A prospective observational study was carried out at the Emergency Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur to determine the proportion of accidental head injury among children and the circumstances of injury. The study was carried out from November 1993 to January 1994 on all children below 14 years who presented to the Emergency Department with accidental head injury. Accidental head injury made up (4.75%) of all cases seen at the Casualty Department. The ratio of boys to girls was 2:1. The mean age of head injured children was 5.2 (S.D. 3.63) years. The leading cause of head injury was fall (63%) followed by road traffic accidents (RTA) in (30.7%) while the rest were due to 'impact' (injury caused by flying object or missiles) injuries. More than half (54.4%) of those injured in RTA were pedestrians. Pedestrian injury was particularly important in the 5-< 14 years age group, where adult supervision was lacking in two thirds of the children. None of the patients who were involved in vehicle-related injuries had used a suitable protective or restraining device. All three patients who died were from this group. This study emphasises the need for stricter enforcement of laws related to the use of protective devices and measures to decrease child pedestrian injury. The issues of lack of adult supervision, both in and outside the home need to be addressed.
This study was done in all UNIMAS medical students from year 1 to year 5 in the year 2004. A questionnaire was used. 290 students participated with a response rate of 72.5%. There were more male students snoring than female (ratio 5.9:1.3). The habitual snoring percentages for all years, first year and final year medical students are 7.2, 9.9 and 3.6 respectively and these are comparatively and relatively low with other studies reported in the last 10 years, and the reasons for this are unknown. However it was interesting to note in this study and others that there are relatively more snoring medical students in the first year than subsequent years. Significant positive correlation of snoring was found with the factors of gender, weight, height and sleep apnoea, all having p<0.0005, but no significant correlation was found in others including examination results.
A study on the distribution of malaria in Hulu Perak district, Peninsular Malaysia was carried out between January and December 1993. The study encompassed the distribution of malaria cases according to sex, age and profession. A total of 332 cases were recorded, with 182 cases occurring in males. The highest infection was observed in the above 15 years old age group. Forest workers (loggers, rattan collectors and forest product gatherers) were the group most exposed to the disease (32.8%), followed by both plantantion workers (32.2%) and aboriginal communities (32.2%). Army and police personnels (2.1%) were also infected. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species of malaria in the area.
The formation of foam due to the injection of surfactant foam in FAWAG causes significant problems in the oil well production and separation facilities. The excessive foam can lead to the reduction of the separator capacity as well as its efficiency. A defoamer is needed to break and destroy the foam in the separator. There are many commercially available defoamer agents in the market, but not all defoamers are suitable for every application. For this reason, four modified silicone-based defoamers were successfully synthesized and characterized based on the data obtained from the screening process using various commercial defoamers. The performance of modified defoamers was evaluated using TECLIS FoamScan that imitate real conditions of treatment. The results show that all four of the modified silicone-based defoamers, especially amide-terminated-modified defoamers (S2) showed excellent performance as a defoaming agent to mitigate foam in specific conditions. The best-case condition for the modified defoamer to perform was at a high temperature (60 °C), gas flow rate of 1.0 L/min, and low ration concentration of the surfactant to brine (30:70). The study on the bubble count and distribution using a KRÜSS Dynamic Foam Analyzer revealed that S2 excellently contributes to the formation of unstable foam that can fasten foam destruction in the foaming system.
Wormian bones are a subset of the small intrasutural bones that lie between the cranial sutures formed by the bones of the skull vault. They are formed due to additional ossification centres in or near sutures. They are usually considered as normal variants and seem to be determined genetically in certain populations. They have been linked with rapid cranial expansion as they appear in great number in hydrocephalic skulls. They are commonly found in the lambdoid suture and fontanelles but are occasionally seen in other sutures especially the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures. We examined 25 dried human skulls with the aim to find out the occurrence and variations of Wormian bones, and surprisingly we found Wormian bones in the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures in 6 skulls. These are uncommon sites of occurrence of sutural bones as reported in the literature. These findings prompted us to report these cases as their presence can lead to confusion in diagnosis in cases of skull fractures.
Three species composition surveys were conducted in a rural location in Kedah and an urban location in Pulau Pinang. Two of the surveys were conducted in November 2003, the first was at the Kedah site and the second was at the Pulau Pinang site. The third survey was conducted at the Pulau Pinang site again on the last week of April 2004. All these surveys were conducted one week prior to field evaluations of commercial chemical fly baits. The predominant species recovered from the surveys was the house fly, Musca domestica, which ranked first in prevalence in all three studies. Catches of Musca sorbens, Chrysoma megacephala and Lucillia cuprina were lower than M. domestica. Sarcophaga sp. was not present at the Kedah site and was only present at the Pulau Pinang site during the survey in April 2004. The other fly species present at the Kedah site were Megaselia sp., Psycoda sp., Piophila sp. and Fannia sp. These species were scarce and never exceeded 1% of the total catch.
