and social stigmas" make females the unwanted sex, reports Asiaweek. The tragic result: prenatal gender tests are flourishing. And for many women, if the test indicates a female, they abort. In India, sex tests and abortions are legal, cheap and readily available. Some 1500 sex-tested girls are aborted annually in Bombay alone. In China, abortions are legal, but gender tests strictly forbidden. Says one official: We cannot afford to let people know what sex the fetus is because all the girls would be aborted." Yet the numbers of baby girls in China have been reduced--and illicit gender tests and female infanticide are considered partly to blame. In South Korea, gender tests have been banned and most abortions are illegal, but "clandestine tests" are available, and according to the government some 30,000 pregnancies are terminated annually. The number of aborted females is not known, but birth ratios have shown "an alarming swing towards males" in recent years. Can laws and education change the social attitudes against girls in these Asian countries? Indian activist Vibhuti Patel, a lobbyist for stronger controls over sex-testing, hopes so. She urges a "continuous campaign" to fight the "centuries-old values" that encourages gender tests. Says Patel: Nothing less than the very survival of women is at stake."

Matched MeSH terms: Population; Population Characteristics
Women are at a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in rural Malaysia

Jan Mohamed HJ, Mitra AK, Zainuddin LR, Leng SK, Wan Muda WM

Women Health, 2013;53(4):335-48.
PMID: 23751089 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2013.788120

Metabolic syndrome has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to determine gender differences in the prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in a rural Malay population. This cross-sectional study, conducted in Bachok, Kelantan, involved 306 respondents aged 18 to 70 years. The survey used a structured questionnaire to collect information on demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood samples were taken by a doctor or nurses and analyzed for lipid profile and fasting glucose. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 37.5% and was higher among females (42.9%). Being unemployed or a housewife and being of older age were independently associated with metabolic syndrome in a multivariate analysis. Weight management and preventive community-based programs involving housewives, the unemployed, and adults of poor education must be reinforced to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome effectively in adults.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Surveillance; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data
Attitudes toward menstruation, menstrual-related symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls: a rural school-based survey

Wong LP

Women Health, 2011 Jun 21;51(4):340-64.
PMID: 21707338 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2011.574792

Folk culture surrounding menstrual-related matters has considerable implications for symptom expression and treatment-seeking behavior. A cross-sectional survey of 1,295 rural adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years was conducted between February 4 and April 16, 2009 to examine these associations. With a higher score indicating a more positive attitude toward menstruation, the mean attitude score was 3.84 (SD ± 1.62) out of a maximum of six. No significant association was observed between the severity of menstrual symptoms and attitudes. Most (63.1%) of the participants identified themselves as having premenstrual symptoms, and 61.1% viewed premenstrual symptoms as a normal part of menstrual cycle. Participants with a higher severity of symptoms in the premenstrual (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10) and menstrual phase (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07), were more likely to consult a physician for premenstrual symptoms, and having a divorced/separated parents was associated with a reduced odds of consulting a physician compared to those having parents that were married (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.83). The findings imply the need for education to help adolescent girls manage menstrual symptoms and increase awareness of the benefit of treating them. Given that menstrual-related information was widely available from mothers, family, and social culture are potentially important in shaping good menstrual attitudes.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms in Malay women

Din MO, Noor NM

Women Health, 2009 Dec;49(8):573-91.
PMID: 20183102 DOI: 10.1080/03630240903495897

Due to a dearth of research on depressive symptoms in Malaysia, particularly in Malay women, a community study was conducted to examine the prevalence and factors associated with current depressive symptoms in rural and urban Malay women with low socioeconomic status.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population; Urban Population
Fulltext Epidemiologic update on the dengue situation in the Western Pacific Region, 2011

Arima Y, Edelstein ZR, Han HK, Matsui T

Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2013 May 14;4(2):47-54.
PMID: 24015372 DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2012.3.4.019

