Cochlear implant (CI) is the main intervention option for people with severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the auditory performance of a group of prelingually deafened paediatric
cochlear implant users using direct speech perception measures (objective) and a parental questionnaire (subjective)
and to identify significant demographic factors that might contribute to their performance. A total of 48 children from the
Cochlear Implant Program under the Malaysian Ministry of Health with hearing age of 12 to 89 months (mean = 42.60
± 19.46 months) participated in this study. The speech perception test was conducted using selected tests from the Malay
version of the Evaluation of Auditory Response to Speech (EARS) while parental views of the children’s performance were
collected using the Malay version of the Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) questionnaire.
The recorded speech stimuli were presented to the children in a free field at approximately 65 dB SPL in a sound treated
room. The speech perception test results were then categorized using the Malay version of the Categories of Auditory
Performance Index (My-CAPI) with 10 categories ranging from ‘0’ to ‘9’. Results showed that most of the children (N = 20,
41.7%) were performing at category 2 of My-CAPI (limited closed set speech perception) with three children achieved the
maximum category 9 (advanced open-set sentences in noise). Communication mode was the only demographic factor that
significantly correlated with the My-CAPI and PEACH scores (p < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficient showed a strong
relationship between the PEACH scores and My-CAPI levels (p < 0.01; r = 0.71) suggesting that the PEACH questionnaire
can be used as an indicator of the auditory performance if the speech perception tests cannot be performed. The findings
suggest that the majority of the CI children tested in this study had not achieved satisfactory auditory performance and that the use of oral communication mode was the main
factor associated with better auditory outcomes.
Daging memainkan peranan penting dalam diet seseorang. Daging kaya dengan sumber protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, asid lemak Omega 3 dan mineral seperti zink dan ferum. Walaupun daging membekalkan pelbagai keperluan nutrien yang diperlukan oleh tubuh, tetapi pengambilan daging juga boleh membawa kesan negatif kepada kesihatan. Oleh itu, di dalam artikel ini perbincangan akan menyentuh kepada risiko pengambilan daging merah kepada kesihatan. Pengambilan daging merah dalam kekerapan dan kuantiti yang tinggi boleh menyebabkan pelbagai penyakit antaranya seperti kanser dan kardiovaskular. Perbincangan juga di lakukan terhadap risiko pengambilan daging putih terhadap kesihatan. Pengambilan daging putih boleh mengundang pelbagai kesan negatif kepada kesihatan disebabkan oleh penggunaan hormon, antibiotik dan vaksin. Sebagai alternatif, daging ayam organik merupakan daging yang dicadangkan diambil oleh pengguna di dalam diet seharian. Prinsip penternakan ayam organik yang mementingkan sumber makanan ternakan tanpa penggunaan baja kimia dan racun perosak, aspek perumahan dan persekitaran yang mengutamakan kebajikan ternakan serta penjagaan kesihatan ternakan tanpa menggunakan hormon, antibiotik dan vaksin turut dibincangkan.
There is a large volume of published studies describing the adverse relationship between treatment non-adherence with tuberculosis treatment outcome. Non-adherence could result in increased risks of prolonged infectiousness, drug resistance, relapse cases and poor survival among tuberculosis patients. Nevertheless, few studies are to be found providing detailed on the reason of defaulting treatment among tuberculosis patients in Malaysia. Hence the goal of this paper is to find out the barriers and motivations factors that affect patients’ treatment compliance among our local tuberculosis patients. This is a qualitative study which included 12 in-depth interviews with tuberculosis non-compliance patients who were treated at Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur. All the conversations were recorded, transcribed and analysed by using thematic analysis. It was found that low knowledge, self-negative attitudes, traditional believes, negative perceptions towards health caregiver, drug side effects, stigma, financial problems, less family support and work commitments are the barriers that prevent the patients from religiously taking their anti-tuberculosis treatment. Meanwhile, factors that encourage them to continue their treatment were the believes of bad effects of the disease onto their lives and health, good relationship between patient and health caregiver and social support from people around them. In conclusion, non-adherence involved a dynamic influence of individual, socio-economic and treatment-related factors on the patients. The results presented here may facilitate improvement in the activities in promoting compliance among tuberculosis patients in the future which tailored to the patients’ specific needs.
Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein belonging to a family of proteins that act as regulators of apoptosis in mammalian cells. Bcl-2 expression has previously been reported in normal breast ductal cells and its involvement in the hormonal regulation of hyperplasia and involution was further suggested, and it was thought to be expressed through hormonedependent pathways. Bcl-2 is a cytoplasmic oncoprotein which is highly expressed in human solid tumours. In breast cancer cells, however, Bcl-2 expression is down regulated, the exact mechanism and the effects of which are not clearly defined, as bcl-2 expression appears to be inversely correlated with the presence of p53 mutations. This work aimed at investigating the expression of bcl-2 in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast utilizing an immunohistochemistry assay as well as studying the clinical correlations of bcl-2. Bcl-2 was detected in 43.7% of 382 invasive ductal carcinoma study cases. Its expression correlated positively, with lower age of patients, higher histological grades, large tumour sizes, estrogen receptor positivity and progesterone receptor negativity. However, the statistical correlations were weak. With the data obtained, it was found that the expression of bcl-2 correlated with unfavourable prognoses. Furthermore, bcl-2 detection alone may not be very helpful in consolidating a clinical diagnosis.
Inclination towards nutrition beliefs by parents and caregivers plays an important role in the dietary intake of children
with leukemia. However, local studies examining on the nutrition practices and dietary beliefs among caregivers of
leukemia patients are very limited. This study aims to assess nutrition beliefs among caregivers of children with leukemia
and healthcare professionals at the Pediatric Institute of Kuala Lumpur Hospital (IPHKL), Malaysia. This qualitative
study was conducted to assess the beliefs and practices towards certain foods among caregivers of pediatric leukemia
patients. Thirty subjects comprising a group of 10 health care professionals and 20 caregivers were interviewed using
semi-structured interview method. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS.ti. version 7.5.6 qualitative
analysis software and subsequently several themes.were obtained. Five themes emerged from this analysis that are
(1) beliefs about foods that can cure cancer, (2) beliefs related to consumption of meat and dairy products, (3) beliefs
towards foods containing pesticides, (4) beliefs that certain food causes itchiness, and (5) source of nutrition information
and nutrition knowledge of caregivers. This study proves that beliefs in various myths related to nutrition and dietary
practices exist among caregivers and health professionals group. Information from these findings can provide perspective
on the beliefs towards dietary practices among caregivers of children with leukemia and healthcare professionals. This
is important for the healthcare professions, especially when planning the strategies for caregivers’ nutrition education
in order to improve the nutritional status of childhood leukemia patients.
Heschl’s gyrus (HG) is known to interact with other auditory related areas of the same hemisphere during the performance
of an auditory cognitive task. However, the information about how it interacts with the opposite HG is still lacking.
The aim of this study was to investigate the psychophysiologic interaction (PPI) between the bilateral HG during a
simple arithmetic addition task and to verify the role of noise as an experimental factor that would modulate the PPI.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed on eighteen healthy participants, in which a
single-digit addition task were solved during in-quiet (AIQ) and in-noise (AIN) conditions. The fMRI data were analysed
using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8). The interaction between the bilateral HG was investigated using PPI
analysis. The response in right HG was found to be linearly influenced by the activity in left HG, vice-versa, for both
in-quiet and in-noise conditions. The connectivity from right to left HG in noisy condition seemed to be modulated
by noise, while the modulation is relatively small oppositely, indicating a non-reciprocal behavior. A two-way PPI
model between right and left HG is suggested. The connectivity from right to left HG during a simple addition task in
noise is driven by a higher ability of right HG to perceive the stimuli in a noisy condition. Both the bilateral HGs took
part in the cognitive processes of arithmetic addition from which the interactions between the two were found to be
different in noise.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as an additive in food. Excess consumption of MSG was reported to cause oxidative stress on brain, liver and renal resulted in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aims to determine the biochemical and histological effects of low dose MSG on the liver of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals (n = 6 per group) were randomly divided into three groups with two treatment groups: 60 mg/kg (MSG60) and 120 mg/kg (MSG120), and one control group (distilled water). The substances were administered to the rats via force feeding for 28 consecutive days. On day 29, all rats were killed, and liver tissues were biopsied for the biochemical (total protein, liver enzymes, and the status of oxidative stress) and histological analysis. The total protein appeared significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) demonstrated a significant increased (p < 0.05) in the MSG120 treatment group as compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the antioxidant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increase (p < 0.05) in the MSG120 group as compared to the MSG60 and control groups. The histological findings revealed changes to normal liver architecture and accumulation of red blood cells in the central veins in both MSG groups. This study indicates that the MSG consumption at a dose of 120 mg/kg may ALTer the biochemical and histological parameters of the liver.
