MyMedR

Displaying all 7 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Species composition and pyrethroid susceptibility status of Anopheles mosquitoes from two different locations in Malaysia

Ho LY, Zairi J

Trop Biomed, 2013 Mar;30(1):125-30.
PMID: 23665718 MyJurnal

A 14-months survey was carried out to identify the species composition of Anopheles mosquitoes from Kampung Bongor, Grik, Perak. Adding to that, a preliminary one month mosquito population screening was done at Kampung Tepin, Serian, Sarawak. Consequently, the insecticide susceptibility status of a pyrethroid was tested against two selected species of Anopheles collected from these two locations in Malaysia. A total of 4,497 Anopheles from 11 species were identified from collections in Kampung Bongor, whereas 2,654 An. letifer were collected from Kampung Tepin. The An. maculatus of Kampung Bongor and An. letifer of Kampung Tepin were then selected and tested using WHO standard diagnostic test kits and impregnated papers with 0.75% permethrin. The response values of KT50 and KT95 for An. maculatus were recorded at 28.09 minutes and 62.98 minutes respectively. Anopheles letifer recorded much slower response values of KT50 and KT95, which was at 35.09 minutes and 73.03 minutes respectively. Both An. maculatus and An. letifer showed 100% mortality after 24 hours holding period. The results indicate that both species were still susceptible to the tested pyrethroid. For effective vector control and resistance management, accurate and periodic insecticide resistance monitoring should be undertaken especially in rural areas with agricultural usage of insecticides.
Fulltext Surveillance and resistance status of Aedes population in two suburban residential areas in Kampar town, Perak, Malaysia

Ho LY, Loh TS, Yam LA

Trop Biomed, 2014 Sep;31(3):441-8.
PMID: 25382470 MyJurnal

In this study, 13 weeks (October to December 2012) of ovitrap surveillance was conducted in two suburban residential areas in Kampar town, Perak. A total of 17,310 Aedes mosquitoes were found in Taman Kampar Jaya, whereas Taman Juloong recorded a higher number at 19,042. Less than 1% of these were identified as Aedes aegypti, with the remaining confirmed as Aedes albopictus. The female Ae. albopictus were subsequently subjected to WHO standard diagnostic test kits against two pyrethroids (0.05% deltamethrin and 0.75% permethrin) and two organophosphates (1% fenitrothion and 5% malathion). The Ae. albopictus from both research sites were the most susceptible to deltamethrin, recording KT50 and KT95 response values of 15.84 minutes and 16.18 minutes; and 48.18 minutes and 49.44 minutes respectively. This was followed by permethrin (20.57 minutes and 17.52 minutes; 29.54 minutes and 54.54 minutes) and malathion (48.46 minutes and 62.69 minutes; 87.72 minutes and 141.04 minutes). Fenitrothion was found to be least effective towards Ae. albopictus; recording KT50 and KT95 response values of 150.29 minutes and 293.41 minutes for Taman Kampar Jaya, and 203.32 minutes and 408.07 minutes respectively for Taman Juloong. All tested Ae. albopictus showed 100% mortality after 24 hours post exposure. As both residential areas were fogged periodically by the municipal council; alternating between organophosphates and pyrethroids, thus, constant monitoring is crucial in light of the emergence of resistance noted in Ae. albopictus towards fenitrothion.
Penile length of newborns in Singapore

Lian WB, Lee WR, Ho LY

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 2000 Jan;13(1):55-62.
PMID: 10689638

Micropenis is an important sign in congenital hypopituitarism and various disorders. Documented norms for penile length exist only for babies of Caucasian and Middle-Eastern origin. This study was carried out to establish such norms for Asian newborns. We studied 228 male live births within their first three days of life. Stretched penile lengths were marked off on unmarked wooden spatulas, which were placed vertically along the dorsal aspect of the penis, with one rounded end on the pubic bone. The mean penile length +/- S.D. for the full-term Asian baby was 3.6 +/- 0.4 cm. Race had a significant effect: Chinese 3.5 cm, Malay 3.6 cm and Indian 3.8 cm. Penile length correlated with birth weight and gestational age. Asian babies thus have similar norms to Caucasian babies. An Asian newborn whose penis measures less than 2.6 cm has micropenis and may need prompt investigation for underlying endocrine disorders.
Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking and Accuracy of Self-Reporting in Pregnant Women at a Public Hospital for Women and Children

