MyMedR

Figs (Ficus spp.) and their species-specific pollinators, the fig wasps (Agaonidae), have coevolved one of the most intricate interactions found in nature, in which the fig wasps, in return for pollination services, raise their offspring in the fig inflorescence. Fig wasps, however, have very short adult lives and hence are dependent on the near-continuous production of inflorescences to maintain their populations. From January to March 1998 northern Borneo suffered a very severe drought linked to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation event of 1997-1998. This caused a substantial break in the production of inflorescences on dioecious figs and led to the local extinction of their pollinators at Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Most pollinators had not recolonized six months after the drought and, given the high level of endemism and wide extent of the drought, some species may be totally extinct. Cascading effects on vertebrate seed dispersers, for which figs are often regarded as keystone resources, and the tree species dependent on their services are also likely. This has considerable implications for the maintenance of biodiversity under a scenario of climate change and greater climatic extremes.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Sociodemographic factors associated with quality of life (QoL) among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in a Specialist Respiratory Hospital in Kuala Lumpur

Nurul Asyiqin Aziz, Anisah Baharom

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):88-88.

MyJurnal

Introduction: Tuberculosis negatively impacts the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Information on QoL among tuber-culosis patients may highlight gaps in the current management of the disease by identifying target groups with lower QoL. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with QoL among patients followed up in an urban tertiary hospital. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adults with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis, selected using simple random sampling method, in the Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur. The WHOQOL BREF was utilised to evaluate the physical, psychological, social relationships and environment domains of QoL. Descriptive analysis and univariate analyses to test association between independent sociodemographic factors and QoL domain mean scores were done. Results: A total of 237 patients participated with a response rate of 96.34%. The factor associated with the physical domain was sex (t = 2.06, p = 0.04), whilst age (F = 3.77, p = 0.02), sex (t = 4.04, p < 0.001), marital status (F = 3.09, p = 0.04) and education level (F = 4.92, p = 0.008) were associated with the social relationships domain. Age (F = 3.55, p = 0.03), sex (t = 2.12, p = 0.03), edu-cation level (F = 7.97, p < 0.001) and monthly household income (F = 3.57, p = 0.03) were factors associated with the environment domain. No sociodemographic factors were associated with the psychological domain in this study. Conclusion: Patients who were younger, female, married, had tertiary education or monthly household income of more than RM6000 were associated with higher QoL. Targeted interventions among the sociodemographic groups with lower QoL could complement current clinical management to improve tuberculosis patients’ QoL.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

The association between religious orientation and life satisfaction in older adults living with morbidity and multimorbidity: a gender perspective in Malaysia

Foong HF, Hamid TA, Ibrahim R, Haron SA

Psychogeriatrics, 2020 Nov;20(6):891-899.

PMID: 32985044 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12614

BACKGROUND: Little is known about gender differences in the relationship between religious orientation and life satisfaction in older adults living with chronic disease(s). Therefore, the purpose of this article was to examine the moderating effect of gender on the association between religious orientation and life satisfaction in older adults living with morbidity and multimorbidity.

METHODS: The study involved 1790 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above living with at least one chronic medical condition. The Satisfaction with Life Scale and Revised Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale were used to measure life satisfaction and religious orientation. Moderated hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the moderation effect.

RESULTS: Results showed that while intrinsic religiosity was positively associated with life satisfaction, extrinsic religiosity was found to have a negative relationship with life satisfaction. Gender moderated the association between intrinsic religiosity and life satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that the positive impact of intrinsic religiosity on life satisfaction was stronger in older women living with morbidity and multimorbidity. Healthcare practitioners can help disadvantaged older women in identifying their religious values and practices to improve their subjective wellbeing.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Nurturing sexual orientation among children

Nor Sheereen Zulkerfly

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):5-5.

MyJurnal

Sexual orientation other than heterosexuality is believed to be unnatural, sinful and dangerous in a country like Malaysia that is steadfast in religion and culture. Children sexual orientation has subsequently been a sensitive, challenging, and frightening topic for parents. Past studies have documented the role of nature and nurture in the development of social orientation. Although preliminary studies have found genetic to be a significant factor, it was inconclusive if it was the only factor in determining sexual orientation. Hence, this paper will highlight the role of parents in nurturing sexual orientation of children. Despite lack of studies in local and Western context, the few stud-ies available indicated that a secure attachment bond between parent and child is essential for healthy psychosexual and identity development. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of communication, unconditional love and support between parent and child throughout the developmental stages leading to adulthood. Furthermore, this paper will briefly discuss possible treatment options for children with sexual orientation issues and its impact on chil-dren psychological health and well-being. This paper will conclude with suggestions on future research to further understand the development of sexual orientation in children.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Association of Radiation Doses and Cancer Risks from CT Pulmonary Angiography Examinations in Relation to Body Diameter

Harun HH, Abdul Karim MK, Abbas Z, Abdul Rahman MA, Sabarudin A, Ng KH

Diagnostics (Basel), 2020 Sep 09;10(9).

