All life stages (adult female and male, first-instar nymph, second-instar male and female nymphs, and prepupa and pupa) of a new species of Asterolecaniidae, Bambusaspis transversa Lagowska & Martin sp. n., from bamboo in Malaysia, are described and illustrated. The adult female and first-instar nymphs are compared with those Bambusaspis species considered to be closest to the new species.
A new genus and species of hisponine jumping spider from Sarawak, Jerzego corticicola Maddison sp. nov. are described, representing one of the few hisponine jumping spiders known from Asia, and the only whose male is known. Although similar to the primarily-Madagascan genus Hispo in having an elongate and flat body, sequences of 28s and 16sND1 genes indicate that Jerzego is most closely related to Massagris and Tomomingi, a result consistent with morphology. Females of Jerzego and other genera of Hisponinae were found to have an unusual double copulatory duct, which appears to be a synapomorphy of the subfamily. Two species are transferred from Hispo, Jerzego bipartitus (Simon) comb. nov. and Jerzego alboguttatus (Simon) comb. nov. Diagnostic illustrations and photographs of living spiders are provided.
Species of the bark louse genus Trichadenotecnum Enderlein (Insecta: Psocodea) from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore are revised with illustrations and identification keys. Twenty species are here recognised, with four new species and ten recorded for the first time from this region, together with an unnamed species represented by a single female. The previously described species T. marginatum New & Thornton is not included because its generic assignment is questionable. Females of T. cinnamonum Endang & New, T. imrum New & Thornton and T. sibolangitense Endang, Thornton & New, and the male of T. kerinciense Endang & New are described for the first time. A new species group is defined for T. krucilense Endang, Thornton & New.
Dematiaceous fungi (black fungi) are a heterogeneous group of fungi present in diverse environments worldwide. Many species in this group are known to cause allergic reactions and potentially fatal diseases in humans and animals, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. This study represents the first survey of dematiaceous fungi in Malaysia and provides observations on their diversity as well as in vitro response to antifungal drugs. Seventy-five strains isolated from various clinical specimens were identified by morphology as well as an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenetic analysis. The combined molecular and conventional approach enabled the identification of three classes of the Ascomycota phylum and 16 genera, the most common being Cladosporium, Cochliobolus and Neoscytalidium. Several of the species identified have not been associated before with human infections. Among 8 antifungal agents tested, the azoles posaconazole (96%), voriconazole (90.7%), ketoconazole (86.7%) and itraconazole (85.3%) showed in vitro activity (MIC ≤ 1 µg/mL) to the largest number of strains, followed by anidulafungin (89.3%), caspofungin (74.7%) and amphotericin B (70.7%). Fluconazole appeared to be the least effective with only 10.7% of isolates showing in vitro susceptibility. Overall, almost half (45.3%) of the isolates showed reduced susceptibility (MIC >1 µg/mL) to at least one antifungal agent, and three strains (one Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis and two Nigrospora oryzae) showed potential multidrug resistance.
Miyagiella Harbach, subgen. nov., is introduced as a new subgenus of Topomyia Leicester for a remarkable male mosquito, Topomyia discors Harbach, sp. nov., from Sabah, Malaysia. A diagnosis of the subgenus is provided that features unique anatomical characters of the genitalia of the holotype male. Miyagiella is very distinct from the two previously recognised subgenera of Topomyia, but is perhaps more closely related to the nominotypical subgenus than to subgenus Suaymyia Thurman. Salient differences that distinguish the three subgenera are contrasted; the holotype male of To. discors is described and its unique genitalia are illustrated.
The male and female reproductive apparatus of Zorotypus magnicaudelli (Malaysia), Zorotypus huxleyi (Ecuador) and Zorotypus weidneri (Brazil) were examined and documented in detail. The genital apparatus and sperm of the three species show only minor differences. The testes are larger in Z. magnicaudelli. Z. huxleyi lacks the helical appendage in the accessory glands. A long cuticular flagellum is present in Z. magnicaudelli and in the previously studied Zorotypus caudelli like in several other species, whereas it is absent in Z. weidneri, Z. huxleyi, Zorotypus hubbardi, Zorotypus impolitus and Zorotypus guineensis. Characteristic features of the very similar sperm are the presence of: a) two dense arches above the axoneme; b) a 9 + 9+2 axoneme with detached subtubules A and B of doublets 1 and 6; c) the axonemal end degenerating with enlarging accessory tubules; d) accessory tubules with 17 protofilaments; e) three accessory bodies beneath the axoneme; and f) two mitochondrial derivatives of equal shape. The first characteristic (a) is unknown outside of Zoraptera and possibly autapomorphic. The sperm structure differs distinctly in Z. impolitus and Z. hubbardi, which produce giant sperm and possess a huge spermatheca. The presence of the same sperm type in species either provided with a sclerotized coiled flagellum in males or lacking this structure indicates that a different organization of the genital apparatus does not necessarily affect the sperm structure. The flagellum and its pouch has probably evolved within Zoraptera, but it cannot be excluded that it is a groundplan feature and was reduced several times. The fossil evidence and our findings suggest that distinct modifications in the genital apparatus occurred before the fragmentation of the Gondwanan landmass in the middle Cretaceous.