The efficacy and residual efficacy of commercial baits, Quick Bayt (0.5% w/w imidacloprid) and Agita (10.0% w/w thiamethoxam) against synanthropic flies were evaluated under field conditions. Efficacy was evaluated based on knockdown percentage (KD %). The bait efficacy and residual efficacy evaluation were conducted for a period of 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Baits were applied onto bait targets and placed on fly-count targets to facilitate the counting of flies. All baits were applied according to the manufacturer's recommended application rate. Three replicate treatments for each type of bait were placed at the study site each week. The number of flies feeding on baits and the knocked down flies were counted and collected. The efficacy of Agita and Quick Bayt did not differ significantly (t-test, P>0.05) over the 3-week period, even though Quick Bayt had a slightly higher KD% than Agita. In the residual efficacy evaluation, the (knockdown) KD% of Quick Bayt was consistent at around 36% for the first five weeks but dropped to 33.8 +/- 0.4% on the sixth week. The KD% for Agita on the first week was 33.6 +/- 12.2% and remained relatively consistent for the first 4 weeks at around 31%. KD% dropped to 16.7 +/- 3.3% on week 5 and to 15.7 +/- 1.2% on week 6. The difference in residual efficacy of the two baits was significant (t-test, p < 0.05).
Measurements of external radiation level, radon/thoron daughters concentrations in air and uranium/thorium concentrations in airborne mineral dust at 16 amang plants in Malaysia were carried out for three consecutive months to assess radiation dose to workers. Estimated occupational dose was within the range of 1.7-10.9 mSv y(-1). The mean total dose at the amang plants was 4.1 mSv y(-1). Overall, it was found that the major dose contribution of 80% came from external radiation. Radon/thoron daughters and airborne mineral dust contributed to only 11 and 9% of the total dose, respectively.
Peri-implant diseases can still develop despite oral hygiene practices being maintained. Consequently, regular debridement must be carried out to ensure the implant is sustained. This review evaluated bacterial colonization on implants following the use of different hygiene instruments. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases for articles published from 2012 to 2022. A total of 19 full-text papers were selected. The number of bacteria colonized was most commonly evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or by colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, crystal violet assays, plaque index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, turbidity test, and live-dead assays. Rubber cup polishing with an abrasive paste showed a significantly greater reduction in biofilm formation compared with air abrasion with glycine powder, while the air abrasion treatment was found to be more efficient than piezoelectric, carbon, and stainless steel scalers. Surface treatment with Er, Cr: YSGG laser, and Er: YAG laser resulted in statistically significant superior dental biofilm removal compared with titanium curettes and photodynamic therapy. Air abrasion, plastic curette, titanium curette, and ultrasonic scaler showed no significant differences in bacterial colonization, but air abrasion and plastic curette were safer for zirconia implant decontamination. Furthermore, the titanium brush showed better results in decontaminating the implant surface than the Er: YAG laser. Although no single instrument or method could be considered as offering a gold standard in treating peri-implant diseases, the use of air abrasion with glycine powder, laser therapies, rubber cup polishing with an abrasive paste, and a titanium brush had high levels of cleaning efficacy and acceptance by patients.
Gelatin is used as an ingredient in both food and non-food industries as a gelling agent, stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, and film former. Porcine skins, bovine hides, and cattle bones are the most common sources of gelatin. However, mammalian gelatins are rejected by some consumers due to social, cultural, religious, or health-related concerns. In the present study, gelatin was obtained from camel skin as an alternative source using a combination of processing steps. Central composite design combined with response surface methodology was used to achieve high gelatin yields under different extraction conditions: temperatures of 40, 60, and 80 °C; pH values of 1, 4, and 7; and extraction times of 0.5, 2.0, and 3.5 min. Maximum gelatin yield from camel skin (29.1%) was achieved at 71.87 °C and pH 5.26 after 2.58 min. The extracted gelatin samples were characterized for amino acid profile, foaming capacity, film formation, foam stability, and gel strength (Bloom value). Gelatin nanoparticles were produced, and their morphology and zeta potential were determined. Bloom value of the camel skin gelatin was 340 g. Amino acid analysis revealed that the extracted gelatin showed high glycine and proline contents. Analysis of camel skin gelatin nanoparticle and functional properties revealed high suitability for food and non-food applications, with potential use in the growing global halal food market.