PMID: 32917029 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10090681

In this study, we aimed to estimate the probability of cancer risk induced by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examinations concerning effective body diameter. One hundred patients who underwent CTPA examinations were recruited as subjects from a single institution in Kuala Lumpur. Subjects were categorized based on their effective diameter size, where 19-25, 25-28, and >28 cm categorized as Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean value of the body diameter of the subjects was 26.82 ± 3.12 cm, with no significant differences found between male and female subjects. The risk of cancer in breast, lung, and liver organs was 0.009%, 0.007%, and 0.005% respectively. The volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) was underestimated, whereas the size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) provided a more accurate description of the radiation dose and the risk of cancer. CTPA examinations are considered safe but it is essential to implement a protocol optimized following the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Barriers towards Sun Exposure and Strategies to Overcome These Barriers in Female Indoor Workers with Insufficient Vitamin D: A Qualitative Approach

Shahudin NN, Sameeha MJ, Mat Ludin AF, Manaf ZA, Chin KY, Jamil NA

Nutrients, 2020 Sep 30;12(10).

PMID: 33007799 DOI: 10.3390/nu12102994

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is significant even in tropical countries such as Malaysia. Sun exposure is the primary source of vitamin D for most people due to limited intakes of food containing vitamin D and supplements. This study explored the perception of barriers towards sun exposure and strategies to overcome these barriers among vitamin D insufficient women workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-five female indoor workers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/L participated in seven focus group discussions (FGDs). Barriers towards sun exposure were lack of accurate knowledge of vitamin D, health concern towards sun exposure, time constraints, desire to have fair and beautiful skin, sedentary lifestyle, indoor workplace, weather, lack of social support, living arrangement, safety concerns, and religious or cultural practices. The improvement strategies were classified into lifestyle changes and workplace opportunity for sun exposure. Public education on safe sun exposure to produce an optimal level of vitamin D is necessary. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of sunlight exposure program at workplace for the high-risk vitamin D deficiency group.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Jejunojejunal intussusception secondary to inflammatory fibroid polyp: A rare cause of small bowel obstruction

Tan JS, Teah KM, Hoe VC, Khairuddin A, Sellapan H, Hayati F, et al.

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2020 Nov;59:251-253.

PMID: 33088499 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.10.009

Background: Adult intussusception is a relatively rare clinical entity. The majority of cases of intussusception in adults are due to a pathologic condition that serves as a lead point and requires surgery. Small bowel intussusception is usually caused by benign or malignant neoplasms appearing at the head of the invagination. Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) of the small bowel is an unusual benign neoplastic lesion that has been rarely reported to cause intussusception, especially in the jejunum.

Case presentation: We present a rare case of adult intussusception who presented with a triad of intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography revealed small bowel intussusception with bowel ischemia. Intraoperatively, she required resection of the small bowel and primary anastomosis. Macroscopic examination revealed a single pedunculated polyp, which is the lead point of intestinal obstruction and confirmed histologically.

Conclusion: Inflammatory fibroid polyp should be considered as a cause of intussusception among adults with small bowel obstruction.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Diplodiscus latifii (Malvaceae-Brownlowioideae), a new species from Sabah, Malaysia

Chung RCK, Soepadmo E

PhytoKeys, 2020;161:99-106.

PMID: 33100836 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.161.55781

A new species of Diplodiscus is described and illustrated from one collection made in lowland mixed dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia. Conspicuous by its twig colour, leaf shape and indumentum, it is probably allied to D. longifolius, but differs in sufficient characters (shape, indumentum, apex and venation of blade, flower bud shape and size, petal diameter, ovary shape and fruit shape and size) to be a species in its own right. A key to the species of Diplodiscus in Malaysia also is provided.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Anxiety and Academic Achievement among Undergraduate Students

Khairunisa Amalina Binti Kaswadi, Malik, Aakriti, Keat, Ooi Boon

Journal of Management & Science, 2018;16(2):11-18.

MyJurnal

Undergraduate studies are a challenging time for students to adapt to the multi-functional roles and responsibilities of a university life. Research worldwide indicates undergraduate students to experience high levels of stress, depression and anxiety thus affecting their academic performance. Studies in Malaysia with respect to understanding the relationship between anxiety levels and academic achievement are sparse. The current study sought responses from a preliminary sample of 100 undergraduate students consisted of 50 males and 50 females on their cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory. The results suggested girls to have slightly higher levels of anxiety when compared to boys. Both boys and girls were found to have moderate levels of anxiety as indicated by BAI. A mild negative relationship was found between anxiety levels and academic achievement. The findings highlight the need for preventive mental health measures in universities catering to the growing academic and personal demands on students thereby facilitating students with coping and life skills.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

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