Dengue is an emerging vectorborne infectious disease that is a major public health concern in the Asia and the Pacific. Official dengue surveillance data for 2011 provided by ministries of health were summarized as part of routine activities of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Based on officially reported surveillance data, dengue continued to show sustained activity in the Western Pacific Region. In 2011, Member States reported a total of 244,855 cases of which 839 died for a case fatality rate of 0.34%. More than 1000 cases were reported each from Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Singapore and Viet Nam. Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands reported higher activity relative to 2010. There continues to be great variability among the dengue-endemic countries and areas in the Region in the number of cases and serotype distribution. The continued high notification rate and complex dengue epidemiology in the Region highlight the need for information-sharing on a routine and timely basis.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Surveillance*
Urbanization and low-income housing in Malaysia: impact on the urban Malays

Agus MR

Warasan Prachakon Lae Sangkhom, 1990 Jan;2(2):205-21, 242-3.
PMID: 12283536

The focus of this study is on urbanization in Malaysia. "This paper is divided into three parts. The first part examines the trend of uneven urban development in West Malaysia. The second part discusses the change [in] ethnic composition of urban population between 1970 and 1980 intercensal period. The third part analyses the impact of the urbanization process on the Malays in the context of housing problems of the lower income groups." (SUMMARY IN THA)

Matched MeSH terms: Population; Population Characteristics; Urban Population*
Transition of water demand and treatment plant overcapacity: a case study of the Seoul Metropolitan City, Korea

Lee S, Park H

Water Sci Technol, 2010;61(12):3129-40.
PMID: 20555209 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2010.454

This study deals with the overcapacity problem of water treatment plants in Korea, and mainly discusses status, causes, and engineering options. To this end, we first statistically analyze the recent trend of demand, revealing that the demands of small- and mid-size systems are still increasing while that of large-size systems is now decreasing. Since the existing approach to plan capacity implicitly assumes that demand will increase at a regular rate, we estimate excess capacities and system utilizations of large-size systems. From these results it is found that the large-size systems are suffering from serious overcapacity, thus necessitating that engineers make very difficult decisions given that systems are still expanding the capacities of plants due to a lack of awareness of the current demand trend. For other systems where there is a better understanding of the transition of demand, planners have ceased to expand plants or have closed down relatively old plants in efforts to reduce O&M costs. To address this problem, quick recognition of the transition of demand is being highlighted by the concepts of integrated resources management and cybernetics. Therefore, we examined how quickly the new trend of the Seoul case could be precisely recognized and appropriately addressed. Using the Bayesian parameter estimation method, we found that a new trend can be recognized six years after the transition of demand.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Density; Urban Population*
Modeling fish community dynamics in the Florida Everglades: role of temperature variation

Al-Rabai'ah HA, Koh HL, DeAngelis D, Lee HL

Water Sci Technol, 2002;46(9):71-8.
PMID: 12448454

Temperature variation is an important factor in Everglade wetlands ecology. A temperature fluctuation from 17 degrees C to 32 degrees C recorded in the Everglades may have significant impact on fish dynamics. The short life cycles of some of Everglade fishes has rendered this temperature variation to have even more impacts on the ecosystem. Fish population dynamic models, which do not explicitly consider seasonal oscillations in temperature, may fail to describe the details of such a population. Hence, a model for fish in freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades that explicitly incorporates seasonal temperature variations is developed. The model's main objective is to assess the temporal pattern of fish population and densities through time subject to temperature variations. Fish population is divided into 2 functional groups (FGs) consisting of small fishes; each group is subdivided into 5-day age classes during their life cycles. Many governing sub-modules are set directly or indirectly to be temperature dependent. Growth, fecundity, prey availability, consumption rates and mortality are examples. Several mortality sub-modules are introduced in the model, of which starvation mortality is set to be proportional to the ratio of prey needed to prey available at that particular time step. As part of the calibration process, the model is run for 50 years to ensure that fish densities do not go to extinction, while the simulation period is about 8 years. The model shows that the temperature dependent starvation mortality is an important factor that influences fish population densities. It also shows high fish population densities at some temperature ranges when this consumption need is minimum. Several sensitivity analyses involving variations in temperature terms, food resources and water levels are conducted to ascertain the relative importance of temperature dependence terms.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Dynamics
Water and wastewater in developing countries: present reality and strategy for the future