Tan PY, Utravathy V, Ho LY, Foo SG, Tan KKh

Ann Acad Med Singap, 2016 May;45(5):184-90.
PMID: 27383717

INTRODUCTION: Denial of smoking status by pregnant women presents a missed opportunity for referral to smoking cessation programmes that are shown to be effective in helping them quit smoking.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted to detect the true prevalence of active smoking pregnant patients and the accuracy of self-reporting, investigate the sociodemographic risk factors and test the knowledge of pregnant patients on adverse effects of smoking. This involved 972 antenatal patients of a maternity hospital where participants completed a sociodemographic data survey and answered a knowledge questionnaire. Urine cotinine testing was carried out after informed consent.
RESULTS: The prevalence of active smokers was 5.2% (n = 50) with 3% (n = 29) being light smokers and 2.2% (n = 21) being heavy smokers. This was significantly higher than self-reported active smoking status of 3.7% (n = 36; P = 0.02). The Malay race, being aged less than 20 years and not having tertiary level qualifications independently increased the likelihood of being an active smoker. Knowledge of the adverse effects of smoking was generally good with a mean total score of 8.18 out of 10 but there were differences amongst the non-smokers, passive smokers, light smokers and active smokers (P = 0.012).
CONCLUSION: While the prevalence of active smoking among pregnant women is low in Singapore compared to other countries, this study substantiated the unreliability of self-reporting of smoking status in the pregnant population which could complicate referral to smoking cessation programmes. The lower awareness of the harms of smoking during pregnancy among smokers highlights a potential area for improvement.
Fulltext Plastic waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: Crisis or opportunity?

Khoo KS, Ho LY, Lim HR, Leong HY, Chew KW

J Hazard Mater, 2021 Sep 05;417:126108.
PMID: 34020352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126108

Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a huge impact on the plastic waste management in many countries due to the sudden surge of medical waste which has led to a global waste management crisis. Improper management of plastic waste may lead to various negative impacts on the environment, animals, and human health. However, adopting proper waste management and the right technologies, looking in a different perception of the current crisis would be an opportunity. About 40% of the plastic waste ended up in landfill, 25% incinerated, 16% recycled and the remaining 19% are leaked into the environment. The increase of plastic wastes and demand of plastic markets serve as a good economic indicator for investor and government initiative to invest in technologies that converts plastic waste into value-added product such as fuel and construction materials. This will close the loop of the life cycle of plastic waste by achieving a sustainable circular economy. This review paper will provide insight of the state of plastic waste before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The treatment pathway of plastic waste such as sterilisation technology, incineration, and alternative technologies available in converting plastic waste into value-added product were reviewed.
Molecular phylogeographic studies on Paragonimus westermani in Asia

Iwagami M, Ho LY, Su K, Lai PF, Fukushima M, Nakano M, et al.

J Helminthol, 2000 Dec;74(4):315-22.
PMID: 11138020

The lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878), is widely distributed in Asia, and exhibits much variation in its biological properties. Previous phylogenetic studies using DNA sequences have demonstrated that samples from north-east Asia form a tight group distinct from samples from south Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia). Among countries from the latter region, considerable molecular diversity was observed. This was investigated further using additional DNA sequences (partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the second internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal gene repeat (ITS2)) from additional samples of P. westermani. Phylogenies inferred from these again found three or four groups within P. westermani, depending on the method of analysis. Populations of P. westermani from north-east Asia use snail hosts of the family Pleuroceridae and differ in other biological properties from populations in south Asia (that use snail hosts of the family Thiaridae). It is considered that the populations we sampled can be divided into two species, one in north-east Asia and the other in south Asia.
Symptom prevalence, bother, and treatment satisfaction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms in Southeast Asia: a multinational, cross-sectional survey

Ho LY, Chu PS, Consigliere DT, Zainuddin ZM, Bolong D, Chan CK, et al.

World J Urol, 2018 Jan;36(1):79-86.
PMID: 29051978 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-017-2097-2

PURPOSE: The overall objective of the survey was to systematically examine patients' perspectives on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their treatment in Southeast Asia.
METHODS: A multinational cross-sectional survey involving adult men seeking consultation at urology outpatient clinics because of LUTS in Southeast Asia was conducted using convenience sampling. Self-reported prevalence, bother, treatment and treatment satisfaction of selected LUTS including urgency, nocturia, slow stream, and post-micturition dribble were evaluated.
RESULTS: In total, 1535 eligible patients were enrolled in the survey. A majority of respondents were aged 56-75 years, not employed, and had not undergone prostate operation before. Overall, the self-reported prevalence of nocturia was 88% (95% CI 86-90%), slow stream 61% (95% CI 59-63%), post micturition dribble 55% (95% CI 52-58%), and urgency 52% (95% CI 49-55%). There were marked differences in the country specific prevalence of LUTS complaints. Frequently, symptoms coexisted and were combined with nocturia. More than half of patients felt at least some degree of bother from their symptoms: 61% for urgency, 57% for nocturia, 58% for slow stream, and 60% for post-micturition dribble. Before seeing the present urologists, nearly half of patients have received some form of prescribed treatment and more than 80% of patients indicated they would like to receive treatment.
CONCLUSION: Men who sought urologist care for LUTS often presented with multiple symptoms. Nocturia emerged as the most common symptom amongst the four core symptoms studied.
Study site in Malaysia: Urology clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia