Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 151 in total

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  1. Chang MS, Hii J, Buttner P, Mansoor F
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1997 7 1;91(4):382-6.
    PMID: 9373626
    Surveys were conducted of adult and immature mosquitoes in an area undergoing oil palm development in north Sarawak. Point prevalence data from 2 sites were collected annually, coinciding with annual phases of forest clearing, burning/cultivation, and maintenance. Major habitat perturbation during the forest/clearing transition shifted the major mosquito faunal equilibrium in terms of species composition, relative density and occurrence. Analyses of variance showed that the mean numbers of 4 species of Anopheles decreased significantly after forest clearing. Relative densities of immature stages decreased after forest clearing, but A. letifer and Culex tritaeniorhynchus remained relatively unchanged after the second year. Comparisons with the pre-development forest stage showed that the reductions in person-biting rates, adult survival and combined entomological inoculation rates (EIR) of A. donaldi and A. letifer decreased the risk of malaria transmission by 90% over the 4 years period. Concomitant reductions in EIR and annual malaria incidence were also correlated. This study highlighted the 'law of unintended consequences', since 2 contrasting effects were observed: reduction of malaria vectors but concomitant increase of dengue vectors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  2. Dohany AL, Phang OW, Rapmund G
    PMID: 411176
    Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) arenicola Traub, a vector of scrub typhus, had previously been found to occur in the coastal vegetation behind the edge of open sand along the beaches of Peninsular Malaysia. Surveys of the west coast beaches of Sabah and Sarawak were conducted to determine if this species occurs in similar habitat in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Leptotrombidium (L.) arenicola was not collected from the eighteen sites studied. Of the 11,982 mite larvae collected, 55 per cent were L.(L.) deliense (Walch), a well-known, widespread vector of scrub typhus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  3. Roberts LW, Muul I, Robinson DM
    PMID: 411177
    Numbers of L. (L.) deliense larvae were determined in adjacent habitats over a 16 month period. Both R. argentiventer and R. tiomanicus were highly efficient hosts for L. (L.) deliense. R. argentiventer was host to significantly greater numbers of chiggers per rat than was R. tiomanicus. The 2 habitats were similar in numbers of chiggers collected. No consistent correlation was apparent between numbers of chiggers and any single weather factor, but the chigger population seemed to be adversely affected by a 2 month period during which total evaporation greatly exceeded total rainfall. Direct fluorescent antibody examination of tissues from unfed L. (L.) deliense showed that 2 of 420 larvae (0.5%) contained organisms morphologically resembling R. tsutsugamushi. Considering the vector load and numbers of chiggers being returned to the ground by a given host, a rate of 0.5% appeared adequate to account for the prevalence rate of R. tsutsugamushi observed in the 2 host species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  4. Bennett AE
    Biol Psychiatry, 1976 Jun;11(3):345-53.
    PMID: 938700
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  5. Lau YY, How KY, Yin WF, Chan KG
    PeerJ, 2020;8:e10068.
    PMID: 33150063 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10068
    Over the past decades, Enterobacter spp. have been identified as challenging and important pathogens. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteria especially those that produce Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase has been a very worrying health crisis. Although efforts have been made to unravel the complex mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenicity of different Enterobacter spp., there is very little information associated with AHL-type QS mechanism in Enterobacter spp. Signaling via N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) is the most common quorum sensing (QS) mechanism utilized by Proteobacteria. A typical AHL-based QS system involves two key players: a luxI gene homolog to synthesize AHLs and a luxR gene homolog, an AHL-dependent transcriptional regulator. These signaling molecules enable inter-species and intra-species interaction in response to external stimuli according to population density. In our recent study, we reported the genome of AHL-producing bacterium, Enterobacter asburiae strain L1. Whole genome sequencing and in silico analysis revealed the presence of a pair of luxI/R genes responsible for AHL-type QS, designated as easI/R, in strain L1. In a QS system, a LuxR transcriptional protein detects and responds to the concentration of a specific AHL controlling gene expression. In E. asburiae strain L1, EasR protein binds to its cognate AHLs, N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (C6-HSL), modulating the expression of targeted genes. In this current work, we have cloned the 693 bp luxR homolog of strain L1 for further characterization. The functionality and specificity of EasR protein in response to different AHL signaling molecules to activate gene transcription were tested and validated with β-galactosidase assays. Higher β-galactosidase activities were detected for cells harboring EasR, indicating EasR is a functional transcriptional regulator. This is the first report documenting the cloning and characterization of transcriptional regulator, luxR homolog of E. asburiae.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  6. Syafaat MN, Muhammad T, Abol-Munafi AB, Ikhwanuddin M
    Data Brief, 2019 Oct;26:104438.
