MyMedR

Displaying all 7 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Review of forensically important entomological specimens in the period of 1972 - 2002

Lee HL, Krishnasamy M, Abdullah AG, Jeffery J

Trop Biomed, 2004 Dec;21(2):69-75.
PMID: 16493401

Forensic entomological specimens received by the Unit of Medical Entomology, IMR., from hospitals and the police in Malaysia in the last 3 decades (1972 - 2002) are reviewed. A total of 448 specimens were received. From these, 538 identifications were made with the following results: Eighteen species of cyclorrphaga flies were identified consisting of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) 215 cases (47.99%), Ch. rufifacies (Masquart) 132 (29.46%), Ch. villeneuvi Patton 10 (2.23%), Ch. nigripes Aubertin 7 (1.56%), Ch. bezziana Villeneuve 4 (0.89%), Ch. pinguis (Walker) 1 (0.22%), Chrysomya sp. 47 (10.49%), Sarcophaga sp. 28 (6.25%), Lucilia sp. 21 (4.69%), Hermetia sp. 15 (3.35%), He. illucens (Linnaeus) 1 (0.22%), Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann) 3 (0.67%), Hemipyrellia sp. 2 (0.45%), Ophyra spinigera 1 (0.22%), Ophyra sp. 6 (1.34%), Calliphora sp. 24 (5.36%), Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) 1 (0.22%) and Eristalis sp. 1 (0.22%). Other non - fly insect specimens are Pthirus pubis (Linnaeus) (Pubic louse) 2 (0.45%) and Coleoptera (Beetles) 1 (0.22%). Ch. megacephala and Ch. rufifacies were the commonest species found in cadavers from different ecological habitats. Sy. nudiseta is an uncommon species, thus far found only on cadavers from indoors. Sy. nudiseta is reported for the second time in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 329 cases (73.44%) had a single fly infestation, 109 cases (24.33%) had double fly infestation and 10 cases (2.23%) had triple fly infestation. Five cases (1.12%) had eggs and 3 cases (0.67%) had larval stages that were not identifiable. No arthropods were retrieved from cadavers in 8 cases (1.79%). In conclusion, although large number of fly species were found on human cadavers, the predominant species are still those of Chrysomya.
Fulltext Species composition of mosquito fauna in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia

Rohani A, Chan ST, Abdullah AG, Tanrang H, Lee HL

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):232-6.
PMID: 19287362

The adult population and species composition of mosquitoes collected in Ranau, Sabah are described. A total of 5956 mosquitoes representing 8 genera and 41 species were collected using human landing catch, indoor and outdoor. Anopheles maculatus was the most common species (15.6%) followed by Culex quinquefasciatus (12.8%), Culex pseudovishnui (12.1%), Anopheles balabacensis (11.1%), Culex vishnui (9.7%), Aedes vexans (9.6%), Culex tritaeniorhyncus (6.6%), Anopheles donaldi (5.6%) and others in very small percentage.
Pilot scale microfiltration-coagulation for treatment of retention pond water

Saed K, Noor MJ, Abdullah AG, Salim MR, Nagaoka H, Aya H

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004;39(8):2129-42.
PMID: 15332674

An evaluation of two commonly used coagulants, alum and ferric chloride was conducted to treat retention pond water using microfiltration. To determine the effectiveness of these coagulants in removing turbidity, color, and total suspended solids two different sets of the experiments were performed. Preliminary test was carried out to evaluate the optimum dosages of coagulants. Optimum turbidity removal was achieved with a 4 and 20 mg/L dosage for ferric chloride and alum, respectively. Generally, coupling microfiltration with coagulation using both alum and ferric chloride exhibited excellent effectiveness for turbidity, color, and total suspended solids removal. The efficiency for alum and ferric chloride for turbidity removal were 96 and 98%, respectively, which was greater than 89% removal using microfiltration alone. Furthermore, microfiltration only demonstrated 81 and 83% removal efficiency for color and total suspended solids removal, respectively. However, microfiltration-coagulation using alum and ferric chloride resulted about 83 and 93% color removal, and 92 and 94% total suspended solids removal, respectively.
Fulltext Determination of the flight range and dispersal of the house fly, Musca domestica (L.) using mark release recapture technique

Nazni WA, Luke H, Wan Rozita WM, Abdullah AG, Sa'diyah I, Azahari AH, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2005 Jun;22(1):53-61.
PMID: 16880754

