Play Therapy With Children Survivors Of Tsunami: Malaysia Experience.

Play is the most complete form- of self-expression' developed by,the humanorganism (Landreth, 1991). Play is a child's medium for expression. Play provides a non-threatening and comfortable environment for children to express their unpleasant thoughts and feelings that might become overwhelming

Kemurungan Di Kalangan Pelajar: Satu Kajian Kes

Kajian ini cuba mengenal pasti kelaziman kemurungan di kalangan pelajarpelajar Tingkatan Tiga di sebuah sekolah menengah jenis kebangsaan Cina. Kajian ini menyelidik sama ada terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam skor min kemurungan antara remaja lelaki dengan remaja perempuan. Kajian ini juga menguji perhubungan antara kemurungan dengan pencapaian akademik. Inventori Kemurungan Beck yang berbentuk laporan kendiri digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data dan inventori ini diedarkan secara rawak kepada 182 pelajar Tingkatan Tiga. Analisis statistik yang digunakan adalah jadual silang, ujian-t, korelasi Pearson dan ANOVA Satu Hala. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa 43.41% daripada sampel mengalami kemurungan klinikal (skor melebihi 17). Dapatan kajian juga menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam skor min antara pelajar lelaki dengan pelajar perempuan. Sebaliknya, kemurungan remaja berhubungan dengan tahap pencapaian akademik yang lemah

Antibacterial activity of Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh and Padina australis Hauck (Phaeophyceae)

Seaweeds are used in pharmaceutical and biochemical applications as they possess interesting biological activities that contribute to the discovery of natural therapeutic agents. In this study, the antibacterial activity of n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae), Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh and Padina australis Hauck, was examined using the disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The bioactivity of the seaweed extracts was expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (beta-lactamase positive and negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) was discussed. Gram-positive bacteria especially B. cereus was more susceptible to the seaweed extracts (MIC = 0.130 to 0.065 mg/ml). Generally, S. polycystum extracts exhibited higher bacteriostatic activity (lower MICs) against all the tested bacterial strains when compared with P. australis. However, P. australis extracts showed a narrow spectrum of bactericidal activity against B. cereus. n-Hexane extracts of S. polycystum exhibited promising bacteriostatic agents against B. cereus (MIC = 0.065 mg/ml) with MIC value lower than the standard MIC of potential antimicrobial drug (0.100 mg/ml). Since only crude seaweed extracts were tested in this study, further purification and isolation of bioactive compounds from the extracts are essential in future studies in order to optimize their antibacterial activity.Key words: Phaeophyceae, disc diffusion test, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum inhibition concentration (MIC)

Molecular characterization of two hantavirus strains from different rattus species in Singapore

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hantaviruses cause human disease in endemic regions around the world. Outbreaks of hantaviral diseases have been associated with changes in rodent population density and adaptation to human settlements leading to their proliferation in close proximity to human dwellings. In a parallel study initiated to determine the prevalence of pathogens in Singapore's wild rodent population, 1206 rodents were trapped and screened. The findings established a hantavirus seroprevalence of 34%. This paper describes the molecular characterization of hantaviruses from <it>Rattus norvegicus </it>and <it>Rattus tanezumi</it>, the predominant rodents caught in urban Singapore.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>Pan-hanta RT-PCR performed on samples of <it>Rattus norvegicus </it>and <it>Rattus tanezumi </it>indicated that 27 (2.24%) of the animals were positive. sequence analysis of the S and M segments established that two different hantavirus strains circulate in the rodent population of Singapore. Notably, the hantavirus strains found in <it>Rattus norvegicus </it>clusters with other Asian Seoul virus sequences, while the virus strains found in <it>Rattus tanezumi </it>had the highest sequence similarity to the Serang virus from <it>Rattus tanezumi </it>in Indonesia, followed by Cambodian hantavirus isolates and the Thailand virus isolated from <it>Bandicota indica</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Sequence analysis of the S and M segments of hantavirus strains found in <it>Rattus norvegicus </it>(Seoul virus strain Singapore) and <it>Rattus tanezumi </it>(Serang virus strain Jurong TJK/06) revealed that two genetically different hantavirus strains were found in rodents of Singapore. Evidently, together with Serang, Cambodian and Thailand virus the Jurong virus forms a distinct phylogroup. Interestingly, these highly similar virus strains have been identified in different rodent hosts. Further studies are underway to analyze the public health significance of finding hantavirus strains in Singapore rodents.</p

Effect of synthesis methods on properties of copper oxide doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst in dye photodegradation of rhodamine B

Copper oxide modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts have been widely reported for their excellent performance in the wastewater treatment. However, there is lack of information on the effect of different synthesis methods towards the properties and catalytic activity of the photocatalyst. In this research, a series of copper oxide doped titanium dioxide (Cu TiO2) photocatalysts were synthesized via three different methods of sonochemical, impregnation and physical mixing. Cu TiO2 of varied molar ratios of Cu dopant to TiO2 TR595 (1:99, 2:98, 3:97 and 4:96) were prepared. Comparison of physical-chemical properties and photocatalytic activity among the synthesized samples and unmodified TiO2 TR595 were made. X-ray diffraction analysis depicted the formation of TiO2 rutile phase in all samples. Besides, diffuse reflectance UV-visible analysis proved that the synthesized samples were active under visible light region. According to the Tauc plot and photoluminescence spectra, the band gap energies and recombination rate of electron-hole pairs of Cu TiO2 samples decreased upon loading of Cu. Moreover, EDX analysis confirmed the existence of Ti and Cu in all the samples. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the synthesized samples were discovered through photodegradation of Rhodamine B organic dye under 6 hours of visible light irradiation. Amongst, Cu TiO2 photocatalysts synthesized via sonochemical method with molar ratio of 2:98 produced the highest photocatalytic activity of 65% which attributed to the lowest recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers and availability of large number of reactive oxidative species

Genetic polymorphisms in neuroendocrine disorder-related candidate genes associated with pre-pregnancy obesity in gestational diabetes mellitus patients by using a stratification approach

Background: Certain candidate genes have been associated with obesity. The goal of this study is to determine the association between thirteen neuroendocrine disorder-related candidate genes and pre-pregnancy obesity among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients using the stratification approach defined the Asian and International criteria-based body mass index (BMI). Methods: This was a post-hoc case-control exploratory sub-analysis of a cross-sectional study among GDM women to determine which candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to neuroendocrine disorders may be associated with obesity. Factors were adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and concurrent medical problems in this particular population. Pre-pregnancy BMI and concurrent medical profiles were obtained from maternal health records. Obesity is defined as BMI of ≥27.5 kg/m2 for Asian criteria-based BMI and >30 kg/m2 for International criteria-based BMI. Thirteen candidate genes were genotyped using Agena® MassARRAY and examined for association with pre-pregnancy obesity using multiple logistic regression analysis. The significant difference threshold was set at P value <0.05. Results: Three hundred and twelve GDM women were included in this study; 60.9% and 44.2% of GDM patients were obese using Asian and International criteria-based BMI, respectively. GDM patients with AA or AG genotypes in specific SNP of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (G > A in rs6265) are more likely to be obese (adjusted odd ratio =2.209, 95% CI, 1.305, 3.739, P=0.003) compared to those who carry the GG genotype in the SNP adjusted for parity, underlying with asthma, heart disease, anaemia, education background in the International criteria-based BMI stratification group. On the other hand, there were no associations between other candidate genes (NRG1, FKBP5, RORA, OXTR, PLEKHG1, HTR2C, LHPP, SDK2, TEX51, EPHX2, NPY5R and ANO2) and maternal obesity. Conclusions: In summary, BDNF rs6265 is significantly associated with pre-pregnancy obesity among GDM patients. The exact role of BDNF adjusted for diet intake and lifestyle factors merits further investigation

A clinical audit of the process of care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus in a Malaysian public polyclinic

Introduction: Proper gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) care is essential for optimal control and thus prevents ad-verse perinatal outcomes. This audit aimed to determine the quality of GDM care provided by a public polyclinic. Methods: The audit was performed on the clinic-based medical record of GDM patients who had undergone at least three prenatal follow-ups and one postnatal follow-up between January and November 2012. Patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus were excluded. Results: A total of 74 medical records were audited and it showed that 94.6% of patients were of age 25 and above, 91.9% were Malays, 71.6% were multigravida and 98.6% had risk factors of GDM. 54.1% of diagnoses were made during the second trimester, while 25.7% and 20.2% of cases were detected during the first and third trimester respectively. All of the GDM patients had their weight and blood pressure monitored, 85.1% had their fundal height checked as scheduled and 85.1% were referred for diet counselling. 81.9% and 100% of GDM patients who were not on treatment and on treatment correspondingly had their blood sugar profile monitoring done as recommended. Only 13.5% of GDM patients were given prenatal family planning counselling and 35.1% were given a six weeks’ postnatal oral glucose tolerance test appointment. Monthly ultrasound screening and HbA1c monitoring was done in merely 51.4% and 58.1% of the GDM patients respectively. Conclusion: The GDM care process in this public polyclinic could be improved further to achieve the standard recommendations

Study of early changes in intraocular pressure following phacoemulsification

: To evaluate early postoperative changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Method: This retrospective and observational study included 100 patients with normal IOP underwent uneventful standard phacoemulsification procedure for senile cataracts at Sarawak General Hospital over a period of six months from July 2017 to December 2017. Patient's data were retrieved from Eye Clinic records. All patients were checked for IOP with Goldmann tonometry during pre-operative assessment and one month postoperatively. Patients with pre-existing IOP related ocular disease or intraocular surgery were excluded. Effects of age, gender, comorbidity of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, eye laterality, ocular axial length and pre-operative IOP on post-operative IOP reduction were analysed. Results: Phacoemulsification was found to reduce IOP by mean of 1.07 mmHg, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). A larger IOP reduction was seen in cases with a higher pre-operative IOP (P 0.05). Conclusion: Phacoemulsification had a significant IOP-lowering effect in normal subjects, in particular in higher pre-operative IOP. There was no correlation between age, gender, comorbidity of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, eye laterality, and ocular axial length to IOP reduction following hacoemulsification

Development of high resolution melting analysis for the diagnosis of human malaria

Molecular detection has overcome limitations of microscopic examination by providing greater sensitivity and specificity in Plasmodium species detection. The objective of the present study was to develop a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction coupled with high-resolution melting (qRT-PCR-HRM) assay for rapid, accurate and simultaneous detection of all five human Plasmodium spp. A pair of primers targeted the 18S SSU rRNA gene of the Plasmodium spp. was designed for qRT-PCR-HRM assay development. Analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay were evaluated. Samples collected from 229 malaria suspected patients recruited from Sabah, Malaysia were screened using the assay and results were compared with data obtained using PlasmoNexTM, a hexaplex PCR system. The qRT-PCR-HRM assay was able to detect and discriminate the five Plasmodium spp. with lowest detection limits of 1–100 copy numbers without nonspecific amplifications. The detection of Plasmodium spp. in clinical samples using this assay also achieved 100% concordance with that obtained using PlasmoNexTM. This indicated that the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of this assay in Plasmodium spp. detection is comparable with those of PlasmoNexTM. The qRT-PCR-HRM assay is simple, produces results in two hours and enables high-throughput screening. Thus, it is an alternative method for rapid and accurate malaria diagnosis