    PMID: 31528675 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104438
    Population density, growth, survival, water quality and larval stage index of purple mud crab, Scylla tranquebarica at different feeding regimes and the data on ingestion rate of chosen microalgae, survival and larval development of blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus are presented. A twenty days of S. tranquebarica larval culture from zoeal 1 until megalopa stage under two different feeding regimes of A) Rotifer, Artemia nauplii and shrimp meat and B) Rotifer, Artemia nauplii and artificial feed is shared. A method on investigation of individual larvae of P. pelagicus capability to catch four different types of microalgae within 24 h is also shared. Direct eye observation, data collected through the larval rearing culture of S. tranquebarica and further statistical analysis were done daily until the crabs reached the megalopa stage. The result obtained from the optimum density of selected microalgae fed by individual larvae of P. pelagicus will be combined with the highest survival rate and larval stage index to develop feeding schedule for crab larvae P. pelagicus. This dataset has not previously been published and is of great potential for further comparison with other - and future investigation of various feeding regimes affected the crab culture. The collected information could be used as a standard feeding regime for nursery and hatchery seed production of others portunids crabs. The data described in this article are available as a supplementary file to this article.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  7. Saifur RG, Hassan AA, Dieng H, Salmah MR, Saad AR, Satho T
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2013 Mar;29(1):33-43.
    PMID: 23687853
    We studied the diversity of Aedes breeding sites in various urban, suburban, and rural areas over time between February 2009 and February 2010 in the dengue endemic areas of Penang Island, Malaysia. We categorized the breeding sites and efficiency, and identified the key breeding containers. Among the 3 areas, the rural areas produced the highest container index (55), followed by suburban (42) and urban (32) areas. The numbers of key premises and containers were significantly higher (P < 0.000) in rural areas. The class 1 containers were identified as the key containers with higher productivity and efficiency, although class 2 and class 4 are the highest in numbers. Aedes aegypti immatures were found mostly in drums, water reservoirs, and polyethylene sheets, while mixed breeding was more common in buckets and empty paint cans in urban and suburban areas. Aedes albopictus was found mainly in miscellaneous containers such as drums, empty paint cans, and covers in all areas. The main potential containers indoors were drums, water reservoirs, and empty paint cans, and containers outdoors included empty paint cans, drums, and polyethylene sheets.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  8. Marcela P, Hassan AA, Hamdan A, Dieng H, Kumara TK
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2015 Dec;31(4):313-20.
    PMID: 26675452 DOI: 10.2987/moco-31-04-313-320.1
    Mating behavior between Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, established colony strains were examined under laboratory conditions (30-cm(3) screened cages) for 5 consecutive days. The effect of selected male densities (30, 20, 10) and female density (20) on the number of swarming, mating pairs, eggs produced, and inseminated females were evaluated. Male densities significantly increased swarming behavior, mating pairs, and egg production of heterospecific females, but female insemination was reduced. Aedes aegypti males mate more readily with heterospecific females than do Ae. albopictus males. The current study suggests that Ae. aegypti males were not species-specific in mating, and if released into the field as practiced in genetically modified mosquito techniques, they may mate with both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females, hence reducing populations of both species by producing infertile eggs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  9. Maryam S, Fadzly N, Amirul AA, Zuharah WF
    Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 2017 Apr 03;59:e4.