Pseudomonas sp. strain SS22 telah dipencilkan daripada kolam oksidasi kilang minyak kelapa sawit di Malaysia. Dalam kajian ini, keupayaaan bakteria ini mentransformasikan asid oleik kepada produk baru telah dikaji. Produk biotransformasi dianalisis dengan kromatografi lapisan nipis (KLN), kromatografi gas (KG), spektroskopi inframerah gandingan fourier (SIGF) dan kromatografi gas-spektrometri jisim (KG-s.1). Analisis KLN menunjukkan bahawa hanya satu produk baru terbentuk selepas 7 hari eraman pada suhu 37°C, goncangan pada 150 ppm. Semakin lama eraman menyebabkan pengurangan titik produk pada 14 harL Analisis KG menunjukkan bahawa 5 puncak produk baru pada masa penahanan 13.1(*A), 15.0 (*C), 15.3 (*D), 16.8 (*E) dan 18.4 (*F) minit telah terbentuk selepas 7 hari eraman. Spektrum inframerah (Im) bagi produk yang terbentuk daripada asid oleik selepas 7 hari, menunjukkan kewujudan regangan OH/NH pada 3417 cm-'. Serapan pada 2673 cm-', kemungkinan regangan CH bersama-sama dengan kumpulan karbonil. Serapan pada 1712 cm-' adalah konstan dengan regangan c=o daripada keton atau asid karboksilik. Regangan CH pada 2932, 2854, 1462 dan 1379 cm-1 merupakan kumpulan alkil, menandakan produk hidrokarbon juga wujud dalam produk campuran. Kehadiran CH/C-C pada serapan 969 dan 725 cm-', menandakan kewujudan alkena trans (C=C). Analisis KG-SJ mengesahkan bahawa produk tersebut merupakan campuran asid 9(E)- heksadekenoik, asid kaprilik, asid miristik dan hidrokarbon. Walaupun produk yang terbentuk bercampur, asid 9(E)-heksadekenoik boleh digunakan sebagai komponen membran lipidnya. Penghasilan produk tersebut boleh dipertingkatkan dengan mengoptimumkan keadaan pertumbuhan.
Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are antithrombotic agents utilised in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. They have been shown to be more effective than unfractionated heparins (UFHs) in reducing ischeamic events, which include death, myocardial infarction (MI) and urgent revascularisation. Enoxaparin is one of the products of LMWHs. Its safety and efficacy has been proven in the ESSENCE and TIMI IIB studies. This study was carried out to identify risk factors that may affect bleeding complications associated with the use of enoxaparin for non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA) in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM). This observational, longitudinal study was conducted on patients who were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Coronary Rehabilitation Ward (CRW), Medical 1 and Medical 2 wards at HUKM and initiated on enoxaparin for NSTEMI/UA from 22nd of March until 22nd of April 2004. A total of 40 patients were included in the study with median age of 65 years, male to female ratio of 3:1, diagnosed with NSTEMI (55%) and UA (45%). 45% of patients developed an episode of bleeding and among them 83.3% (15 patients) characterised by haematuria. Higher percentages of women (80%) and those with creatinine clearance of < 30ml/min (100%) had incidence of bleeding as compared to men (50%) and those with creatinine clearance = 30 ml/min, respectively (p < 0.05 for both parameters). Age, enoxaparin dose and duration of therapy, smoking and concomitant aspirin/ticlopidine therapy did not significantly affect the incidence of bleeding. In conclusion, renal impairment and gender were associated with bleeding in relation with the use of enoxaparin that may require dose adjustments.