We report a case of keratoacanthoma in a non-sun-exposed nasal vestibule of an 84-year-old man. He presented with a progressively growing left nasal mass that had been present for 8 months. Examination showed a non-tender protruding mass arising from medial vestibular wall of the left nostril. Histopathology indicated it was a keratoacanthoma. In an elderly patient with a history of a progressively growing mass in the nose, a differential diagnosis of malignancy should be ruled out, and histological conformation is essential. To our knowledge, only a very small number of cases of nasal vestibular keratoacanthoma have been reported.
Subtalar coalition is an uncommon condition that usually manifests in early adolescence(1). Frequently, this condition is missed. Delayed diagnosis may result in osteoarthritis requiring triple arthrodesis. Here, we report two patients with subtalar coalition. The first patient is a 12 year old boy who presented with right ankle pain for one year and was treated with excision of the coalition and bone wax insertion at the excision site. We followed up the patient for two years and the result was excellent with full range of movement of his right ankle and subtalar joint attained within two months. He returned to athletic activity by six months and was discharged with no complications after two years. The second patient is a 15 year old girl who presented with bilateral ankle pain and swelling for three years and was treated with excision of the coalition and subtalar interpositional arthroplasty bilaterally. She defaulted follow up after seven months as she was very satisfied with the result. We wish to highlight this condition which may be misdiagnosed as flexible flat foot or ankle sprain.
The patella is an uncommon site for all primary and metastatic bone tumours and primary intra-osseous tumours of the patella are very rare. A majority of the patella tumours are benign. We report a patient with a sudden onset swelling and pain of the right knee following a staircase fall. The plain radiograph showed an expansile multiseptated patella lesion and it was further assessed with an MRI. The radiological findings and the initial histopathological features from a limited sample were suggestive of a primary aneurysmal bone cyst. However, the final histopathological diagnosis from a more adequate specimen was a giant cell tumour with a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst.
The rising epidemic of established modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and cigarette smoking, to a large part, are responsible for the clinical events such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cerebrovascular events (strokes, CVE). In our National ACS and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) Registries, it has been documented that over 90% of patients have at least one identifiable CVRF.
Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) rarely presents with Luc's abscess. As a result of widespread usage of antimicrobial agents, Luc's abscess is hardly encountered in current clinical practice. Herein, we report a case of Luc's abscess as the first presenting symptom in a 5-year-old boy with underlying CC. Patient's clinical findings, radiological investigations and treatment were also discussed.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ritual circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the developing world. Various technique for circumcision has been described to increase patient's safety and to decrease operating time. This study will look at comparing the conventional method of circumcision using scissors and ligatures with bipolar diathermy. To compare the incidence of bleeding and infection in patients who underwent circumcision between using the bipolar diathermy technique with conventional surgery (dorsal slit) technique for circumcision. The operative time between the two techniques were also recorded.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was conducted in all children undergoing ritual circumcision at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, Malaysia over a 1-year period. Data analysed were the operation time,postoperative bleeding rates and infection rates.
RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were included in the study. Randomization resulted in 183 patients in conventional surgery group and 158 patients in bipolar group. The incidence of bleeding were significantly better in the bipolar group compared to conventional group (3.1% vs 19.7%), (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the infection rate (1.3% vs 2.7%) (p=0.457). Operative times were shorter in the bipolar diathermy group (Mean 8.2 minutes) compared to conventional group (Mean 15.3 minutes) (p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: Bipolar diathermy technique for circumcision is safe and quicker than the dorsal slit technique.
Matched MeSH terms: Circumcision, Male/adverse effects; Circumcision, Male/methods*; Male
We describe a 5 1/2 year old boy who was diagnosed with mild autosomal recessive osteopetrosis based on the presence of bony sclerosis, extramedullary haematopoeisis, leukoerythroblastosis and visual impairment who had an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from a matched sibling donor. Conditioning regime was busulphan 16 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg. Apart from transient hypercalcaemia, there were no major post transplant complications. Four years post transplant, the extramedullary haematopoeisis has resolved completely with normal blood counts. Apart from a fracture after a trivial fall two months after transplant, he has not suffered any fracture related limb deformities.
The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) is the largest among the four tapir species and is listed as an endangered species. Ultrasound examination and description of the external anatomy of the female reproductive system of three adult females were performed, whereas the internal anatomy was investigated in necropsied samples of four adult females and one subadult female. Descriptions of the male external genitalia were conducted on one adult male. Gross examination revealed the presence of a bicornuate uterus. The uterine cervix is firm and muscular with projections towards its lumen, which is also evident on ultrasonography. The elongated and relatively small ovaries, which have a smooth surface, could not be imaged on ultrasonography, due to their anatomical position. The testes are located inside a slightly pendulous scrotum that is sparsely covered with soft, short hairs. The penis has one dorsal and two lateral penile projections just proximal to the glans penis.