    PMID: 28380115 DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946201759004
    Paederus fuscipes, a vector of Paederus dermatitis in most tropical and subtropical countries of the world have a high prevalence in human dwellings due to their positively phototaxic behaviour which has caused a tremendous impact on human health. In this paper, P. fuscipes dispersal flights were studied for two seasons of the rice cultivation phases in residential premises built close to rice field areas (≈32-60 m and 164 m) in mainland Penang, Malaysia. We examined the effects of different light illuminance, building floor level and their association with rice stages as a focal cause of P. fuscipes dispersion from the rice fields towards human dwellings. The present study showed a significant interaction between different light illuminances and rice cultivation phases in attracting P. fuscipes to disperse and invade human dwellings. The highest number of P. fuscipes was captured near the bright light. P. fuscipes flights increased in line with each floor level, and the highest captures took place at higher building floor levels (levels 2 and 3) compared to lower building floor levels (ground floor and level 1) of a three storey apartment in both rice seasons. This finding not only conveys a better understanding on P. fuscipes dispersal pattern, but also draws public attention on the occurrence of dermatitis linearis caused by the Paederus beetles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  10. Bagchi R, Press MC, Scholes JD
    Ecol Lett, 2010 Jan;13(1):51-9.
    PMID: 19849708 DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01397.x
    One important hypothesis to explain tree-species coexistence in tropical forests suggests that increased attack by natural enemies near conspecific trees gives locally rare species a competitive advantage. Host ranges of natural enemies generally encompass several closely related plant taxa suggesting that seedlings should also do poorly around adults of closely related species. We investigated the effects of adult Parashorea malaanonan on seedling survival in a Bornean rain forest. Survival of P. malaanonan seedlings was highest at intermediate distances from parent trees while heterospecific seedlings were unaffected by distance. Leaf herbivores did not drive this relationship. Survival of seedlings was lowest for P. malaanonan, and increased with phylogenetic dissimilarity from this species, suggesting that survival of close relatives of common species is reduced. This study suggests that distance dependence contributes to species coexistence and highlights the need for further investigation into the role of shared plant enemies in community dynamics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  11. Fort H, Vázquez DP, Lan BL
    Ecol Lett, 2016 Jan;19(1):4-11.
    PMID: 26498731 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12535
    A frequent observation in plant-animal mutualistic networks is that abundant species tend to be more generalised, interacting with a broader range of interaction partners than rare species. Uncovering the causal relationship between abundance and generalisation has been hindered by a chicken-and-egg dilemma: is generalisation a by-product of being abundant, or does high abundance result from generalisation? Here, we analyse a database of plant-pollinator and plant-seed disperser networks, and provide strong evidence that the causal link between abundance and generalisation is uni-directional. Specifically, species appear to be generalists because they are more abundant, but the converse, that is that species become more abundant because they are generalists, is not supported by our analysis. Furthermore, null model analyses suggest that abundant species interact with many other species simply because they are more likely to encounter potential interaction partners.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  12. Norzahira R, Hidayatulfathi O, Wong HM, Cheryl A, Firdaus R, Chew HS, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):48-54.
    PMID: 21602768 MyJurnal
    Ovitrap surveillance was conducted in methodically selected areas in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia from June 2008 till December 2009 in order to identify insular sites with stable Aedes aegypti population. Eleven sites were surveyed in Bentong district, Pahang, and one of these locations (N3º33' E101º54') was found to have an ovitrap index of Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus ranging from 8%-47% and 37%-78% respectively, indicating that this site could be a high-risk area for dengue outbreak. Ae. aegypti larvae were found in both indoor and outdoor ovitraps (p>0.05) while significant difference between the populations of Ae. albopictus larvae from indoors and outdoors was observed (p<0.01). Data collected in this study could provide important entomological information for designing an effective integrated vector control programme to combat Aedes mosquitoes in this area.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  13. Lim KW, Sit NW, Norzahira R, Sing KW, Wong HM, Chew HS, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Aug;27(2):185-92.