In order to control any pest it is essential to study the life cycle, biology and bionomics of the target pest under control. With this respect, we have studied the flight range of the house fly Musca domestica (L.). The flight range of the house fly from two sites i.e, the poultry farm and a stable farm has been studied. The flight range study was conducted using a mark release technique. The approach we used in this study was that the flies collected from the respective farms were marked and released at different distances from the farms. The flies were then re-captured from the poultry farm and the stable farm. Studies conducted elsewhere use the technique of releasing the insect species at one spot and recapturing the insect species with the help of baited traps placed at various locations from the release point. The advantage of the approach used in this study was that the flight range as well as the homing effect was determined. From this study, the flight range of house flies released at the poultry farm was 7 km whereas flight range for flies release from stable farm was 5 km. The recovery rate of house flies at the poultry and stable farm was 0.05% and 0.016%, In this study, marked specimens has been detected up to 8 days in field conditions indicating that under field condition the life expectancy could be in the range of 1-2 weeks.
Fulltext Temporal changes of aedes and armigeres populations in suburban and forested areas in Malaysia

Nurin-Zulkifli IM, Chen CD, Wan-Norafikah O, Lee HL, Faezah K, Izzul AA, et al.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2015 Jul;46(4):574-85.
PMID: 26867376

Surveillance of mosquitoes and their distribution in association with rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature were conducted in selected suburban and forested areas, namely, Sungai Penchala (Kuala Lumpur) and Taman Alam (Selangor) for 12 months. Armigeres kesseli was the most abundant species in Sungai Penchala while Aedes butleri was the most dominant species in Taman Alam. A positive correlation between mosquito distribution and rainfall was observed in selected mosquito species in Sungai Penchala (Armigeres kesseli, r = 0.75; Armigeres subalbatus, r = 0.62; and Aedes albopictus, r = 0.65) and Taman Alam (Armigeres sp, r = 0.59; Ae. butleri, r = 0.85; and Ae. albopictus, r = 0.62). However, no significant cor- relation was found either between selected mosquito species in both study areas and relative humidity or temperature. Results obtained suggested that vector control programs to be conducted based on temporal distribution of vectors in order to achieve beneficial outcomes with effective costing.
Fulltext Entomological study of chikungunya infections in the State of Kelantan, Malaysia

Rozilawati H, Faudzi AY, Rahidah AA, Azlina AH, Abdullah AG, Amal NM, et al.

Indian J Med Res, 2011 Jun;133:670-3.
PMID: 21727669

Chikungunya infection has become a public health threat in Malaysia since the 2008 nationwide outbreaks. Aedes albopictus Skuse has been identified as the chikungunya vector in Johor State during the outbreaks. In 2009, several outbreaks had been reported in the State of Kelantan. Entomological studies were conducted in Kelantan in four districts, namely Jeli, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah to identify the vector responsible for the virus transmission.
Happiness among dentists: a multi-scale, multi-national study from 21 countries

Alhajj MN, Omar R, Khader Y, Celebić A, El Tantawi M, Folayan MO, et al.

Int Dent J, 2020 Oct;70(5):328-339.
PMID: 32501563 DOI: 10.1111/idj.12579

OBJECTIVES: The extent to which dentists are happy with their profession and their life has not been well studied. The present study aimed to explore the level of happiness, satisfaction with life and psychological well-being among a sample of dental professionals from 21 countries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 2,200 dentists from 21 countries. Three scales - Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Affect Balance Scale (ABS) - were used to measure the subjective responses. Data related to demographic and social characteristics were recorded. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Scales were correlated, and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify the independent determinants of SHS, SWLS and ABS. Data were analysed using the SPSS software program; a value of P <0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS: The overall mean scores of SHS, SWLS and ABS were 18.53 ± 5.06, 23.06 ± 6.25 and 1.26 ± 2.40, respectively, with significant differences found across countries: dentists working in Croatia, Peru and Serbia recorded the highest scores, unlike dentists practicing in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, who recorded the lowest scores. There were significant, moderately positive correlations between the various scales: SHS and SWLS: r = 0.535, P age, qualification and monthly income were the significant independent predictors of SHS, SWLS and ABS.
CONCLUSION: Country of residence and social characteristics were associated with dentists' responses regarding their feelings and subjective well-being.