The study was conducted to evaluate the root, shoot and leaf callus cell regeneration and its biochemical properties like antioxidant, carbohydrate, pigment and mineral content from broccoli root, shoot and leaf cutting in vitro. An in vitro factorial experiment was carried out based on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 replicates in tissue culture applying different IBA (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 mg/l) and BAP (1 mg/l) concentrations using broccoli root tip and leaf cutting. The results showed that a higher callus weight was found in the cultured leaf cutting than in root tip cutting in the concentration of 1.0, 1.5 & 2.0 mg/l IBA + 1.0 mg/l BAP combination. The highest callus weight was found in the cultured leaf cutting than root tips cutting at the concentration of 1.5mg/l IBA+1.0 mg/l BAP. Furthermore, the highest inverted sugar and glucose, chlorophyll and nutrient content (K+, NO3- & Ca++), total phenol, flavonoid and total antioxidant were found in the concentration of 1.5mg/l IBA+1.0 mg/l BAP combination in both broccoli leaf and root cutting. The results seemed that it was best to use the combination of the IBA and BAP in the concentration of 1.0-2.0 mg/l and 1mg/l to regenerate root, leaf and callus cell proliferation of broccoli from the root tip and leaf cutting.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common complication following kidney transplantation (KT), which could result in losing the graft. This study aims to identify the prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen and to determine the predisposing factors associated with post renal transplantation UTI. A cross sectional study included of 150 patients, who underwent KT was conducted between June 2010 and January 2011. A Morning mid-stream urine specimen was collected for culture and antibiotic susceptibility test from each recipient. Bacterial UTI was found in 50 patients (33.3%). The prevalence among females 40.3% was higher than males 29%. The UTI was higher in the age group between 41-50 years with a percentage of 28% and this result was statistically significant. Predisposing factors as diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder and polycystic kidney showed significant association. High relative risks were found for polycystic kidney = 13.5 and neurogenic bladder = 13.5. The most prevalent bacteria to cause UTI was Escherichia coli represent 44%, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus 34%. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against gram-negative isolates while Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In conclusion, there is high prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen. Diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, polycystic kidney and calculi were the main predisposing factors.
This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivities and biocompatibilities of porous polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) scaffolds. The in vitro degradation behaviors of the porous PLA/CNF scaffolds were systematically measured for up to 8 weeks in a phosphate-buffered saline medium at 37 °C. The reinforcement of CNF resisted the biodegradation of the scaffolds. The in vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were determined using the Beas2B American Type Culture Collection cells. The 3-(4,5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide cytotoxicity and proliferation tests showed that the scaffolds were non-toxic, and epithelial cells grew well on the scaffold after 7 days of culture, whereas the percentage of cell proliferation on the PLA/CNF15 scaffold was the largest, 130 %. A scratch wound-healing assay was performed to evaluate the suitability of the scaffolds for cell migration. The results demonstrated that the scaffolds exhibited good cell migration towards nearly complete wound closure.
Blood from most of the residents of a remote village in northern peninsular Malaysia, bordering Thailand, was examined for malaria parasites monthly for 1 year. Plasmodium vivax was the commonest infection, but P. falciparum and mixed infections also occurred. Monthly collections of the malaria vector, Anopheles maculatus showed a positive correlation between mosquito densities and malaria positivity in the human population and a negative correlation with rainfall.
The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anxiolytic-like effect of Tualang honey in stressed ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The animals were divided into; (i) nonstressed sham-operated control rats, (ii) sham-operated control rats exposed to stress, (iii) nonstressed OVX rats, (iv) OVX rats exposed to stress, (v) OVX rats exposed to stress and treated with 17 β-oestradiol (E2) (20 μg daily, sc), and (vi) OVX rats exposed to stress and treated with Tualang honey (0.2 g/kg body weight, orally). The open field test was used to evaluate the anxiety-like behaviour and ELISA kits were used to measure oxidant/antioxidant status of the brain homogenates. The result showed that anxiety-like behavior was significantly increased in stressed OVX compared to other groups, and administering either E2 or Tualang honey significantly decreased anxiety-like behaviour in stressed OVX rats. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) were significantly decreased while the levels/activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferases (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly increased in the brain homogenates of treated stressed OVX groups compared to untreated stressed OVX. In conclusion, Tualang honey has protective effects against brain oxidative stress and may be useful alternative anxiolytic agent especially for postmenopausal women.
Fennel seed spent (FSS)-an inexpensive nutraceutical industrial spent has been used as an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous media. Results show that the conditions for maximum adsorption would be pH 2-4 and 30°C were ideal for maximum adsorption. Based on regression fitting of the data, it was determined that the Sips isotherm (R2 = 0.994, χ2 = 0.5) adequately described the mechanism of adsorption, suggesting that the adsorption occurs homogeneously with favorable interaction between layers with favorable interaction between layers. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption is favorable (negative values for ΔG°) and endothermic (ΔH° = 12-20 kJ mol-1) for initial dye concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm. The low ΔH° value indicates that the adsorption is a physical process involving weak chemical interactions like hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. The kinetics revealed that the adsorption process showed pseudo-second-order tendencies with the equal influence of intraparticle as well as film diffusion. The scanning electron microscopy images of FSS show a highly fibrous matrix with a hierarchical porous structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the spent confirmed the presence of cellulosic and lignocellulosic matter, giving it both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. The investigations indicate that FSS is a cost-effective and efficient biosorbent for the remediation of toxic CR dye.
Twelve species of Anopheles were collected by using cow-baited net trap in a malarial endemic village in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Anopheles maculatus which is the main malaria vector with its densities were related to drought. An. aconitus, An. kochi and An. philippinensis were less susceptible to P. falciparum and P. vivax infection, and are not considered important in falciparum or vivax malaria transmission. Biting activities of An. kochi and An. vagus were primarily active after dusk and steadily declined after midnight. An. maculatus and An. aconitus showed biting activities throughout the night but An. maculatus showed two peaks of biting activity in the first half of the night.