    PMID: 20962714 MyJurnal
    A year-long ovitrap surveillance was conducted between November 2007 and October 2008 in two insular settlements (Kampung Pulau Ketam and Kampung Sungai Lima) within the Malaysian island of Pulau Ketam. Eighty standard ovitraps were placed indoors and outdoors of randomly selected houses/locations. Results demonstrated an endemic baseline Aedes population throughout the year without weekly large fluctuations. Kampung Pulau Ketam has high Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus population, but only Ae. aegypti was found in Kampung Sungai Lima. Aedes aegypti showed no preference for ovitraps placed indoor versus outdoor. However, as expected, significantly more outdoor ovitraps were positive for Ae. albopictus (p<0.05). Trends in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti populations mirrored each other suggesting that common factors influenced these two populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  14. Mansor MS, Ramli R
    Behav Processes, 2017 Jul;140:121-126.
    PMID: 28438691 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.04.010
    Niche theory suggests that sympatric species reduce interspecific competition through segregation of shared resources by adopting different attack manoeuvres. However, the fact that flycatcher-like bird species exclusively use the sally manoeuvre may thus challenge this view. We studied the foraging ecology of three flycatcher-like species (i.e. Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone sp., Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea, and Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhoptera) in the Krau Wildlife Reserve in central Peninsular Malaysia. We investigated foraging preferences of each bird species and the potential niche partitioning via spatial or behavioural segregation. Foraging substrate was important parameter that effectively divided paradise-flycatcher from Black-naped Monarch and Rufous-winged Philentoma, where monarch and philentoma foraged mainly on live green leaves, while paradise-flycatcher foraged on the air. They also exhibited different foraging height preferences. Paradise-flycatcher, for instance, preferred the highest studied strata, while Black-naped Monarch foraged mostly in lower strata, and Rufous-winged Philentoma made use of the lowest strata. This study indicates that niche segregation occurs among sympatric species through foraging substrate and attack manoeuvres selection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  15. Deepak AS, Ong JY, Choon D, Lee CK, Chiu CK, Chan C, et al.
    Malays Orthop J, 2017 Mar;11(1):41-46.
    PMID: 28435573 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1703.018
    INTRODUCTION: There is no large population size study on school screening for scoliosis in Malaysia. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence rate and positive predictive value (PPV) of screening programme for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8966 voluntary school students aged 13-15 years old were recruited for scoliosis screening. Screening was done by measuring the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) on forward bending test (FBT) using a scoliometer. ATR of 5 degrees or more was considered positive. Positively screened students had standard radiographs done for measurement of the Cobb angle. Cobb angle of >10° was used to diagnose scoliosis. The percentage of radiological assessment referral, prevalence rate and PPV of scoliosis were then calculated.

    RESULTS: Percentage of radiological assessment referral (ATR >5°) was 4.2% (182/4381) for male and 5.0% (228/4585) for female. Only 38.0% of those with ATR >5° presented for further radiological assessment. The adjusted prevalence rate was 2.55% for Cobb angle >10°, 0.59% for >20° and 0.12% for >40°. The PPV is 55.8% for Cobb angle >10°, 12.8% for >20° and 2.6% for > 40°.

    CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study of school scoliosis screening in Malaysia. The prevalence rate of scoliosis was 2.55%. The positive predictive value was 55.8%, which is adequate to suggest that the school scoliosis screening programme did play a role in early detection of scoliosis. However, a cost effectiveness analysis will be needed to firmly determine its efficacy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  16. Meftahuddin Tarip, Jamsiah Mustafa
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological features of HFMD outbreak in the Hulu Langat District in 2000. Until November 2000, a total of 60 cases were reported and the worst ever reported to the previous years. The mean age of patients was 3.9; 5.8 years with majority of the cases aged between 1 to 4 years old (53.8 per 100,000 of population), male gender (8.3 per 100,000 of populations), and were of Chinese (12.2 per 11 100,000 of populations) and Malay ethnicity (7.2 per 100.000 of populations). All cases were uncomplicated cases and were diagnosed clinically. Most of the notified cases were front the government facilities, which are 44 cases (73.3%). Thirty-five (35) cases (58.4%) were treated as outpatient and 25 cases (41.6%) as in patients (p>0,05). Only 7 cases (11.7%) have history of contact with HFMD patients. The notified cases were mainly from the densely populated areas which were Cheras, Kajang and Ampang. No differences were noted between HFMD cases which have been breasfed for less than 6 month or more, and twenty nine (29) cases (48.3 %) had completed the immunization schedule. In conclusion, the recent emergence of HFMD brings a new challenge, which have to be faced in the prevention and surveillance activities of public health problems in the district.