Ujang Z, Buckley C

Water Sci Technol, 2002;46(9):1-9.
PMID: 12448446

This paper summarises the paper presentation sessions at the Conference, as well giving insights on the issues related to developing countries. It also discusses the present status of practice and research on water and wastewater management, and projected future scenario based not only on the papers presented in the Conference, but also on other sources. The strategy is presented to overcome many problems in developing countries such as rapid urbanization, industrialization, population growth, financial and institutional problems and, depleting water resources. The strategy consists of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM), cleaner industrial production, waste minimisation and financial arrangements.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Dynamics*
Municipal solid waste management in Malaysia: practices and challenges

Manaf LA, Samah MA, Zukki NI

Waste Manag, 2009 Nov;29(11):2902-6.
PMID: 19540745 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.07.015

Rapid economic development and population growth, inadequate infrastructure and expertise, and land scarcity make the management of municipal solid waste become one of Malaysia's most critical environmental issues. The study is aimed at evaluating the generation, characteristics, and management of solid waste in Malaysia based on published information. In general, the per capita generation rate is about 0.5-0.8 kg/person/day in which domestic waste is the primary source. Currently, solid waste is managed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, with the participation of the private sector. A new institutional and legislation framework has been structured with the objectives to establish a holistic, integrated, and cost-effective solid waste management system, with an emphasis on environmental protection and public health. Therefore, the hierarchy of solid waste management has given the highest priority to source reduction through 3R, intermediate treatment and final disposal.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Growth
Mortality in Asia

WHO Chron, 1981;35(5):163-7.
PMID: 7324457
Matched MeSH terms: Population Growth
Fulltext Influencing factors for household water quality improvement in reducing diarrhoea in resource-limited areas

Zin T, Mudin KD, Myint T, Naing DKS, Sein T, Shamsul BS

WHO South East Asia J Public Health, 2013 Jan-Mar;2(1):6-11.
PMID: 28612817 DOI: 10.4103/2224-3151.115828

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Water and sanitation are major public health issues exacerbated by rapid population growth, limited resources, disasters and environmental depletion. This study was undertaken to study the influencing factors for household water quality improvement for reducing diarrhoea in resource-limited areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from articles and reviews from relevant randomized controlled trials, new articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and WELL Resource Centre For Water, Sanitation And Environmental Health.

DISCUSSION: Water quality on diarrhoea prevention could be affected by contamination during storage, collection and even at point-of-use. Point-of-use water treatment (household-based) is the most cost-effective method for prevention of diarrhoea. Chemical disinfection, filtration, thermal disinfection, solar disinfection and flocculation and disinfection are five most promising household water treatment methodologies for resource-limited areas.

CONCLUSION: Promoting household water treatment is most essential for preventing diarrhoeal disease. In addition, the water should be of acceptable taste, appropriate for emergency and non-emergency use.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Growth
Fulltext Emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype V in the Republic of Korea

Takhampunya R, Kim HC, Tippayachai B, Kengluecha A, Klein TA, Lee WJ, et al.

Virol J, 2011;8:449.
PMID: 21943222 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-449

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype V reemerged in Asia (China) in 2009 after a 57-year hiatus from the continent, thereby emphasizing a need to increase regional surveillance efforts. Genotypic characterization was performed on 19 JEV-positive mosquito pools (18 pools of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and 1 pool of Cx. bitaeniorhynchus) from a total of 64 positive pools collected from geographically different locations throughout the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2008 and 2010.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Surveillance

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