In this study, the asymmetry of the main effects of action, background and tonal frequency during a pitch memory processing
were investigated by means of brain activation. Eighteen participants (mean age 27.6 years) were presented with low and
high frequency tones in quiet and in noise. They listen, discriminate and recognize the target tone against the final tone
in a series of four distracting tones. The main effects were studied using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with action (to
wring (rubber bulb) vs. not to wring), background (in quiet vs. in noise) and frequency (low vs. high) as the factors (and
levels respectively). The main effect of action is in the right pre-central gyrus (PCG), in conformation with its contralateral
behavior. The main effect of background indicated the bilateral primary auditory cortices (PAC) and is right lateralized,
attributable to white noise. The main effect of frequency is also observed in PAC but bilaterally equal and attributable to
low frequency tones. Despite the argument that the temporo-spectral lateralization dichotomy is not especially rigid as
revealed by the main effect of frequency, right lateralization of PAC for the respective main effect of background clearly
demonstrates its functional asymmetry suggesting different perceptual functionality of the right and left PAC.
Ocular abnormalities have apparent effects on brain activation. However, neuroimaging data about the ocular characteristics of healthy participants are still lacking to be compared with data for patients with ocular pathology. The objective of this multiple participants’ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies was to investigate the brain activation characteristics of healthy participants when they view stimuli of various shapes, pattern and size. During the fMRI scans, the participants view the growing ring, rotating wedge, flipping hour glass/bow tie, quadrant arc and full checker board stimuli. All stimuli have elements of black-and-white checkerboard pattern. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used in generating brain activation via fixed-effects (FFX) and conjunction analyses. The stimuli of various shapes, pattern and size produce different brain activation with more activation concentrated in the left hemisphere. These results are supported by the conjunction analysis which indicated that the left pre-central, post-central, superior temporal and occipital gyrus as well as the left cingulate cortices were involved when the participants viewed each given stimulus. Differential activation analysis showed activation with high specificity in the occipital region due to the stimuli of various shapes, pattern and size. The activation in the right middle temporal gyrus was found to be significantly higher in response to moving stimuli as compared to stationary stimuli. This confi rms the involvement of the right middle temporal gyrus in the observation of movements. The black-and-white checkerboard stimuli of various shapes, pattern and size, stationary and moving was found to 1) activate visual as well as other cortices in temporal and parietal lobes, 2) cause asymmetry in brain function and 3) exhibit functional integration characteristics in several brain areas.
Keywords: fMRI; SPM; visual stimulus; occipital gyrus; middle temporal gyrus
A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted on 4 healthy male and female subjects to investigate brain activation during passive and active listening. Two different experimental conditions were separately used in this study. The first condition requires the subjects to listen to a simple arithmetic instruction (e.g. one-plus-two-plus-three-plus-four) - passive listening. In the second condition, the subjects were given the same series of arithmetic instruction and were required to listen and perform the calculation - active listening. The data were then analysed using the Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM5) and the MATLAB 7.4 (R2007a) programming softwares. The results obtained from the fixed (FFX) and random effects analyses (RFX) show that the active-state signal intensity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the resting-state signal intensity for both conditions. The results also indicate significant differences (p < 0.001) in brain activation between passive and active listening. The activated cortical regions during passive listening, as obtained from the FFX of the first condition is symmetrical in the left and right temporal and frontal lobes covering the cortical auditory areas. However, for the second condition, which was active listening, more activation occurs in the left hemisphere with a reduction in the number of activated voxels and their signal intensity in the right hemisphere. Activation mainly occurs in the middle temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus and several other areas in the frontal lobes. The point of maximum signal intensity has been shifted to a new coordinates during active listening. It is also observed that the magnetic resonance signal intensity and the number of activated voxel in the right and left superior temporal lobes for the second condition have been reduced as compared to that of the first condition. The results obtained strongly suggest the existence of functional specialisation. The results also indicate different networks for the two conditions. These networks clearly pertain to the existence of functional connectivity between activation areas during listening and listening while performing a simple arithmetic task.