    Study site: Notified cases from Klinik Kesihatan, hospital, private clinics, Ulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  17. Mohamed Nor N, Ross H, Thinng WBK, Abdul Ghani J, Hassan N, Baharom N
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: In respond to the World Health Assembly global NCD target of 30% reduction in the prevalence of adult tobacco use by 2025, Malaysian government called for lowering its smoking prevalence to 15% by 2025. In addition, moving towards the endgame target of less than 5% smoking prevalence in 2045. Methods: Malaysia Abridged SimSmoke model, a simulation model uses specific policy parameters, the most recent smoking prevalence, and population size for Malaysia is developed to estimates and access the impact of MPOWER policies in achieving the targets. Results: The 15% prevalence rate in 2025 can be achieved if the Malaysian government increase tobacco excise tax to 72% of the retail price, implement and enforce comprehensive smoke-free air policies, ban all forms of advertising/promotions and run intensive mass media campaigns. Such approach would reduce the number of smokers by about 2.6 million, averting almost 1.3 million premature deaths in the long term. The tobacco endgame target of less than 5% smoking prevalence by 2045 is achievable if the excise tax is further increased to 86.5% of the retail price while all other tobacco control policies are kept at the enhanced level. Conclusions: Both the targeted smoking prevalence are a realistic proposition if the proposed measures are fully implemented. It requires a whole government approach with the MOH as a leading agency driving the process. It is important to monitor both the compliance with the new measures and smoking prevalence to make sure that Malaysia is on track in achieving its targets.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  18. Asmat Armad, Nur Diana Mehat, Usup G, Rahimi Hamid
    Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:543-550.
    This study was carried out to know the bacteria population density in the blood cockle (Anadara granosa) and green lipped mussel (Perna viridis), to analyse the bacteria resistance towards antibiotics and antimicrobial activity of isolates against selected pathogen. Samples of blood cockle and green lipped mussel were obtained from five areas in Kedah and Negeri Sembilan. Bacterial population densities in mussels and cockles were 3 x 102 - 8 x 108 cFulmL and 5 x 102 - 5 x 108 cFulmL, respectively. A total of 162 isolates were obtained, of which 131 isolates were from mussels and 31 isolates were from cockles. Vibrio sp. was the most dominant genus in both types of samples. Antibiotic testing of all isolates showed most were resistant to Penicillin (10 U) and most were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (5 Jig). Most isolates (160/162) showed resistance to at least two antibiotics and 10 isolates were resistant to more than five antibiotics. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MAR) were calculated based on the antibiotic resistance results. Most isolates had a MAR index value of 02 which indicated the isolates were not contaminated with antibiotic residues. The highest index value was 0 .7 . Fifteen out of 39 isolates which produced beta-lactamase enzyme were tested for antimicrobial activity against selected pathogen. Results indicated that antimicrobial activity were varies among the isolates. Isolate smii-Ip produced antimicrobial activity against six out of the nine tested pathogen and none of the isolates active against Pseudomonas mirabilis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
  19. Welch AR
    Folia Primatol., 2019;90(4):258-266.
    PMID: 31129672 DOI: 10.1159/000499655
    Several slow loris (Nycticebus) sightings have occurred on the island of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, from 2011 to 2018. Records discussed here represent the first confirmed sightings and photographic evidence of Nycticebus on Tioman since its discovery in 1915, refuting presumptions that the Tioman slow loris is extinct. Although originally considered a subspecies of the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), several morphological characteristics apparent in all observed individuals, including the white interocular stripe, rufous colouration and pale dorsal stripe, are similar to the Philippine slow loris (Nycticebus menagensis). Further, the broad snout and ears may be unique to this population and suggest that the population may be distinct. I, therefore, recommend that future studies consider the taxonomic status of remote and isolated Nycticebus populations given the possibility that they may represent distinct and unrecognised taxa.
    Matched MeSH terms: Population Density
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