“Following the child’s lead” and “collaborative consultation with parents” are solidly grounded in the best practice of
early language intervention. However, the success of these two practices are based on assumptions that they are valued by
families and that they can be feasibly implemented by the attending speech-language pathologist (SLP). Such assumptions
can be unjustified in cultures that value the use of “adult-guided instructions” over following the child’s lead and when
the work setting of the SLP does not readily accommodate those practices. This article takes the form of a position paper.
Through review of the literature, the paper (1) identifies the research-cultural practice gap in early language intervention
in Malaysia; (2) positions the two research-informed practices – following the child’s lead and collaborative consultation
with parents, on the continuum of intrusiveness in early language intervention; and (3) proposes the techniques of Milieu
Teaching as an approach to bridge the research-cultural practice gap in Malaysia.
Older adults who walk in their neighbourhood with greater street connectivity are reported to have lower limb physical performance decline. There is limited information regarding the association between built environment characteristics and physical performance in older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between built environment characteristics, physical performance, falls risk and functional mobility among older adults. Sixty four (27 men and 37 women) community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above (mean 67.4 ± 7.1 years) from senior citizen clubs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in this cross-sectional study. Built environment characteristics were assessed using an adapted Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical performance and falls risk was measured using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Profile Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) respectively. Timed Up and Go (TUG) and gait speed tests were used to assess functional mobility. There was a significant correlation between built environment and physical performance (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) and functional mobility measured using gait speed test (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) among older adults. Built environment was identified as a significant determinant of physical performance (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). Built environment characteristics is an important external factor in preserving physical performance in older adults. Programmes and policies for a more favourable built environment characteristics in the neighbourhoods should be encouraged to promote and maintain physical performance among older adults.
An entomological study was conducted in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia in May until September 2007 revealing five species of butterflies (all from family Nymphalidae) were attracted to pig carcasses placed in an oil palm plantation. Euploea mulciber (Cramer 1777), Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus 1758), Elymnias hypermnestra (Linnaeus 1763), Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus 1758) and Ypthima baldus (Fabricius 1775) came to the carcasses at different stages of decomposition. From this study, we know that nymphalid butterflies are attracted to carcasses but their roles are most probably unimportant in post-mortem estimation.
This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derived from cellulose of palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) and its use asa film-coating agent. Samples were prepared at various concentrations and then their physicochemical properties were studied including the viscosity, pH, tensile strength of films, surface properties of the films and dissolution studies on coated tablets. CMC EFB showed lower viscosity than commercial CMC product at the concentration of 1%, 2% and 3% with the values of 44.0cp, 299.9cp, 358.9cp and 90.0cp, 689.9cp, 5569.0cp respectively. The tensile strength of the films for CMC EFB were 7.85MPa, 14.79MPa, 10.36MPa while the commercial CMC exhibited higher values of 21.72MPa, 35.14MPa and 26.9MPa at similar concentration. The scanning electron microscope showed different surface properties of the films for both of them where the commercial CMC is smoother in texture and very transparent unlike its counterpart. However, dissolution studies on paracetamol tablets coated using the samples showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in drug release profile between the two materials. Hence, CMC EFB has a greater potential to be developed as a competitive tablet-coating agent despite the differences in its physicochemical properties.
Changes in nitrate and nitrite contents (leaves and stem) of Amaranthus gangeticus (AG) and Amaranthus paniculatus (AP), resulting from blanching, storage time (0-4 days), storage temperature (0 and 4ºC), and reheating were analysed. Results showed that fresh AG (1859 ± 7.07 mg/kg) had higher nitrite content than AP (1262 ± 2.12 mg/kg). Nitrites content was 506 ± 2 and 825 ± 3.5 mg/kg for AG and AP, respectively. Reheating and storage times significantly increased the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in AG and AP. Storage at 0 and 4oC exhibited a significant change (P < 0.05) in nitrate and nitrite contents for both samples. Higher nitrite content was found in AP when stored at 4oC and 0oC. The present study indicated that storage time and temperature affected the nitrite contents in blanched AG and AP when stored in low temperatures. Apart from that reheating was also found to increase the formation of nitrite.
Plantar pressure, force and contact area information may provideinsights regarding stresses imparted to the foot when performing functional tasks. There is limited information regarding plantar pressure, force and contact area when carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using one hand between adults with and without low back pain (LBP). The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in the plantar pressure, force and contact area when carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using one hand between adults with and without low back pain (LBP). A total of 20 adults with non-specific LBP and 20 matched individuals without LBP were recruited according to the predefined recruitment criteria. Plantar pressure (PP), maximum force (MF) and contact area (CA were measured in standing position and during walking while carrying incremental loads (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand on a Matscan pressure assessment system. A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group× load) was conducted to analyse the data. No significant main effectof group was demonstrated on both the right and left foot during standing (PP: p = 0.74, p = 0.32; MF: p = 0.17, p = 0.67; CA: p = 0.25, p = 0.24) and walking (PP: p = 0.61, p = 0.48; MF: p = 0.19, p = 0.06; CA: p = 0.16, p = 0.26. Similarly, there was no interaction effect between the loads and groups on the PP (p = 0.89, p = 0.47), MF (p = 0.76, p = 0.83) and CA (p = 0.88, p = 0.20) on theright and left foot, respectively during standing. However, a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05), between the loads and groups was demonstrated on the PP, MF and CA on the left foot during walking. The results of our study suggest that stresses imparted to the foot alters during dynamic postures and this may be a compensatory mechanism. Plantar pressure, force and contact area were similar in adults both with and without LBP when standing and walking. Further biomechanical information that includes both kinematic and kinetic data in lumbopelvic and lower limbs in relation to the foot may be required to justify for prevention and management strategies among adults with LBP.
This study was aimed to determine the efficiency of synthetic protein-free media in spermatozoa washing, preparation
and retention of the activity of washed spermatozoa over short periods in vitro. Normozoospermic semen samples (n =
71) were equally apportioned and washed using synthetic protein-free medium (PFM), minimum essential medium + HSA
(MEM) or commercial protein-containing medium (CPC). Washed spermatozoa were cultured in vitro using PFM, MEM or
CPC media and held for 24 hrs at 4°C, 15°C, 22°C or 37°C. Spermatozoa activity was evaluated at 0 hr, 4 to 7 hrs and
24 hrs post-wash. The effects of PFM on spermatozoa motility, vitality, membrane integrity and DNA fragmentation level
were not significantly different from that of MEM and CPC media at 0 hr, 4 to 7 hrs and 24 hrs post-wash in vitro. Synthetic
PFM, MEM and CPC retained spermatozoa activity highest when specimen were held at 22°C and it was significantly higher
(p < 0.05) than that at 37°C after 24 hrs incubation in vitro. However, no significant changes (p > 0.05) were noted
in spermatozoa DNA fragmentation (SDF) levels when specimen were held at 22°C or 37°C at 4 to 7 hrs and also after
24 hrs post-wash in vitro in all media. The use of synthetic PFM as an alternative to the commercial protein-containing
media in human spermatozoa washing and preparation procedure for an efficient and safer (Assisted Reproduction
Technology) ART outcome. Spermatozoa activity can be successfully retained at room temperature post-wash over short
periods; spermatozoa may lose viability rapidly if held for long hours at 37°C in all media.
While the prevalence of visually impaired children constitutes a small portion of the visually impaired population, it is important to determine whether the low vision services available are utilised by these children. This is important as previous studies have shown that children have a very high rate of successful low vision device use compared to adults. This was a cross sectional retrospective study. Fifty nine low vision clinic children records were evaluated. The results showed that 25.4% of the children were categorised as with moderate low vision, 30.5% with severe low vision and 40.7% were categorised as blind. The major causes of low vision were congenital cataract, congenital nystagmus, congenital glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Low vision rehabilitation for near work using magnifiers improved the vision of 30.5% of the low vision children. This finding suggests that 1/3 of low vision children could benefit from low vision rehabilitation. The low vision devices most commonly prescribed to the children in this study were stand magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers and spectacles. This study illustrates the key role of optometrists in the management of visual impairment in Malaysian children. It would appear that the establishment of low vision services in government hospitals using trained optometrists is a cost effective method of service delivery. Therefore more low vision children would have access to proper low vision rehabilitation and through that rehabilitation, their quality of life can be improved.
Key words: children, low vision
Study site: Klinik Penglihatan Terhad Pusat Perubatana, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia